Dodgers’ Tools Graded Highly by Baseball America Coaches Poll

Every year, Baseball America puts out a “best tools” poll, voted on by managers. The Dodgers are very well represented on the 2015 poll, which can be found here.

Four Dodgers are named on the Major League poll, which list a top-three in a number of different categories. Clayton Kershaw is on the list four times and Zack Greinke makes the cut three times.

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Kershaw ranks third in “best pitcher” in the NL, behind Greinke (first) and Nationals’ starter Max Scherzer. Kershaw finished first in “best curveball” and third in “best slider” and “best control”.

Along with winning “best pitcher”, Greinke also beat out Kershaw and Scherzer for “best control” and finished behind former Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels for “best changeup”.

Adrian Gonzalez finished in second place in “best defensive 1B” behind Paul Goldschmidt, and Yasiel Puig was graded as having the “best outfield arm”.

Mar 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Corey Seager against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training baseball game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Three different Dodgers were named on the AAA poll, which only listed the first-place votegetter. Prized prospect Corey Seager was named the “best batting prospect” and “most exciting player” in the Pacific Coast League, and OKC second baseman Darnell Sweeney was named the “fastest baserunner”. Dodgers trade deadline acquisition Jose Peraza was named the “best baserunner”(which is different) in the International League, where he spent the first half of the season with the Braves.

Dodgers pitching dominated the AA poll, which also only listed the first-place votegetter. Julio Urias was named the “best pitching prospect” and “best breaking pitch”, and Jose De Leon won for “best changeup” in the Texas League. Tulsa Drillers manager Razor Shines  was named the best manager prospect in the Texas League and would probably have won “best name” if that was a thing.

In the high-A poll, pitcher John Richy won the “best breaking pitch” category and Cody Bellinger was named “best defensive 1B”. Rancho Cucamonga manager Bill Haselman also received “best manager prospect” in the California League. In low-A, 2014 second round pick Alex Verdugo was the only player to win a category, as he was named “best outfield arm”.