Dodgers: Under the radar acquisitions for the 2020 season

Clayton Daniel, Klye Garlick, Kieran Lovegrove

Infielder Clayton Daniel came over from the Cubs in exchange for Casey Sadler. The 24-year-old is a middle infielder by trade, but has also spent some time in the outfield. Daniel’s 5-foot-7, 170-pound frame doesn’t exactly scream power hitter, but he’s demonstrated good contact skills at all levels, hitting .305 between Low-A and AA last year.

The Dodgers acquired left-handed pitcher Kyle Gilbert from the Phillies for Kyle Garlick. The USC product pitched well for AAA Lehigh Valley last year, posting a 2.83 ERA over 47.2 innings. Gilbert has shown good control with a walk rate around 6 percent and has never had an ERA above 4.00 in the minors. The only problem is he’s already 26 and hasn’t reached the majors. That being said, Gilbert might also be running out of things to prove in the minors, and could see himself in the major league ‘pen following a strong spring or injury to another reliever.

The Dodgers also inked South African righty Kieran Lovegrove to a minor league deal. The 25-year-old hurler grew up playing cricket in Johannesburg, but moved to Orange County at a young age. He features an electric fastball with late run, but unfortunately struggles mightily in the control department.

Last year, Lovegrove walked 24 batters in just 26 innings, and struggled to the tune of a 9.00 ERA across two levels in the Giants and Orioles systems. He did have a nice year in 2018, finishing with a 2.73 ERA across three levels in the Indians organization, and even being selected to the Futures game.

Overall Lovegrove is still pretty rough around the edges, but the Dodgers have a very strong track record developing pitching, and his stuff is undeniable. Lovegrove has also done admirable work off the diamond. Along with two of his friends from high school, founded Going to Bat, a 501(c)(3) that provides baseball and softball equipment to underprivileged children around the world.