Dodgers Prospect Notes: Dalton Rushing on-base streak, Jackson Ferris stays hot, Hyun-Seok Jang dominant, Josue De Paula heating up, more

Bruce Kuntz 08/27/2024 Prospect Notes Leave A Comment

(Via @TulsaDrillers)

Top Farm Batter

Dalton Rushing has had no trouble adjusting to the Triple-A level. He has reached base in all 18 games that he’s played in since being promoted, posting a 149 wRC+ with a 16.7% walk rate and identical 16.7% strikeout rate.

The Dodgers offense has gotten healthy, which most likely has ruined any chances at a Rushing debut this season. He has yet to appear at catcher for OKC, playing exclusively left field and a sprinkle of DH. With Mookie Betts manning right field once again, even Andy Pages and Jason Heyward became expendable from the active roster, and Rushing would theoretically fill a similar corner outfield role to those two.

It’s unfortunate circumstances for the former second round pick, because in many other organizations, Rushing would be a Major Leaguer by the end of this season, if not already. He’s consistently hit at every level since being drafted, with this season arguably as his best, consistent long-term success. There isn’t much else Rushing can do to prove he’s ready to be a Major Leaguer, but the roster situation doesn’t permit it yet.

Teoscar Hernández is an impending free agent this offseason. Betts may shift back to the infield. Either way, the problem of where Rushing can play will have to be examined in the offseason, but it has fallen back from the list of immediate priorities by no fault of Rushing himself. The Dodgers have themselves one of the top prospects in the sport, and although he may not be a perennial All-Star, Rushing is positioned to become a valuable big leaguer for a long time.

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Top Farm Pitcher

Jackson Ferris continues to prevent runs. The 20-year-old southpaw is four starts into his time in Double-A and he has allowed just three runs in 17 2/3 innings.

Going back to May 24, Ferris has made 16 starts with a 2.04 ERA and peripherals that back up his results well. He has a 0.99 WHIP and .172 opponent average in that span, and he has struck out three batters for every walk he’s surrendered.

One other note on this stretch of dominance from Ferris: Although his leash has started to be shortened as the season winds down, he has overall been allowed to go much deeper into games than most Dodger arms his age. Ferris went at least five innings in 13 of his 14 starts from May 24 through August 14, including three six-inning starts, two seven-inning performances and one eight-inning gem in his High-A finale.

Ferris’ first year in the organization has been supremely encouraging, and it should only get better from here. He doesn’t turn 21 until January and he could be a consensus top 100 prospect by then. His developing reputation as an innings-eater is also a breath of fresh air, as long as that (hopefully) continues without any obstacles.

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Triple-A Oklahoma City Baseball Club

Kody Hoese is playing his best baseball since being drafted in the first round in 2019. The former Tulane third baseman took a while to find his groove, but the now 27-year-old has posted a 1.118 OPS over the last two weeks. His .850 OPS on the season is a large improvement from his career norms, and although it’s hard to envision a long-term future for him in Los Angeles, he may be earning himself an MLB chance after all.

It still feels like the door is slightly open for an Edgardo Henriquez debut before the end of the season. He’s doing his part, throwing 100+ mph darts and posting a 2.70 ERA/2.52 FIP since being promoted to Triple-A earlier this month. Henriquez has all the stuff to play in the big league bullpen immediately, but his command issues, especially with his breaking ball, still can prove to be an issue at times.

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Double-A Tulsa Drillers

Damon Keith is playing himself into a very interesting Rule 5 conversation this offseason. The 24-year-old outfielder has a 136 wRC+ in his first Double-A campaign, mashing 13 home runs in 65 games. However, as has been his problem before, Keith is striking out at a 30% rate.

Carlos Duran is another bubble 40-man candidate this offseason. Making his comeback from Tommy John surgery, Duran has made his way up to Double-A this season, where he has posted a 1.67 ERA, 3.94 FIP and 29.2% strikeout rate through 27 innings. He is a serious threat to be taken if unprotected because of his double-plus slider and overall arsenal that could play in a rotation or bullpen role.

The 40-man roster is always a serious crunch at the end of the season, and both of Keith and Duran are right on the edge of protection. Keith’s strikeouts might be a big enough red flag to scare other teams away, similar to what has happened with Jose Ramos the last two years. Duran is an even easier player to imagine losing if he goes unprotected, so I imagine the Dodgers will give him serious consideration for a roster spot.

Ronan Kopp has now gone over a month since allowing his last earned run, a stretch that covers nine games and 13 2/3 innings. After an abysmal start to the season, Kopp is now finding results much more true to his stuff. The high-octane left-handed starter Kopp dream appears to be officially dissolved, but he could be a serious weapon in relief if he can throw enough strikes to remain competitive.

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High-A Great Lakes Loons

Josue De Paula has made some tweaks to his swing and they are paying off big time. With a wider and more open base in the box, the teenage phenom has a 194 wRC+ over his last nine games. His plate discipline and contact skills have each been evident since arriving in High-A, and now that the 19-year-old is finding his power stroke again, his numbers could continue to grow.

Jose Rodriguez is on a dominant run again. Since the beginning of July, Rodriguez has a 1.26 ERA, 32.7% strikeout rate and 6.2% walk rate. Speaking of Rule 5 decisions, Rodriguez has yet to pitch in the upper minor leagues but still could be in the bubble area of Dodger prospects that could be taken elsewhere.

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Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Hyun-Seok Jang has been nearly perfect in his last two starts. Across 8 1/3 innings, Jang has allowed just one hit while striking out 13 and walking six. He has a 41.1% strikeout rate on the season between the Arizona Complex League and Single-A.

Reynaldo Yean has been battling himself on the mound lately, with his walk problem rearing its head once again. On the bright side: Yean made some national headlines when he hit 105 mph on a fastball last week.

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Rookie Ball (Dominican Summer League)

Emil Morales and Arnaldo Lantigua have established themselves as the best of this year’s crop of DSL group. Morales leads their league with 14 homers in 46 games, and he also leads with 1.169 OPS. Lantigua is tied for second in homers at 11.

Morales, the Dodgers’ top signee from this year’s IFA class, could find himself in Arizona for instructs or other offseason work. Lantigua could too since he was signed last year and just finished his second year with time in the DSL.

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About Bruce Kuntz

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I'm a Long Beach State journalism student and I've been writing about the Dodgers and their farm system since I was in high school.
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