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3 Dodgers prospects who improved their stock in spring training
Spring training is in the rearview mirror, but it that doesn't mean the performances of those players who shined during the months of February and March will be forgotten.
This past offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers didn't spend like fans are used to, but the team's farm system remains stacked with talent. The LA faithful know about Diego Cartaya, Ryan Pepiot, and Andy Pages, but there were some other prospects that showed up during spring training and are on the cusp of breaking into the big leagues.
Success in spring training doesn't always translate to success during the regular season, but it can't hurt. Which three Dodgers prospects improved their stock during spring training?
3. Dodgers prospects: Eddys Leonard improved his stock during spring training
If you're looking for an under-the-radar Dodgers prospect that greatly improved his stock during Cactus League play, look no further than shortstop Eddys Leonard. The 22-year-old played very well for LA, and the injury to Gavin Lux may thrust Leonard into the spotlight quicker than most anticipated.
Leonard was an international signee back in 2017 who came stateside in 2019. Leonard's bat has been his carrying tool, but it took a step back in 2022 when the infielder slashed just .264/.348/.435 in High-A Great Lakes.
However, Eddys Leonard let his bat do the talking this spring with a breakout performance in the Cactus League. The shortstop appeared in 16 games and posted a .942 OPS. Leonard struck out just six times in 24 at-bats. Keeping that strikeout rate low heading into the 2023 season will be crucial to his development.
Leonard is beginning the year with Double-A Tulsa. While scouts are still out on whether or not Leonard has the potential to be a regular in the starting lineup or a bench bat, he did nothing to hurt his case by producing during spring training.
2. Dodgers prospects: Michael Busch improved his stock during spring training
Michael Busch got a boost from his performance during spring training. One of the Los Angeles Dodgers' top prospects, Busch hit for both power and average and balanced out his aggressive swings at the dish with a fair amount of free passes as well.
Busch hit .290/.389/.548 in 13 games during the Cactus League this past spring. Four of Busch's nine hits went for extra bases, and while he struck out 10 times, he also drew five walks.
Busch made it all the way up to Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, and that's where he'll begin his quest to make it to the bigs in 2023. Busch is coming off back-to-back seasons of 20-plus homers in the minor leagues, including 32 round trippers in 2022.
A former first-round pick, Busch has worked hard to improve his defensive versatility, something that will endear him to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Busch split time between first and second base this past spring, and with Freddie Freeman on the roster, the keystone is going to be his best chance to become a regular in LA's lineup ... or, you know, someone else's lineup come the deadline.
The Dodgers lineup is loaded with left-handed bats at the moment, and it may take an injury in order to Michael Busch to make it the bigs early in 2023. But if his hot hitting from spring training carries over the minor league season, it's only a matter of time before the 25-year-old makes it to The Show. He's ready.
1. Dodgers prospects: Gavin Stone improved his stock during spring training
No Dodgers prospect, especially on the pitching side of things, improved his stock more than Gavin Stone. A fifth-round draft pick in 2020, Stone is knocking on the door of the big leagues, and it won't be long before it's opened. If he keeps pitching like he did during training, Stone will blow it off the hinges.
According to MLB Pipeline, Stone is the top-rated pitching prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. The outlet raves about his changeup, calling it a plus-plus pitch.
Per FanGraphs, Stone posted a 1.48 ERA in 2022 and a 33.9 percent strikeout rate, while limiting opposing batters to just a .202 average. And no, that's not at Low-A. Stone was doing this while splitting time between Double-A Tusla and Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Stone's dominance carried over to the Cactus League this spring. In four starts, Stone struck out 14 batters and walked just two while allowing only four hits. In 6.2 innings of work, Stone didn't allow single run to score.
Walker Buehler is out for the season (most likely), and with both Ryan Pepiot and Tony Gonsolin on the IL to start the season, Michael Grove has been thrust into the role of No. 5 starter. Depending on the health of the LA starting rotation, the strong spring from Gavin Stone may result in his big league debut sooner rather than later.