Dodgers 2014 Minor League Review: Albuquerque Isotopes
Tough Environment For Starters
Just when it looked like Zach Lee was taking steps forward in his development, the Dodgers sent him to Albuquerque, where the altitude got the better of him and he essentially lost a year of development.
The 22-year-old righty posted a 5.38 ERA in 150.2 innings with just 5.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Hopefully, a move to Oklahoma City in 2015 helps him regain some of his confidence.
Another first-rounder made a brief appearance with the Isotopes, though he probably wishes he hadn’t. Chris Reed was posting strong numbers in Double-A Chattanooga before being promoted and leaving the good numbers in Chattanooga. Through five starts, his ERA was almost 11.00 and he allowed 37 hits in 21.1 innings. He’s another pitcher who will benefit from moving out of Albuquerque.
Carlos Frias looked like a bullpen prospect after 2013 but spent most of his time in Albuquerque’s rotation, where his numbers didn’t reflect his pure stuff. In 91.2 innings, Frias had a 5.01 ERA with just 6.4 strikeouts per nine. He’s shown promise in the Majors, with one glaring exception.
Plenty of Relief
While Garcia had the best performance of any Isotopes relief pitcher, he wasn’t alone in the bullpen. A handful of relievers, some with Major League experience, joined him for much of the year.
Paco Rodriguez, who looked like a lock to make the bullpen after a strong 2013 campaign, wasted away in Albuquerque due to the Dodgers’ bullpen overflowing with veterans. He struggled with his control (a prominent theme) but struck out 11 batters per nine and should make the Dodgers’ postseason roster.
Jose Dominguez, the hardest thrower in the system, had scant time in the Majors before returning to the farm. The 23 year old struck out 10.5 per nine, but also walked almost five per nine. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been completely healthy and was unable to help the Dodgers in their postseason run.
A former top prospect, Scott Elbert, had an extended stay in Albuquerque after recovering from surgery. The 28 year old pitched in 18 games with the Isotopes before finally getting the call to the big club and pitching important innings for the Dodgers down the stretch.
A pair of conversion projects saw themselves inch closer to roles in the show this summer. Pedro Baez, formerly a third baseman, held his own in Triple-A with a five to one strikeout to walk ratio before cementing his status as a reliable reliever in the big leagues who could make the postseason roster.
Matt Magill, who had been a starter throughout his Minor League career, is now pitching out of relief and still experiencing the same issues with his control that plagued him when he was in the rotation.
A Pair of Imports
The Isotopes’ lineups mainly consisted of Quad-A guys and retreads, outside of Pederson. However, two hitters stood out, as they both have the chance to contribute to the Major-League team in the near future.
Alex Guerrero signed last year and looked like he’d compete for the starting second base job in Spring Training, but Dee Gordon stole the show and, after an All=Star season, could be a fixture in the middle of the diamond for the Dodgers.
That left Guerrero in the Minors, feasting on lesser pitching before the biting incident that claimed a good amount of his year. He’s back and healthy now, though his future role with the club is up in the air.
Another Cuban native, Erisbel Arruebarrena, signed with the club unexpectedly during Spring Training. The 24-year-old infielder wasn’t game ready to begin the year and it showed, as he struggled mightily with the bat.
However, there’s little doubt that Arruebarrena can help with the glove, as he shows top-of-the-line defense at shortstop and has even spent time at second and third base. If the Dodgers let Hanley Ramirez walk this offseason, Arruebarrena could take over and give the Dodgers a polar opposite type of player.
