Dodgers: Potential Impact of the First Wave of Call-ups

As the Dodgers set sail into September, the fans have been treated to the first wave of call ups as the rosters expand for the remaining 27 games of the MLB season.

So far, the team hasn’t called up anyone that hasn’t been mentioned on our site or around the Twittersphere. Some have wondered why Joc Pederson wasn’t called up with this first group, but will most likely join the team in a few days once the Triple-A season plays their final three games.

Pederson’s stint in Oklahoma City has been less than ideal, and his future with the club is probably rockier than ever. He has hit just .125 in his last ten games with one double and nine strikeouts.

To add to that, Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts told reporters yesterday that Alex Verdugo’s is being considered for a postseason roster spot this month depending on how he performs. Verdugo is one of six players to be called up so far with a few more to follow in the coming days.

Let’s take a look at who has been called up so far and the potential impact they may have over the next few weeks.

ALEX VERDUGO

Verdugo has been covered non-stop since the beginning of Spring Training and has not disappointed. He will finish his Triple-A season batting .314 with 27 doubles, 62 RBI and an OPS of .825 over 117 games.

It was only a matter of time before he got the call, but not many people thought it would come at such an interesting time in the Dodgers season. Despite being the best team in baseball in the win column, the recent five game losing streak sent Dodgers nation into a panic.

Dave Roberts is calling this a serious audition for the 21-year-old makes you think that despite how little impact that streak will have on the team’s record, they still feel like they have room to improve. Some will say that you don’t want to mess with a good thing, but at a certain point, you have to give your most talented prospects a chance when they have earned it.

The trade for Curtis Grandson before that was a curveball no one saw coming, and although it has been great for the Dodgers, it adds another layer of difficulty for Verdugo when it comes to cracking that postseason roster.

Overall, the Dodgers are getting an above average defender who has played every spot in the outfield and one of the best hitters in the minor leagues. He’s shown maturity putting up those numbers at the highest minor league level, against pitchers must more seasoned than himself. 2017 may not be the year for him, but 2018 and beyond will more than likely treat him well.

O’KOYEA DICKSON

Dickson was in the Dodgers’ lineup for the first half of the doubleheader on Saturday and has earned his way to the big leagues after a long time spent below.

Dickson had some serious pop in his bat and blasted 24 homers and 22 doubles to go along with 76 RBI in 116 games in Triple-A. The Sonoma State product has crushed 42 dingers in the last two seasons in Oklahoma City if it weren’t for Rob Segedin, he would have made an appearance in the show much sooner.

The 27-year-old from San Francisco can play first base and the corner outfield spots, he got the start in left in the first part of the double dip but had an awkward play in left field that cost the Dodgers a run.

The bat is really what got him to this point, and right handed power has been a rarity for the Dodgers this season, so he will have a chance to show what he’s got over the next few weeks. Look for him to start a few more games in the outfield and come off the bench to pinch hit for the remainder of the season.

WILMER FONT

Fans got their first taste of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League strikeout king yesterday, but it wasn’t his best outing. He worked 1.2 innings surrendering two earned runs and walking three. It’s understandable to have jitters your first time up, but he has had some major league experience before.

Font was sitting between 94-97 yesterday but struggled a bit with his control. He mixed in a breaking pitch but didn’t have much more success with that either. If a call or two had gone his way, a passed ball didn’t get under Austin Barnes’ glove; maybe he has a couple of scoreless innings.

Baseball isn’t about maybes, though, it’s about results.

Despite Font’s first outing, he did show that he could eat up some innings for the Dodgers moving forward and that’s what fans should expect from him the rest of the month. The 27-year-old has earned his chance at the pros this season after posting a 3.42 ERA over 25 starts.

FABIO CASTILLO

Another arm that has been brought up to eat some innings, Castillo has been injured of late but started 16 games for Oklahoma City this season.

The journeyman pitcher had an ERA of 4.20 over that time but has shown that he is capable of facing some of the best hitting and getting outs. He recently threw some innings out of the pen in Tulsa for the Drillers and enjoyed a little more success doing that. He posted a 1.29 ERA but is in a bullpen that is stacked with righties, so it will be tough for him to think about anything beyond September.

Next: Outfield Grade for August

There will surely be more movement as the minor league season comes to a close and more players will be up with the Dodgers as they return from San Diego for a big series at home against the Diamondbacks.