Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2013 (19) | 2012 (23) | 2011 (12) | 2010 (21) | 2009 (23)
2013 Affiliate Records
MLB: [92-70] NL West
AAA: [76-68] Pacific Coast League – Albuquerque
AA: [59-80] Southern League – Chattanooga
A+: [65-75] California League – Rancho Cucamonga
A: [67-72] Midwest League – Great Lakes
Graduated Prospects
Yasiel Puig (OF); Tim Federowicz (C); Scott Van Slyke (OF/1B); Hyun-jin Ryu (RHP); Stephen Fife (RHP); Paco Rodriguez (LHP)
The Run Down
After a holiday hiatus, we have returned to our MiLB preview series. To get us back into prospect mode, let’s all scream Puig on three. One, two, three, PUIG. Good, we’re back. We’re talking about the Dodgers today, a top-heavy farm, but a group that offers plenty of fantasy intrigue. There’s a lot going on here from spots one to six, but things take a turn toward the boring when we reach the last four names of the top ten. Still, Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, and Julio Urias are all of the high-impact variety, while Zach Lee, Alexander Guerrero, and Chris Anderson should all develop into relevant fantasy pieces in their own right. Combine those six with recent grads like Yasiel Puig and Hyun-jin Ryu, and this Dodgers org begins to take shape as one that develops well and spends wisely in the international markets. That’s a particularly effective model for sustainable success.
Top Ten Fantasy Prospects
1. Corey Seager, SS: We’ll preface Seager’s capsule by noting that the 19-year-old probably won’t be playing shortstop by the time he surfaces in the majors. No, he’s 6-foot-4 and is limited with regard to range, so it seems unlikely that he’ll hold up long-term at short. With good hands and plenty of arm, though, Seager seems destined for the hot corner. Obviously that shift will limit potential fantasy impact, but this is the type of talent whose impact can supersede positional factors. In his first year of full-season ball, Seager hit .309/.389/.529 with 12 HR and 9 SB through 74 games at Low-A Great lakes, before finishing the year in the Cali League, where, for the first time in his pro career, he experienced some struggles. He’ll get another shot at the hitter friendly environment of the California League in 2014, and given his impressive bat speed and hand-eye ability, I’m anticipating exciting numbers from Seager this coming season. This is a top 40 overall prospect with potential to hit 25+ HR while batting in the neighborhood of .300. That’ll play in any format. ETA: 2016
2. Joc Pederson, OF: There was a period of time there last season when it appeared that Pederson would get a big league look before Puig. It didn’t end up that way, of course, and I doubt there are any Dodgers fans out there who are second guessing that choice, but suffice to say that there were moments last spring when Pederson looked like the most MLB-ready option in the Chattanooga outfield. That fact alone should speak volumes about the talent this 21-year-old possesses — talent enough to post a 20/20 season at the big league level immediately upon arrival. Pederson will likely begin the 2014 season at Triple-A Albuquerque, but he’ll be one of the first names considered for the big league roster as soon as there’s a need. ETA: 2014
3. Julio Urias, LHP: Urias had an astonishing year in the Midwest League, posting a 2.48 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and a K/9 at 11.1 through 18 starts with Great Lakes. That’s a tremendous year for anybody at any level, but consider the fact that Urias didn’t turn 17 until mid-August, and the line takes on a truly remarkable light — you just don’t find too many 16-year-old dominating at the full-season level. With advanced command of a three-pitch repertoire (FB, CB, CH), he figures to push through the remaining levels quickly. First things first, though, look for the Dodgers to extend his workload in 2014 at High-A Rancho (he only tossed 54 IP in 2013), on track for arrival in the upper levels in 2015. ETA: 2016
4. Zach Lee, RHP: After a disappointing 2012, Lee bounced back into the prospect focus in 2013, posting a 3.22 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and a K/BB at a superb 3.74 in 28 outings at Double-A Chattanooga. With a deep arsenal and an outstanding feel for pitching, the 22-year-old figures to be helping at the big league level as soon as this season. And though his stuff lacks the high impact nature required of front-end starters, Lee features a durable frame, delivers with deception, and there’s every reason to believe that he’ll carve out a long-term role as a rotation regular. There should be plenty of value for the fantasy game in that skill set. ETA: 2014
5. Alexander Guerrero, 2B: I’ll be frank: there isn’t that much out there on Guerrero, and I tend to be cautious when evaluating players for whom intel is scarce. This approach has burned me before — I did the same with Puig, leaving him unranked in my preseason top 50 last season. You’ve been warned. Reports vary on the 27-year-old Cuban defector. Some don’t believe in the hit tool and don’t see the raw power translating into in-game power. The Dodgers, on the other hand, are believers in the entire offensive skill set, and are shelling out $28 million to Guerrero over the next four seasons. I won’t be reaching for him in any upcoming drafts, but there’s upside here if he falls into your lap as a $1 flyer. ETA: 2014
6. Chris Anderson, RHP: Drafted 18th overall this past June, Anderson made his pro debut at the Low-A level, posting a 1.96 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and a K/9 at 9.8 through 12 starts. The 21-year-old relies mostly on a fastball-slider combo that should draw plenty of whiffs as he moves through the next levels. I’m projecting him as a solid mid-rotation arm for now, but continued success in the upper levels can change that outlook. We’ll have a better feel at this time next season. ETA: 2016
7. Jose Dominguez, RHP: With a fastball that sits in the elite velocity range and regularly touches 100 MPH, Dominguez has the type of arm that could be a weapon in a closer’s role. There’s not much in his arsenal to backup that pitch, but if the 23-year-old can improve his command, he won’t need anything else. ETA: 2014
8. Matt Magill, RHP: Magill started a handful of forgettable big league games in 2013, and while his production figures to improve in the years to come, it seems unlikely that he’ll ever amount to much more than a back-end starter. He might be a guy you’ll stream in H2H given a juicy match-up or a two-start week, but he’ll never be a mainstay on your roster. ETA: 2014
9. Onelki Garcia, RHP: There isn’t much to Garcia outside his impressive fastball-curve combo, which is why most evaluators have him pegged as a late-innings arm. Still, if he can improve his command and efficiency, he has the ability to rack up whiffs at a significant rate, and that could prove useful in the fantasy game. ETA: 2014
10. Chris Reed, LHP: Like Magill, Reed’s upside appears to be at the back-end of the big league rotation. He was a first-round pick in 2011, but don’t let the lofty draft status fool you — the 23-year-old doesn’t miss many bats and he doesn’t bring much intrigue to fantasy leagues outside of the occasional stream. ETA: Late 2014
