Dodgers: Options to satisfy the farm system’s needs

Second Base

The Dodgers currently find themselves with an abundance of second basemen in the form of Logan Forsythe, Chase Utley, and Chris Taylor. The issue is that each of them has some question marks regarding their future. Utley is 38-years-old so this could, and most likely will be his final big league season. Forsythe will be 31 later this season and only has one more season left on his contract if the Dodgers choose to pick up their club option on him.

Chris Taylor has been one of the best hitters on the Dodgers but it remains to be seen if he is due for some major regression or if he is going the Justin Turner route and blossoming into an everyday player. Then, of course, there is the possibility that Taylor can become the Dodgers’ center fielder of the present and future if Joc Pederson returns from injury and continues to struggle.

In the minor leagues, the Dodgers’ only potential top prospect at second base is Willie Calhoun but his position remains in question and he has begun playing left field at Triple-A Oklahoma City.  He is also one of the Dodgers’ best trade chips if they choose to pursue another starting pitcher to compliment Clayton Kershaw atop the rotation.

Possible 1st Rd Pick:  Keston Hiura 2B, University of California, Irvine

The Dodgers have a chance to draft one of the top hitting second basemen in the country and a local product if they draft Keston Hiura. There are some questions whether Hiura can stick at second base long term and he could also need elbow surgery in the future since he is overcoming an elbow injury.

The one thing nobody questions with Hiura is that he can flat out rake. He led college baseball this season with a ridiculous .442 batting average and finishes with a career college batting average of .375. The Dodgers could provide a boost to their second base depth chart by drafting Hiura.

Hiura could work on his defense and become a Daniel Murphy type second baseman. And, if Chris Taylor does ultimately end up as the Dodgers’ second baseman of the future, then Hiura could transition to the outfield where he does have some experience.

There is a saying that teams will always find space for a good hitter, so if the Dodgers drafted Hiura and he isn’t at second base, they can always find a position for his impact bat to help the offense. That is what the Anteaters did through during his time there at Irvine, playing the majority of his final season at DH.