Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Two Dodgers prospects were recognized during the first ever MiLB awards, which were announced on Monday night. First, Michael Busch was named to the All-MiLB Prospect 1st Team as the designated hitter. Busch was also a finalist for the Minor League Hitting Prospect of the Year Award, but it was given to Orioles teenage phenom Jackson Holliday instead.
It was an incredible season at the plate for Busch. The 25-year-old showed large improvements all over his profile. He was solid in his first stretch of Triple-A ball last year, homering 21 times with a 102 wRC+. However, Busch’s 9.9% walk rate and 26% strikeout rate each left room for improvement, which is exactly what he did in 2023.
Michael Busch was named to the All-MiLB Prospect 1st Team as the DH
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) October 3, 2023
In Triple-A this season, Busch slashed .323/.431/.618/1.049 with 27 homers for a 150 wRC+ in 98 games. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/qr4K7CTPis
While posting a stellar 1.049 OPS in Triple-A this year, Busch saw his walk rate increase to nearly 14% along with a strikeout rate that dropped to 18.8%. His 7.9% swinging strike rate was fifth lowest in the system. Busch had a year full of getting on base, doing damage and not striking out; essentially everything he was looking for at the plate.
Thayron Liranzo was also recognized for his great campaign, being named as the catcher on the All-MiLB Prospect 2nd Team. One of only nine Minor League catchers to hit 21 or more homers this season, Liranzo is two years younger than any other player in that group, and his 24 long balls were second most in the minors.
Thayron Liranzo was named to the All-MiLB Prospect 2nd Team at catcher
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) October 3, 2023
In his first year of full-season ball, Liranzo led the Single-A Cal League with 24 home runs while slashing .272/.400/.562/.962 for a 155 wRC+. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/kjn8qWLvk7
Liranzo’s 155 wRC+ was third highest in the minors among full-season catchers, with his .962 OPS being the best. If the switch-hitter can translate his success to High-A next season, he will likely find himself as a top 100 prospect, if he isn’t already there next spring. It is also important for Liranzo’s prospect stock to continue developing defensively, as an eventual move to first base would limit his value.
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Top international signee Hyun-Seok Jang pitched for team South Korea in their first matchup of the 2023 Asian Games. As his squad took on Hong Kong, Jang entered in the seventh inning as South Korea lead 3-0. Jang tossed a scoreless frame with two strikeouts, and a hit-by-pitch was the only batter to reach against him.
Hyun-Seok Jang, my No. 15 #Dodgers prospect, pitched in the Asian Games today representing team South Korea
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) October 1, 2023
Jang threw a scoreless inning, striking out 2 as he helped South Korea to a 10-0 win
If South Korea wins gold, Jang will be exempt from 18 months of military service pic.twitter.com/nfgcoJlaKo
The Dodgers signed Jang for $900,000 back in August. The 19-year-old is the only high school pitcher on South Korea’s roster, and he is pitching with big stakes: If Jang and his teammates win gold, they will be exempt from 18 months of mandatory military service. Just as Jang is attempting to do now, Chan Ho Park helped South Korea win gold at the 1998 Asian Games, allowing him to continue pitching for the Dodgers without a pause in his career to serve in the military.
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The Arizona Fall League kicked off Monday night with the first games of its month-long schedule. Dodgers outfield prospect Damon Keith started the opener in left field, batting sixth for the Glendale Desert Dogs. Keith, who spent the regular season in High-A, walked twice in his four plate appearances. Relief prospect Ryan Sublette also appeared, striking out three in his only inning of work out of the bullpen.
