Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: LA Acquires Ryan Noda, Completes Ross Stripling Trade with Blue Jays

On Tuesday, the Dodgers acquired lefty-hitting outfielder Ryan Noda from the Blue Jays, completing a trade that sent pitcher Ross Stripling to Toronto last summer. LA also acquired pitcher Kendall Williams in the trade last August. Jorge Castillo was among those to report.

Over the weekend, Andrew Friedman was asked whether the team had selected the player to be named later yet from the trade, so perhaps the question reminded him? Kidding aside, the 24-year-old Noda reached high-A Dunedin in 2019, posting a .790 OPS with 13 home runs in 117 games. 

The 6’3 corner outfielder was drafted by the Jays in the 15th round of the 2017 draft out of the University of Cincinnati.

So why add another lefty-hitting outfielder?

While Noda’s batting average was down in 2019 (.238), he got on base at a nice clip (.372) collecting 74 walks in 469 at-bats. However, he also struck out 138 times, showcasing proper three true outcomes form. In 2018, he K’d 135 times but collected 109 walks in 124 games, posting a .421 OBP. 

In short, LA may like that on-base ability. FanGraphs prospects expert Eric Longenhagen had this to say on the prospect’s talent:

Noda has elite walk rates, his exit velos are very strong, and he’s hit for power at every level of the minors. He also strikes out a lot for someone older than is usual for his level, which I think is evidence he’ll fall on the wrong side of the Quad-A bubble.

In the long run, Dodgers fans may never see Noda at the big league level. But, LA’s player development team is among the best if not the best in all of baseball. So, why not take a flier on a soon-to-be 25-year-old that hasn’t reached double-A yet? There’s no such thing as too much depth

NEXT: Max Muncy Criticizes MLB’s Plan to ‘Deaden’ Baseballs

Clint Pasillas

Clint Pasillas has been writing, blogging, and podcasting about the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2008. Under Clint's leadership as the Lead Editor, Dodgers Nation has grown into one of the most read baseball sites in the world with millions of unique visitors per month. Find him online on Twitter/X or his YouTube channel!

2 Comments

  1. would someone help me understand why we traded Ross Stripling in the first place?? Is this all we are getting for him?

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