Dodgers: Recapping the Oklahoma City Dodgers Season

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 01: Alex Verdugo
GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 01: Alex Verdugo /
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Like many of the Dodgers’ minor league teams, the Oklahoma City Dodgers had a very good season and made the Pacific Coast League playoffs.

The Dodgers have had a very successful year throughout their organization from top to bottom.  While the Dodgers currently fight for their own playoff berth, their Triple-A squad the Oklahoma City Dodgers just wrapped up their season on Sunday when they lost a best of five series to the Memphis Redbirds.

Here is a summary of the OKC Dodgers 2018 season:

Record: 75-65, First place in the Pacific Coast League American Northern division

Top Hitters: 

Alex Verdugo – The Dodgers top prospect hit led the team with a .329 average and finished with ten homers and 44 RBI’s.  Verdugo did spend some time on the disabled list with various ailments but altogether he had another very good season.  Alex Verdugo has nothing left to prove in the minor leagues and should open up the 2019 season on the Dodgers’ opening day roster.

Donovan Solano: The Dodgers signed Solano to a minor league deal that paid dividends for their AAA club.  This season Solano hit as high as .340 and finished the season with a .318 batting average and 43 RBI’s.  Solano spend the most time at shortstop but he also played some second and third base for the OKC Dodgers.

Andrew Toles:  While many LA Dodger fans were clamoring for Toles to be called up all season, he spent his season with the OKC Dodgers where he battled a hamstring injury.  When Toles did play the results were very good.  Toles finished the year with a .306 average, seven home runs, and a 39 RBI’s.  Toles will have to battle for a spot on the 2019 LA Dodgers opening day roster.

Honorable Mentions: Henry Ramos, Edwin Rios, and Kyle Garlick

Top Pitchers:

Manny Banuelos:  The former Yankees top prospect put together an all-star season with the OKC Dodgers.  Banuelos finished with a 9-7 record and a 3.73 ERA.  The Dodgers would be wise to keep Banuelos through arbitration and let him spearhead the 2019 OKC Dodger rotation.  Banuelos could be called up to the Dodgers this month if they feel they could use another arm out of the bullpen.

More from Dodgers Prospects

Daniel Corcino:  Corcino made his big league debut with the Dodgers this season and he was one of the OKC Dodgers top starting pitchers.  For the season, Corcino put together a 4-3 record with a 3.40 ERA.  He also struck out 102 batters in 103 innings pitched.  Like Banuelos, the Dodgers retain Corcino’s rights through arbitration and would be wise to bring him back for another season.

Pat Venditte:  Venditte is now with the LA Dodgers but he spent most of the 2018 regular season down in AAA as the best reliever on the OKC Dodgers.  The switch-pitcher posted a 1.75 ERA and 0.86 WHIP to lead the OKC roster as the club’s top reliever.  The Dodgers can control Venditte for three more seasons and as the major league’s only switch-pitcher they would be wise to hang on to him.  He currently has a seven-inning scoreless streak with the LA Dodgers.

Honorable Mentions: Brock Stewart, Brian Schlitter, Joe Broussard

Look Ahead: The OKC Dodgers should have a stacked rotation in 2019 as Dennis Santana is likely to make the OKC rotation to go along with Daniel Corcino and Manny Banuelos.  If the Dodgers decide to move Caleb Ferguson back to being a starter, he could also be a part of the 2019 OKC Dodgers rotation.

Next. The 2018 Dodgers Way minor league awards. dark

Position player wise, Will Smith should spend his 2019 season in OKC as he is not yet ready for the big leagues.  Keibert Ruiz could also join the OKC Dodgers at some point during the 2019 season.  Andrew Toles and Alex Verdugo are the two OKC players who have the best shot of making the LA Dodgers opening day roster in 2019.