Dodgers: 2017 Biggest Draft Steals and Impact Players

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Oct 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) talks with manager Dave Roberts (right) and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman (middle) during today’s batting practice and workout prior to game one of the NLCS against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2017 Major League baseball draft has concluded, and the Dodgers now will try and sign the potential next wave of Dodger prospects. The Dodgers went college heavy in this year’s draft as 35 players came from the college ranks and only five high school players were selected.

The full list of players drafted can be found here. Of the 40 players drafted, 18 were pitchers with four of those being left-handed pitchers. The Dodgers definitely went right-hander heavy in the pitchers that they drafted. Despite going for high school pitchers primarily in previous drafts, the Dodgers loaded up on college pitchers this time around. The most logical explanation for this is that the Dodgers plan to sign young international free agents and wanted to fill the minor leagues with pitching talent that will be ready in the next couple of years.

Outside of pitching the second-most-drafted position was a shortstop. The Dodgers drafted five shortstops with the most interesting one being Preston Grand Pre who besides the interesting last name comes with massive height at 6’4. If he could put on some weight, the Dodgers may try to shift him to third base. There is an old baseball adage that shortstops are the most athletic players on the field so the Dodgers may have taken so many shortstops with the intention of moving them to another position they should be able to handle.

The next five slides are players that should end up being the best players to come out of the 2017 amateur draft.

Jun 15, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores runner Jeren Kendall (3) rounds the bases after hitting the game-winning homer against the Cal State Fullerton Titans during the ninth inning of the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Vanderbilt won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

1st RD Pick 23 – Jeren Kendall OF – Vanderbilt University

The Dodgers got an absolute steal in the first round with the selection of Jeren Kendall. Kendall was the sixth-best player in the draft according to mlb.com and was initially projected to go in the top ten picks of the draft. Kendall brings elite speed, defense, and power potential to the Dodgers with the possibility of playing centerfield.

The concern with Kendall is that he strikes out too much, so the Dodgers will try to shorten up his swing in an attempt to have him make contact more. When he does make contact, the ball flies off his bat, and he has the wheels to turn singles into doubles routinely. At the major league level, he should be a prolific base stealer who steals 20-30 bases a season on average.

Defensively he can play all three outfield positions but would be the biggest asset in center field since he has elite range due to his speed. He also has a strong throwing arm and is a true five-tool player. While he is a risk to be a bust, there are no guarantees in the draft, so it’s wise to pick a player with so many tools like Kendall. The major league comparison for Jeren Kendall would be Jacoby Ellsbury since he has the same combo of power and speed.

Jun 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) runs after he hits a two-run RBI single in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

3rd RD Pick 100 – Connor Wong – University of Houston

Wong was the 112th ranked player in the draft per mlb.com and comes with a skill set similar to Austin Barnes. Wong was originally a shortstop but converted to catcher during his sophomore season at Houston. He is still learning the tricks of the trade at catcher, and some scouts are concerned that he is too small to be an everyday catcher at 180 pounds. Should he need to switch positions, Wong is capable of playing third base, second base, and first base.

The reason Connor Wong has a chance to be the next Austin Barnes is that he can play multiple positions, he is a contact hitter, and he is an intelligent baseball player. Wong has some pop as he hit 12 home runs this season, but the most surprising skill he brings is speed. Most catchers are not the most fleet of foot, but Wong stole 26 bases this season and was only caught four times.

With Will Smith the most likely candidate to be the next Dodger starting catcher in a few years, the Dodgers may have found his future battery mate in Connor Wong. Smith and Wong could be the next Grandal and Barnes duo in three to four years. Catchers are always in demand so the Dodgers were wise to take a gamble on Wong who at worst should be a very serviceable backup catcher in the Austin Barnes mold.

Dec 6, 2016; National Harbor, MD, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Rogers speaks with the media during day two of the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

4th RD Pick 130 – James Marinan Pitcher – Park Vista Community High School

The Dodgers didn’t dip into the high school ranks for many pitchers in this year’s draft, but they got an excellent one in James Marinan. Despite being ranked 65th overall, yet the Dodgers were able to snag James Marinan in the fourth round. Although he is currently committed to the U (Miami University), the Dodgers should be able to persuade Marinan to sign with them.

Marinan brings good size as he is 6’5 and 210 pounds. He used to throw in the upper 80’s, but has recently gained strength; he was routinely in the 92-96 mph range his senior year of high school. Marinan has a true slurve that some aren’t sure if it’s a slider or a curveball but whatever it is, its rated as a good complimentary pitch to his fastball. He also has a changeup that is below average but being that he was only a high schooler the Dodgers will have plenty of time to develop his changeup.

If Marinan had gone on to college, there is a good shot that he would have been a first or second round pick in another few years so the Dodgers getting him in the fourth round was a solid pick. After he adds some more weight and muscle there’s no doubt in my mind that Marinan will be the next hard throwing starting pitcher in the Dodgers farm system. Let’s just hope the Dodgers can persuade him to sign instead of going to college, because this value may not be there next year.

April 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (52) reacts after being called for a balk which results in a run scored by Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon (9) in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

7th RD Pick 220 – Zach Pop Pitcher – University of Kentucky

While “pop” is usually referred to hitting, the Dodgers drafted a pitcher named Zach Pop in the seventh round who has a chance to be another steal. Pop was the 95th rated player in the draft and was taken in the seventh round by the Dodgers. He was not a closer in college, but he was a reliever and is my pick to be the first player drafted this year to reach the major leagues. Pop features a fastball in the upper 90’s and has hit 99 mph on the radar gun. He also has a very hard slider that is in the upper 80 mph range.

Pop does have some things he needs to work on. He occasionally throws a below-average changeup and has had control issues. The pure stuff is definitely there, but Pop will need to harness control of his power stuff to become a late inning reliever. Part of the reason Pop has trouble controlling his pitches is that his pitches are not straight. His fastball has some tilt on it, so he needs to learn to trust his stuff.

The current major league comparison for Zach Pop would be Pedro Baez. Like Baez, Pop relies heavily on his heavy fastball and will occasionally mix in his sharp slider. Pop’s slider is more refined than the offspeed pitches that Baez has so Pop is definitely ahead of the game. Should Pop learn to control his pitches better, he should be a late inning reliever for the Dodgers by the end of 2018.

May 27, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Ross Stripling (68) and catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) celebrate the shut out victory against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

2nd RD Pick 62 – Morgan Cooper Pitcher – University of Texas

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Just as the Dodgers selected an Austin Barnes clone in the third round, they got a Ross Stripling clone in the second round. Morgan Cooper was the ace of the rotation at the University of Texas and is likely going to end up in the long reliever role that Ross Stripling currently holds. Cooper has similar size to Stripling as he is 6’4 220 pounds. He has already had Tommy John surgery but still sits in the 92-94 mph range.

Cooper is known for wearing down late in the season, so he will need to work on building up some endurance. This issue makes him best suited for a long relief role if he proves incapable of shouldering a lot of innings. Cooper features a fastball, curveball, cutter, and changeup. He definitely has the arsenal to remain a starting pitcher, so the deciding factor will be how he handles pitching late in the season.

Regardless of the role, he fills he should be a useful pitcher for the Dodgers. If he is turned into a reliever, he will reach the big leagues faster but given he’s a second round pick the Dodgers will likely give him a chance to start first. Best case scenario is that Cooper ends up a solid back end of the rotation starter and the worse case scenario is he ends up an average reliever.

Next: Potential Dodger All-Star Snubs

Although the Dodgers were drafting from the back half of the draft yet were still able to come away with quite a few steals. The fact that they decided to draft older, college players shows that the team may be looking for a difference maker sooner rather than later. While outside of Kendall there isn’t much super star potential, the Dodgers were able to make themselves better by drafting quality baseball players to help continue their franchise success.

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