Dodgers: Top prospect performances through one week of play

Omar Estevez was signed by the Dodgers out of Cuba during the 2015 signing period on a $6 million signing bonus. The Dodgers were so interested in the young infielder that they paid a penalty fee of $6 million just to lock him down.

Since then, the middle infielder with a slick glove and solid bat has been rapidly promoted through the system, starting his minor league career in Low-A as an 18-year-old and playing in High-A by age 19.

In hist first two pro seasons, the numbers did not match the price value with the teenager hitting in the mid-.200’s and power numbers being completely hidden.

But, last year, in his second stint in High-A, Estevez found his stroke and left the campaign as one of the best prospects in the Cal-League.

By season’s end, Estevez led the league in runs scored and in doubles.

The heat stroke to end the season for Estevez carried over in a big way to start 2019 as the 21-year-old, now with the Tulsa Drillers, opened the season hitting .452 in 31 at-bats with a home run, seven RBI’s, 14 hits and four doubles.

Estevez profiles as a solid contact bat with gap to gap hitting abilities. While power is not really on his radar (MLB.com rates his power at just 45) the young infielder could hit between 12-20 home runs a season depending on how well he is hitting the ball.

This season will be a big one for Estevez as a lot of questions about his ability to stay on the ball and spray across the field as opposed to just pulling it will be answered.