The Los Angeles Dodgers are sending eight prospects to the Arizona Fall League, led by outfielder D.J. Peters and infielder Matt Beaty. The organization’s representatives also include Isaac Anderson, Michael Boyle, Yusniel Diaz, Will Smith, Andrew Sopko and Shea Spitzbarth.
Low-A Great Lakes pitching coach will Connor McGuiness will hold the same position for the Glendale Desert Dogs. The roster features prospects from the Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies.
Shawn Williams (Phillies organization) will manage the Desert Dogs, who play their home games at Camelback Ranch. The AFL begins their schedule Tuesday, Oct. 10.
Peters was earned MVP honors in the California League, while Beaty was named the Texas League Player of the Year. Peters was also among three players from High-A Rancho Cucamonga to make the postseason All-Stars roster.
Anderson began the season with Double-A Tulsa, was sent to the Quakes in June, and made a start for the Arizona League Dodgers this month. Overall, he’s 0-9 with an 8.85 ERA in 18 games (13 starts) this season.
Boyle is 5-6 with a 5.06 ERA in 18 games (six starts), with each of his appearances coming for the Quakes. He was selected by the Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2015 Draft.
Diaz fared well with the Quakes and has improved on that during his time with the Drillers. In a combined 107 games, he’s batting .289/.354/.424 with 23 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 47 RBI. He placed seventh in Jared Massey’s midseason ranking of Dodgers prospects.
Smith, taken by the Dodgers in the supplemental first round (No. 32 overall) in 2016, hit .232/.355/.448 with 15 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs and 43 RBI in 72 games with the Quakes. He recently earned a promotion to the Drillers.
Sopko has spent the entire 2017 season with Tulsa, and is 5-6 with a 3.97 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts in 99.2 innings across 22 starts.
Spitzbarth, who impressed during Spring Training, has pitched for the Quakes (11 games) and Drillers (31). He’s a combined 4-4 with nine saves, a 2.57 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
