Four Dodgers Make MLB.com’s Top-100 Prospects List
8. Julio Urias, LHP
In 2012, the Dodgers signed Urias out of Mexico for a bonus believed to be in excess of $1 million. In 2013, they sent him to Low-A Great Lakes, where he dominated as a 16 year old. In 2014, they aggressively pushed him up to High-A Rancho Cucamonga and he continued to show why he’s one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball.
Still just 18 years old, Urias has uncanny poise for his age, allowing him to not only compete with, but dismantle, much older hitters. His fastball, slider and changeup all grade out at least above average and he fills up the strike zone. He’ll take on Double-A Tulsa this season, with an outside chance of making his Major-League debut late in the year.
7. Corey Seager, SS
The Dodgers’ 2012 first rounder was always considered a top hitting prospect, but the main concern was with how someone of his size could stay in the middle infield. At 6’4 and over 200 pounds, Seager is one of the biggest shortstops the game has seen, but he has the athleticism and actions to at least begin his Major-League career there. Oh, and he can hit, too.
In 2014, between High-A and Double-A, Seager batted nearly .350, and hit 50 doubles and sluggled 20 home runs. At age 20. As a shortstop. That type of production is rare for any hitting prospect, but the fact that he plays a premium defensive position and is still so young makes him one of the best hitting prospects in the game.
Seager should join Urias in Tulsa to start the year with an outside chance of reaching Los Angeles at some point late in the season.
Any questions or comments? Feel free to ask me on Twitter @JaredJMassey.
I only watched Pederson in September and he was awful. If he is on the roster this year he better do what Mattingly says he will do or both should be gone at the end of the year.