With the Guggenheim ownership group and Andrew Friedman-led front office, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system has once again become a source of success and notoriety. While the likes of Joc Pederson and Corey Seager are now in the Majors, there’s plenty of young talent behind them.
That notion is further supported by three Dodgers making ESPN Keith Law’s 2016 midseason update of the top 50 prospects in baseball. The first from Los Angeles’ organization to appear on the list is Julio Urias at No. 6.
He’s joined by fellow Dodgers prospects Alex Verdugo (No. 37) and No. 48 Cody Bellinger. Urias was previously ranked No. 3 in Law’s previous update, while Verdugo and Bellinger did not crack the May update.
Urias was named to several lists entering the 2016 season, including being named MLB Pipeline’s top left-handed pitching prospect in baseball. After dominating Triple-A batters and with the Dodgers needing a starter, Urias joined the Major League staff.
He went 1-2 with a 4.95 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched over eight starts. In nine games (seven starts) with Oklahoma City, Urias is 4-1 with a 1.07 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 42 innings.
The 20-year-old Verdugo was ranked No. 51 by Law heading into 2016. He’s batting .299/.359/.446 with 15 doubles, nine home runs and 47 RBIs for Double-A Tulsa this season. Bellinger was ranked No. 92 overall by Law prior to this season.
The versatile first baseman has also impressed with the Drillers, hitting .263/.347/.445 with 11 doubles, 10 home runs and 32 RBIs. Bellinger and Verdugo were among the six Dodgers Minor Leaguers named to Baseball America’s midseason Top 100 Prospects list.
