3 surprising prospects who will shine at Dodgers spring training

Trey Sweeney

Sweeney, the Yankees' No. 1 draft pick in 2021, was traded to the Dodgers in December in exchange for Victor González and Jorbit Vivas. He was the Yankees' No. 5 prospect in 2022 (per MLB Pipeline), but it didn't seem like there was much of a future for him with the Yankees, who also had shortstops/infielders Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza at Nos. 1 and 2 that year. With the Dodgers, Sweeney slotted in at No. 18 in 2023, the second shortstop behind Joendry Vargas, who's still in Rookie Ball, at No. 12. The Dodgers seem excited to have Gavin Lux back at shortstop full-time, and could eventually use him in a package for long-coveted trade candidate Willy Adames, but there's still room for Sweeney to make an impression on the organization this year.

Lux performed well before he got hurt, but he didn't play at all in 2023 and it wouldn't be surprising if the Dodgers handled him with kid gloves a bit at the beginning of the season while they wait to see how he does after a torn ACL. Last year, the Dodgers were hurting for shortstops/middle infielders and even brought back Kiké Hernández for a short stint as a temporary remedy, but for now they're left with Lux, Miguel Rojas, and Chris Taylor. If Sweeney can show out at spring training, there may be an opening for him to come in on a few of Lux's off days.