With the Major and Minor League seasons both being officially over, it’s time for prospects to travel the globe to continue their development and showcase their skills in fall and winter leagues.
Some prominent prospects went to the Arizona Fall League, widely considered the top offseason league. Others traveled to Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic to continue fine-tuning their craft. Let’s take a look at how those in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization have fared so far.
Arizona Fall League
The season began in dramatic fashion, as catcher Kyle Farmer and second baseman Brandon Dixon started for the Glendale Desert Dogs. Farmer made his presence felt early, as he crushed a two-run home run in the third inning to give the Dogs a 3-1 lead.
Dixon added a solo shot in the fourth to increase the lead. Reliever Matt West pitched a scoreless seventh as it looked like Glendale would cruise to an Opening Day win. However, leading 5-1 heading into the eighth, Mesa scored six runs, even after botching an attempted steal of home.
Glendale scored one run in the bottom of the frame but still trailed, 7-6. Leading off the ninth, Astros prospect Derek Fisher drew a walk but was picked off.
However, the next three batters would load the bases for Farmer. He roped the first pitch into right field, scoring the tying and winning runs, giving the Desert Dogs a comeback win.
Farmer has started off well, batting .300/.318/.650 in his first five games, including four doubles and a home run. Dixon has also hit well, OPSing .981 in five games with a double and a homer.
Jacob Scavuzzo, coming off a breakout season in Rancho, has played just three games but is 6-for-12.
On the hill, Jharel Cotton is the biggest name for the Dodgers on the staff. After a forgettable debut in which he allowed three runs in 1.2 innings, he bounced back on Thursday by recording three scoreless innings while striking out six.
His excellent changeup was on display, inducing plenty of swings and misses, while his fastball sat comfortably in the mid 90s, touching 97. If he keeps pitching like this, Cotton should get a long look in spring training.
Other Dodger prospects on the staff include Ralston Cash, who posted a 3.47 ERA in Double-A Tulsa this season. With Glendale, he’s allowed no runs and just one hit in his first four innings, striking out a batter an inning.
Michael Johnson and Scott Barlow have each made one appearance and each have a 54.0 ERA. That ought to improve in time.
Caribbean Leagues
Ali Solis and Jorge Gonzalez headed to the Mexican Pacific League, where they’re playing for the Tomateros de Culican. Solis is hitting just .150 through 12 games, though he does have five extra base hits, including a pair of home runs.
Gonzalez has yielded a 4.50 ERA, with three strikeouts in six innings. Brian Burgamy, Daniel Mayora and Juan Gonzalez headed to the Venezuelan League, where Burgamy and Gonzalez are teammates.
Burgamy is hitting well, with a .308/.419/.538 slash line, including three doubles and three home runs. Mayora has gotten off to a slower start, OPSing .580 in 16 games.
Gonzalez, who represented the Dodgers in the Futures Game this season, has pitched twice and lasted just a third of an inning, allowing a run on a hit and two walks in the process.
The Dominican Winter League has welcomed right-handed relievers Juan Jaime and Ramon Troncoso. Jaime has made a pair of appearances, allowing a run and striking out two.
Troncoso has pitched in four games, surrendering an ERA of 6.00. Jaime is pitching for Licey, while Troncoso is with the Toros del Este.
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