Already boasting a top-10 farm system in all of baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers recently had the opportunity to add to their talented Minor League pipeline with a plethora of selections in the 2019 MLB Draft.
The club overall made a total of 41 picks — 34 of which were college players. The selections comprised of 20 pitchers (12 right-handers, eight left-handers), 10 outfielders, nine infielders and two catchers.
Headlining the crop was first-round pick Kody Hoese, who was nabbed with the 25th overall selection. A power-hitting third baseman out of Tulane, he received praise for his play on both sides of the ball in 2019. In addition to his bat skills, Hoese enjoyed a major improvement on defense and is expected to stick at his position at the Major League level.
The Dodgers officially announced the signing of Hoese, in addition to several other selections from their 2019 MLB Draft class.
According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, Hoese received the full slot value of $2,740,300 (25th overall pick):
I don't know why I keep calling him Kyle instead of Kody. Sorry, Kody. https://t.co/KD0Owiq4sB
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 11, 2019
After posting modest numbers during his freshman and sophomore seasons at Tulane, Hoese broke out as a junior in 2019, hitting .391/.486/.779 with 20 doubles and 23 home runs. He drove in 61 RBI in 58 games and additionally drew 39 walks as opposed to striking out just 34 times.
Along with Hoese, the Dodgers recently locked up third-round pick Ryan Pepiot. According to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, the club enticed him to commit with a $550,000 signing bonus:
#Dodgers have a deal with their 3rd-round pick, Ryan Pepiot, I’m told. He’ll get a $550K signing bonus once he passes his physical.
— Steve Adams (@Adams_Steve) June 9, 2019
Jack Little, the Dodgers’ fifth-round selection, received the full signing bonus, according to Callis:
5th-rder Jack Little signs with @Dodgers for $321,100 (full pick 161 value). Stanford RHP, school record 28 career saves, mix of four solid pitches, throws a lot of strikes. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 21, 2019
Meanwhile, the Dodgers remained under slot to ink sixth-round selection Aaron Ochsenbein, per Callis:
6th-rder Aaron Ochsenbein signs w/@Dodgers for $72,500 (pick 191 = $249k). One of my favorite seniors. Eastern Kentucky RHP, nasty upper-80s splitter, up to 97 with fastball, flashes solid slider. 0.83 ERA w/90 K in 54.1 IP in 2019, led @Official_CCBL in K/9 last summer @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 16, 2019
Another draft pick that the Dodgers were able to lock up is eighth-round selection Ryan Ward. The Bryant outfielder was rewarded with the full slot value of $163,400 (251st overall pick), via Callis:
8th-rder Ryan Ward signs w/@Dodgers for $163,400 (full pick 251 value). Bryant OF, career .383/.438/.606 hitter in college, redshirt sophomore, VG bat-to-ball skills. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 12, 2019
Los Angeles officially inked 12th-round draft pick Mitchell Tyranski as well. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the Michigan State left-hander will earn $125,000:
Dodgers sign 12th-round pick Mitchell Tyranski, LHP from Michigan State, for $125k. Per MLB Pipeline, changeup is best pitch, sits around 90 mph with his fastball, lands curveball for strikes, good feel. @MLBDraft
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) June 11, 2019
Likewise, the Dodgers officially signed 13th-round draft pick Jacob Cantleberry. The Missouri left-hander will collect $125,000, per Callis:
13th-rder Jacob Cantleberry signs w/@Dodgers for $125k. Missouri LHP, plus changeup, flashes solid slider, fastball up to 92 mph. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 12, 2019
Los Angeles went into the 2019 MLB Draft with just over $8 million in bonus pool money. Dodgers director of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino understandably was ecstatic about the club’s collection of picks in the 2019 MLB Draft, citing the Day 3 haul that brought to the organization an abundance of promising college pitchers.
