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Dodgers: Options to satisfy the farm system’s needs

By Michael Wittman

October 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers executive Andrew Friedman (L) speaks with manager Dave Roberts (30) during workouts before game three of the NLCS at Dodgers Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers executive Andrew Friedman (L) speaks with manager Dave Roberts (30) during workouts before game three of the NLCS at Dodgers Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 24, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) chases a fly ball against the San Francisco Giants in the third inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Catcher

The Dodgers currently find themselves with one of the best catcher tandems they have had in a long time. Both Yasmani Grandal and Austin Barnes have been above-average defensively and offensively. While they both still have a handful of years left in their prime, the Dodgers would be wise to draft the catcher of their future.

Grandal will be 29-years-old after this season, and while that is still fairly young, it is important to remember that he has had shoulder surgery twice and also had a knee surgery to repair his ACL while he was with the Padres. Grandal hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down yet, but given the rigors of the catcher position, he will likely start wearing down as he approaches his early thirties.

Austin Barnes has proven to be a solid backup catcher, but he has not gotten enough big league at-bats to declare him a potential starting catcher in the event Grandal is injured or goes to another team.

In the minor leagues, the Dodgers have Kyle Farmer and Will Smith. However, Farmer is not much younger than Grandal at 26-years-old. Smith was drafted in 2016 and is showing some power with seven home runs so far, but he still has ways to go in order to be considered the future catcher of the Dodgers.

Potential 1st Rd Pick: Riley Adams Jr, University of San Diego

Adams is one of the best catchers in college baseball and has a terrific frame and size in his 6’4 225 pound body. Adams is built into the same mold as Yasmani Grandal, and one scout said:

"“He’s athletic with a strong arm and power (at the plate),” a longtime National League scout said. “He has great work ethic, is a great teammate and plays the game the right way. He’s a top-notch kid."

The difference is Riley Adams can also hit for average as he hit over .300 in each of the past two seasons and finishes his college career with a .305 batting average and .411 on-base percentage. With catcher being such a vital position in baseball, the Dodgers can groom their catcher of the future if they were to draft Riley Adams Jr.

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