While MLB free agency is what draws headlines, the Los Angeles Dodgers and other clubs also have Minor League players who are no longer under contract. For Los Angeles, their group is headlined by Fabio Castillo and O’Koyea Dickson, both of whom made their MLB debuts this season.
The Dodgers farm system has seen a resurgence under president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. He and general manager Farhan Zaidi are renowned for leaving no stone unturned in their quest to fill out organizational depth.
Over recent seasons, unheralded additions of Charlie Culberson, Grant Dayton and Chris Taylor, among others, have ultimately proven large for the Dodgers.
The club may be looking for a similar occurrence with former top prospect Manny Bañuelos, who may be signed to a Minor League contract, according to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Heard the Dodgers are close to signing former Yankees top prospect LHP Manny Banuelos to a minor-league deal.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) November 17, 2017
Bañuelos rose to as high as the No. 29 prospect on Baseball America’s Top 100 after the 2011 season. But injuries derailed his career, including Tommy John surgery in 2013. On Jan. 1, 2015, the New York Yankees traded the left-hander to the Atlanta Braves.
Bañuelos made his MLB debut in July of that season, and joined the Braves for a second time once active rosters expanded in September. He went 1-4 with a 5.13 ERA, 5.37 FIP and 1.59 WHIP in seven games (six starts). Bañuelos surrendered four home runs, walked 12 and struck out 19 in 26.1 innings pitched.
Over parts of nine seasons in the Minors, he’s 32-35 with a 3.53 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. This year, Banuelos went 5-6 with a 4.93 ERA in 39 games (nine starts) for Triple-A Salt Lake, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
He profiles as a pitcher who could help fill voids in the Triple-A Oklahoma City rotation or bullpen next season.
