In the earlier rankings of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top 35 prospects heading into the 2016 season, the organization’s pitching depth and newcomers — both via trade and the draft — were featured.
As progress is made toward the top of the list, the strengths of the Dodgers’ farm system — right-handed pitching and up-the-middle bats take center stage.
This is evidenced by a pair of 2015 first-round pitchers, a couple second basemen and one of the biggest international signings in Dodgers’ history.
15. Walker Buehler, RHP
It seemed like a coup when Buehler fell into the Dodgers’ lap at No. 24 last June; at times last year, the Vanderbilt junior seemed like a top-10 pick. However, elbow soreness in the beginning of spring dropped him on draft boards.
He pitched well for the Commodores, posting a 2.95 ERA in 88.1 innings with 92 strikeouts. However, when Vanderbilt reached the College World Series, he pitched sparingly.
Once the draft rolled around, he dropped out of the top 20 and the Dodgers seized their opportunity. Unfortunately, it was revealed shortly after that he’d require Tommy John surgery.
When healthy, Buehler would pitch in the low-to-mid 90s with his fastball, which featured a little arm side run. He threw a curveball and a slider, both flashing above average, as well as a changeup that was at least average.
Buehler has some effort in his delivery that may need to be toned down as he recovers. His command profiles as average. Buehler isn’t the biggest pitcher you’ll find, standing a slender 6’2 and 170 pounds.
It remains to be seen if he’ll regain the quality stuff he had prior to his injury. Since he underwent surgery last summer, Buehler may not pitch a competitive game this year and may get his first taste of pro ball in instructional league.
Fortunately, he’s younger than the average player selected after his junior year, and will only turn 22 years old this July. If Buehler stays healthy and returns to form, he could move relatively quickly through the system.
14. Willie Calhoun, 2B
After spending his freshman year in college at the University of Arizona, Calhoun moved to junior college powerhouse Yavapai College, where he dominated opposing pitchers. He slugged 31 home runs in 63 games, averaging a homer every 7.3 at-bats, all the while using a wood bat.
That led him to receiving serious attention in the 2015 draft and the Dodgers swooped Calhoun up with their fourth-round pick. Obviously, Calhoun’s calling card is his bat.
He offers great bat speed and pulls a ton of line drives to right field with his lefty swing, though he can use the opposite field as well. His plus raw power has shown up in games, as he clubbed 11 home runs in 73 games during his pro debut.
Calhoun displays advanced plate discipline, walking nearly as much as he struck out after signing. The other areas of Calhoun’s game need some improvement. He’s made strides defensively at second base but must continue to improve his range and hands in order to stay on the infield.
Speed isn’t part of his game and his arm would likely relegate him to left field if he requires a new defensive home. Calhoun reached High-A Rancho Cucamonga in his debut and could continue to move quickly if he keeps hitting.
He should return with the Quakes to begin 2016, but may see time in Double-A before season’s end. His timetable is dictated mainly by his defense. Howie Kendrick is signed through 2017, and a 2018 debut lines up nicely for Calhoun. He will give the Dodgers another potent bat up the middle if everything comes together.
CONTINUE READING: Chris Anderson, Micah Johnson and Yusniel Diaz sit outside top 10
13. Chris Anderson, RHP
As was the case with Buehler, Anderson was at one time considered a top-10 prospect. After being overworked during the college season, he fell in the 2013 draft. The Dodgers nabbed Anderson at No. 18, believing he was an under appreciated power arm.
In his pro debut, he struck out the side on 10 pitches for Low-A Great Lakes. In 2014, he spent the season with the Quakes, posting a 4.62 ERA but he struck out nearly 10 batters per nine innings. Last season, he moved up to Double-A ,where his ERA (and strikeouts) dropped, before a forgettable stint in Triple-A.
Anderson is a power pitcher but his velocity wasn’t overwhelming in Double-A, particularly late in the season. He worked at 89-93 mph most of the time, sitting around 91, with some arm side run. He throws both a curve and slider, with the latter showing more promise.
His changeup is advanced and could be another above average to plus pitch for him down the road. The biggest issue with Anderson is command as he’s walked more than four batters per nine innings each of the past three seasons.
Anderson’s strikeouts also dropped dramatically last season, which is minor cause for concern. With the lack of command, he may profile best as a reliever, though he’ll continue to get the opportunity to start. Even though he made 23 starts for the Drillers last season, he could return there in 2016 due to an overcrowded Triple-A Oklahoma City staff.
12. Micah Johnson, 2B
A ninth-round pick in 2012 out of baseball powerhouse Indiana University at Bloomington, Johnson hit the ground running, stealing 84 bases the following year during his first full season as a pro.
In 385 Minor League games, he stole 153 bags and batted .301. He came to the Dodgers last December in the three-way trade with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. Johnson’s carrying tool is his speed, which has been rated as high as a 75 on the 20-80 scale.
He gets out of the box quickly and burns around the bases. The speed also helps him in the field, where he’s improving as a defender. At the plate, Johnson makes plenty of contact and draws a fair amount of walks, but power isn’t a big part of his game.
Even with Kendrick likely to be on the disabled list come Opening Day, Johnson never really got much consideration for the roster due to the Dodgers’ depth at second base. He’ll be ticketed for second base with the OKC Dodgers, but should come up by September — at the latest — as a designated pinch-runner.
11. Yusniel Diaz, OF
The Dodgers began their Cuban expedition in 2012 by inking Yasiel Puig to a seven-year, $42 million contract. They continued with players such as Erisbel Arruebarrena, Pablo Fernandez, Alex Guerrero and Hector Olivera.
However, it wasn’t until over the last year that the Dodgers began adding amateur Cuban talent at a torrid pace. Diaz was signed in November for a substantial $15.5 million. Scouting reports were somewhat thin on Diaz before he made it to the states, as he’d played sparingly in Cuba’s top league, but he produced impressive numbers as a 17 year old.
After personally watching Diaz in parts of four games this spring and discussing him with scouts, the consensus is people aren’t sure yet what to make of the young outfielder. Diaz uses the opposite field plenty, though almost to a fault.
He hits off his front foot and flicks his wrists like he’s hitting a backhand with a tennis racket. Diaz makes a lot of contact and a good amount of it is of the line-drive variety, but he needs to get his hitting mechanics in order.
Power isn’t a big tool for him right now, but he should add strength over the next few years and develop at least average power down the road. The other parts of his game aren’t as refined.
Before watching him at Camelback Ranch, a pair of scouts said they’d yet to see him catch a ball in the field, with one saying he broke the wrong way on a routine fly ball. As the week went on, Diaz did manage to play adequately in the field, and he made a strong throw from center field to nail a runner at third base.
His speed was the most disappointing tool, as he’d been touted as a plus runner in reports. The best time personally witnessed of him running from home plate to first base was 4.36, which is slightly below average for a right-handed hitter.
He did look better once under way and covered enough ground in the outfield. One scout said he’d put fives on Diaz’s tools, calling them all Major League average. That actually makes for a good prospect, but it’s not in line with what was written prior to his joining the team in Arizona.
Diaz is expected to break camp with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, which could be a daunting assignment for a 20 year old. Hopefully he can make the necessary adjustments quickly and develop on the run.
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