The latest episode of “DodgerHeads” featured host Jeff Spiegel welcoming back prospect guru Justin Lorber (@FutureDodgers) for a discussion on various topics surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The episode began with Lorber unveiling his No. 11-30 ranked Dodgers prospects for the 2021 season. The list included the likes of Jacob Amaya, Michael Grove, Andre Jackson and Mitch White, among others.
On last week’s episode of “DodgerHeads,” Lorber identified Josiah Gray, Keibert Ruiz, Michael Busch, Bobby Miller and Ryan Pepiot as the top five Dodgers prospects.
Of the group, Pepiot enjoyed the biggest jump, as he was ranked No. 23 in Lorber’s rankings prior to the 2020 season. When asked which prospects could see a similar leap this season, Lorber named Jackson and Jake Vogel.
Lorber cited Jackson’s improved changeup and Vogel’s offensive upside as reasons why they could potentially make the jump into his top 10 rankings next year.
Dodgers stock check
After discussing prospects, Spiegel and Lorber identified which players are trending up and down as Cactus League play draws to a close.
Spiegel named Ruiz, Victor Gonzalez and Austin Barnes as three players that have impressed him over the past week. Lorber picked Cody Bellinger, Garrett Cleavinger and Dustin May as his three players trending up.
Big deal, no deal
Among the final topics Spiegel and Ruiz touched base on was David Price publicly suggesting he would be open to taking on a bullpen role this season.
The left-hander, who has built an excellent career as a starter, wants some of the Dodgers’ younger arms such to get an opportunity to establish themselves.
Price is also intrigued by the possibility of beginning another chapter as a high-leverage reliever. “Absolutely. The times that I have thrown out of the bullpen, it’s always been on short rest,” he recently said.
“I feel like the more that I throw the more crisp my stuff and pitches get. I enjoy having the opportunity to go out there and help this team win as much as I can. I think that’s the one thing that’s tough about being a starter. You get to play every five days.
“As a reliever, you get to the field and know you have an opportunity to help the team be successful. That’s just kind of my attitude towards being in the bullpen and the way that I look at it.
“I’ve always enjoyed sitting out in the bullpen. It’s a different look for me always being a starter and sitting in the dugout. Whenever you’re in the outfield it’s almost a completely different game out there.
“Whatever they want me to do, I’m all for it. I’ll get outs wherever they ask me to. If it’s in the beginning of the game, middle, the end, I’m open for it all.”
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