Dodgers: Three Hot and Three Not Down on the Farm

The Dodgers’ minor league affiliates have begun their respective seasons as they have played just over a week of games.

While still very young in the season, there are a handful of players in the minors who have begun to catch the eyes of the Dodgers (good and bad). While not all of them are prospects, last season showed that players in the Dodgers’ farm system could get a call up due to injuries. Here’s a list of prospects that are and aren’t performing well.

Three Hot

Cody Bellinger – By now there aren’t many Dodger fans who don’t know who Cody Bellinger is. Already on the radar for many, Bellinger is off to a fast start with a .372 batting average and three home runs in only 11 games.

In fact, almost half of his hits have been either a home run or a double. While he will strikeout a ton, his on-base-percentage is a whopping .438. Should nobody in Los Angeles separate themselves from the pack out in left field, Bellinger could get the call to LA before the trade deadline.

Walker Buehler – Like Bellinger, Walker Buehler is one of the top prospects in the game and is well known around baseball circles. So far in his first full season back from Tommy John, Buehler has struck out 12 hitters in only six innings while holding his opponent’s batting average to .136.

In his latest start, Buehler finished strong by striking out the last eight batters he faced. While the Dodgers’ pitching depth is surreal, Buehler could progress up the depth chart rapidly with performances like this.

Mitchell White – Unlike the first two members of this article, Mitchell White is barely starting to make a name for himself. Drafted in the second round of the 2016 draft, White did not allow a single earned run in 22 innings during his pro debut last season.

In two starts this season, White has allowed just one hit in nine total innings and combined for a no-hitter in his very first start of the season. Another ridiculous stat on White is that hitters are batting .038 against him in two starts.

Much like Brock Stewart’s rapid ascent through the minors last season, Mitchell White has a chance to do the same this season if he continues to stifle the opposition.

More from Dodgers Prospects

Honorable Mentions – O’Koyea Dickson and Brett Eibner have both bashed three home runs so far for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Three Not

Trayce Thompson – Although he already spent a little time on the Dodgers’ roster, Trayce Thompson has had a rough week no matter where he’s played.

After going hitless in eight at-bats for the Dodgers, Trayce is hitless in 13 at-bats for the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Adding to the ugliness is the fact that he’s struck out in almost half of his Triple-A at-bats.

While most of his early season struggles are likely due to rust, Thompson needs to start swinging the bat well to stay on the Dodgers’ radar.

Bobby Wilson – After nearly edging out Austin Barnes for the backup catcher role, Bobby Wilson has cooled off at Triple-A hitting exactly, .100. No matter which level you play at, it is never good to have more walks than base hits.

The Triple-A catching group has been awful offensively as a whole, with Wilson hitting .100 and Jack Murphy hitting .063. Both need to hit better if they want to be the Dodgers’ emergency catcher in case of an injury to Grandal or Barnes.

Johan Mieses – Double-A center fielder Johan Mieses is the owner of Los Angeles’ worst minor league stat line. Mieses is hitting .077 and has struck out in exactly half of his 26 at-bats. In 2016 Mieses knocked 28 home runs for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, but early on in 2017, he has been unable to pick up from last season’s success.

Mieses is buried in the Dodgers’ organizational depth chart for outfielders, and performances like this will not help his cause.

Dishonorable Mention – Brandon Morrow who is being used in some save situations already has two losses which won’t help his cause to make the big league bullpen.

Home/Dodgers Prospects