The Los Angeles Dodgers have a ton of pitching depth, especially in the right handed pitching department, but most of them look to be middle of the rotation guys, back end inning eaters, or relievers.
The team is almost completely void of position prospects in the infield but they do have a few upside plays in the outfield. The system is need of some top talent and depth and whoever buys this team should invest heavily in the farm system.
Below are my top 16 prospects with 2012 opening day age, position, and comments on each player. Below the top 16 is a small list of additional notable names. Enjoy.
| Player | Comments | |
| 1 | Zach Lee (20-RHP) | He received the highest draft bonus in Dodger history in 2010 thanks to a projectable frame, smooth delivery, and a polished approach to pitching at such a young age. He has a low-90s fastball that he can dial up to 95 on occasion and couples it with a change-up and curveball that both flash above-average right now and could be more. He likes to stay down in the zone but can lose control when he tries to overpower a guy. He looks like he has the chance to be a solid #2 if all falls in place and should be at least a solid inning eater. |
| 2 | Chris Reed (21-LHP) | I may be the only one who ranks him here but I like his potential more than the rest of the arms in the Dodgers system. He was a RP at Stanford but is being converted to SP and has a fastball that sits 91-94 and can touch 96 and he couples it with a sharp slider and change-up. Both secondary offerings are already above-average. He has the frame to be a starter and if he can handle the workload he could be in the LA rotation by 2014. |
| 3 | Allen Webster (22-RHP) | He struggled in his AA debut but he has a low-90s sinker/2-seamer that is above-average and his change-up is also above-average. He really needs to develop that curveball if he wants to start and he also some delivery issues he needs to fix. If all falls in place he could be a viable #3 starter. |
| 4 | Nathan Eovaldi (22-RHP) | He came out of relative obscurity in 2011 to cracking the Dodgers’ rotation. He has a fastball that sits 93-95 and he succeeds by keeping the ball in the park. He also has a hard slider and developing third pitch but both are inconsistent and he struggles with his control and walks too many hitters. Some think he could be in the pen but I would like to see him given a shot at th #5 spot in the rotation. I think he needs some refinement but could be a solid inning eater at the back of the rotation and is as close to ready as any in this system. |
| 5 | Joc Pederson (20-OF) | I love his all-around game. Plus patience and great approach help upgrade him despite the fact that he has no other plus tools. He does have at least average tools across the board, though, and his speed is helping keep in in CF for now. There is some concern on whether he can stay there or not but he should be able to hit enough to be a solid regular in a COF. |
| 6 | Garrett Gould (20-RHP) | He does not overpower you but he has a solid approach to pitching and still has some projection in his frame. His fastball sits 89-92 and he couples it with excellent control and an above-average curve. If his change develops into at least an average pitch he can be a nice inning eater at the back of a rotation. |
| 7 | Alfredo Silverio (24-OF) | Excellent tools and they are finally showing in the stats. He has above-average speed and power but still lacks refinement in his game and the lack of patience is a big worry as he turns 25 in early May. He probably belongs in a COF spot and this late bloomer will need a repeat performance and improved discipline if he wants to be more than a 4th outfielder. |
| 8 | Chris Withrow (22-RHP) | He might have the best stuff in the organization but lacks polish, command, and control. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and can reach the upper-90s and couples it with a very inconsistent curve that flashes plush on occasion and a developing change. He has top shelf stuff but if he cannot get the command and control settled he could be a power reliever. |
| 9 | Angel Sanchez (22-RHP) | Another projectable frame that could be an inning eater. He has a mid-90s fastball that can touch 98 but his secondary pitches are a work in progress and he got a late start to his career. He will need to continue to develop the curve and change if he wants to be a starter. If not then the Dodgers have another potential power righty in their pen. The upside is there but it may take a few years. |
| 10 | Angelo Songco (23-1B) | He comes with platoon issues and is likely stuck at 1B but he has huge power and 2012 will be a telling season as he heads to Double-A. |
| 11 | Josh Lindblom (24-RHP) | He is relegated to the pen but he has the stuff to be a high-leverage reliever. His fastball sits 91-94 and he pairs it with a plus slider that is death on righties. He also has solid control and should be in the pen right away. |
| 12 | Aaron Miller (24-LHP) | He has battled injuries and lacks command and time may be running out on him but his stuff is still there. He has a power arm and the pen is looking for likely for him but I wouldn’t rule out the back end of a rotation with his frame and potential still in tact. |
| 13 | James Baldwin (20-OF) | The tools are there to be a potential stud in CF but he lacks discipline and has major contact rates. He has potential on the offensive side to be a 20/40 player but may never hit for a good average. He is a long way away and single-A will be a good test for him in 2012. |
| 14 | Jake Lemmerman (22-SS) | He has a decent approach at the plate, decent pop, decent speed, and a decent arm. You see a trend there? He is close to average across the board and should be a Big Leaguer but I have doubts it will be as an everyday SS. |
| 15 | Leon Landry (22-OF) | Tons of speed and athleticism and should have no problem staying in CF but there are some concerns about his patience and hit tool and he will probably never hit 10 HR. He could be a solid 4th outfielder with an outside shot at a regular in CF if he improves his hit tool. |
| 16 | Ethan Martin (22-RHP) | A personal fav of mine so I may be a bit high on him but I love the arm, especially out of the pen. He has major control issues and the secondary stuff has not come around as most anticipated but he is still young and working in short stints should help him develop one secondary pitch full time and give him a nice fastball/breaking ball combo. |
A few more names to watch: Blake Smith (OF), Alex Santana (3B), Gorman Erickson (C)
-Jonathan C. Mitchell can be found writing about the Tampa Bay Rays at DRaysBay and the Florida Marlins at ESPN’s SweetSpot site Marlins Daily. You can follow him on twitter at @FigureFilbert. Be sure to follow MLBdirt at @MLBdirt
Filed under: On the Farm - Prospects Tagged: | 2012 Top Prospects, Aaron Miller, Alex Santana, Alfredo Silverio, Allen Webster, Angel Sanchez, Angelo Songco, Blake Smith, Chris Reed, Chris Withrow, Ethan Martin, Garrett Gould, Gorman Erickson, Jake Lemmerman, James Baldwin, Joc Pederson, Josh Lindblom, Leon Landry, Los Angeles Dodgers, Nathan Eovaldi, Prospects, Zach Lee
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