When Los Angeles Dodgers prospects get discussed, the conversation tends to focus on the likes of Jeter Downs, Tony Gonsolin, Josiah Gray, Gavin Lux, Dustin May, Keibert Ruiz and Will Smith — and deservedly so.
However, the organization boats plenty of talent and depth throughout their farm system. That was witnessed this past season when Kyle Garlick made his MLB debut and had an immediate impact for the Dodgers.
The next under-the-radar Minor Leaguer who may soon begin to make more of a name for himself is Zach McKinstry. He was selected by the Dodgers in the 33rd round of the 2016 MLB Draft and has yet to appear on any major rankings of the franchise’s top prospects.
However, the 24-year-old is well on the radar of Lux, who raved about his talent during an appearance on “Dodger Talk,” via AM 570:
“Stud. He’s a gamer, man. I mean, he played everywhere. He played center field, shortstop, second, third. I think the only spot he probably didn’t play was catcher. But he can hit, man. He can do it all. … I love him. He’s a great dude, too. He can really play.”
McKinstry began the 2019 season with Double-A Tulsa and earned a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City in August. He hit a combined .300/.366/.516 with 24 doubles, 19 home runs and 78 RBI in 121 games this year.
McKinstry started his professional career primarily playing second base, third base and shortstop. He then expanded to playing both corner outfield positions for High-A Rancho Cucamonga during the 2018 season.
Although the bulk of McKinstry’s time this year came in the infield — both with the Drillers and OKC Dodgers — he continued to play the outfield and logged 10 innings in center field for the first time.
The Dodgers added McKinstry to their 40-man roster last month in order to protect from potentially losing him in the 2019 Rule 5 Draft. DJ Peters and Mitchell White were also added, and while the likes of Jordan Sheffield, Parker Curry and Starling Heredia were available, the Dodgers didn’t lose any prospects in this year’s draft.
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