Dodgers 2014 Minor League Review: Chattanooga Lookouts
After dominating High-A Rancho Cucamonga, Corey Seager was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga after the All-Star Game and continued his torrid hitting with the Lookouts.
In 38 games, Seager batted .345 with a .915 OPS and 16 doubles, giving him an even 50 during the regular season. He should return to Double-A next year, only this time it will be in Tulsa.
One of the more pleasant surprises of the 2014 season was Darnell Sweeney, the Dodgers’ 13th-rounder in 2012. Drafted out of college as a shortstop, Sweeney has since played second base and even center field, as the team wants to groom him as a versatile defender.
At the plate, Sweeney improved dramatically after leaving Rancho for Chattanooga, raising his OPS from .784 to .850, walking considerably more and cutting down on his strikeouts. He should start 2015 in Triple-A.
The Lookouts also got solid production from first baseman O’Koyea Dickson. The 24-year-old California native has hit wherever he’s been, and, like Sweeney, actually saw his numbers improve from the Cal League to the Southern League. In 2014, Dickson collected career highs in doubles and home runs, tying his mark of 17 home runs that he hit in 2012.
Where The Wild Things Are
The Lookouts had plenty of productive arms in their bullpen, though throwing strikes wasn’t always their strong suit. Take Jarret Martin, a hard-throwing lefty who struck out 10.5 batters per nine innings in 2014. However, he also walked 7.9 batters per nine. If he could harness his control, Martin could have a future in the Majors.
Another lefty with lofty strikeout and walk rates was Michael Thomas, a 25 year old who was drafted in the 35th-round three years ago. In just 59.1 innings, he struck out 76 batters but also walked 41. Even Daniel Coulombe, who’s saw time with the Dodgers, walked 4.1 per nine.
Hard-throwers Ralston Cash and Josh Ravin are two more names to know. Cash, the former second-round pick, has found his niche in the bullpen but must throw more strikes. Ravin, a 26 year old the Dodgers signed as a free agent last winter, can touch 100 MPH with his fastball, but struggles to consistently find the strike zone.
One of the saving graces in the Lookouts’ bullpen was Juan Noriega, a diminutive righty with a 90 MPH fastball and an assortment of secondary offerings, including a knuckleball. The Mexican native struck out 8.2 batters per nine and walked only three per nine innings.
