Schebler, Sweeney Heating Up, Seager Off to Slow Start in Arizona Fall League

The hot stove won’t begin until after the World Series ends, and the Dodgers are still searching for someone to fill their vacant GM spot. But otherwise, it’s slow time right now. So while we wait for the World Series to conclude and the hot stove to begin, let’s take a look at how a few of the youngsters are doing down in the Arizona Fall League.

Outfielder Scott Schebler, and second baseman Darnell Sweeney are both playing well. Meanwhile shortstop Corey Seager has gotten off to a slow start, as the Glendale Desert Dogs continue their AFL schedule.

Schebler is a prospect that has been slowly climbing the depth charts, and could be someone to watch for in the next couple of years. The 24-year old outfielder was drafted by the Dodgers in the 26 round of the 2010 amateur draft.

The left handed hitter had a very solid season for double-AA Chattanooga in 2014. This season Schebler posted a .280/.365/.556 line with 28 home runs and 73 RBI in 560 plate appearances. Schebler posted a .921 OPS, and scored 82 runs for the Lookouts. He led the Southern League in slugging, triples, and extra-base hits.

Schebler improved his plate discipline as well by decreasing his strikeouts from 140 the year before at Rancho, to 110 with Chattanooga. Schebler drew 35 walks in 2013, and 45 in 2014. Not only does Schebler have power, but he has the ability to swipe a few bags too. He stole ten bases this year, and 16, and 17 bases the previous two years respectively.

In the AFL this fall, Schebler is batting .286 (8 for 28) with one home run and four runs driven in. Last Friday night Schebler hit his first home run of the fall to season to help the Desert Dogs defeat Scottsdale in a 1 for 3 HR, walk performance. Schebler is hoping he can get his power stroke going.

"Sometimes you just need one swing to turn it around ~ Scott Schebler"

In that Friday night win, Darnell Sweeney had two hits, and drove in a run, sparking Glendale’s victory.

Sweeney, a 23-year old draftee from Miramar Florida has also been soaring up the Dodger’s minor league depth charts. Schebler’s Chattanooga teammate batted .288 with 14 home runs, and 57 runs driven in with 141 hits in 586 plate appearances. Sweeney cracked 34 doubles, and stole 15 bases in 2014. More impressive is Sweeney’s patience at the plate. The young infielder had 77 walks to help fuel his .387 OBP. He posted an .850 OPS in 132 games played.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Sweeney is versatile, getting playing time at second base, shortstop, and center field. Sweeney is batting .333 (7 for 21) with four runs scored in five games for the Desert Dogs this fall.

Schebler is ranked as the Dodger’s number 9 rated prospect, while Sweeney is rated as the thirteenth best prospect in the Dodger’s farm system. Both players will continue to work on their game, and it’s not unreasonable to think that we could see these two with the big club within the next few years.

But not all of the Dodger’s young minor league prospects are doing well in the Arizona fall league, Top ranked prospect Corey Seager has struggled. Seager is hitting just .194 (7 for 36) with five runs batted in. He has whiffed 12 times in his 36 at-bats.

The Glendale Desert Dogs are currently in second place in the Arizona Fall League’s Western division with a 5-5-1 record.