Editorials

Dodgers 2021 Pre-Season Prospect List: Keibert Ruiz Tops a Talented Farm System

According to most publications, the Dodgers farm system has dropped off a bit. They acknowledge that it is because they’ve been able to promote from within the system (Gavin Lux, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Will Smith, among others) and now have a World Championship to show for it.

MLB Pipeline has released their pre-season 2021 prospect list for the Dodgers. This article, like the one seven months or so ago, will look at the new list and compare it to the previous one.



The List

The table below shows the list from last Summer and the new list, including the changes from the previous list.

Notes August 5, 2020 Rank March 11, 2021 Position Change
Graduated Gavin Lux 1 Keibert Ruiz C 3
Graduated Dustin May 2 Josiah Gray RHP 1
  Josiah Gray 3 Michael Busch 2B 5
  Keibert Ruiz 4 Kody Hoese 3B 3
Graduated Brusdar Graterol 5 Bobby Miller RHP 6
Graduated Tony Gonsolin 6 Diego Cartaya C 3
  Kody Hoese 7 Ryan Pepiot RHP 23
  Michael Busch 8 Andy Pages OF 8
  Diego Cartaya 9 Wilman Diaz SS New
  Luis Rodriguez 10 Jacob Amaya SS/2B 4
  Bobby Miller 11 Miguel Vargas 3B/1B 6
  Clayton Beeter 12 Clayton Beeter RHP  
  Mitchell White 13 Luis Rodriguez OF -3
  Jacob Amaya 14 Landon Knack RHP 6
  DJ Peters 15 Zach McKinstry INF/OF 9
  Andy Pages 16 Alex De Jesus SS 11
  Miguel Vargas 17 Jake Vogel OF 2
Graduated Dennis Santana 18 Gerardo Carrillo RHP 3
  Jake Vogel 19 Sheldon Neuse 3B/2B New
  Landon Knack 20 Mitchell White RHP -7
  Gerardo Carrillo 21 DJ Peters OF -5
Graduated Edwin Rios 22 Michael Grove RHP 1
  Michael Grove 23 Devin Mann 2B/3B 3
  Zach McKinstry 24 Jesus Galiz C New
Graduated Victor Gonzalez 25 Kendall Williams RHP New
  Devin Mann 26 Edwin Uceta RHP 3
  Alex De Jesus 27 Robinson Ortiz LHP New
  Omar Estevez 28 Jimmy Lewis RHP New
  Edwin Uceta 29 Andre Jackson RHP New
  Ryan Pepiot 30 Omar Estevez 2B/SS -2

What Stands Out

  • No players dropped off other than for graduating. Of those graduating, five of them played key roles in helping to win the World Series in 2020.
  • RHP Ryan Pepiot gained the most, followed by SS Alex De Jesus.
  • The biggest drop was by RHP Mitchell White, followed by OF DJ Peters, who has played well in Spring Training.
  • Wilman Diaz was the highest new entry. He was the Dodgers' top international signing.
  • Garrett Cleavinger and Alex Vesia, two relievers with a good chance to grab a bullpen spot over the first two months, are not on the list.
  • The most likely player to make the Opening Day roster is #15, Zach McKinstry.
  • In the top 10, only one of those players has even played Triple-A (Keibert Ruiz).
  • Twelve of the players on the list are right-handed pitchers.

Analysis

Yes, because the Dodgers have graduated so many players over the last few seasons, the system is a little empty at the top levels. I don't see that as a problem as the farm system is doing exactly what it is supposed to do; get players ready to contribute.

The fact that half of the World Series roster was homegrown is phenomenal.

When you go to Ranch Cucamonga to watch a baseball game you are watching future Dodgers. If you are a Padres fan you go to Lake Elsinore to watch mostly trade bait. The Dodgers take the talent they find, including lower draft picks, and develop that talent. The proof is visible.

What are your thoughts on the latest prospect rankings? Who do you think the number one prospect is?

NEXT: Breaking Down the Quietly Great LA Farm System

Tim Rogers

A fan of the Dodgers since 1973 since I got my first baseball cards while living in Long Beach. I came to San Diego for college and never left nor did I ever switch my Dodgers' allegiance. Some know me as the "sweater guy". #ProspectHugger

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button