Dodgers Prospect Update: Post-Deadline Top-25 Rankings
10. Austin Barnes, C
Acquired in the Dee Gordon trade, Barnes offers a unique package behind the plate. He doesn’t have great size, but is a good athlete, having played second and third base in the minors. The Dodgers have elected to have him catch full-time and he’s solid behind the plate, throwing out 31% of attempted base stealers throughout his minor league career. At the plate, he offers excellent plate discipline, drawing more walks than strikeouts, as well as gap power.
Comp: Think 2011 or 2012 A.J. Ellis with more speed.
ETA: September call-up, followed by taking over for Ellis as the backup in 2016.
9. Cody Bellinger, 1B
The son of Clay Bellinger, Cody was drafted as a high school first baseman but has avoided the stereotypical plodding, heavy-footed profile that accompanies the position. In fact, he’s played a quarter of his games in center field. Not only is he showing athleticism, he’s also slugged 30 doubles and 21 home runs through August 5. He’s a Major League defender at first.
Comp: Eric Hosmer
ETA: Late 2017
8. Alex Verdugo, OF
It wasn’t a surprise when Verdugo, at age 19, struggled out of the gate in Great Lakes. Through the end of May, his OPS sat at .528. However, a slight adjustment to his setup made all the difference and he ended up hitting .354 over the next two months of the season. He’s still in center field, but looks like he’ll fit better in a corner down the road.
Comp: Logan White, after drafting Verdugo, compared him to Joc Pederson. It’s early, but if the power develops, it could be spot on.
ETA: 2018
7. Jharel Cotton, RHP
After breaking his wrist in Spring Training, Cotton got off to a late start to the season but has since dominated each level where he’s pitched. Currently in Double-A, Cotton has posted an ERA just north of 2.00, while averaging nearly 10 strikeouts per nine innings. People think he’s destined for the bullpen given his height, but his over-the-top delivery gives him some plane and he has a quality three-pitch mix.
Comp: The easy comp is to a short reliever like Tom Gordon, but there’s a legit chance that Cotton can start. His arsenal is similar to Clay Buchholz, minus the cutter.
6. Jose Peraza, 2B
While the Dodgers did well to get Alex Wood and some bullpen pieces from the Braves, they also acquired one of Atlanta’s better prospects. Peraza was signed out of Venezuela as a 16-year-old and has spent the last five seasons consistently hitting and stealing bases in the minors. Already at Triple-A at age 21, Peraza could give the Dodgers an option at second if Howie Kendrick leaves via free agency, or they could try him at short with Corey Seager at third, which has been the setup a few times since he landed in Oklahoma City.
Comp: Dee Gordon. Probably a second baseman, tons of speed, tons of contact, not many walks.
5. Yadier Alvarez, RHP
One of the more unique players the Dodgers have had in the system, Alvarez didn’t have as much exposure or playing experience as other Cubans, given his age. He won’t turn 20 until next spring, but already offers three potentially Major League quality pitches. His fastball possibly being double-plus. It’s hard to estimate how quickly he’ll move through the system, given his relative inexperience, but he has one of the highest ceilings in the system.
Comp: Ramon Martinez? This is probably the hardest since there’s so little video of him.
ETA: 2019
4. Grant Holmes, RHP
Holmes has been exactly what everyone expected him to be: a hard-throwing, strikeout machine in the low minors. However, he’s surprised with his ability to consistently throw a changeup against lefties. Currently, he ranks fifth in the Midwest League in ERA and is tied for third in strikeouts. The 19-year-old isn’t going to be rushed to the Majors, though his stuff will make it hard to keep him in A ball.
Comp: Chad Billingsley. He is the second coming of Chad Billingsley. And that’s a good thing.
ETA: 2018
3. Jose De Leon, RHP
From a 24th-round pick to a top prospect, few players have seen their stock rise as much as De Leon over the past two years. A brief, overpowering stint in High-A led to a promotion to Tulsa, where Jose has continued to rack up strikeouts. A strong finish to the season could lead the Puerto Rico native to a Spring Training invite next March.
Comp: In terms of his delivery, Yusmeiro Petit is it. However, De Leon has much better velocity than Petit, so the stuff doesn’t match the delivery comparison.
ETA: De Leon could get a look next spring, but the rotation is already pretty full and there’s a good chance another ace is added in the offseason.
2. Corey Seager, SS
The 6’4 shortstop began the year in Double-A, but quickly hit himself out of the league, batting .375 in 20 games before a promotion to Triple-A. His numbers have come back down to Earth, but the 21-year-old continues to wow scouts and coaches and he’s close to Major League ready.
Comp: I don’t know if he’ll ever hit 40 home runs, but Shawn Green comes to mind in terms of offensive upside. Cal Ripken would be the goal defensively.
ETA: Opening Day 2016
1. Julio Urias, LHP
Julio Urias is 18. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that when praise and adulation is being heaped on the Mexican-born left-hander. He started the year in Double-A, the youngest pitcher at the level, and dominated to the tune of a 3.00 ERA with 46 strikeouts and just nine walks in 36 innings. Elective cosmetic eye surgery in May cost him a couple months, but a 2015 Major League debut was unlikely coming into the season.
Comp: The first name that came to mind was Gio Gonzalez, who has a very similar build/repertoire. This shouldn’t be disappointing, since Gio has been a consistently above average starter for the past few years. Urias has more potential than simply being above average, but this wouldn’t be a terrible career path.
ETA: If a bullpen role isn’t in the cards for 2015, look for him to come up in the second half of 2016
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