Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The next prospect in the MLB Draft Profile series is another shortstop. This time, it’s an athletic college type who isn’t as polished as some of the others in the class, but he has a relatively high ceiling: Jordan Westburg.
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Previous Entries
- RHP Bobby Miller, Louisville [May 15]
- OF Daniel Cabrera, LSU [May 18]
- RHP Jared Kelley, Refugio HS (Texas) [May 21]
- RHP Slade Cecconi, Miami(FL) [May 25]
- SS Ed Howard, Mount Carmel HS (Ill.) [May 28]
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Vitals
6’3, 191 pounds
Position: Shortstop
Bats: Right
Throw: Right
DOB: Feb. 18, 1999
Location
Starkville, Miss.
Year: Junior
Rankings
The Athletic: NR
Baseball America: 33
CBS MLB: 45
ESPN: 26
FanGraphs: 32
MLB Pipeline: 37
Perfect Game: 43
Slot recommended bonus (No. 29): $2,424,600
Note: All information of draft prospects compiled from Internet sources, scouting reports and videos.
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The Dodgers are in a spot at the end of the first round that they might be in the middle of or end a run of college shortstops — guys like Nick Loftin, Casey Martin, Aikla Williams, Freddy Zamora — and Westburg might have the highest ceiling of them all.
At the plate, Westburg employs a quick swing from the right side. There’s a very modest leg kick as he brings that bat through the zone with his fast hands. His swing looks improved from this time last year. He should develop above-average power with a chance for plus-power thanks to a good physical frame. He gets pull happy, which isn’t all bad, but he does have issues making contact. He’s a little over-aggressive at times, which doesn’t fully jibe with the Dodgers’ hitting philosophy, though, there are exceptions — Edwin Rios comes to mind. Even with an aggressive approach, he can still be successful, thanks to his power potential, athleticism and defensive value.
Speaking of defense, he has a decent chance of sticking at shortstop. With Corey Seager as precedent, the Dodgers know how to get the most out of a bigger shortstop, and Westburg is a better athlete than Seager. He’s plenty athletic, has a strong arm and good footwork to play short at the next level. If he adds weight and, as a result, loses a little quickness, a move to third base seems like natural. However, second base wouldn’t totally be out of the question. He’s also an above-average runner who could do be an asset on the bases.
Video
Videos courtesy of Prospect Pipeline, Prospects Live and 2080 Baseball.
If Westburg improves his contact ability, the ceiling for him gets higher than it already is. If not, he could be a solid left side infielder with power and defensive value. He should be plenty signable at the end of the first round.
