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Dodgers Position by Position Breakdown: The Farm System
The 2018 Dodgers Major League ball club will be strong at every position, and will likely add some veteran depth for both the bench and bullpen prior to opening day from the deep pool of unsigned veteran free agents.
Beyond this powerhouse at the major league level, the Dodgers possess enviable depth in their minor league farm system that should worry the other 29 teams. Their system is not perfect and may lack a true impact prospect in the infield (that’s what happens when the top IF prospects graduate to the MLB level–see Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger), but the organization has several elite prospects, with very deep mid-tier prospects.
I will examine the depth of the farm system from two perspectives. First, the top prospect will be spotlighted at each position. Lastly, the top minor league reinforcement for the Dodgers will be highlighted at each position, irrespective of prospect or rookie status.
CATCHER
Top Prospect: Keibert Ruiz
Ruiz is no doubt the Dodgers top catching prospect heading into 2018. The Dodgers are probably deeper in talented catchers than any other club in baseball, however, Ruiz is an elite prospect as he was ranked the #3 catching prospect in all of MLB by MLB Pipeline. Ruiz is only 19, yet is knocking on Chavez Ravine’s door. He figures to start the year at AA Tulsa but could move quickly. Of course, due to his tender age, and depth at this position, there is also no need to rush Ruiz. Ruiz has an average arm but otherwise is above average defensively with very advanced instincts behind the plate. He profiles as a solid contact hitter with some pop as his body develops. Look for him to arrive in LA by 2019 as part of a very athletic catching platoon with Austin Barnes.
Top Reinforcement: Kyle Farmer
Should Barnes or Yasmani Grandal go down with an injury, Farmer will get the first call. Farmer did well in a limited role off the bench last year in his first taste of big league action. Farmer is experienced, solid defensively, versatile as a part-time infielder, offers a good right-handed bat off the bench, and even picked up valuable postseason experience last year. Farmer may also make the team if the Dodgers decide to carry three catchers. If this happens, look for the team to pick up a veteran to handle AAA catching duties.
CORNER INFIELDERS
Top Prospect: Edwin Rios
As I mentioned earlier, If the system has a weakness, it’s in the infield. That being said there are still some pieces that may be solid contributors at the MLB level. Rios is one of those. He has torn up pitching at every minor league level and has a total of 54 home runs in his first 3 minor league seasons. There are some question marks that have surrounded Rios in the past. He has played a lot of third base but doesn’t appear to have the range to stick there, meaning first base will likely be his future. His conditioning has waned in the past, and he has the type of body that may be susceptible to breaking down over the course of a long season. There are also questions about his long swing and propensity to strike out. This year will mark his first full season at AAA, and his performance this year will determine his future with LA.
Top Reinforcement: Rob Segedin
Segedin enters his third season in the Dodgers System and will be a key position player to have on hand at AAA when an injury shuts someone down. Segedin missed a good part of last season due to injuries but was a solid contributor down the stretch in 2016. Segedin can play the corner infield positions, and a little OF, and offers a solid RH bat with some pop. Segedin also is an experienced player, and most importantly, with minor league options remaining.
MIDDLE INFIELDERS
Top Prospect: Gavin Lux
Lux just turned 20 and is still a couple years away from helping the Dodgers. He is an athletic SS with a solid hit tool. He is expected to develop a little pop as he matures. MLB Prospect Watch touts his advanced instincts. He will move slowly and likely open the year at High A Rancho Cucamonga after spending last season at Low A Great Lakes. With Corey Seager manning SS, for now, there is no need to rush Lux. If the Dodgers do move Seager off of SS in a few years, Lux should be ready to take over SS as a solid, defensive oriented player.
Top Reinforcement: Tim Locastro
Locastro has steadily moved through the minors after being drafted by the Blue Jays out of college in 2013. The Dodgers acquired him in a trade in 2015. Locastro made his MLB debut during the last series of the 2017 regular season in an abbreviated audition to be a pinch runner in the postseason. Locastro profiles as a utility player who is extremely capable defensively wherever he plays. Locastro is a guy at the dish who can put the ball in play, and use his speed as a weapon once he gets on base. He will likely be riding the AAA shuttle back and forth from OKC to LA throughout the season.
OUTFIELD
Top Prospect/ Top Reinforcement: Alex Verdugo
Verdugo is the top position player prospect and top OF reinforcement for the Dodgers heading into 2018. Verdugo is a hitting machine who is expected by some evaluators to be a perennial All-Star. In his initial September call-up, he did not fare so well and was also called out by veteran players for showing up late for a game. His attitude and makeup have been questioned in the past, but the Dodgers feel he has matured and has plenty of upside for a 21-year-old. Verdugo is a long shot to break camp with the club due to the current glut of outfielders, but he will get his chance during the 2018 season at some point for a call-up from AAA, and a chance to show he belongs.
STARTING PITCHERS
Top Prospect: Walker Buehler
Buehler, one of the top RH pitching prospects in the game, should be one of the most intriguing prospects to watch this year for the Dodgers. He will have the opportunity at some point to slide into the rotation, whether due to an injury or as a spot sixth starter to provide extra rest for the rest of the rotation. The Dodgers are monitoring his workload as he is less than two years removed from Tommy John surgery. It will be interesting to see how this affects his usage. Consequently, I do not have him as a top reinforcement, because I think the organization will want to carefully manage his innings and provide some predictability as to when he pitches. You can bet he will eventually play a key role in this year’s rotation.
Top Reinforcement: Brock Stewart
Stewart has ridden the OKC-LA shuttle the past two seasons and no longer has rookie status. However, he still minor league options remaining and is a key asset for the Dodgers to have him at their disposal for another season. Whether spot starting or coming out of the bullpen, Stewart is suited for either role. Stewart’s projects as #4/5 MLB starter.
RELIEF PITCHERS
Top Prospect: Yaisel Sierra
You won’t find him on any prospect lists since he is older (though still only 26) and was signed as a player with “pro” experience in Cuba, but I have him here because he is the closest thing to a pure relief pitching prospect the Dodgers currently have in the system. Jordan Sheffield may end up in the bullpen, but he will likely begin this season as a starting pitcher. Sierra was signed to a six-year $30 million contract in February 2016 and was outrighted off the roster later that season
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after struggling as a starter. His contract served as a deterrent to teams selecting him in the Rule 5 draft both this offseason and the previous offseason. Last year strictly out of the bullpen split between AA and AAA, Sierra posted a 3.04, with 81 K’s in 71 innings, and appearing in 39 games. Sierra will be in big league camp this spring and will have a chance to impress the coaching staff. The Dodgers are hoping they will soon benefit from their investment in Sierra.
Top Reinforcement: Yimi Garcia
Garcia spent last year recovering from Tommy John surgery but appears ready to have a breakout year. The Dodgers front office is confident Garcia will provide an experienced RH arm late in ballgames. Garcia still has a minor league option and would benefit from getting some innings under his belt before stepping back onto a major league mound. However, there is a chance Garcia cracks the bullpen on opening day. If there is an injury or underperformance by one of the forecasted relievers, Garcia will be ready to step into the role.
Next: Losing Yu Darvish was necessary
The list above is of course not representative of all the talented players that the Dodgers have in their deep system, especially amongst the pitchers. You will be seeing most of the players above at Dodger Stadium this summer. The key to the Dodgers championship run will once again be the depth and quality of their farm system.