Our long national nightmare is finally over. The Los Angeles Dodgers made a move.
On Wednesday morning, the club announced a three-team trade with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox to acquire three Minor Leaguers from Chicago.
Los Angeles sent three prospects to Cincinnati as part of the deal.
Let’s review who went where and what the trade means.
Dodgers Traded:
After spending the last five months in the Dodgers’ system, Jose Peraza is packing his suitcases yet again.
The Venezuelan utility man played in 22 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2015, batting .289/.304/.378 with seven stolen bases in as many attempts. He spent time at second base, shortstop and in center field.
Already on the 40-man roster, Peraza was called up in September and played in seven games, but collected just 25 plate appearances before succumbing to a season-ending hamstring injury. In his debut season at the Major League level, he batted .182 with stole three bases.
Peraza is widely regarded as a Top-100 prospect given his contact ability, defensive versatility and speed. However, his immediate future with the Dodgers seemed murky with the club deciding to re-sign veteran Chase Utley to man second base next season.
Thus, Peraza likely would have been back in Oklahoma City to start the year. Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler will tell you that Scott Schebler is a great person. And most certainly is.
A 26th-round pick in the 2010 draft, Schebler worked hard to reach the Majors last season, collecting his first three big league home runs in the process.
The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native is beloved by teammates and coaches alike for his attitude and work ethic. Schebler had a breakout campaign in 2013 with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, where he hit .296/.360/.581 with 27 home runs and added 16 stolen bases.
The following year, he went to Double-A Chattanooga and belted 28 home runs with a .921 on-base plus slugging percentage. Last season his OPS fell to .731 with Oklahoma City, where he hit just 13 home runs.
Like Peraza, Schebler figured to be caught in a logjam on the Major League roster. The Dodgers still have a full outfield and Schebler’s likeliest outcome is as a backup in one of the corner positions.
Schebler should get an opportunity to play in Cincinnati, especially if Jay Bruce is dealt. Brandon Dixon was a surprise third-round selection in 2013. The Arizona Wildcat had a rough debut, followed by an improved 2014 campaign with the Quakes.
In 2015, the 23 year old began the year in Double-A Tulsa, where he struggled. He was sent back to Rancho Cucamonga and thrived, batting .299/.358/.575 with 11 home runs in 45 games.
However, upon returning to Tulsa, Dixon’s numbers dropped and he hit just .205/.263/.352 the rest of the way. Dixon is a good athlete and has played second base as well as left and center field for the Dodgers.
He has good speed, stealing 63 bases in three seasons. However, he needs to improve his bat-to-ball skills in order to give himself a chance at a major league career.
CONTINUE READING: Analyzing Prospects The Dodgers Received
