The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season, leaving hundreds of players in a state of uncertainty. The Los Angeles Dodgers addressed the situation by adding several prospects to their 60-man player pool, ensuring they could continue getting reps at their USC site.
Among those part of the initial player pool were pitchers Gerardo Carrillo, Josiah Gray, Michael Grove, Andre Jackson, Marshall Kasowski, Edwin Uceta, catchers Diego Cartaya and Rocky Gale, infielder Omar Estevez, and outfielders Zach Reks and Cody Thomas.
The group expanded to include the likes of 2020 MLB Draft first-round pick Bobby Miller, Michael Busch and Kody Hoese as the year progressed.
While the aforementioned names were able to train with the Dodgers in an official capacity, many other prospects did not have the opportunity. Carrillo reflected on the 2020 season and was grateful to be part of the organization’s player pool, via Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
“I was just trying to take advantage of those opportunities,” Carrillo said. “That’s an opportunity that not many guys had a chance to have — it was a really small group. I think I really took advantage of the 2020 season.”
By being included in the Dodgers’ player pool, Carrillo was able to face good competition and continue with his development. Signed out of Mexico in 2016, he spent the 2019 season with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and pitched to a 5.44 ERA over 82 innings and 23 games (21 starts).
Since debuting with the Dominican Summer League Dodgers in 2017, Carrillo has started 46 of 57 professional games. He owns a career 14-12 record with a 3.57 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings in three Minor League seasons.
Carrillo was ranked the No. 16 prospect in the Dodgers organization by MLB Pipeline, and he could potentially contribute at the Major League level as soon as the 2021 season.
Carrillo among Dodgers prospects added to 40-man roster for Rule 5 Draft protection
Carrillo was one of four prospects added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster last November to protect him from Rule 5 Draft eligibility — a ringing endorsement for his future with the organization.
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