Org Reports

2024 Los Angeles Dodgers Top 15 prospects

Org Reports

ROB GORDON

Jan 1 2024 12:00am

2024 Los Angeles Dodgers Top 15 prospects

ROB GORDON

Jan 1 2024

Organization Grades

Hitting: B ... Pitching: B+ ... Top-end Talent: B ... Depth: A ... Overall: A-

Minor League Affiliates

Triple-A: Oklahoma City (Triple A West)
Double-A: Tulsa (Double A Central)
High-A: Great Lakes Loons (A+ Central)
Low-A: Rancho Cucamonga (A West)
Rookie: ACL Dodgers (Arizona Complex League)
Rookie: DSL Dodgers (Dominican Summer League)

1. Dalton Rushing (C,1B) ... 6-1, 220 ... L/R ... 23 ... 2022 (2) Louisville

Year	Team (LG)	AB	BA/OBP/Slg	bb%	ct%	Eye	HR/SB
2022	Louisville (ACC)	226	.310/.470/.686	18	74	0.86	23/4
2022	ACL Dodgers (ACL)	5	.000/.167/.000	17	80	1.00	0/0
2022	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Cal2)	99	.424/.539/.778	18	79	1.00	8/1
2023	Great Lakes Loons (Midw2)	290	.228/.404/.452	20	68	0.77	15/1

Comments: Strong, thick frame and good bat speed results in above-average to plus power, and he has some of the best plate discipline in the system. Slight crouch, open stance with all fields power. Split time between C/1B/DH with two stints on the IL with concussions. Has a plus arm, but isn't likely to stick at catcher.

Development Path: Rushing will look to reboot and showed enough at High-A for a jump to Doble-A in 2024. His hit tool looks less like a sure thing then in his pro debut and he was exposed by plus velo up in the zone. Still, Rushing has plus raw power and posts some of the best exit velo in the minors when he does make contact. Like Busch, Rushing doesn't really have a defensive home, but for now he will continue to see action behind the plate and at 1B.

Fantasy Impact: Rushing has some intriguing fantasy upside. If he can make an adjustment to get to the elevated FB without sacrificing his plate discipline, he has the tools to hit 25+ home runs and while maintaining catcher eligibility. That alone makes him worth rostering, especially in two catcher formats.

Upside Grade: 8C

2. Andy Pages (OF) ... 6-1, 212 ... R/R ... 23 ... 2018 FA (CU)

Year	Team (LG)	AB	BA/OBP/Slg	bb%	ct%	Eye	HR/SB
2019	Ogden (Pio)	235	.298/.398/.651	10	66	0.33	19/7
2021	Great Lakes (A1_Cent)	438	.265/.394/.539	15	70	0.58	31/6
2022	Tulsa Drillers (Tex2)	487	.236/.336/.468	11	71	0.44	26/6
2023	Tulsa Drillers (Tex2)	109	.284/.430/.495	19	71	0.78	3/7
2023	Oklahoma City Dodgers (PCL2)	3	.000/.250/.000	25	33	0.50	0/0

Comments: Cuban-born masher missed most of 2023 with a torn labrum that required surgery. Strong, muscular frame has thickened since turning pro, but was leaner and quicker in 2023. Plus bat speed and upper-cut swing results in above-average to plus power, but leaves him vulnerable to high heat. Lack of speed and a plus arm point to RF as his future home.

Development Path: The labrum surgery was to his left (non-throwing) shoulder and he should be ready for spring training. It can take time for power to bounce back after a shoulder surgery and Pages will need to prove he's 100% before he gets the call the to majors. Pages is without a clear path to full-time AB. He's worked hard to get into better shape and did get into 15 games in CF, but with his plus arm, RF seems most likely in the majors.

Fantasy Impact: Pages is another Dodgers prospect with plus power and questions about his hit tool, but unlike others at the top of their system, he's an average to above defender with a plus arm and that should give him a longer runway. Still, he seems like another likely trade candidate with the club still in win-now mode.

Upside Grade: 8C

3. Gavin Stone (RHP) ... 6-1, 175 ... 25 ... 2020 (5) Central Arkansas

Year	Team (LG)	IP	ERA	WHIP	Ctl	Dom	Cmd	OppBA
2022	Great Lakes Loons (Midw2)	25.0	1.44	1.000	2.2	10.1	4.6	.202
2022	Tulsa Drillers (Tex2)	73.1	1.60	1.214	3.7	13.1	3.5	.211
2022	Oklahoma City Dodgers (PCL2)	23.1	1.16	0.943	3.1	12.7	4.1	.167
2023	Oklahoma City Dodgers (PCL2)	100.2	4.74	1.311	4.1	10.7	2.6	.222
2023	Los Angeles Dodgers (NL)	31.0	9.00	1.903	3.8	6.4	1.7	.331

Comments: Got hammered in MLB debut as he struggled with command and gave up 8 HR in 31 IP. Attacks hitters with a three-pitch mix. 4-seam FB sits in the mid-90s but with low spin and lack of command. Also throws a 2-seamer and power SL. Plus CU has swing-and-miss sink and fade, but other offerings need to improve. Look for better results in 2024.

Development Path: The Dodgers' young pitching failed them down the stretch and into the post-season, meaning Stone and others will need to prove they are ready to lock down a role in their rotation. Though the team will actively pursue at least one or two starters this off-season, the Dodgers don't like to give up on their home-grown talent and there is still a lot to like about Stone as a SP.

Fantasy Impact: Over the past two years, Stone has proven he has the stuff to generate plenty of swing-and-miss and owns a career 32% K rate. Regaining the improvements in command he made in 2022 will determine whether or not Stone remains a starter, or ends up on the trade block.

Upside Grade: 8D

4. Diego Cartaya (C) ... 6-3, 219 ... R/R ... 22 ... 2018 FA (VZ)

Year	Team (LG)	AB	BA/OBP/Slg	bb%	ct%	Eye	HR/SB
2019	AZL Dodgers Mota (Ariz)	135	.296/.353/.437	8	77	0.35	3/1
2021	Rancho Cucamonga (A2_West)	114	.298/.409/.614	14	68	0.49	10/0
2022	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Cal2)	131	.260/.405/.550	15	66	0.52	9/0
2022	Great Lakes Loons (Midw2)	231	.251/.379/.476	15	68	0.53	13/1
2023	Tulsa Drillers (Tex2)	354	.189/.278/.379	9	67	0.32	19/0

Comments: Struggled all season with a 29% K rate at AA. Strong frame with a quick bat, plus raw power, and some of the best exit velo in the system. Will chase breaking balls out of the zone due to an overly aggressive approach. Regressed defensively as he’s matured and filled out 6-3 frame, but has the tools to be at least an average defender.

Development Path: At 21, Cartaya was still young for Double-A, but he will need to prove he can hit advanced pitching to remain in the Dodgers long-term plans. For now, there is too much swing-and-miss, but he does own a career 14% walk rate and puts a charge into the ball when he does make contact.

Fantasy Impact: While Cartaya is more likely to stick behind the plate than Rushing, neither one is going to replace Will Smith anytime soon. Still, there is plenty to like here and long-term Cartaya has the tools to hit for power at a scarce position. But given the need for him to hit advanced pitching, 2024 is a critical season.

Upside Grade: 8D

5. Nick Frasso (RHP) ... 6-5, 200 ... 25 ... 2020 (4) Loyola Marymount

Year	Team (LG)	IP	ERA	WHIP	Ctl	Dom	Cmd	OppBA
2022	Dunedin Blue Jays (FSL2)	25.2	0.70	0.818	2.8	14.7	5.3	.144
2022	Vancouver Canadians (Nwst2)	11.0	0.82	0.455	1.6	12.3	7.7	.083
2022	Great Lakes Loons (Midw2)	5.2	1.59	0.882	0.0	14.3	0	.227
2023	Tulsa Drillers (Tex2)	73.2	3.91	1.249	2.9	11.5	4.0	.235
2023	Oklahoma City Dodgers (PCL2)	19.1	3.26	1.345	3.3	6.1	1.8	.247

Comments: 2022 breakout and early success at AA raised profile, but suffered elbow-brace surgery to repair partial UCL tear and has yet to prove he can go deep into games. Plus upper-90s FB with carry up gets plenty of swings-and-misses. SL shows potential but remains inconsistent. A fringe CU makes move to relief likely.

Development Path: Frasso struggled down the stretch (5.59 ERA in the second half) and still has things to prove with stamina/workload. While he made 25 starts in 2023, only one lasted 6 innings and on the year he tossed just 93 innings. Despite all of that, Frasso has a live arm and the Dodgers have proven willing to use pitchers in a variety of roles.

Fantasy Impact: Frasso is the ultimate fantasy tease. If he can stay healthy, improve his change-up, he has the fastball velo and slider movement to be an effective starter, but his slender frame and injury history scream reliever. That could end up being in a high leverage role, but it's hard to project a player as a future closer.

Upside Grade: 9E

6. River Ryan (RHP) ... 6-2, 195 ... 23 ... 2021 (11) North Carolina at Pembroke

Year	Team (LG)	IP	ERA	WHIP	Ctl	Dom	Cmd	OppBA
2021	North Carolina at Pembroke (Peach)	51.2	3.66	1.103	3.1	11.9	3.8	.201
2022	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Cal2)	33.2	2.67	1.248	3.5	12.8	3.7	.223
2022	Great Lakes Loons (Midw2)	14.0	1.93	1.214	5.1	14.1	2.8	.176
2023	Tulsa Drillers (Tex2)	97.1	3.33	1.253	4.1	9.1	2.2	.211
2023	Oklahoma City Dodgers (PCL2)	7.0	10.29	2.000	2.6	15.4	5.9	.364

Comments: Has an exciting 4-pitch mix and attacks hitters with a plus 4-seamer that sits at 94-96 with arm-side run and carry both at top and bottom of the zone. Best secondary is a low-90s CT that keeps hitters off the FB, and above-average SL, CB, and CU with good late fade. Athletic frame and easy, repeatable mechanics. Could surprise.

Development Path: Ryan played SS and worked as a reliever in college and is still relatively raw on the mound. His raw stuff makes him a potential impact starter, but he's still more of a thrower than a pitcher and struggles with control and command. He will start the year at Triple-A and should debut at some point in 2024.

Fantasy Impact: Ryan is worth stashing in deep keeper formats. He has four above-average to plus offerings and has a career 28% K%. The problem is that he also owns a 10% walk rate and at age 25 the clock is ticking. The Dodgers have certainly done more with less and Ryan is an adjustment or two away.

Upside Grade: 8D

7. Kyle Hurt (RHP) ... 6-3, 240 ... 25 ... 2020 (5) USC

Year	Team (LG)	IP	ERA	WHIP	Ctl	Dom	Cmd	OppBA
2022	Great Lakes Loons (Midw2)	40.2	2.21	1.057	4.9	14.2	2.9	.147
2022	Tulsa Drillers (Tex2)	31.0	9.29	2.323	10.7	13.1	1.2	.273
2023	Tulsa Drillers (Tex2)	65.0	4.15	1.277	4.6	15.2	3.3	.204
2023	Oklahoma City Dodgers (PCL2)	27.0	3.33	1.111	3.7	14.0	3.8	.190
2023	Los Angeles Dodgers (NL)	2.0	0.00	0.000	0.0	13.5	0	.000

Comments: Strong, stocky frame with max-effort delivery. Flies open on release, resulting in command issues, but plus mid-90s FB has good carry and arm-side run. Change-up is best secondary with swing-and-miss action, while CB and SL are above average. FB/CU profile well in relief, but will remain a starter for now.

Development Path: Hurt is yet another talented hurler in a system that always seems to produce. He logged 27 innings for Triple-A OKC, punching out 42 while posting a .198 BAA. He made his big league debut in September and will likely be on he shuttle between OKC and LA as he looks to carve out a full-time role.

Fantasy Impact: Hurt is a name to keep an eye on. The Dodgers remain firmly in win-now mode and will likely upgrade their starting rotation via free agency, but if the rotation remains in flux, Hurt could get an extended look in 2024.

Upside Grade: 8D

8. Josue De Paula (OF) ... 6-3, 185 ... L/L ... 18 ... 2022 FA (NY)

Year	Team (LG)	AB	BA/OBP/Slg	bb%	ct%	Eye	HR/SB
2022	Dominican Dodgers Bautista (Dsl)	186	.349/.448/.522	15	83	1.03	5/16
2023	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Cal2)	282	.284/.396/.372	14	78	0.75	2/14

Comments: Lean, athletic frame with exciting tools. Slightly open stance with a quick LH stroke that should result in more power as he matures. Controls the strike zone with excellent bat-to-ball skills and has the tools to hit for average and power. Average speed and range will move him to a corner OF slot where his defense is a work in progress.

Development Path: De Paula started the year in the Dodgers rookie complex and then held his own in a limited full-season debut, posting a .768 OPS as an 18-year-old at Low-A. For a young player he does an excellent job of controlling the strike zone, posting a 14% BB rate and a 18% K rate. The power should come as he matures and fills out his lean frame.

Fantasy Impact: While he is still years away from the majors, De Paula has shown a mature, patient approach and was not over-matched against older competition. While he's got work to do on defense, the power/hit upside is exciting.

Upside Grade: 8D

9. Jackson Ferris (LHP) ... 6-4, 195 ... 20 ... 2022 (2) HS (NC)

Year	Team (LG)	IP	ERA	WHIP	Ctl	Dom	Cmd	OppBA
2023	Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Caro2)	56.0	3.38	1.214	5.3	12.4	2.3	.172

Comments: Inked an above slot $3 million deal and features a potentially plus 4-pitch mix. Athletic frame with high ¾ arm slot and good front side mechanics, but varies release point. FB sits at 92-95, topping at 97 with good arm side run and CB, CU, and SL all flash above-average. Refining delivery and improving command will be key to long-term success.

Development Path: There is a lot to like here and Ferris showed enough in his limited pro debut to jump to High-A Great Lakes in 2024. He made 18 starts, but logged just 56 IP and will need to continue to build up arm strength and cleanup his mechanics.

Fantasy Impact: If everything comes together, Ferris has the stuff to have solid SP3 potential. If not, the FB/CB mix is good enough to be an impact lefty reliever.

Upside Grade: 8D

10. Landon Knack (RHP) ... 6-2, 220 ... 26 ... 2020 (2) Walters State CC

Year	Team (LG)	IP	ERA	WHIP	Ctl	Dom	Cmd	OppBA
2021	Great Lakes (A1_Cent)	39.2	2.50	0.908	1.1	12.5	11.4	.207
2021	Tulsa (AA_Cent)	22.2	4.37	0.971	1.2	10.7	8.9	.218
2022	Tulsa Drillers (Tex2)	64.2	5.01	1.407	3.8	11.1	2.9	.248
2023	Tulsa Drillers (Tex2)	57.1	2.20	0.942	1.9	9.6	5.1	.196
2023	Oklahoma City Dodgers (PCL2)	43.0	2.93	1.442	3.8	8.0	2.1	.254

Comments: Thick-bodied hurler rocks back with a high leg kick but not much extension from high 3/4 arm slot and has some effort to delivery. Mid-90s FB is best offering with arm-side run and horizontal carry. Sink on CU gives it potential, but seeks consistency. CB and above-average SL round out the arsenal. Stint at AAA looks better than it was.

Development Path: Knack has done nothing but get hitters out since being drafted in the 2nd round in 2020. He made 10 starts in Triple-A, posting a 2.93 ERA. While his underlying peripherals don't support that level of production (5.32 FIP at OKC), he does pound the zone and has a career BB/K ratio of 4.0. He's ready to make his MLB debut in 2024.

Fantasy Impact: At 26, Knack lacks the upside of others in the system, but he's an excellent organization guy who is ready to contribute. Fantasy managers should probably take a wait-and-see approach here as Knack will need to prove his stuff can play at the next level. Refinement of his high-spin CB and CU give him sneaky upside; he's a name to watch in 2024.

Upside Grade: 8D

11. Kendall George (OF) ... 5-10, 170 ... L/L ... 19 ... 2023 (1) HS (TX)

Year	Team (LG)	AB	BA/OBP/Slg	bb%	ct%	Eye	HR/SB
2023	ACL Dodgers (ACL)	58	.362/.451/.414	16	81	1.00	0/11
2023	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Cal2)	42	.381/.469/.429	13	79	0.67	0/6

Comments: 36th pick in 2023 draft has elite speed with sub-4.00 times to 1B and should be able to stick in CF. Excellent pro debut and showed good contact skills while swiping 17 bases in just 28 games. He doesn't have the size or physicality to hit for power and had just 5 XBH in 100 AB. Profiles as a 4th OF with elite speed.

Development Path: George had an impressive debut, hitting .362 in rookie ball before getting a late promotion to Low-A Rancho Cucamonga. He will head back to the CAL to start 2024, but should be to High-A Great Lakes by mid-season if not sooner. If he can continue to hit and get on base at a steady clip, he could move up quickly.

Fantasy Impact: George has top-of-the-scale speed but bottom-of-the-scale power. That puts a lot of pressure on his hit tool because if he isn't getting on base he doesn't have much fantasy value. There aren't very many players with this skill set in the majors.

Upside Grade: 8E

12. Joendry Vargas (SS) ... 6-4, 175 ... R/R ... 18 ... 2023 FA (DR)

Year	Team (LG)	AB	BA/OBP/Slg	bb%	ct%	Eye	HR/SB
2023	Dominican Dodgers Bautista (DSL)	174	.328/.423/.529	15	82	0.97	7/19

Comments: Large, athletic teen signed for $2 million and had an impressive pro debut. Will need to work hard to stick at short, but shows good range and footwork with a plus arm. Spreads out at the plate with big leg kick to start swing, but shows good bat-to-ball skills with the potential for above-average to plus power. He's raw, but lots to like.

Development Path: Vargas was one of the more highly sought after international prospect and impressed in the DSL. He will make his state-side debut with an assignment to Low-A Rancho Cucamonga in the CAL. Vargas is raw on defense but shows good instincts and will need to prove he can maintain his plate discipline as he moves up.

Fantasy Impact: While it is tempting to be enthralled by what Vargas did in the DSL, there is still a lot of work to be done before he becomes fantasy relevant. Having said that, the raw tools and upside are exciting.

Upside Grade: 8D

13. Thayron Liranzo (C) ... 6-3, 195 ... B/R ... 20 ... 2020 FA (DR)

Year	Team (LG)	AB	BA/OBP/Slg	bb%	ct%	Eye	HR/SB
2021	Dominican Dodgers Shoemaker (Dsl)	68	.250/.393/.353	17	71	0.70	1/3
2022	ACL Dodgers (ACL)	148	.236/.339/.486	12	72	0.50	8/0
2023	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Cal2)	345	.272/.400/.562	17	68	0.63	24/2

Comments: Teen backstop had a breakout campaign, mashing home runs and posting a career-best .962 OPS. Switch-hitter has good bat speed and plus raw power, but there is some chase and swing-and-miss especially vs LHP (30% K rate). Moves well behind the plate with a large, athletic frame, sub-2.00 pop time, and a strong arm. Still raw, but tons of upside.

Development Path: After posting that OPS in the hitter-friendly California League, Liranzo will make the jump to High-A Great Lakes in 2024. Liranzo needs more development time behind the plate, but made impressive strides in his full-season debut. Liranzo will likely be on a slow burn to the majors.

Fantasy Impact: While he's still raw in many aspects of the game, a switch-hitting backstop with plus power makes Liranzo an intriguing name for those in long-term, two catcher formats. He's shown enough that he should be able to stick behind the plate and his ability to blend an aggressive approach while not expanding the zone makes him a player to keep an eye on.

Upside Grade: 8D

14. Jake Gelof (3B) ... 6-1, 195 ... R/R ... 22 ... 2023 (2) Virginia

Year	Team (LG)	AB	BA/OBP/Slg	bb%	ct%	Eye	HR/SB
2023	Virginia (ACC)	252	.321/.427/.710	16	80	0.96	23/3
2023	ACL Dodgers (ACL)	13	.231/.412/.692	24	62	0.80	1/2
2023	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Cal2)	120	.225/.314/.433	12	66	0.39	5/2

Comments: Younger brother of Zack, he posted a 1.113 OPS over 3 years at UVA. Uses strong lower half along with quick bat, hip rotation, and small leg kick to find easy power, but will chase and can be beat up in the zone. Pitchers exploited aggressiveness in pro debut. Played 3B and DH at Low-A, but will likely move him to a corner OF slot.

Development Path: Gelof had mixed results in his pro debut: a good walk rate, but also whiffed at a 30% clip and posted a poor SLG% at Low-A. Since power is his only plus tool, Gelof will need to figure out how to hit for average without sacrificing that power.

Fantasy Impact: If you squint really hard you can see a Max Muncy-type of player here, but Gelof will need to put the ball in play more frequently for that to come to fruition.

Upside Grade: 7C

15. Trey Sweeney (SS) ... 6-2, 212 ... L/R ... 23 ... 2021 (1) Eastern Illinois

Year	Team (LG)	AB	BA/OBP/Slg	bb%	ct%	Eye	HR/SB
2021	Eastern Illinois (OVC)	170	.382/.521/.712	21	86	1.92	14/3
2021	FCL Yankees (Rk_FCL)	5	.600/.778/1.200	44	60	2.00	1/1
2022	Hudson Valley Renegades (SAL2)	390	.241/.350/.415	13	72	0.55	14/29
2022	Somerset Patriots (East2)	43	.233/.340/.395	14	77	0.70	2/2
2023	Somerset Patriots (East2)	397	.252/.367/.411	14	77	0.72	13/20

Comments: Former 1st round pick continues to struggle against pro pitching. Respectable slash line. However, hit tool plays fringe without power carry to make up for it. Patient approach, works counts. Long swing operation limits frequency of hard contact. Average power, almost entirely to pull field. 20 HR max potential. Average runner. Likely 2B.

Development Path: Sweeney was slightly better overall in his 3rd pro season in Double-A. He will likely begin 2024 in Triple-A with a chance at the big leagues by the end of the season.

Fantasy Impact: Sweeney, like a lot of 1st rounders from the 2020 and 2021 draft, has struggled to do the thing that got them drafted high in the first place. This was suppose to be a high BA bat with average power. It's more like fringe BA with average power. That is an average regular outcome at best and a bench, UT player or up/down player floor.

Upside Grade: 7C