The 2016 Major League Baseball is now just one week away, which makes this the perfect time to review players who may be available for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round; the club holds three selections in the first 36 picks.
Overall, the Dodgers have plenty of options available in terms of which strategy they wish to utilize. Los Angeles drafted top talents with their first two picks last year, only for Walker Buehler to undergo Tommy John surgery, and the Kyle Funkhouser to return to Louisville.
The 2016 draft profiles begin with a look at college pitchers who have been connected to the Dodgers in several mock drafts.
Justin Dunn, Boston College
Position: RHP
Ht/Wt: 6’2/190
B/T: Switch/Right
DOB: 9/22/1995
The odds on favorite for the Dodgers’ first pick, Dunn has been mocked to Los Angeles by both ESPN’s Keith Law and MLB’s Jonathan Mayo. The Boston College righty was previously selected by the Dodgers in the 37th round of the 2013 draft, and while the scouting director has changed, it seems the club’s interest hasn’t waned.
Dunn has had an odd career path for a potential first-rounder. He barely pitched as a freshman, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen, totaling seven appearances (four starts) and pitching just 12.1 innings.
As a sophomore, Dunn saw his role on the team grow, as he appeared in 20 games and served as the Eagles’ closer, recording five saves; he also made three starts that year. This season, Dunn again started in the bullpen but moved to the rotation in the middle of the year.
He faced quality competition in starts against Louisville (currently ranked No. 5 in the nation) and Virginia (currently No. 12) and pitched very well, allowing just one run over a combined 11 innings. Overall, Dunn has posted a 1.22 ERA in 44.1 innings, allowing one home run, with 15 walks and 46 strikeouts.
Dunn isn’t overly physical, listed at a seemingly generous 6’2 and 184 lbs. However, he has a big fastball thanks to a very quick arm and should be considered a power pitcher. His fastball ranges from 91-95 mph with late life that bores in on right-handed hitters.
Dunn shows solid command of the pitch, driving it down in the zone and to both sides of the plate. His go-to secondary pitch is a hard slider which features short, late bite in the mid 80s. He can throw it for a strike and as a chase pitch.
The rest of Dunn’s repertoire isn’t as polished, as he throws a curveball as a get-me-over pitch and rarely uses his changeup, though the change has some potential. He was using a pitch in a recent outing that could be classified as a two-seam fastball or splitter, which induced some awkward swings. Dunn is a good athlete and holds his velocity well.
Last year, UCSB righty Dillon Tate went fourth overall to the Texas Rangers. Like Dunn, Tate spent most of his collegiate career in relief but always had the stuff and athleticism to start.
Dunn doesn’t project as well, but if the changeup or curve develops and he continues to improve his command, he could end up as a No. 2 or 3 starter.
CONTINUE READING: Additional pitching options
Jordan Sheffield, Vanderbilt
Position: RHP
Ht/Wt: 6’0/185
B/T: Right/Right
DOB: 6/1/1995
Vanderbilt has done an excellent job of developing Major-League caliber players. From David Price in 2007 to Dodger draftees Buehler and Philip Pfeifer last year, the Commodores always seem to have a few first rounders on their roster.
That’s no different this year, when Sheffield figures to continue the trend and be the first Vandy player off the board. Sheffield has had a unique career path.
He underwent Tommy John surgery in high school and honored his college commitment instead of signing as a 13th-round selection by the Boston Red Sox in 2013. He redshirted his first college season, then primarily pitched out of the bullpen last year, piling up 60 innings in 22 games (including six starts).
This year, he became the staff ace and has improved in all facets of the game. He’s walked fewer batters this year than last (36 to 43) despite pitching 35.2 more innings. Sheffield has also increased his strikeouts and allowed just two home runs.
Carson Fulmer was the first Vanderbilt pitcher off the board last June, and Sheffield is reminiscent of the current Chicago White Sox pitcher. Both are undersized righties with explosive fastballs that regularly reach the mid 90s, though Sheffield’s go-to secondary offering is his changeup, which projects as at least above average.
Sheffield doesn’t have Fulmer’s curveball and needs to tighten it up in order for it to be a viable big league offering. With his fastball/changeup combo, slight stature, unconventional delivery and injury history, some teams may be tempted to move up to the bigs this year as a reliever, then develop him as a starter later a la Brandon Finnegan.
However, if Sheffield shows he can develop a reliable breaking ball, he could slot in as a second or third starter when all is said and done.
CONTINUE READING: Profile of power right-hander
Cody Sedlock, Illinois
Position: RHP
Ht/Wt: 6’4/210
B/T: Right/Right
DOB: 6/19/1995
Two years ago, the Dodgers took a big, power righty out of Illinois and the early returns have been excellent. Now, the club is connected to another righty out of the Prairie State and the similarities between Brock Stewart and Sedlock are intriguing.
Sedlock pitched sparingly in his first season with the Illini. He made 12 appearances, including three starts, and tossed a total of 31.2 innings. The following season, he appeared in more games but had a nearly identical inning total at 31.1 innings pitched.
This year, Sedlock entrenched himself in the rotation, making 14 starts and has accumulated 101.1 innings of work. He’s posted a 2.49 ERA with 31 walks and 116 strikeouts. A power righty, Sedlock starts hitters off with a low-to-mid 90s fastball.
The pitch features a good amount of sink and should induce plenty of ground balls in the pros. He throws a curve, slider and changeup, all with the potential to be average, and his slider currently earns the highest projected grades. Sedlock’s delivery isn’t perfect, but the arm action is fairly clean and loose.
After breaking out in the Cape Cod League last year, he’s seen his stock continue to rise this spring and has solidly established himself as a first rounder. The Dodgers could use their pick at No. 32 or 36 to take the big righty if he’s still on the board.
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