2019 Dodgers Top 100 Prospects: 50-41

Sorry for the delay. Here’s the second entry to the Top 100 Dodger prospects for 2019. This is a little different than I had intended, so there will be another post just like this looking at prospects 40-31 tomorrow.

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Previously

• Introduction
• Past Underrated Prospects
• 100-51

I’ve included Future Value (FV) grades and risks for the Top 50 prospects. For example, if a guy gets a “50 low,” he has a really good chance to be an average player at his position. If a guy gets a “55 high,” there’s a good chance he won’t reach that ceiling, but the potential is there. The grades are 20-80 (50 is average), and the risks are as follows:

• Low: Players who are usually older, have debuted, are relievers and/or have higher floors than ceilings
• Medium: Players who are a mix of younger and older, usually have higher floors
• High: Players who are usually younger with potential, but also question marks
• Extreme: Players who are younger with star potential, but a ton of question marks

This is to show what value a player might provide at the MLB level. The higher the risk, the less likely a player will reach that ceiling.

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Editor’s Note: I am not a scout (#notascout). I am an amateur when it comes to evaluating players. I don’t claim to be a pro, I just want to pass along the information I observe/obtain to the people. Notes and comments are based on personal observation, talking to sources, reading scouting reports and watching video. For future entries in this series: All ratings in the charts below are on the standard 20-80 scouting scale, where 50 is roughly average, 80 is elite and nearly unattainable and 20 is unacceptably poor. Enjoy.

Other notes: “Role” is a realistic future role (slightly optimistic in some cases). Age is the 2019 season age for the player (June 30 is the cutoff date).

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50. RHP Shea Spitzbarth

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’0	197	24	Fastball	Undrafted FA ’15	6th/7th inning	Triple-A Oklahoma City	2019

Strengths

• Solid command/control profile
• Misses MiLB bats
• Fungible

Weaknesses

• No true out pitch
• Home run prone
• Limited ceiling

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	45	45
Curveball	50	50
Changeup	40	45
Cmd/Ctrl	45	50
Delivery	50	50
FV/Risk	40	Low

49. LHP Leo Crawford

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’0	180	22	Changeup	IFA: Nicaragua, July ’14	No. 5 SP/swing	Double-A Tulsa	2020

Strengths

• Limits home runs
• Flashes plus-changeup
• Fared well in hitter-friendly league

Weaknesses

• Fringe fastball velo
• Slurve needs refinement
• Limited ceiling

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	45	45
Slurve	40	45
Changeup	50	55
Cmd/Ctrl	45	50
Delivery	45	50
FV/Risk	45	Medium

48. CF Brayan Morales

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’1	170	23	Speed	15th round, ’16	4th OF	High-A Rancho Cucamonga	2022

Strengths

• Blazing speed (in field and on bases)
• Legit center fielder
• Athletic

Weaknesses

• Contact issues
• Little power
• Struggles vs. LHP

Tools	Now	Future
Hit	30	45
Power	25	30
Speed	70	70
Defense	50	60
Arm	45	50
FV/Risk	45	High

47. LHP Adam McCreery

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’9	250	26	Fastball	Trade w/ ATL, Nov. ’18	MR/LH specialist	Triple-A Oklahoma City/LA	2018

Strengths

• Heavy, sinking fastball
• Allowed 2 HR in 189 2/3 MiLB innings
• Misses bats

Weaknesses

• Command/control is poor
• Non-existent changeup
• Less effective vs. RHH

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	55	55
Slider	45	50
Changeup	20	30
Cmd/Ctrl	35	40
Delivery	35	45
FV/Risk	45	High

46. RHP Nolan Long

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’9	259	25	Fastball	16th round, ’15	6th/7th inning	Double-A Tulsa	2020

Strengths

• Slight uptick in fastball velo (tops out in low-90s)
• Breaking ball flashes above-average
• Limits home runs

Weaknesses

• Command/control needs improvement
• Lacking third pitch
• No projection remaining

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	45	50
Slider	45	50
Changeup	25	40
Cmd/Ctrl	40	45
Delivery	40	45
FV/Risk	45	High

45. RHP Jose Chacin

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’5	184	22	Slider	IFA: Venezuela, Sept. ’15	Back-end SP	High-A Rancho Cucamonga	2021

Strengths

• Swing-and-miss slider
• Projectable frame
• Pitchability

Weaknesses

• Fringe fastball velo (tops out 92 MPH)
• Changeup needs refinement
• Lack of experience vs. advanced hitters

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	35	45
Slider	40	55
Changeup	30	45
Cmd/Ctrl	45	55
Delivery	45	50
FV/Risk	45	High

44. RHP Guillermo Zuniga

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’5	230	20	Fastball	IFA: Colombia, Dec. ’17	No. 3/4 SP	Low-A Great Lakes	2022

Strengths

• Good mechanics, loose delivery, big frame
• Fastball movement (sink)
• Changeup could be out pitch

Weaknesses

• Fringe fastball velo (89-91 MPH; but more there)
• Inconsistent slider
• Present command/control lacking

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	40	50
Slider	30	45
Changeup	40	55
Cmd/Ctrl	35	45
Delivery	45	55
FV/Risk	50	Extreme

43. OF Donovan Casey

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’2	190	23	Arm	20th round, ’17	4th OF	Double-A Tulsa	2021

Strengths

• Plus-plus athleticism
• Plenty of arm for RF
• Bat speed

Weaknesses

• Doesn’t use speed well on base paths
• Fringe power
• Contact issues

Tools	Now	Future
Hit	35	45
Power	35	45
Speed	50	55
Defense	45	50
Arm	50	60
FV/Risk	45	High

42. 3B Jefrey Souffront

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’0	210	22	Hit	IFA: Dominican, July ’15	Utility IF	Low-A Great Lakes	2022

Strengths

• Chance for good contact numbers
• Experience at all infield positions
• Limits swing-and-miss

Weaknesses

• Lacking power
• Never played full-season ball
• Physically maxed out

Tools	Now	Future
Hit	40	50
Power	30	40
Speed	40	45
Defense	40	50
Arm	45	50
FV/Risk	45	High

41. LHP Darien Nunez

Height	Weight	Age	Best Tool	Acquired	Role	2019 Location	ETA
6’2	205	26	Fastball	IFA: Cuba, April ’18	7th/8th inning	High-A Rancho Cucamonga	2020

Strengths

• Solid FB velo from left side (90-92 MPH, t95)
• Good curveball
• Could move quickly

Weaknesses

• Command/control needs refinement
• Little projection
• Fringy changeup

Tools	Now	Future
Fastball	45	55
Curveball	45	50
Changeup	35	45
Cmd/Ctrl	40	50
Delivery	45	50
FV/Risk	50	High

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Next Up: Prospects 40-31