Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The 2023 season saw a large chunk of Dodgers rookies making their Major League debuts, with a few of them graduating from prospect status. The system still stands strong through the minors, although it may not be as stacked at the top as last year. Still, there are plenty of key players to learn about that will be impacting the Dodgers for years into the future. Quality depth is where this system thrives.
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Note 1: Yoshinobu Yamamoto is not on this list for 325 million reasons. He would be the obvious top prospect if placed on this list, but Yamamoto is arguably an ace already. Putting him on a prospect list would discount his incredible achievements in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Note 2: Statistics in this article were accessed via multiple outlets, including FanGraphs, Baseball Reference, MLB, MiLB, and Baseball Savant. Referenced estimated sweet spot percentage figures come from a formula created by Jacob, and estimated expected weighted on-base average figures come from a formula created by Will Suge. Select plate discipline data comes from prospect cards by Jacob and Carson or Thomas Nestico.
Note 3: Only players that have not exceeded MLB rookie eligibility are on this list. Each player has their Opening Day age and highest level reached in 2023 next to their name. Other bio information can be found in the first table below. Additionally, each prospect was assigned scouting grades on the 20-80 scale, where a 50 grade signals average. More information on how that scale works for tools can be found here, and more about how it applies to Future Value (FV) can be found here.
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1. C/1B Dalton Rushing, 23, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA: |
| 6’1″/ 220 lbs | L/R | 2nd Round (40), 2022 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 40/50 | 60/60 | 45/55 | 45/45 | 35/50 | 50 | Low |
Dalton Rushing narrowly missed a homer, settling for an RBI double to give High-A Great Lakes the lead in their winner-take-all playoff game pic.twitter.com/LyWs60OFAz
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 16, 2023
It is a wonder that the Dodgers got Dalton Rushing outside of the first round in the 2022 draft. He has wasted no time becoming the top prospect in the system. It began with a rabid run to start his pro career, slashing .424/.539/.778 in Single-A the year he was drafted. Rushing went straight to High-A in 2023, where he put up solid numbers despite battling injuries; a concussion in June hampered his performance.
Rushing is a high-floor bat, much to the credit of his patience at the plate. He does not chase out of the zone often, running high walk rates so far that should continue all the way into the majors. That discipline, paired with a roughly average hit tool, manageable swing and miss, and power that has flashed plus at times creates a very reliable offensive profile. He has a high likelihood to become a high-OBP regular with more than 20 homers per season.
The Dodgers have been working hard with Rushing on his defense. He was a raw in the area entering the organization, due in a large part to competing for innings with future No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis while at Louisville. He has made good progress, and has a solid chance to stick as a passable catcher, although he has continued to spend a chunk of innings at first base as well. He doesn’t currently manage the run game great, but he has good arm strength and that is another area that should continually see improvement alongside his blocking, receiving and game-calling.
Rushing has a bat that will be ready for the majors fairly soon. With other catchers currently on the depth chart ahead of him, he may also need to learn a little corner outfield to find a roster spot and playing time, which he should be able to do with some work. Regardless, he projects as an everyday Major League hitter by mid-2025.
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2. RF/LF Josue De Paula, 18, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA: |
| 6’3″/ 185 lbs | L/L | Jan. 2022 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 45/60 | 50/60 | 35/55 | 45/40 | 25/40 | 50 | High |
JOSUE DE PAULA HOMER IN THE BIG LEAGUE GAME
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) March 2, 2024
A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE
🎥 @Antoni0u pic.twitter.com/tuboeZDKjT
One of the top teenage hitting prospects in baseball, Josue De Paula has immense potential. He put himself on the radar when he slashed .349/.448/.522 in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) in 2022. De Paula backed up his numbers by wowing evaluators at instructs that fall, giving the Dodgers so much faith that he was sent to Single-A a few days before his 18th birthday.
De Paula’s first year of full-season ball was very encouraging. He had a 118 wRC+ while posting very strong contact rates, especially considering his age. Another good sign was how well he hit left-handers, slashing .328/.386/.469 with a contact rate around 80% in 70 same-handed plate appearances.
Since he was signed in 2022, De Paula has shown an advanced feel for putting the bat on the ball. Despite being overly passive in the box at times and commonly working deep into counts, he managed a strikeout rate below 18% last season. Even as a teenager who skipped the Arizona Complex League (ACL) altogether, De Paula gave practically zero reason to worry about any swing-and-miss issues. His pure contact ability and feel for the barrel could feasibly lead to a plus or better hit tool.
As for the power, De Paula still needs to adjust to maximize his raw strength in games. He doesn’t hunt pitches to drive often enough yet and has hit too many ground balls. At just 18, he has plenty of time to adjust to lifting the ball and becoming more aggressive on hittable pitches. Along with his natural physical maturity that will continue to advance with time, De Paula could grow into hitting around 25 home runs per season.
He’s got below average right now but he runs the bases well, stealing 30 bases in 127 games so far as a pro. He’ll likely lose some more speed as he fills out physically, so he shouldn’t be considered as a future stolen base threat, but he may still retain enough mobility to not be a liability on the bases either. The mobility applies to his defense as well, where his above-average arm strength also helps his outlook as a passable corner outfielder. However, he’ll need to take many steps forward on his reads and overall feel with the glove to get there. Otherwise, he may have to be a first baseman or DH long-term.
As soon as his power starts to translate to games, De Paula could move through the minor leagues quickly. He projects to have an everyday (or better) caliber bat in the majors by mid-to-late 2026, especially considering that left-handers have yet to pose any issues for the teenage slugger.
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3. OF Andy Pages, 23, AAA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA: |
| 6’1″ / 212 lbs | R/R | Oct. 2017 (LAD) | 2024 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 40/45 | 60/60 | 55/60 | 50/45 | 45/55 | 50 | Medium |
Andy Pages UNLOADS on a ball for his first homer of the spring pic.twitter.com/Y48P5rkiwT
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 28, 2024
A shoulder injury derailed Andy Pages’ possible breakout year in 2023. The former High-A Midwest League MVP dominated through a month in Double-A, looking like a totally different player from his 2022 self. He was called up in mid-May, and in his Triple-A debut, he tore the labrum in his left shoulder on an 8th inning swing and miss.
Power has always been Pages’ calling card, with a questionable hit tool and somewhat limited mobility as his drawbacks. Those two weaknesses were turned completely around starting in spring training last year. Pages dropped over 20 pounds, increasing his speed and overall athleticism. Where 2022 had seemed to officially move Pages off of center field permanently, he suddenly was able to play up the middle again with his extra speed last year.
When it comes to his hit tool, Pages made huge strides compared to his 2022 season. He went from batting just .236 in his first full Double-A campaign (including a .211 average against right-handers) to hitting .284 through 33 games in 2023 (.299 against right-handers). The underlying metrics were just as encouraging, including a massive boost in sweet spot percentage (SwSpt%) from about 31% in 2022 to about 42% in 2023, which was in the 96th percentile of the system. More optimized launch angles hugely help the projection of Pages’ base-hit ability.
Although it is possible his injury could have an impact, Pages still possesses big pop even with his trimmed out frame. His improved batted ball data included a big dip in ground balls, and Pages had a .211 ISO even as opposing pitchers avoided giving him strikes to drive. His good vision at the plate led to an increase in walk rate as well, with Pages refusing to expand the zone even as pitchers nibbled around it. If Pages can aim to bat at least .250 in the major leagues, he should walk enough to post good OBPs to go with around 25 homers per season. Also, he absolutely slugs against left-handed pitching, which is a need for the Dodgers and could help accelerate his debut timeline in 2024.
Aside from the bat, Pages moves up this list because of the value he brings defensively. He’s still best suited for corner outfield, where he would be comfortably above average, but he could pass in center field as well now. His throwing arm is one of the strongest in the system, and it plays best when he is in right field or center field.
With the ability to play all three outfield spots when he isn’t slugging with the bat, Pages should be a valuable major leaguer. Mookie Betts’ move to second base could help Pages find playing time in the majors around the middle of this upcoming season.
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4. RHP Gavin Stone, 25, MLB
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA: |
| 6’1″ / 175 lbs | R/R | 5th Round (159), 2020 (LAD) | 2023 |
| 2-Seam | Fastball | Changeup | Cutter | Curveball | Command | FV | Risk |
| 55/55 | 45/50 | 70/70 | 50/55 | 35/40 | 50/55 | 45+ | Low |
Gavin Stone was masterful for OKC tonight in what was arguably the best start of his professional career.
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 5, 2023
6.0 IP
0 H
0 R
2 BB
10 K
32 CSW%
85 P / 55 S
Stone threw his cutter 28 times tonight and it let him to six no-hit frames. This was the best he's looked in 2023. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/oOWuflYosy
There is a lot to like about Gavin Stone, even though his first bit of time in the Majors didn’t go as smooth as he would have hoped. He was the best pitcher in the minor leagues in 2022, posting a 1.48 ERA across three levels and 26 games. However, Stone struggled badly in the first half of 2023, despite his high expectations entering the year.
Stone’s fastball that had been good enough to let his changeup dominate in 2022 was suddenly getting mashed in 2023. He had lost a little bit of velocity and action on the pitch, quickly making it a subpar offering. The Dodgers had him make big changes to his fastball usage midway through the season, decreasing the four-seamer in favor of a sinker. Stone also switched from a slider that he started the season with to a tighter 89-90 mph cutter as a glove-side breaking pitch.
His results in the second half looked a lot closer to the Gavin Stone that was expected in 2023. He pitched in seven Triple-A games from July forward, going 5-0 with a 2.49 ERA and a 30.3% strikeout rate. The new repertoire worked very well, with opponents in the hitter-dominant Pacific Coast League batting just .167 against Stone in the second half.
Overall, everything Stone does with his pitches is built to work around his changeup. It is an excellent pitch that gets whiffs against both handed batters whether it’s in the zone or forcing chases. He threw his changeup more than 1/3 of the time while in the Majors, and that usage will continue to run high. Stone commands the changeup well, even with the great late break that it features.
If Stone can hold his fastball velocity in the mid-90s, it will allow his fantastic changeup and new cutter to work at their best, making him a mid-rotation starter. Stone’s command waivered a bit at the beginning of 2023 while he struggled with fastball confidence, but at his best he commands his arsenal well. He can develop into above-average command as he gets more comfortable attacking Major Leaguers with his heater.
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5. RHP River Ryan, 25, AAA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’2″ / 195 lbs | R/R | 11th Round (340), 2021 (SD) | 2024 |
| Fastball | Slider | Cutter | Curveball | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 55/60 | 55/60 | 45/50 | 50/55 | 40/55 | 40/50 | 45+ | Medium |
River Ryan, my No. 9 #Dodgers prospect, in his second Triple-A start:
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 21, 2023
4.0 IP
6 H
3 R (1 ER)
0 BB
5 K
11 whiffs
29 CSW%
65 P / 45 S
Solid game for Ryan, who maxed out at 98.7 mph on his fastball pic.twitter.com/tkDlAfhOLD
Originally a two-way player at UNC Pembroke, the Padres drafted River Ryan as a position player in 2021. He played 12 games of rookie ball for them (and was actually pretty successful, batting .308) before the was traded to the Dodgers, who switched Ryan to pitching. The 25-year-old has taken off with Los Angeles, quickly rising up the ranks of pitching prospects in the organization and now bordering on a top 100 spot in all of baseball.
Ryan’s athleticism as a former two-way player serves him well on the mound. His delivery is very fluent and repeatable. The fastball has been very impressive since Ryan became a full-time pitcher, propelling into the upper 90s from a low release point with quality break. He’s touched 101 mph on the pitch in bullpen sessions, but sits closer to 95-99 in games, which still plays well because of its depth.
When he isn’t throwing the heater, Ryan’s most prominent off-speed pitch is a slider that he can throw either with slider action or with tighter spin that is more like a cutter. The slider version of the pitch dives down with good gyro movement in the upper 80s. The cutter version is quicker, sitting in the low 90s. Ryan also has a good curveball in the low 80s that he doesn’t always use, and a changeup that is raw but has shown flashes of being a solid pitch.
Although he turned 25 in August, Ryan is only entering his third season a professional pitcher, so there is still more room to grow than most arms his age. Similarly, he has not had to be added to the 40-man roster yet, although that will happen when he likely makes his MLB debut in 2024. Ryan will be starting his season late and be under careful management after experiencing shoulder fatigue at the end of 2023.
He needs to continue building up his workload and consistency, but his ceiling as a high-octane starter is evident. Worst case, if his command fails to develop and he ends up in a relief role, he would be effective with a couple extra ticks of velocity and nice breaking balls.
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6. SS/3B Joendry Vargas, 18, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’4″ / 175 lbs | R/R | Jan. 2023 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 30/55 | 45/60 | 35/60 | 55/50 | 35/50 | 45+ | Extreme |
Joendry Vargas, my No. 10 #Dodgers prospect, hit an absolutely electric homer in yesterday’s DSL championship clincher
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 2, 2023
Vargas, still just 17, posted a .952 OPS and 0.97 BB/K ratio in an impressive first pro season pic.twitter.com/8SBWPr05VE
The Dodgers’ top signee in the 2023 class, Joendry Vargas had a supremely impressive first year as a pro. Across 208 plate appearances, the then 17-year-old posted a .328/.423/.529 slash line with 30 walks and 31 strikeouts. Seven homers and 20 total extra-base-hits along with 19 steals showed aa nice power-speed combination for the young shortstop.
Vargas has a violent swing, with a decently big leg kick and rock before his hands explode through the zone. Still being as young as he is, his 6-foot-4 frame has plenty of room to continue filling out, which will help his power potential grow. He is already showing the ability to drive the ball to all fields with his great bat speed.
A good feel for the barrel gives Vargas good contact ability as well. He has an approach well beyond his age and shows good patience, not expanding the zone too often. With more power being added as the years go on, Vargas could provide a complete package of homers, average and walks at the plate.
Even though he is tall for the position, Vargas has a chance to stick a shortstop. First, he has a cannon of a throwing arm. He is quick and rangy for his height, and his actions flash above-average, although they can be a bit inconsistent. He’ll have to keep his mobility to stick as a solid defender at shortstop, but if he eventually outgrows it, he could be a plus defender at third base.
If everything works out, Vargas has serious five-tool potential. He’s a long way away from the Majors though and will have to continue ironing out the details in his game over the next few years, as well as building up strength. He will likely play games in Single-A this season, either later in the year or from the beginning, if the Dodgers are as aggressive with him as they were with De Paula last year.
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7. C Diego Cartaya, 22, AA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 219 lbs | R/R | July 2018 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 35/45 | 60/60 | 45/55 | 35/35 | 45/55 | 45+ | High |
Diego Cartaya has homered for the FOURTH STRAIGHT GAME pic.twitter.com/rcNTuwbNKj
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 2, 2023
Last season was a tough one for Diego Cartaya. He went from being ranked as the No. 14 prospect in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline preseason to falling off their 2024 list altogether. Further, he has plummeted down Dodgers specific lists, with writers across the sport selling their Cartaya stocks with little hesitation. However, the Venezuelan backstop still has a ton of talent, so it’s a bad idea to completely forget about him now.
Cartaya was signed back in 2018. After putting up solid numbers in rookie ball in 2019, and the minor league season being cancelled in 2020, Cartaya gave us the first real taste of his offensive abilities in 2021 with Rancho Cucamonga. He was great again in 2022, slugging his way to High-A without slowing down. The issues in 2023 were born out of a multitude of factors: the jump in competition to Double-A, not being fully healthy, and most of all, swing mechanics and offensive approach.
The leap in competition from High-A to Double-A is the toughest one in the minor leagues. Cartaya made it when he was more than three years younger than the average player in the Texas League. Without a fully tuned and sharpened offensive game, Double-A pitchers are capable of picking apart a batter’s weaknesses, and that’s what happened to Cartaya. He is still just 22 and will return to Tulsa looking to be more refined in the box, because success won’t return until he makes those adjustments.
If Cartaya can bounce back and allow his talent to shine once again, he could still become a viable everyday catcher in the Major Leagues. His defense has steadily improved to be in a very solid place now, especially when it comes to off the field components such as leadership and game-calling which are so important for catchers. This year will be an important one for him, but the former top IFA signee in Cartaya should still be looked at as one of the more intriguing players in this system.
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8. RHP Kyle Hurt, 25, MLB
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 240 lbs | R/R | 5th Round (134), 2020 (MIA) | 2023 |
| Fastball | Changeup | Slider | Curveball | Command | FV | Risk |
| 60/60 | 70/70 | 50/55 | 40/50 | 40/45 | 45+ | Medium |
Kyle Hurt with an extremely impressive MLB debut:
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 13, 2023
2.0 IP
0 H
0 R
0 BB
3 K
24P / 19S
He pumped strikes in the zone and tossed two perfect frames, including going through the heart of the Padres order
pic.twitter.com/za9vjt8QGW
Acquired by the Dodgers back in 2021, Kyle Hurt has had a bumpy minor league career, with 2023 proving his best campaign yet. Hurt pitched for USC in college and made his way back to SoCal after being part of the trade that sent Dylan Floro to Miami and brought Alex Vesia to Los Angeles. Since then, he’s struggled with control, but took a big step forward last season and made a brief MLB debut.
Hurt consistently makes hitters look as uncomfortable as they can be in the box. His delivery is quick and repeatable, looking both deceptive and explosive. Hurt’s fastball is very good, sitting around 96 mph and anchoring his whiff-proficient repertoire. However, his changeup is his best pitch, coming in at around 87 mph with excellent late movement that makes it effective against both righties and lefties. It is right up there with Stone in competition for the best changeup in the system.
While he throws his fastball and changeup the most, Hurt also features a slider and a curveball. His slider is the better of the two, playing as an above-average pitch at its best. It varies a bit in terms of velocity, ranging from the mid-80s some games to the upper-80s in others. Hurt’s curveball is a little behind the slider in terms of effectiveness, but has still flashed average while sitting in the upper-70s. All these pitches combined to give Hurt the best swinging strike percentage in the minor leagues and a strikeout rate of nearly 40% last season.
As mentioned before, the biggest doubt on Hurt’s profile has always remained his command. He walked almost 22% of hitters he faced in Double-A back in 2022. That number improved greatly to a manageable 11.3% clip in the minors last year. At his best, when throwing enough strikes, Hurt could give a very solid five-inning start as a member of the rotation. However, he may be best deployed as a swingman or multi-inning reliever — a role where he will likely get a good chunk of his MLB innings this season.
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9. LHP Jackson Ferris, 20, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’4″ / 195 lbs | L/L | 2nd Round (47), 2022 (CHC) | 2026 |
| Fastball | Sweeper | Curveball | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 55/60 | 50/60 | 45/55 | 35/45 | 30/45 | 45+ | High |
New #Dodgers LHP prospect Jackson Ferris, 19, was a second round pick in 2022
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) January 11, 2024
In his first year as a pro, he posted a 3.38 ERA with a 32.5% strikeout rate and .177 average against. That came with a lot of walks, similar to many young Dodger arms. pic.twitter.com/VM7NyvTpjX
Acquired in the offseason in the Michael Busch/Yency Almonte deal, Jackson Ferris is the top southpaw pitching prospect in his new organization. He was taken 47th overall by Chicago in 2022 out of IMG Academy in Florida. The 20-year-old’s first taste of pro ball went well, with Ferris posting a 3.38 ERA and 32.5% strikeout rate in Single-A.
Ferris’ arsenal is lead by a mid-90s fastball that has a great movement profile, both in terms of carry and some late horizontal action. He also throws a sweeper which he started using more as the 2023 season went on and could be a plus pitch. Another nice breaker for Ferris is his curveball, which comes over the top a little slower to contrast well with his other two leading pitches. Lastly, he has a changeup that is raw but could become a quality fourth pitch if Ferris can give it more consistency.
Similar to so many talented Dodger arms, Ferris is mostly battling himself, as his stuff is excellent but his command is not. He ran a walk rate of nearly 14% in Single-A last season, and his delivery has some moving parts that can lose connection at times. Ferris’ command will need to progress steadily as he moves through the system to reach his mid-rotation starter ceiling.
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10. C/1B/DH Thayron Liranzo, 20, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 195 lbs | S/R | Jan. 2021 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 35/40 | 65/65 | 50/60 | 30/30 | 35/45 | 45+ | High |
#Dodgers No. 26 prospect Thayron Liranzo crushed a 429 foot homer to dead center for Rancho Cucamonga
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 4, 2023
The teenage catcher is now at 17 home runs on the season, which is second best in the California League pic.twitter.com/C1RuyTmmEe
After leading the Single-A California League in homers last year, Thayron Liranzo had a lot of buzz around his name over the offseason. He showed up on a few top 100 prospects lists and has been named multiple places as a potential breakout prospect. His 50 XBH in 94 games last year make it easy to see why.
The switch-hitting Liranzo has huge raw power, particularly when batting lefty. He’s flashed max exit velocities multiple ticks above 110 mph. When he connects, the ball fires off his bat like a missile. Liranzo is better facing right-handed pitching, but he holds his own in the other box as well. While those parts of his profile jump off the page, there are some aspects of his offensive profile that bring some concern.
Throughout his minor league career, Liranzo has sat below average in line drive percentage as he focuses on elevating the ball. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but it can be a slippery slope as competition gets tougher. Liranzo also has dealt with swing-and-miss issues, running an in-zone whiff rate around 30% last season. He’s very patient at the plate, which led to a 16.7% walk rate as Single-A opponents pitched around him, but he still chases enough where he may walk less in the upper minors.
Defensively, Liranzo is a work in progress. He improved last year but still has ground to make up before he can be considered a surefire long-term catcher. Liranzo has mixed in a solid amount of first base as a pro as well, so he could end up splitting time between first base and a passable catcher if things work out.
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11. RHP Payton Martin, 19, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’0″ / 170 lbs | R/R | 17th Round (525), 2022 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 50/60 | 50/60 | 35/50 | 35/50 | 45+ | Extreme |
#Dodgers RHP Payton Martin is one of the most intriguing teenage pitching prospects in all of baseball
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 5, 2024
Last year was his first as a full-time pitcher and his fastball and slider each looked great. Here are some of his best heaters and breakers from 2023⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ZL3sRCW5YZ
Not taken until the 17th round in 2022, the Dodgers found a gem in Payton Martin. He was primarily a shortstop in high school, which helped him fall in the draft for Los Angeles to take him as a pitcher. In his first year on the mound full-time, Martin took off, and is now being speculated as one of the most intriguing sleeper prospects in baseball in some circles.
Martin puts his shortstop-like athleticism to use on the hill. His delivery is fluent and repeatable. It has helped his early success immensely as he learns to maximize his talented arsenal, which is headlined by a mid-to-high 90s fastball. Although a bit inconsistent, Martin’s heater has flashed plus, with fantastic carry and run that turns it into a whiff machine at the top of the zone.
His primary breaking ball is his mid-to-upper 80s slider, which has also flashed plus, with great diving action. Lastly, Martin has a changeup that has mostly been reserved for use against lefties, but could become a quality third pitch as he gets more comfortable throwing it. His command is inconsistent as a result of his lack of experience as a full-time pitcher.
Martin only pitched 39 2/3 innings in 2023 before being shut down. However, those innings were excellent, posting a 2.08 ERA, 30.2% strikeout rate and 57.0% ground ball rate. If Martin can hold results similar to those as he begins to stretch out his workload this season, he could be knocking on the door of top 100 lists by the end of the year.
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12. LHP Justin Wrobleski, 23, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’1″ / 194 lbs | L/L | 11th Round (342), 2021 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Fastball | Sinker | Slider | Curve | Change | Cutter | Command | FV | Risk |
| 60/60 | 50/50 | 55/60 | 45/50 | 45/55 | 50/55 | 40/45 | 45 | Medium |
Justin Wrobleski, my No. 20 #Dodgers prospect, was excellent tonight in the High-A Midwest League Championship Series
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 20, 2023
4.0 IP
3 H
0 R
0 BB
6 K
11 swings and misses
55 P / 39 S
Wrobleski was routinely hitting 97 mph on his fastball and has a 1.93 ERA in two playoff starts pic.twitter.com/0RJ5iqqkpU
The Dodgers drafted Justin Wrobleski in the 11th round in 2021 after he finished his college career with Tommy John surgery. He pitched in three Single-A games in 2022 and was sent straight to High-A to start last year, where he spent the full season. Wrobleski was excellent in his first extended time as a pro, posting a 2.90 ERA and 17.6 K-BB% in just over 100 innings.
Possibly the aspect that makes Wrobleski stand out the most is his deep bag of pitches. He throws six separate offerings, starting with a fastball that was touching 99 mph by September. The southpaw also features a sinker/two-seam in the mid-90s, a slider in the mid-80s, a curveball in the mid-80s, a changeup in the low-to-mid 80s, and a cutter that ranges from the high-80s to low-90s.
All of Wrobleski’s pitches are usable, with his fastball flashing plus as it gained velocity throughout the year. He commands everything fairly well too, walking 8.3% of batters he faced in 2023. Wrobleski should be in Double-A this year, and if he continues his upward trajectory from last season, he could be on track to earn a September call-up to the Majors.
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13. RHP Nick Frasso, 25, AAA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’5″ / 200 lbs | R/R | 4th Round (106), 2020 (TOR) | 2024 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 60/70 | 50/55 | 55/60 | 45/55 | 45 | Medium |
Nick Frasso, my No. 7 #Dodgers prospect, was very good in his Triple-A debut tonight:
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 28, 2023
6.0 IP
2 H
0 R
1 BB
4 K
29 CSW%
80 P / 51 S
Of Frasso's 80 pitches, 69 were fastballs that read as either sinkers, cutters or 4-seamers. His velocity topped out at 97 mph. #HereToPlay pic.twitter.com/qqQeeg4Mvb
Nick Frasso has some of the nastiest stuff in the Dodgers organization, minors or majors, when he’s healthy and at his best. Unfortunately, he is on the shelf for now, having undergone labrum surgery in November. The athletic right-hander was originally drafted by the Blue Jays in 2020 after undergoing elbow surgery while at Loyola Marymount. Two years later, in the midst of his first full professional season, he was sent to the Dodgers in the deal that brought Mitch White to Toronto.
Frasso’s workload was very controlled in 2022, never exceeding four innings in a start with either the Blue Jays or the Dodgers. His stuff played extremely well as a result, posting fastball metrics that were among the best in the minor leagues. The Dodgers extended Frasso out in 2023, and although he still produced solid results, his fastball took a slight step back as he was taking on more innings.
All three pitches in the right-hander’s repertoire have the potential to play above-average or better, with the fastball being the main calling card. At his best, Frasso touches triple digits with nasty horizontal movement, carry and velocity in the high 90s. It was practically the only pitch he needed in 2022, throwing it 63% of the time with immense success. That form of the pitch was effective against any and all batters, working on both sides of the plate to both righties and lefties. Overall, hitters struggled to a .245 xwOBA against Frasso’s fastball in 2022.
Frasso’s heater still worked in 2023, but it dipped in velocity as the season went on, likely having something do with his shoulder that needed post-season surgery. The fastball regression showed in Frasso’s 0.91 ERA in his first seven starts compared to a 5.12 ERA from then on (although a few blow-up starts in Double-A inflated that number). His overall strikeout numbers dropped significantly as the season went on as well. To reach his ceiling, Frasso needs his fastball at full quality.
He still pitched decently due to a gyro slider that plays well off his fastball and a changeup that drops off the table against lefties. Both pitches have been whiff machines as hitters gear themselves to catch up to Frasso’s fastball. Additionally, Frasso is able to command all three of his offerings fairly well, and could have above-average overall command at his ceiling.
Overall, the 6-foot-5 right-hander has a wide variety of outcomes. If he is able to carry his double-plus 2022 fastball into a full starting rotation role, he could be a number two or three starter. If he can only hold it across a span of three-to-four innings, he could be a very effective swingman. Lastly, if he has to, he could be a back-end reliever, where his fastball could make him one of the better “closers” in the game. His untimely labrum surgery could put him out until 2025, when he will be 26 years old. By then, the Dodgers may be forced to give in to his long-time durability concerns and move him to the bullpen.
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14. RHP Landon Knack, 26, AAA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’2″ / 220 lbs | L/R | 2nd Round (60), 2020 (LAD) | 2024 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Curveball | Command | FV | Risk |
| 50/55 | 55/55 | 45/50 | 40/50 | 50/60 | 45 | Low |
Landon Knack tonight in OKC:
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 20, 2023
4.0 IP
3 H
0 R
1 BB
3 K
17 CSW%
58 P
His Triple-A ERA is now just 2.55 #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/YzqgP8P8Fm
After being taken in the second round in 2020, Landon Knack has had an interesting three years in the minor leagues that have seen him bounce all around prospect lists. He’s dealt with injuries that have hampered his performance and hasn’t fast-tracked to the majors quite as fast as was hoped. Now, Knack is 26 and looking to break into the big leagues for good.
Knack’s main two offerings are a fastball and a slider, each of which are above-average at their best, with his slider occasionally flashing plus. His fastball has touched the upper 90s before while retaining good command, and whether he can consistently throw the pitch in the mid-90s is a big factor in his profile. Knack’s heater progressively lost velocity as 2023 went on, and he was eventually shut down in late August.
When healthy, Knack’s combo of plus command and strikeout stuff make him a rare archetype of a pitching prospect. If he can get healthy and find his best velocity again while holding onto his command, he can be a big-league starter at any time. A No. 5 starter in the Majors is a likely outcome for the right-hander, with a mid-rotation ceiling remaining possible.
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15. CF Eduardo Quintero, 18, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’0″ / 175 lbs | R/R | Jan. 2023 (LAD) | 2028 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 40/60 | 35/50 | 35/50 | 70/70 | 40/55 | 45 | Extreme |
#Dodgers outfield prospect Eduardo Quintero taking BP pic.twitter.com/U37oojIoh2
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 2, 2024
Although he flew under the radar when he was signed, Eduardo Quintero had one of the best pro debuts in the DSL last season. He is now one of the top teenage talents in this system that is loaded with quality young prospects.
He mashed to a 1.089 OPS in the DSL last year despite his smaller size and the fact he didn’t turn 18 until September. Quintero combined his pure production at the plate with 22 stolen bases and solid defense in center field, where he was moved after originally signing as a catcher.
As he moves stateside, it’s unlikely Quintero will put up the same power numbers that he did in 2023 due to his lack of raw thump. However, he could have a plus hit tool and be a good on-base threat. Pair that with good speed and a legitimate shot to stick in center field and Quintero has a very intriguing long-term profile.
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16. LHP Maddux Bruns, 21, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’2″ / 205 lbs | L/L | 1st Round (29), 2021 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Curveball | Command | FV | Risk |
| 55/60 | 55/60 | 45/55 | 35/50 | 30/40 | 45 | High |
Maddux Bruns, my No. 8 #Dodgers prospect, in a playoff start for High-A Great Lakes today:
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 15, 2023
4.0 IP
1 H
1 R (0 ER)
3 BB
7 K
69 P / 42 S
Absolute gem from the former first-rounder, and it came when his squad needed it the most pic.twitter.com/dQuQ2Ysl4w
Maddux Bruns is a difficult prospect to decode. He is the epitome of a high-risk, high-reward draft pick and has shown flashes of each possibility so far as a pro. Bruns was taken in the first round in 2021 after dominating high school ball in Alabama.
Bruns has excellent stuff, starting with a mid-90s fastball that has good carry and run. He touches the high 90s occasionally and generates a lot of whiffs with the pitch when it’s located at the top of the zone. Bruns’ best secondary is his slider, which is in the mid-80s with sharp, late break. It flashes plus and is the pitch that can keep Bruns effective even when he is struggling to throw strikes.
Rounding out his arsenal is a changeup that has shown above-average potential and a high-70s curveball with big movement. Bruns struggled to find his curveball consistently and wasn’t throwing the pitch by the end of 2023, so he might be phasing it out of his attack plan. The X-factor for Bruns is his command: It is fringe right now even for a reliever outlook and will need to improve substantially before he could reach his mid-rotation ceiling.
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17. SS/3B Trey Sweeney, 23, AAA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’2″ / 212 lbs | L/R | 1st Round (20), 2021 (NYY) | 2024 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 45/50 | 55/55 | 40/50 | 45/45 | 45/45 | 45 | Low |
Trey Sweeney launch! First homer in Dodger blue for the shortstop prospect pic.twitter.com/v10zIzdwcs
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) March 1, 2024
Trey Sweeney, a first round pick to the Yankees back in 2021, was sent to the Dodgers this offseason for lefty reliever Victor González and fellow infield prospect Jorbit Vivas. Sweeney is now the most advanced shortstop prospect in the system in terms of big league proximity, as he will likely start 2024 with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
None of Sweeney’s tools stand out far above the others, but nothing lags far behind either. He’s around average as a pure hitter, with his on-base ability boosted by a patient approach and excellent plate discipline. He has solid bat-to-ball ability and ran decent contact rates in Double-A last season while totaling 35 XBH in 100 games. However, Sweeney might be limited to a platoon future, as he batted just .161 against southpaws.
Sweeney isn’t particularly fast but has deceptive athleticism that helps him on defense and the basepaths. He is a fringe defender at shortstop and might be best suited bouncing around shortstop, second base and third base in the Majors. Regardless of his spot on the dirt, Sweeney is a high probability big leaguer who could be a solid contributor in a platoon role as soon as mid-2024 or 2025.
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18. RHP Hyun-Seok Jang, 20, N/A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’4″ / 200 lbs | R/R | Aug. 2023 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Fastball | Curve | Slider | Sweeper | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 55/60 | 45/60 | 45/55 | 50/60 | 35/50 | 40/50 | 40+ | Extreme |
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 Hyun-Seok Jang abruptly in August last year. He was projected to be the first overall pick in the KBO entry draft but instead chose to begin his MLB career. In the fall, Jang won gold at the Asian Games with team South Korea, exempting him from 18 months mandatory military service.
The young right-hander is physically imposing, listed at 6-foot-4 as a teenager. Jang’s fastball is already impressive, sitting in the mid-90s and touching 98 mph as a high schooler. His curveball is bendy in the high-70s with plus potential. Jang throws two sliders, one tighter and one with more sweeping action and a little less velocity. He also has a changeup that could develop into a nice offering against lefties.
Jang is many years out and has a lot of risk. He’s extremely talented, but any pitcher this young has to be projected carefully. If everything works out well for Jang in his first professional season, he could be in the top 10 of the system quickly. His absolute ceiling could be as a number two starter, or maybe even an ace.
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19. SS/3B Emil Morales, 17, N/A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 191 lbs | R/R | Jan. 2024 (LAD) | 2028 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 25/50 | 45/70 | 35/60 | 50/45 | 35/50 | 40+ | Extreme |
The Dodgers consistently do well on the international side and it looks like they have their next big signing in Emil Morales. Easy power stroke to all fields and reports say he shows strong pitch recognition and knows how to work counts.
— Chris Clegg (@RotoClegg) January 1, 2024
🎥: his instagram pic.twitter.com/I9GlqtOkh0
Emil Morales is the top signee in the Dodgers’ 2024 IFA class (at least for now). He has a massive ceiling and is already one of the top infield prospects in the system at just 17 years old. He’ll have many eyes on him in the DSL next season, where he will be one of the top names on the circuit.
Morales has big projectable power, with a wide frame and bat that stays long through the zone. His offensive game is what makes him a top prospect, as the Dodgers hope he turns into a middle-of-the-order type of bat. Reports say he is mentally advanced for his age, carrying an approach to the plate that should draw plenty of walks and make him an on-base plus power threat.
For now, Morales is a shortstop. He’s big for the position at 6-foot-3 and can make it work to start his pro career, but he might have to move to third base eventually. He has a nice arm and good enough actions that he should be a lock for the left side of the infield regardless. With his complete profile, Morales could skyrocket up this list in the next few years.
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20. CF Kendall George, 19, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 5’10” / 170 lbs | L/L | 1st Round (36), 2023 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 45/60 | 25/30 | 20/30 | 80/80 | 45/60 | 40+ | High |
First rounder Kendall George, my No. 25 #Dodgers prospect, in his first seven Single-A games:
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) September 5, 2023
10 H
.370 AVG
.469 OBP
.913 OPS
2 2B
2 SB
George has been very productive to begin his pro career pic.twitter.com/ZBd29M0P5w
Kendall George was the Dodgers’ first round pick last year out of high school in Texas. He was projected to go later in the draft than he was taken and ended up signing under-slot, so he isn’t quite as high on this list as the first round pedigree would suggest he should be. However, that is not a knock on George’s ability, as he could become a very impactful player as he moves up through the system.
The tool that makes George stand out is his speed. He is the fastest player in the entire Dodgers organization and one of the fastest in the sport. George also has a potentially plus hit tool and a good feel for swing decisions, hitting for a high average and drawing plenty of walks.
George’s main limitation is that he does not and will not ever possess big power. The best the Dodgers can hope for is around 10 homers annually. However, with the on-base ability and plus defense in center field, George still could be a productive Major Leaguer years down the road.
At the least, he has the speed to be a dominant stolen base threat, even if it’s off the bench. George had a great start to his pro career, batting .370 with 17 stolen bases in 28 games. He’ll look to reach High-A this year while potentially starting to add some more in-game power.
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21. IF/OF Austin Gauthier, 24, AA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Post-Draft UDFA: | ETA |
| 6’0″ / 188 lbs | R/R | Aug. 2021 (LAD) | 2024 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 50/55 | 40/40 | 40/40 | 55/55 | 55/55 | 40+ | Low |
AUSTIN GAUTHIER GO-AHEAD GRAND SLAM IN THE 8TH pic.twitter.com/bEY8cHiUNV
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) March 2, 2024
Austin Gauthier has had a quick rise up the ranks since going undrafted in 2021. He played for four seasons at Hofstra University and was already 22 years old by the time he was signed. Gauthier is a high-floor, utility-type of player that could provide Major League value soon.
Gauthier has some of the best on-base ability in the system that starts from his excellent ability to draw walks. He does not expand the zone and is comfortable working deep into counts and still avoiding strikeouts. Between High-A and Double-A last season, Gauthier had a 17.3% walk rate and 14.5% strikeout rate, each excellent clips that were near the top of the organization.
While he does not hit for a ton of power, Gauthier has a good feel for spraying line drives all over the field for hits. He slashed .293/.411/.433 in 84 Double-A games last year, a very respectable line that is reflective of his strengths. The Dodgers spread around his defensive innings all over between shortstop, third base, second base, left field and right field.
Gauthier should be MLB ready fairly quick and has a likely outlook as a consistent utility piece. He projects as a quality addition to any bench, with decent speed and defensive versatility that allows him to plug into the lineup wherever he’s needed.
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22. 3B/1B Jake Gelof, 22, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’1″ / 195 lbs | R/R | 2nd Round (60), 2023 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 40/50 | 55/60 | 45/55 | 45/45 | 35/40 | 40+ | Medium |
Jake Gelof, the #Dodgers’ second round pick this year, won Single-A Cal League Player of the Month for September
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) October 10, 2023
In nine games before the Single-A playoffs, Gelof slashed .308/.341/.744 and led the league with five home runs, 17 RBI and 29 total bases pic.twitter.com/3chm3m1ZNV
The Dodgers got good value taking Jake Gelof 60th overall in last year’s draft. Gelof is the University of Virginia’s all-time home run leader and possesses a lot of pop. He ended the 2023 season on fire, winning the Single-A California League Player of the Month award in September.
Gelof’s profile is led by his power. He is aggressive at the plate, putting everything he has into his swings as he seeks to do the maximum amount of damage. At times, his aggressiveness can limit his walks as well as creating some extra swing-and-miss that could be an obstacle as he moves through the minors.
For now, Gelof is a third baseman, but he might end up moving off the position at some point in favor of first base or corner outfield. He’ll likely get a large chunk of experience in High-A this season, the first big test to see how his strikeout and walk rates hold up. Gelof has a ceiling as an impactful power bat if everything works out.
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23. OF Jose Ramos, 23, AA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’1″ / 200 lbs | R/R | July 2018 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 40/40 | 60/60 | 50/55 | 45/45 | 45/55 | 40+ | High |
Jose Ramos hit a long homer for Tulsa pic.twitter.com/YlExnCNqZM
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) May 5, 2023
Jose Ramos made it through the Rule 5 draft untaken for the second straight year this offseason. For a player with as much raw potential as he has, that could sound like a surprise. However, over the last two seasons, Ramos has remained a small bit away from being a surefire Major Leaguer.
First, the good: Ramos has plus power at the plate and an 80-grade throwing arm in the outfield. He does a good job swinging aggressively on in-zone pitches without chasing too much. In the first half of 2023, Ramos was at his best, hitting 16 homers with an .804 OPS.
But then, the bad: Ramos has serious swing-and-miss issues. In the lower minor leagues, he was able to make it work, but the whiffs hampered how much his power could play in Double-A games. Over his final 33 games of 2023, Ramos totaled just six extra-base-hits while striking out 34% of the time and posting a .586 OPS.
If Ramos can make his hit tool manageable, he could be a power-first everyday player in the Majors. He played mostly center field last year but is best suited for right field because of his below-average mobility. This is a huge year for Ramos to prove himself, as next offseason could be his last chance to get rostered and remain a Dodger.
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24. LHP Ronan Kopp, 21, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’7″ / 250 lbs | L/L | 12th Round (372), 2021 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 65/65 | 55/60 | 35/40 | 30/35 | 40+ | High |
#Dodgers No. 18 prospect Ronan Kopp today:
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 21, 2023
3.0 IP
0 H
0 R
2 BB
4 K
53 P / 30 S
His ERA this season is down to 2.92 pic.twitter.com/sZ8m0f4zy5
Ronan Kopp is a physical marvel that the Dodgers managed to snag in the 12th round in 2021. He stands 6-foot-7 and attacks hitters with a high release point from that large frame. Kopp has a ton to like from a stuff perspective, but has extremely fringy command.
Kopp’s fastball rides into the upper 90s with solid carry and has touched triple digits before in short spurts. His slider could be a plus pitch and is already an above-average whiff machine. Kopp has a ton of relief risk that is born out of his changeup not being a reliable third pitch and his command being far below average.
Kopp was shifted to the bullpen for the end of 2023, making his final 12 appearances in relief. He then pitched all seven games in which he appeared in the Arizona Fall League as a reliever. It is unclear if Kopp will be a full-time reliever moving forward or if the Dodgers were trying to manage his innings and give him some early experience in what might be his long-term role.
The most valuable outcome for Kopp could be as an excellent late-innings reliever. As a left-hander, there is even more value that he could bring out of the bullpen, and his stuff would play to its best there. Either way, his stuff is too good to not see a future big leaguer in some capacity with him.
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25. SS Oswaldo Osorio, 18, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’1″ / 171 lbs | L/R | Jan. 2022 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 25/40 | 40/55 | 35/55 | 50/55 | 40/55 | 40+ | Extreme |
#Dodgers 18 y/o infield prospect Oswaldo Osorio hit his first Arizona Complex League homer
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 29, 2023
Osorio has shown a great combo of power and plate discipline and is a young player to watch pic.twitter.com/onxEmraVpw
Oswaldo Osorio is often overlooked in the lower levels of this system despite being one of its most projectable young players. A shortstop who has a legit chance of sticking there, Osorio has shown a well-developed approach and some nice pop in his bat for a player of his age.
Through 93 rookie-ball games between the DSL and ACL, Osorio has homered 12 times while posting a 17.5% walk rate. He has struggled with swings and misses at times, but he made the most of his contact last season, running a sweet spot percentage of roughly 36.2% which landed him in the 84th percentile of the system.
Osorio has a good chance to end up an average or better infield defender, potentially even sticking at shortstop. He’ll likely be in Single-A for the majority of 2024, looking to hold his on-base/power combo without his strikeouts increasing too much.
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26. RHP Peter Heubeck, 21, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 170 lbs | R/R | 3rd Round (101), 2021 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Fastball | Curveball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 50/55 | 45/60 | 40/50 | 35/45 | 35/45 | 40 | High |
Peter Heubeck threw five no-hit innings for Rancho Cucamonga tonight as the Quakes clinched the first-half championship in the California League South Division pic.twitter.com/CsMiaAkoFV
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 18, 2023
The results have not looked pretty so far, but Peter Heubeck has a lot of potential as a starting pitcher. He was drafted in the third round in 2021 out of high school in Baltimore. In his first two full professional seasons, he’s had peaks where he’s shown his excellent ability overshadowed by too many blow-up starts.
Heubeck’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and has very good carry up in the zone. He has a big bendy curveball that generates chases and knee-buckles alike and is a weapon in two-strike counts. Heubeck also has a slider that is good for use against righties and a changeup for similar use against lefties.
Shaky command is often to blame for Heubeck’s struggles on the stat sheet. He walked 11.5% of batters he faced last year, which was an improvement from his 17.6% clip in 2022. If Heubeck can continue refining his command and letting his stuff play, he could become a quality back-end starter.
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27. OF Chris Newell, 22, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 200 lbs | L/L | 13th Round (405), 2022 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 30/40 | 60/60 | 45/55 | 55/55 | 50/55 | 40 | High |
Chris Newell hit his 21st home run of the season, which leads the #Dodgers MiLB system
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 23, 2023
It's his 7th homer in High-A pic.twitter.com/N7eJlmCyNm
Chris Newell started his first full pro season on fire, tearing through Single-A pitching for about two months before he was promoted to High-A. Things didn’t go as well for him in Great Lakes, although he was still able to show off some of the raw power that elevates his prospect pedigree.
Newell has big pop among other nice tools. He runs high exit velocities that could translate to 25+ home run power alongside speed that translates to some stolen bases and defense that has a chance to remain passable in center field.
The biggest concern for Newell is his whiff rate. He has a history of swinging and missing too much, at times becoming unmanageable, like when he whiffed roughly 38% of the time in High-A last year. He was also overly passive and hit too many ground balls, although that patience does contribute to good walk rates that Newell should maintain as he moves through the minors.
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28. IF/C Yeiner Fernandez, 21, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 5’9″ / 170 lbs | R/R | July 2019 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 45/55 | 35/40 | 30/40 | 45/45 | 40/50 | 40 | Medium |
Yeiner Fernandez, my No. 20 #Dodgers prospect, homered in his Fall League debut tonight
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) October 5, 2023
Fernandez started the game at shortstop, playing the position for the first time as a pro
🎥: @twinstarcaptain pic.twitter.com/u97mORpKtw
Yeiner Fernandez has a relatively good chance to end up as a MLB utility-man. He can play all over the infield, will likely sprinkle in some corner outfield and his natural position is catcher. That is where the 21-year-old’s value is found.
Fernandez has a small frame that won’t translate to more than 12-ish homers per season and possibly less. His hit tool is above-average and he avoids strikeouts very well while also drawing his fair share of walks. He doesn’t run particularly well and isn’t a stolen base threat despite his compact size.
An on-base focused offensive player who can play decent defense all over the diamond can be quite valuable, and Fernandez is shaping up to be that kind of player. In a system stacked with catchers, he will be deployed in many positions at every level before he reaches the Majors, looking to lock in his utility outlook.
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29. SS Noah Miller, 21, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 5’11” / 190 lbs | S/R | CB-A (36), 2021 (MIN) | 2026 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 35/50 | 35/40 | 30/40 | 50/50 | 55/60 | 40 | Medium |
New #Dodgers shortstop prospect Noah Miller is an above average to plus defender at shortstop pic.twitter.com/Rz5UPtDQtv
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 26, 2024
The Dodgers acquired Noah Miller in exchange for Manuel Margot and infield prospect Rayne Doncon this spring. Miller was the 36th overall pick in 2021 to the Twins. His glove has been excellent as a pro, but his bat has struggled.
Miller is batting just .220 through 250 career minor league games, turning in a .644 OPS. On the bright side, he finished his 2023 on a high note, slashing .262/.365/.433 for a 126 wRC+ across his last 36 games. He has the tools to be a passable hitter if he can hold his best offensive self consistently.
The best part of Miller’s profile is his glove. He’s a true shortstop that may end up as a plus defender, and he won the Minor League Gold Glove Award at short in 2023. All the switch-hitter will have to do is get up to par with the bat, and he could be a glove-first MLB regular.
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30. IF Alexander Albertus, 19, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’1″ / 176 lbs | R/R | June 2022 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 35/55 | 35/45 | 30/45 | 55/50 | 35/50 | 40 | High |
Alexander Albertus, my No. 53 #Dodgers prospect, since being promoted to the Arizona Complex League:
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 22, 2023
14 G
.313 AVG
.532 OBP
.970 OPS
14 BB
4 K
Overall, he has a .939 OPS and 2.00 BB/K rate in 45 games this season pic.twitter.com/AYgMLNHCYi
Alexander Albertus was signed out of Aruba in 2022 and has quickly become one of the most impressive teenagers in the system. He made it to the ACL last year, posting a .939 OPS and 2.00 K/BB ratio overall on the season.
Albertus has excellent plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills. His power is a bit behind his hit tool but he added strength this offseason and will look to translate it onto the field in 2024. With his advanced approach, Albertus should see the majority of his 2024 season in Single-A.
He has played all over the infield so far as a pro. As he gets bigger with age, Albertus is likely to end up at third base or second base rather than his listed shortstop.
——
31. IF Jeral Perez, 19, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’0″ / 179 lbs | R/R | Jan. 2022 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 30/45 | 40/50 | 35/50 | 55/55 | 35/50 | 40 | Extreme |
JERAL PÉREZ, Tabla el primer día de liga desde allá, que Dios te siga guiando. pic.twitter.com/hruvDDNxbg
— Plutarco Pérez (@plutarcoperez) June 6, 2023
Jeral Perez is a teenage infielder who led the ACL in homers last year despite a 6-foot frame. Signed as part of the Dodgers’ 2022 IFA class, he got a small taste of Single-A before the end of 2023.
Perez pairs his deceptive power with decent contact skills and an impressive ability to get on base. He ran a .257/.389/.503 slash line in the ACL last year that showcased his combination of power and discipline. Most likely, Perez will be in Single-A this season, where he will try to replicate that production.
Long term, Perez is best suited for second base defensively. He is roughly average or slightly below with the glove but is unlikely to remain a shortstop moving up through the minors.
——
32. RHP Jesus Tillero, 17, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’0″ / 190 lbs | R/R | Jan. 2023 (LAD) | 2028 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 50/60 | 40/55 | 30/45 | 35/50 | 35+ | Extreme |
There isn’t much video out there on #Dodgers 17-year-old RHP prospect Jesus Tillero
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 28, 2024
This was posted by Tillero’s agency a month after he turned 16, back in June 2022
Tillero posted a 1.47 ERA in the DSL last year and could become a top pitching prospect pic.twitter.com/oHHxSXi1NH
Young even for his class, the Dodgers signed Jesus Tillero as part of their 2023 class when he was just 16 years old. He turned 17 in May and had an excellent first summer as a pro. In 10 starts, he had a 1.47 ERA, 28.6 K% and 5.0 BB%.
Tillero rocketed up boards as everyone was very impressed by what they saw out of the young right-hander. He is advanced for his age all the way around. His fastball is his best pitch, already sitting in the low-to-mid 90s with great carry and an overall impressive movement profile.
At this point, he mainly threw his breaking ball as a departure from his heater, not using his changeup much yet. The breaking ball has been classified as a slider or a curveball depending on where you look. Tillero commands everything in his arsenal well beyond his age, and is a name to watch as he potentially makes it stateside this season.
——
33. C Hunter Feduccia, 26, AAA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’0″ / 215 lbs | L/R | 12th Round (374), 2018 (LAD) | 2024 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 45/45 | 45/45 | 40/45 | 30/30 | 55/55 | 40 | Low |
Hunter Feduccia CRUSHED a 421 foot homer for OKC to tie the Triple-A Championship Game pic.twitter.com/2XVbWO7Tt2
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) October 1, 2023
The Dodgers added Hunter Feduccia to their 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He’s slowly worked his way through the system after being drafted in 2018, with his best offensive season coming last year.
Feduccia is fringe-average across the board with the bat. Boosting his production is his excellent plate discipline, as Feduccia only chased roughly 20% of the time last season. He had a 106 wRC+ in Triple-A fueled by his .387 OBP and 11 home runs.
Most likely, Feduccia projects as a secondary catcher that could be in the Majors for a while. His bat is unlikely to garner a full-time role on a good team, but he is an above-average defender behind the plate and can provide average offensive numbers. Further, Feduccia is a good leader for pitchers to throw to.
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34. OF Arnaldo Lantigua, 18, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’2″ / 200 lbs | R/R | Jan. 2023 (LAD) | 2028 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 20/45 | 45/60 | 35/55 | 45/45 | 30/50 | 40 | Extreme |
Heck of a swing on this homer in #Dodgers camp from outfield prospect Arnaldo Lantigua
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) October 31, 2023
Still just 17, Lantigua hit seven homers in his first 29 Dominican Summer League games this year. He added 4 more XBH and 6 RBI in 7 playoff games pic.twitter.com/7ZBuEuloKn
Already physical having just turned 18 this winter, Arnaldo Lantigua showed off his power potential in his first summer as a pro. In 36 DSL between the regular season and playoffs, Lantigua totaled eight home runs, 15 extra-base-hits and 30 RBI.
Lantigua already sprays home runs to all fields with ease. He batted just .222 last year, but that could have been partially due to poor luck, with his BABIP sitting at .224. That said, his hit tool is behind his power, projecting as fringe-average.
Defensively, Lantigua played most of his innings in center field last year but projects best as a right fielder. He isn’t fast enough to be a great center fielder or big stolen base threat. He could end up as an average defender in either corner.
——
35. OF Samuel Munoz, 19, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 190 lbs | L/R | Jan. 2022 (LAD) |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 30/55 | 40/50 | 25/45 | 45/45 | 30/45 | 40 | High |
Samuel Munoz, my No. 30 #Dodgers prospect, hit his SEVENTH triple of the ACL season last night
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 11, 2023
As an 18-year-old, Munoz has an .809 OPS and nine stolen bases in 44 games pic.twitter.com/vJU4qEkPre
Samuel Munoz is a hit-over-power teenager that put up big numbers in the summer of 2022 in the DSL, but when he arrived stateside in 2023, those numbers dropped off a bit. He had an 87 wRC+ as his production took a step back in just about every way.
Munoz has good feel for the barrel and could be an above-average contact hitter. Power wise, about 15 home runs would be the best outcome. He has hit just three homers through 99 professional games.
This should be a big year for Munoz. He is slated to reach Single-A and will seek to get back to the impressive on-base numbers he showed in 2022. Munoz projects as a corner outfielder or potentially even a first baseman long-term.
——
36. SS Alex Freeland, 22, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’2″ / 200 lbs | S/R | 3rd Round (105), 2022 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 30/45 | 45/50 | 35/45 | 40/40 | 45/55 | 40 | Medium |
Absurdly good play by #Dodgers No. 25 prospect Alex Freeland pic.twitter.com/07eE2VjY2C
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 8, 2023
Alex Freeland had his crown as the top defensive infielder in the system taken when the Dodgers acquired Noah Miller. However, Freeland could have the slightly better bat over Miller, and the 2022 third-round pick still projects as an above-average glove at shortstop.
Freeland went straight to High-A to begin his first full professional season and was middle-of-the-pack at the plate, slashing .240/.345/.362. He has great plate discipline that is key to his on-base projection. A switch-hitter, he is better from the left side, batting just .147 against lefties.
He has roughly average raw thump from both sides of the plate and could become a 15-homer hitter. Freeland’s future as a pro hinges on his defense, with the possibility to become an infield utilityman being the most likely way for him to reach the Majors.
——
37. RHRP Jake Pilarski, 25, AA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | MiLB FA: | ETA |
| 6’2″ / 215 lbs | R/R | Dec. 2023 (LAD) | 2024 |
| Fastball | Slider | Command | FV | Risk |
| 70/70 | 70/70 | 40/40 | 40 | Medium |
Found the full tape on Jake Pilarski.
— RB (@rbhockey6) March 24, 2023
For those of you who love Velocity and horizontal break on Fastballs, I encourage you to take a peak.
If he makes the roster later in the season, it’d be quite the career turnaround for him. pic.twitter.com/q7b45u6ZAz
Perhaps the most unique career path out of anyone on this list, Jake Pilarski was picked up from Independent ball a year ago. He throws triple digits with a wicked slider that could make him a late-relief weapon that fell into the Dodgers’ lap on a minor league deal.
After spring last year, it was seen as possible that Pilarski could reach the Majors in short order. He dominated High-A as Great Lakes’ closer before being moved up to Double-A in early May. However, he wasn’t himself in Tulsa, missing over a month on the injured list and struggling when he was on the field.
If Pilarski comes out of the gates this year firing 101 mph fastballs and double-plus low-90s sliders like he was last spring, he could be in LA in short order. However, his health remains to be seen, along with whatever else could have been afflicting him down the stretch last season.
——
38. RHP Brady Smith, 19, N/A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’2″ / 170 lbs | R/R | 3rd Round (95), 2023 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Fastball | Curveball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 40/55 | 45/60 | 40/55 | 35/45 | 35/50 | 40 | Extreme |
Brady Smith….bullish here. The FB has that upward movement/ride quality which is striking (pun intended) #MLBDraft23 pic.twitter.com/hY9wRsAhL5
— MLB Draft Room (@MLBDraftRoom) June 23, 2023
Brady Smith was the Dodgers’ third-round pick last year out of high school in Tennessee. He’s similar to other prep arms LA has taken before with a good analytical profile and potential for helium.
Smith has a high-spin fastball that sits in the low 90s with carry and arm-side run. His slight frame has plenty of room for more strength with age, which should add some velocity to his heater. He has a north-south curveball that could be a plus breaker as well as a slider and a changeup, all of which have good spin as well.
Potentially average command rounds out Smith’s profile as an intriguing young arm. He’ll make his professional debut this season and look to begin adding strength and establishing an ever-growing workload.
——
39. RHP Edgardo Henriquez, 21, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’4″ / 200 lbs | R/R | Sept. 2018 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Fastball | Slider | Curveball | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 60/60 | 55/60 | 45/50 | 30/50 | 35/45 | 40 | High |
19 year old Edgardo Henriquez, who has been up to 98 in the past, had the best outing of his young career. Dodger fans, it looks like there might be another one. The line:
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) May 6, 2022
4.0 IP
1 hit
0 runs
0 BBs
6 Ks⬇️ pic.twitter.com/cHmVW2zuFj
Edgardo Henriquez was on track to become one of the best pitching prospects in the system before he underwent elbow surgery in late 2022. It’s impossible to predict for certain how he’ll bounce back this year, but if he returns to his pre-surgery stuff, he could jump back up prospect lists quickly.
Before his surgery, Henriquez’s fastball touched the upper-90s and his slider was a plus pitch. He also had a solid curveball and changeup that was coming along. In Single-A, he had a 16.0 K-BB% and 4.09 FIP before he went under the needle.
There is inherent risk with post-surgery arms, but Henriquez is still just 21 and has a chance to re-establish himself this season. He can become a mid-rotation caliber starter if everything goes perfectly, but if not, maximizing his stuff in a relief role could be a decent outcome for him as well.
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40. RHRP Reynaldo Yean, 20, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’4″ / 190 lbs | R/R | July 2021 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Fastball | Slider | Command | FV | Risk |
| 65/70 | 45/60 | 25/35 | 40 | Extreme |
#Dodgers relief prospect Reynaldo Yean struck out #Padres No. 2 prospect Ethan Salas to secure a save for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) July 22, 2023
Salas wasn't shy that he disagreed with the call pic.twitter.com/sZz4wjeKKL
Reynaldo Yean has clear closer stuff. His fastball has reached 102 mph and touches triple digits routinely, plus his slider could be a plus pitch. The stuff is electric and he pitches with the energy and fire of a veteran closer.
Command is essentially the only thing holding Yean back. He’s a pure relief prospect, so he doesn’t need starting pitcher control, but he can be too wild even for a reliever fairly often. He didn’t allow a run through eight ACL games (with a 57.1 K%), and then suddenly had a 9.00 ERA and 20.8 BB% in 18 Single-A games.
If Yean can just reel in his command a bit, he can be a dominant back-end reliever. He’s just 20 years old and has plenty of time to make it work. The Dodgers could have an absolute force if things work out.
——
41. OF Damon Keith, 23, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 195 lbs | R/R | 18th Round (552), 2021 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 30/40 | 70/70 | 45/55 | 55/55 | 45/55 | 35+ | High |
#Dodgers No. 24 prospect Damon Keith crushed his 9th homer of the year and added a SWEET bat flip pic.twitter.com/CtZXi0Ixmr
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) June 11, 2023
After a red-hot start to his career, Damon Keith has sputtered a bit since reaching High-A. However, there’s plenty of reasons to believe he can become productive again, and he started to turn things around with an .836 OPS in the Arizona Fall League last year.
Keith has a ton of strength and touched a 117 mph max exit velocity in the Fall League. That raw power hasn’t translated well to games of late due to his whiff issues. Keith’s quality of contact is excellent; he just hasn’t hit the ball enough.
With a good approach and feel for the strike zone, Keith can still get on base enough with a 40-grade hit tool. If he can make more contact, he could end up with 20+ homer potential. He is an above-average runner and defender in the corners, and Keith could become a productive Major Leaguer with some adjustments.
——
42. LHP Alec Gamboa, 27, AAA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’1″ / 205 lbs | S/L | 9th Round (281), 2019 (LAD) | 2024 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Curveball | Command | FV | Risk |
| 55/60 | 55/55 | 50/50 | 40/45 | 35/40 | 35+ | Low |
1-2-3 inning including this strikeout in a nice frame for Alec Gamboa
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 23, 2024
Fastball: 95-96 mph
Breaker: 85-87 mph pic.twitter.com/WTCmYsHAsF
The Dodgers left him unprotected, and Alec Gamboa made it through the Rule 5 Draft this offseason. After LA traded away lefty relievers Caleb Ferguson and Victor González, Gamboa is now arguably the No. 4 southpaw relief pitcher in the organization behind Alex Vesia, Matt Gage and (kind of?) Ryan Yarbrough.
Gamboa should get a chance in the Majors this season. If you exclude his first and last three appearances from 2023, he is left with a 2.08 ERA for the majority of the season. He has a somewhat unique delivery and a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, as well as a slider, changeup and curveball.
Command is the main issue in Gamboa’s profile and is likely the reason he wasn’t taken in the Rule 5 Draft. He walked 15.7% of batters in Triple-A last season, a rate that would get ugly in the big leagues. If he can control his stuff, Gamboa can be a solid left-handed relief option.
——
43. RHP Carlos Duran, 22, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’7″ / 230 lbs | R/R | March 2018 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Fastball | Sinker | Slider | Curveball | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 50/55 | 55/60 | 70/70 | 40/50 | 35/40 | 35/40 | 35+ | High |
Carlos Duran showed both the growing pains and the significant upside in his outing for Great Lakes today. In his 3 2/3 innings, he gave up a solo shot, walked 3, and allowed a second run on a wild pitch, but he also struck out a whopping 9⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3jGt4uPHNX
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) July 31, 2022
Prior to Tommy John surgery that prevented him from taking the mound in 2023, Carlos Duran was establishing himself as one of the premier pitching prospects in the system. He is best known for his slider, which is one of the best sliders in the minor leagues and carries Duran at its best.
He has two fastballs: a mid-to-high 90s 4-seam that doesn’t have the best carry and a slightly slower sinker that has performed well off his slider. The rest of his fairly deep arsenal is made up of a curveball and a changeup.
Duran was looking to stick as a starter, but especially now after the surgery, a relief role is the most likely outcome for him. Out of the bullpen, he could rely on his slider as a weapon pitch, and possibly get his fastball to play up a bit. Duran will be Rule 5 eligible again after this season, so this is a big one for him.
——
44. RHP Ricky Vanasco, 25, AAA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 180 lbs | R/R | 15th Round (464), 2017 (TEX) | 2024 |
| Fastball | Curveball | Command | FV | Risk |
| 60/60 | 50/55 | 35/40 | 35+ | Medium |
And a sword to finish a really nice frame from Ricky Vanasco pic.twitter.com/mcEsn32LPi
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 22, 2024
The Dodgers traded for Ricky Vanasco in June last year after he was designated for assignment by the Rangers. Although he was eventually outrighted off LA’s 40-man roster too, he was converted to a relief role, where he flourished in the second half of the season.
From July 16th through the end of the season, Vanasco pitched exclusively out of the bullpen and posted a 0.34 ERA. He’s got a plus fastball that is in the mid-90s with good carry along with an above-average curveball. His command has been bad at times in his career but improved once he was in the bullpen.
Vanasco elected free agency and was brought back to the Dodgers on a Major League deal this offseason. He’ll play a significant role in the bullpen this year, and could be good in a middle relief role immediately if everything clicks.
——
45. OF Zyhir Hope, 19, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’0″ / 193 lbs | L/L | 11th Round (326), 2023 (CHC) | 2027 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 20/40 | 45/55 | 35/50 | 70/70 | 30/50 | 35+ | Extreme |
New #Dodgers prospect Zyhir Hope🔥 pic.twitter.com/DxF6KlN657
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) January 11, 2024
Zyhir Hope was the second prospect that came back to the Dodgers for Michael Busch and Yency Almonte. He’s a talented teenager that has excellent tools in bat speed and running speed.
The reason Hope dropped to the 11th round in the draft is his hit tool. He may not hit enough to let his raw power translate into games. That makes him a risky prospect, but if he can upgrade his hitting ability, he could fly up lists and become a blue-chip caliber prospect.
Hope appeared in 11 ACL games last year, hitting three home runs in that short time. He’ll be in Single-A this season as the Dodgers see how he translates to full-season ball.
——
46. RHP Ben Casparius, 25, AA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’2″ / 215 lbs | R/R | 5th Round (162), 2021 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Curveball | Cutter | Command | FV | Risk |
| 45/55 | 70/70 | 40/45 | 35/45 | 35/35 | 35/40 | 35+ | High |
Ben Casparius set a new career high for strikeouts today, he racked up 9 in 5.0 innings en route to picking up his 3rd W of the season. He allowed 2 runs (earned) on 4 hits with 1 walk, FB sat 94-95. pic.twitter.com/0pTNuXLWbP
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) May 7, 2023
A former two-way player at UConn, Ben Casparius has had up-and-down results so far as a pro. He was a fifth round pick in 2021 and is now two full seasons into his pro career, each of which have gone similarly: Casparius starts the year very well but then lost it after a mid-season promotion. He had a 2.68 ERA in eight High-A starts last year before posting a 6.62 ERA in 18 Double-A appearances.
Casparius’ best pitch is his double-plus slider. It has high spin rates with a lot of sweep and is a fantastic strikeout pitch, especially against right handed hitters. His fastball sits in the mid-90s with arm-side run, and he mixes in a changeup against lefties as a deep-count swing-and-miss pitch.
The Dodgers sent Casparius to the Arizona Fall League this year where his consistency continued to falter, allowing a 10.43 overall ERA in eight games but winning the week five Fall League Pitcher of the Week award. If Casparius can find enough consistency to rely on his slider, he could end up as a useful relief pitcher, either giving some length or in short stints.
——
47. C Jesus Galiz, 20, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’0″ / 183 lbs | R/R | Jan. 2021 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 30/45 | 40/50 | 30/45 | 35/30 | 45/55 | 35+ | High |
Jesus Galiz, my No. 34 #Dodgers prospect, tied the Rancho Cucamonga franchise record with 8 RBIs tonight
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 19, 2023
He went 3-for-5 with two homers and a double, improving his OPS to .712 pic.twitter.com/9elYNVkQR8
The Yankees had originally committed to signing Jesus Galiz, but when they backed out of the agreement, the Dodgers ended up signing him for roughly half the money. Galiz is a defense-first catcher that didn’t produce much offensively in his full-season debut.
The Venezuelan backstop slashed .267/.316/.407 in 80 Single-A games last year. Galiz had solid contact quality and could develop into average raw power, but he was over-aggressive and struggled with chasing outside the strike zone. Even so, he didn’t struggle with making contact, which is encouraging.
Galiz has good tools defensively, both in terms of physical and mental abilities. He has a solid chance to eventually reach the Majors as a glove-first starter or backup catcher whose at is passable in that role. There also remains the possibility that Galiz takes off at the plate and could become an average regular.
——
48. OF Jaron Elkins, 19, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 193 lbs | R/R | 8th Round (250), 2023 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 20/40 | 55/65 | 30/50 | 60/60 | 30/50 | 35+ | Extreme |
#Dodgers 2023 8th round pick Jaron Elkins in the cage
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) January 14, 2024
Elkins, 19, is an uber-athletic outfielder who could have some serious helium as his professional career gets underway pic.twitter.com/hpaE2jsfGA
Jaron Elkins is an absolute athlete. He was the Dodgers’ eighth round pick last year out of high school in Tennessee, where he was also a first team all-region running back. Elkins was signed away from a commitment to Wright State.
Despite being just 19, Elkins is already extremely muscularly defined and brings a lot of raw strength onto the field. He gained 15 pounds this offseason in an effort to get even stronger, but he is also quick. He’s raw as a player but has quick twitch and strength that could make him a force on the diamond eventually.
The Dodgers drafted Elkins with the athletic profile in mind, and they will look to develop his baseball abilities similarly to how they did with James Outman. He’ll play outfield where his quickness is an asset. Elkins is under-the-radar for now, but that could change in a hurry.
——
49. RHP Chris Campos, 23, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 5’10” / 170 lbs | R/R | 7th Round (225), 2022 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Curveball | Command | FV | Risk |
| 50/55 | 40/45 | 40/50 | 35/45 | 35/55 | 35+ | High |
Chris Campos, whom the Dodgers drafted last year in the 7th round out of Saint Mary's, tossed 3.0 perfect IP for Rancho, he struck out 3 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/iL7qtUCdMi
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) June 17, 2023
A former two-way player at St. Mary’s, Chris Campos only threw 34 2/3 collegiate innings before the Dodgers took him in the seventh round in 2022. He lacks size on the mound but makes up for it with a mix of solid pitches and a fastball that plays up.
Campos, just 5-foot-10, has success with his fastball at the top of the zone coming from a low vertical approach angle. Right now, his heater sits around 92-93 mph, and that has been enough to get whiffs at the top of the zone. Campos also has a fringe-average slider, an inconsistent changeup and a curveball.
If Campos can gain a little more fastball velocity or have one of his off-speed pitches emerge as above-average, he could have a backend starter outlook. He will be in High-A this season looking to find some more success than his 5.06 ERA with the Quakes last year.
——
50. OF/IF Dylan Campbell, 21, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 5’11” / 205 lbs | R/R | 4C Round (136), 2023 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 35/50 | 55/55 | 30/45 | 50/50 | 40/60 | 35+ | High |
IF YOU DON’T KNOW, NOW YOU KNOW. @DYLANCAMP25 GOES WAY BACK TO MAKE IT 2-0 HORNS IN THE TOP OF THE 1ST! pic.twitter.com/eCQgoLUN3M
— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) June 4, 2023
Dylan Campbell had an excellent junior season at Texas which led the Dodgers to draft him in the fourth round last year. He slashed .339/.436/.603 with 35 extra-base-hits and 26 steals. He’ll be in Single-A this year looking to translate his big numbers into the pros.
Despite a frame of only 5-foot-11, Campbell packs a good punch and can launch long home runs. He can be expected to hit around 15 homers on a yearly basis to go along with a hit tool that is roughly average or just above it. He is a good base stealer and has average speed.
Campbell has a plus arm that will play best in right field. He played infield in high school and is expected to play some innings on the dirt in the minors. His long-term profile is most intriguing as a utilityman that could be an above-average defender in the corner outfield and middle infield while being a solid hitter.
——
51. RHP Jerming Rosario, 21, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’1″ / 175 lbs | R/R | July 2018 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 50/55 | 50/60 | 40/50 | 35/40 | 35+ | High |
Jerming Rosario is the most underrated arm in the Dodger system. From June 15th on at A+:
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) October 13, 2023
30.8 K%
8.7 BB%
3.00 ERA
3.52 FIP
.236 opp avg
FB 94-96 t99, solid secondaries, he'll still be 21 on opening day '24, and he's not on any top 30s👀 pic.twitter.com/yW1Ibu2KsW
Jerming Rosario has now pitched in 78 minor league games since being signed and has yet to make his Double-A debut. After dominating the DSL back in 2019, Rosario struggled stateside across both 2021 and 2022. He went back to Rancho Cucamonga to start last year and was much better, earning a High-A promotion in early May.
Rosario’s fastball sits in the mid 90s and has touched 99 mph before. He struggles to command it, bringing down the pitch’s overall value. His slider could be a plus pitch, and he commands it much better than his fastball.
From June 15th through the end of 2023, Rosario threw 57 innings for Great Lakes with an even 3.00 ERA, 30.6% strikeout rate and 8.7% walk rate. If he can keep the walks down and let his slider lead the charge, he could turn out as a solid relief pitcher. Rosario has already been Rule 5 eligible and could end up being taken next offseason as a bullpen piece if he is unprotected once again.
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52. LHP Wyatt Crowell, 22, N/A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’0″ / 169 lbs | L/L | 4th Round (127), 2023 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 40/50 | 50/60 | 40/45 | 35/45 | 35+ | High |
Wyatt Crowell sliders 🤒@FSUBaseball | @PitchingNinja pic.twitter.com/FLldp4uWv8
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) February 25, 2023
Wyatt Crowell fell to the Dodgers in the fourth round after requiring Tommy John surgery last spring while at Florida State. He opened last year’s college season on a tear, posting a 0.87 ERA through 20 2/3 innings. The Seminoles used him as a multi-inning reliever, but the Dodgers will give him a chance to start.
In his freshman season at FSU, Crowell was a two-way player, playing outfield alongside his pitching duties. He shows that athleticism on the mound, where his slider is his best pitch. His fastball has reached the upper-90s in short spurts but can be expected to sit in the low-90s while he’s a starter.
If he eventually has to move back to a relief role, Crowell could be a quality lefty specialist because of his slider. His command is below average and a reliever is his most likely outcome.
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53. IF/OF Mairoshendrick Martinus, 19, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 161 lbs | R/R | Jan. 2022 (LAD) | 2027 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 20/30 | 45/70 | 30/55 | 55/45 | 30/45 | 35+ | Extreme |
Here’s Dodger prospect Mairoshendrick Martinus knocking in a run at extended ST with a double to center
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) May 9, 2023
Best name in the system, hands down pic.twitter.com/EIAmclJSOf
Mairoshendrick Martinus has a specific standout tool (besides his name): his power potential. With a broad frame that could fill out and give him a ton of raw power, Martinus is as projectable as any power hitter the Dodgers have in the lower minor leagues.
The issue Martinus has run into is that his contact ability is far behind where his power could end up. He had a 60 wRC+ in a brutal stateside debut last year, striking out 38.2% of the time and stifling any power from showing through. Martinus needs to whiff less and improve his pitch selection drastically.
An infielder in 2022, the Dodgers had Martinus play the majority of his innings in center field last year. Some potential to move around the diamond helps his profile, but overall it comes down to whether he can hit enough for his raw power to play down the road.
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54. RHP Christian Zazueta, 19, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 163 lbs | R/R | Jan. 2022 (NYY) | 2027 |
| Fastball | Curveball | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 30/40 | 40/55 | 40/50 | 40/55 | 35 | Extreme |
Some video of new #Dodgers pitching prospect Christian Zazueta Jr.
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 5, 2024
That curve/slider and changeup both look pretty good for his age pic.twitter.com/1QkLo7p5fj
The Dodgers acquired Christian Zazueta from the Yankees this offseason in the Caleb Ferguson trade. He’s a teenage pitcher that has shown solid command and secondaries in the DSL the last two years. He has the building blocks for an eventual starter.
Zazueta’s fastball only barely touches 90 mph, which makes it the main area he needs to improve. There is room for more strength on his 6-foot-3 frame to provide that velocity. His curveball/slider and his changeup each have flashed above-average in the DSL, with the breaking ball slightly ahead.
Overall, Zazueta’s profile is backwards from many of the pitchers the Dodgers tend to target: His command and secondaries are fairly developed for his age and his biggest need is fastball velocity. If he can get stronger and throw harder, Zazueta could climb up this list steadily over the next few years.
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55. OF Ryan Ward, 26, AAA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 5’9″ / 200 lbs | L/R | 8th Round (251), 2019 (LAD) | 2024 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 35/40 | 55/55 | 50/50 | 40/40 | 35/40 | 35 | Medium |
Been out of commission most of the day so catching up:
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 25, 2024
What an at-bat this was from Ryan Ward! pic.twitter.com/4ZjCe51VDH
Ryan Ward has stayed fairly consistent through the minor leagues, hitting his share of homers but retaining an under-the-radar profile. Ward has hit 76 home runs over the past three seasons combined, with 21 of them coming despite a down year in Triple-A in 2023.
Ward isn’t tall but has a fairly powerful left-handed swing. He could hit 20 homers per year if he ever earns an everyday role, which is uncertain because his on-base ability might never justify that playing time. He shouldn’t be expected to bat higher than the .240s in the Majors.
Defensively, Ward is constrained to a below-average corner outfield or first base, if not a DH role. His lack of a good defensive home makes it hard to project a role for him with the Dodgers. If he makes it through 2024 without being added to the 40-man roster, he could get picked in next year’s Rule 5 Draft.
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56. RHP Jared Karros, 23, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’7″ / 195 lbs | R/R | 16th Round (495), 2022 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Curveball | Command | FV | Risk |
| 45/55 | 40/50 | 45/55 | 35/45 | 45/55 | 35 | High |
Jared Karros had a strong professional debut for Rancho Cucamonga:
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) April 13, 2023
3.2 IP
2 hits
1 run (earned)
1 BB
7 Ks⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yRXCq6wRoc
The son of former Dodgers slugger Eric Karros, Jared Karros had a nice first professional season last year. He was drafted in the 16th round in 2022 after missing that spring at UCLA due to injury.
Standing 6-foot-7, Karros’ length on the mound helps his fastball play up through good extension. The pitch sits in the 91-94 mph range and he commands it well. Karros’ best off-speed pitch is his changeup, followed by his slider and then a curveball that he doesn’t throw as often as the other two.
If Karros were able to find a couple extra ticks of velocity, he could quickly become a highly regarded starting pitcher prospect. His size on the mound makes him intriguing even as he stands currently. Karros could become a back-end starter.
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57. RHP Hyun-il Choi, 23, A+
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’2″ / 215 lbs | R/R | Aug. 2018 (LAD) | 2025 |
| Fastball | Changeup | Slider | Curveball | Command | FV | Risk |
| 40/45 | 55/60 | 45/50 | 45/45 | 55/60 | 35 | Medium |
Hyun-il Choi, who missed most of the 2022 season with forearm inflammation, allowed one run on just one hit for Great Lakes today as he tossed 5.0 IP for the first time since September of 2021 pic.twitter.com/wEa3nF46TV
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) June 7, 2023
The Dodgers’ 2021 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Hyun-il Choi returned last year from an injury-destroyed 2022 season and had a solid campaign. In 60 innings for Great Lakes, Choi posted a 3.75 ERA, walking just 4.7% of the batters he faced.
Choi’s fastball has sat in just the low-90s, being more notable for his ability to command it than any swing-and-miss potential. He went to Tread this offseason and is allegedly sitting at 94-95 mph now, which would wonders for his potential if he continues to command the pitch the same way.
The best pitch in Choi’s arsenal is his changeup, and his slider has shown improvement. Plus command is the selling point for Choi, who could practically become a No. 5 starter on his control alone. He had a strikeout rate of just 18.1% last year, and that might need to jump for Choi to become a big leaguer.
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58. 1B Joe Vetrano, 21, A
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’3″ / 220 lbs | L/L | 5th Round (163), 2023 (LAD) | 2026 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 30/45 | 60/60 | 40/55 | 40/40 | 35/50 | 35 | High |
Joe Vetrano!! He crushes a 448-foot home run to give BC a 4-3 lead! pic.twitter.com/QhLL2O2QDP
— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) June 2, 2023
A former teammate of Emmet Sheehan at Boston College, Joe Vetrano was a two-way player his freshman year before becoming a full-time hitter as a sophomore. He slashed .315/.407/.671 with 22 homers as a junior and was drafted in the fifth round last year.
Vetrano has excellent bat speed that gives him plus raw power. With solid plate discipline too, Vetrano represents a prototypical power and on-base prospect that could become a productive hitter if he develops well. Strikeouts are a significant part of his game as well, which Vetrano will need to work on.
He is a first-base only prospect, meaning he will need to produce essentially all of his value with the bat. Vetrano is capable of becoming a slugger if he can turn his raw power into in-game production.
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59. RHP Kendall Williams, 23, AAA
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | Draft: | ETA |
| 6’6″ / 205 lbs | R/R | 2nd Round (52), 2019 (TOR) | 2025 |
| Fastball | Slider | Curveball | Changeup | Command | FV | Risk |
| 45/50 | 50/50 | 40/45 | 50/55 | 40/45 | 35 | Medium |
Kendall Williams was fantastic tonight for Tulsa:
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 12, 2023
6 IP
3 H
0 R
0 BB
7 K
71 P / 45 S
Williams has a 0.90 ERA in his first two Double-A starts pic.twitter.com/BvbP8HqCoO
Originally drafted by the Blue Jays, the Dodgers traded for Kendall Williams during the 2020 season. Since then, Williams hasn’t experienced the uptick in fastball velocity that had been projected, and now he profiles as more of a potential depth starter.
Williams throws a sinker around 90 mph as his primary fastball, with his select number of strikeouts coming from an above-average changeup and decent slider. He struck out just 19.1% of batters he faced in Double-A last year while running a 13.3% walk rate. His strikeout rate increased to 22.2% in 18 2/3 Arizona Fall League innings last fall.
If Williams can throw more strikes with his current pitch arsenal, he could be a No. 5 or up-and-down starting pitcher. His 6-foot-6 frame is imposing on the mound, and now 23, Williams will likely spend this season in Triple-A.
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60. 1B/DH Yorfran Medina, 19, R
| Height/Weight: | Bat/Throw: | International FA: | ETA |
| 6’4″ / 195 lbs | R/R | Jan. 2022 (LAD) | 2028 |
| Hit | Raw Power | Game Power | Run | Field | FV | Risk |
| 20/30 | 55/55 | 30/50 | 35/30 | 20/35 | 35 | Extreme |
#Dodgers 1B prospect Yorfran Medina crushed Dominican Summer League pitching this year
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) August 22, 2023
.538 OBP
.397 ISO
.550 wOBA
1.204 OPS
204 wRC+
The numbers listed above all lead the organization among batters with 100 PA (Medina had 106) pic.twitter.com/i1oGnHG3bn
A fun inclusion to finish off this list, Yorfran Medina destroyed the DSL last year, posting ridiculous numbers in every area imaginable. In 32 games, the first baseman slashed .270/.538/.667. Yes, that meant he walked 22.6% of the time and had a .397 ISO.
Those numbers were incredible, but they have to be taken lightly as he had just 106 PA and DSL numbers are unreliable in terms of future outlook. However, his production was impossible to ignore and is worth keeping an eye on to see if he can replicate anything close to it stateside.
Medina turned 19 this offseason and should be expected to begin the year in the ACL, where we can start to get a true sense of where his abilities lie. He played only first base and DH in 2023 after playing some corner outfield back in 2022. It can be assumed he will be a 1B/DH only moving forward.
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Honorable Mentions
- C Angel Diaz
- SS Wilman Diaz
- IF Logan Wagner
- IF Elias Medina
- OF Rafy Peguero
- OF Drew Avans
- OF/3B/1B Kyle Nevin
- RHP Samuel Sanchez
- RHP Braydon Fisher
- RHP Joel Ibarra
- RHP Accimias Morales
- RHP Alvaro Benua
- RHP Eriq Swan
- RHP Juan Morillo
- RHP Sauryn Lao
- RHP Patrick Copen
- RHP Ryan Sublette
- RHP Lucas Wepf
- RHP Alex Makarewich
- LHP John Rooney
- LHP Justin Chambers
- LHP Sterling Patick
- LHP Moises Brito
- LHP Jack Dreyer
- LHP Ben Harris
