Dodgers Team News

Dodgers Minor League Spotlight: Willie Calhoun, Alex Verdugo, and Will Smith!

It is so exciting to watch the Dodgers this season due to the ridiculous amount of talent in the lineup and on the pitching staff. Excitement levels reach new all new heights when you begin to look at the minor league prospects and what the future has in store!

Let’s take a look at some of the future residents of Dodger Stadium!



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Double-A Tulsa Drillers: Willie Calhoun

You know how Corey Seager is this huge, power-hitting short stop which is a bit out of the norm? Well Willie Calhoun is a power-hitting second baseman, though only 5’8″! Match made in heaven, right?

Our #4 prospect is absolutely tearing it up in Double-A with the Drillers hitting .261 with 27 home runs and 86 RBIs. With 27 home runs, he is only 6 away from breaking the Drillers single-season record!

He has a good shot at making it to the majors sooner rather than later. With Chase Utley’s Dodger career likely coming to an end, Calhoun could make a nice backup at the end of next season to get his feet wet. Who knows, if he continues to crush the ball, we may even see him in a starting position next season!

Double-A Tulsa Drillers: Alex Verdugo

Alex Verdugo is currently sitting as the Dodgers’ #3 prospect, and for good reason! The outfielder is hitting a smooth .276 with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs! The only problem at the moment with his major league breakthrough is the amount of men in front of him.

The Dodgers’ current starting outfielders are Howie Kendrick, Joc Pederson, and Josh Reddick(usually); however, Andrew Toles, Rob Segedin, Kiké Hernandez, and Trayce Thompson are all battling to get their shot. The kid is only 20 years old so he has nothing but time, but expect to see his name in the Los Angeles outfield in the next couple of years!

Single-A RC Quakes: Will Smith

The Dodgers 2016 first round pick, 32nd overall, is expected to do some big things for Los Angeles in the future. The 21 year old is currently hitting .230 with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs in just 19 games with the Quakes. Before that with the Great Lakes Loons, he hit .259 with a home run in 22 games.

He has some stiff competition at the moment. Yasmani Grandal is tearing it up since the All-Star Break and has proven to be a valuable asset behind the plate. Along with Yaz, Austin Barnes currently ranks #10 on the prospect list whereas Smith ranks #11. When he will make his way to Los Angeles is uncertain, but we’re all excited to find out!

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Alex Perez

Whittier College Alumnus. Editor In Chief of Dodgers Nation. Lifelong Dodgers fan.

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