Dodgers Team News

Marlins Reportedly Scouted Dodgers’ Prospect Yadier Alvarez

Dodgers pitching prospect Yadier Alvarez threw two innings for Double-A Tulsa on Tuesday in the Drillers’ 16-5 loss to the Springfield Cardinals. While this appeared to be an ordinary minor league game, this may have been Alvarez’s last game as a member of the Dodgers organization.

The Miami Marlins brought scouts to Tulsa to monitor the 22-year-old Alvarez. He currently ranks as the seventh best prospect in the Dodgers organization. He is posting a 0-2 record with a 4.67 ERA in the minors this season.

The Dodgers signed Alvarez out of Cuba for $16 million in 2015. He has a high upside with a fastball that can reach triple digits, along with a power slider.

The issue that has been plaguing Alvarez in 2018 is his control. He has walked 26 batters in 27 innings.

Although scouts projected Alvarez to be a frontline starter in 2015, he is looking more like a late-inning reliever. He still has the potential to help a ballclub in the future and can bring back an impactful package to the Dodgers.

Among the Marlins relievers who have been on the trade block, the consistent names have been Kyle Barraclough, Drew Steckenrider and Adam Conley.

Kyle Barraclough’s 2018 Stats

Age IP W-L ERA Strikeouts Walks
28 44 0-4 2.45 50 24

Barraclough is now the closer in Miami. He owns a 2.45 ERA in 44 innings. He had a 1.45 ERA before his last appearance, where he allowed five runs in 0.2 innings. Barraclough possesses a mid-90s fastball, low 80s slider and an occasional changeup in his repertoire. He is under club control through the 2021 season.

Drew Steckenrider’s 2018 Stats

Age IP W-L ERA Strikeouts Walks
27 45 3-1 3.40 51 20

Steckenrider had a four game stretch in May where he struggled, allowing 11 runs in 3.1 innings. If you exclude that period from his season statistics, Steckenrider has an ERA of 1.30 for the season. He has a mid-90s fastball, along with a cutter and slider. He is under control through the 2023 season.

Adam Conley’s 2018 Stats

Age IP W-L ERA Strikeouts Walks
28 27.1 3-1 2.63 32 10

Conley is the one left-handed reliever out of the trio. His ERA for the season is also higher due to one poor outing where he gave up five runs in 0.2 innings. Removing that game would give him a 1.01 ERA for the season. He has a fastball, change and slider combination in his arsenal, and will not become a free agent until after the 2021 season.

Analysis

With liabilities in the bullpen and a deep farm system, the Dodgers have the tools to add a big-name reliever. Alvarez would be a major loss given his potential but he can bring back either of the three Marlins relievers. While we have yet to see how Barraclough, Steckenrider and Conley can perform for a contending team, they each have the talent to help the Dodgers down the stretch.

Dodgers: Potential Under the Radar Relievers to Target

Arthur Cribbs

Arthur Cribbs is a journalism student at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He is a lifelong Dodgers fan and when he is not at school, he resides in Los Angeles.

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