Praise has been constant for the Los Angeles Dodgers crop of prospects this offseason, with Baseball America the latest to recognize the organization’s work. In their 2016 rankings of farm systems, the publication rated the Dodgers No. 1 overall.
ESPN’s Keith Law previously ranked the Dodgers as having the second-best farm system, trailing the Atlanta Braves. Rounding out Baseball America’s top-five farm systems are the Houston Astros, Braves, Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals.
After the Dodgers, the National League West is next represented at No. 6 by the Colorado Rockies. Baseball America rates the San Francisco Giants as having the 19th-best collection of Minor League talent.
Under the Guggenheim group, specifically team president and CEO Stan Kasten and more recently, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers have opted against trading any of their elite prospects.
Baseball America has recognized the organization for their improved collection of talent, ranking the Dodgers farm system No. 19 in 2013, 14th in 2014 and third last year. Los Angeles was rated 23rd in 2013 by the publication.
Most of the heavy lifting has been done by Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Julio Urias. Pederson assumed a full-time role with the Dodgers last season, which Seager is on track for this season. Urias’ development was slowed a bit in 2015 as he missed one month after undergoing cosmetic eye surgery.
Seager was ranked the top prospect in Baseball Prospectus’ top 101 for 2016 and by MLB.com in January. He was also rated the No. 1 overall prospect by Law. Urias was named the top left-handed pitching prospect.
While the aforementioned trio have headlined Dodgers Minor Leaguers, Cody Bellinger and Jose De Leon are among those who are quickly receiving more attention. Bellinger was rated the sixth-best Minor League first baseman, and De Leon the fifth-best right-handed prospect, both by MLB.com.
Bellinger, De Leon and Urias are part of the non-roster invitees who will be in big league camp with the Dodgers during Spring Training.
