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3 Dodgers prospects that could make unexpected impact in spring training
Now, more than ever, the Los Angeles Dodgers have left the door wide open for their prospects to step right in. They're already probably going to use Miguel Vargas and James Outman a ton in 2023, and it won't stop there. Oh yeah, and there's Ryan Pepiot, who already made an impression in 2022.
The Dodgers have six prospects on their non-roster invite list for spring training: Bobby Miller (No. 2), Gavin Stone (No. 7), Landon Knack (No. 11), Nick Nastrini (No. 12), Ryan Ward (No. 30) and Nick Robertson (N/A).
None are exactly knocking on the door of their MLB debuts but ... you never know. At the very least, they could expedite their arrival by getting bumped a level after an impressive showing at spring training. That could lead to a midseason promotion or call when rosters expand in September.
LA needs to set the table for 2024 as well because they have so many veterans on one-year contracts or others coming off the books at the conclusion of 2023. Regardless of how it unfolds, fans need to closely monitor these prospects this spring.
3 Dodgers prospects that could make unexpected impact in spring training
3. Gavin Stone
Duh, of COURSE Gavin Stone is going to be in the spotlight over the next month or so. He's one of the Dodgers' top prospects and his 2022 ascension could squarely put him in the big-league picture at some point in 2023.
But his "impact" could be the most significant of all and is on a different tier than what the standard prospect impact would suggest. What if he dominates with the opportunity he gets with his spring invitation and makes a case to join the rotation on Opening Day? Unlikely, but possible!
What if an injury occurs to the rotation? OK, Pepiot and Michael Grove might be ahead on the totem pole, but that might also depend on their spring performances. At the very least, Stone proving his mettle against MLB bats might make the seat hot for somebody else on the big league staff. His 2022 season featured a 1.48 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 168 strikeouts across 26 games (25 starts), totaling 121.2 innings. He made six starts at High-A, 13 starts (14 games) at Double-A, and six starts at Triple-A. Sub-1.61 ERAs at every level.
Can't imagine he'll be wasting away long at Triple-A to start the 2023 season, especially if the Dodgers are in need of another arm/potential upgrade.
2. Ryan Ward
The Dodgers cast a wide net this offseason to recruit outfield help, but some might say the picture remains underwhelming. Mookie Betts is in right, and then there's a combination of Chris Taylor, Trayce Thompson, David Peralta and James Outman in the other two spots/on the bench.
Ward might not be ready for MLB action come March 30 ... but what about in the middle of the season if he rakes at Triple-A? You have to assume he'll start 2023 there after he hit .255 with an .805 OPS, 62 runs scored, 28 homers and 78 RBI in 116 Double-A games in 2022. That came after he excelled at High-A Great Lakes the year prior.
Primarily a left fielder, Ward's defense could use some refinement since he's not exactly graded highly on his athleticism, arm strength and speed. But he's a left-handed power bat and he started improving upon his struggles by hitting left-handed pitching a lot better in 2022.
He's trending in the right direction, that's all we're saying. And power always makes headlines, don't forget that.
1. Nick Nastrini
Just a note: these are in no particular order. But it's obvious the Dodgers like Nastrini. The right-hander was drafted in 2021 and reached Double-A in 2022. The UCLA product is a bit homer-prone (1.3 HR/9) and walks too many batters (4.3 BB/9) but he's struck out an astonishing 201 batters in 130.2 career minor league innings.
His fastball velocity has increased to 96 MPH. Hs also sports a curveball, slider and changeup. And it's all been good enough to leap to Double-A after just 28 starts across the Rookie League, Single-A and High-A.
Remember how we said his walks were a problem? On the other side of the spectrum, he barely surrenders hits (5.6 H/9), which explains his good WHIP (1.10). And he's actually improved upon his walks issue, after posting a 7.4 BB/9 in college. What's even more promising is that his final year with the Bruins was his absolute worst (6.89 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in 31.1 innings).
If Nastrini's scouting report on MLB.com says his ceiling is pitching in the front half of a big-league rotation, then that's likely why the Dodgers are willing to move fast with him. Another arm you can see maybe getting some bullpen reps when rosters expand in September, if all goes well for his development in 2023.
The Dodgers specialize in exactly this. If some fans are pessimistic about what Phil Bickford, Shelby Miller and Alex Reyes can bring to the table, or about the health situations surrounding Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Victor González, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol and JP Feyereisen, then why not be optimistic about Nastrini?
NEXT STORY: Keith Law projects next two breakout prospects for Dodgers