Rule 5 Draft
This was written before the MLB lockout.
The Rule 5 Draft is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9. The Dodgers added James Outman, Jacob Amaya, Jorbit Vivas, Eddys Leonard and Michael Grove to the 40-man roster to protect them from the draft.
Last Year pitchers Brett de Geus and Jordan Sheffield were taken in the Rule 5 Draft and kept on the MLB rosters by the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies respectively.
It is a bit difficult to see any of this year’s Rule 5 eligible Dodger minor league players being taken in the draft next Tuesday. For me Justin Yurchak is a possibility.
For Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra with MLB.com the most intriguing prospect on the Dodgers Rule 5 eligible list is No. 15 prospect shortstop Leonel Valera.
In their opinion Valera may be the best prospect the Dodgers landed in their $166.9 million splurge on international players in the 2015-16 class, though he cost just $50,000 out of Venezuela. They conclude that he is an extremely physical for a shortstop, he offers 20-20 potential as well as plus arm strength, and the versatility to play all over the diamond.
They expect that the Dodgers are exposing Valera in the draft as they are betting that after he hit .224/.305/.436 with 16 homers and as many steals in 95 High-A games, other clubs won’t think he’s ready to make the jump to the Majors.
The 22-year-old right-handed hitting Valera, in his MLB.com scouting report, is described as being more physical and has more raw power than most shortstops, though there are questions about how much he’ll tap into it. He has a quick right-handed swing and drives the ball to all fields, but he also has an extremely aggressive approach that compromises his ability to make consistent contact. He makes good use of his solid speed to beat out infield hits and steal bases.
The report concludes that at 6’2”/200-lb. with smooth actions and one of the stronger arms in the system, Valera is considered to have the tools to play a solid shortstop. He also has spent time at second and third base, and his quickness and arm fit well at those positions too. Their projection is that he has the upside of a regular if he hits and his combination of power, speed and versatility could make him a useful bench piece if he doesn’t.
Minor League Housing
In mid-November, Major League Baseball announced that teams will begin to provide housing to more than 90 per cent of minor league players in the 2022 season.
The announcement came following changes implemented ahead of the 2021 season, including increases to player salaries, improvements to team facilities and reduction of travel.
This is a long overdue change for minor league players.
“For most minor leaguers in the past, nearly 100% of our paychecks have gone straight to paying for housing during the season, leaving no room to pocket any money and making it nearly impossible to invest in yourself off the field or provide for your family,” Pirates minor league catcher Joe Hudson said.
“With housing being paid for (or being provided a stipend) players will now be able to actually make some money during the season and more comfortably provide for themselves and their families. This is an enormous win for MiLBers.”
MLB says the policy covers players at the Player Development Level (triple-A, double-A, high-A and low-A) as well as players playing out of Spring Training Complexes including Extended Spring Training and the Arizona Complex League, among others.
Under the 2022 Minor League Housing Policy, teams must provide housing located a reasonable distance from the ballpark. The accommodations must include a single bed per player and no more than two players can be assigned to a bedroom at all levels. Furniture must be included in the accommodations and the teams are responsible for covering basic utility bills. If rental homes, apartments or host families are not available, teams are permitted to house players in hotels.
Life After Baseball or in Place of Baseball
Perhaps few will remember right-hander James Carter who was selected by the Dodgers in the 21st round of the 2016 draft out of UC Santa Barbara. That was the same draft that spawned Will Smith, Gavin Lux, Tony Gonsolin, Mitch White and Dustin May.
Carter had some success in his three minor league seasons. However, after a promising 2017 campaign in which he posted a 2.37 ERA in 21 games, the right-handed reliever went 2-1 with a 5.96 ERA in 13 appearances between two levels in 2018 with the Great Lakes Loons and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
At the end of the season he walked away from the game announcing his decision to then Loons manager, John Shoemaker.
“It’s a tough decision for anybody, to know that they’re going to have to go in another direction in life,” Shoemaker says. “Most kids, when they get released or move on, don’t have an idea of what they’re going to do next. But I think he had an idea.”
His Plan B was perhaps always in his mind as he has an aunt who is well known in the fashion business. In fact, his aunt Christy Turlington, is a model best known as a face of the cosmetics company Maybelline and the Calvin Klein fashion house.
James Carter’s middle name is Turlington, and he now uses Turlington as his surname in his present career.
Carter had been used in Calvin Klein advertisements as a toddler, appearing as Christy Turlington’s son as the two look so much alike.
James Turlington (Carter) is now a male fashion model appearing on magazine covers. Instead of sharing a clubhouse with his A-ball teammates, he’s found himself rubbing elbows at parties with famous athletes, movie stars, musicians and, of course, many, many models.
His aunt points out that he has more going for him than a name and model’s good looks.
“He has a strong work ethic and a focus that he learned from all those years in baseball,” she says. “He is so disciplined about his workouts and nutrition, too. He is used to performing in front of crowds and even being under scrutiny sometimes, which is a definite advantage. … More important, James is a nice guy and a team player, which is the stuff that matters most, no matter what industry you’re in.”
Turlington misses baseball and has kept in touch with his minor league friends. He is also taking online courses to complete his degree.
Sad that minor leagers can’t even afford to start a Roth IRA.
Do you think Noda or Mann has a chance to be picked?
Not Devin Mann for sure but I have not given up on him. He had a slow May and June which cost his final stats but improved significantly in July and August and had a hot September ( .323/.386/790, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 12 games).
He did the Dodger thing in 2021 playing all over the place – 34 IB, 13 2B, 12 3B, 20 LF, 8 CF, 18 RF and 8 DH. Previously he had been mostly at second base.
He hit well with the Quakes in 2019. I think he is a gamer and might be swimming just below the surface.
I would be surprsied if Noda got picked but some team might be tempted by his power – 29 HR in 2021 in 113 games. He struck out 33% of the time.
Next year could be a significant year for both Mann and Noda as they move to AAA. Both will be 25 to start the season. Not sure if they can recoup the lost 2020 season.
Good article on Milb matters.
It is nice to see the MLB provide housing to minor league players as they pursue their dream of playing MLB baseball.
I believe David Price generously provided donations to minor league players last year as well.
But it seems to me that the MLB Union and players generally do very little to help minor league players. For all the complaining about MLB player salaries by the union, they ignore that AAA players not on 40 man roster make about $700 per week or about $15,000 per season. And this is after a significant raise in MILB salaries last year. These players are very close in talent to the MLB minimum players who make $570,000 per year plus generous benefits.
I realize that all drafted players get signing bonuses, and legitimate prospects get hefty bonuses, but many MILB players grind it out as organizational players and could benefit from modest increases in their pay.
I would prefer to see the players and their representatives take a bigger interest in the minor league players than making sure that Max Scherzer gets $43 million per year instead of $42 million per year (and Boras fee is $4.3 million instead of $4.2 million).
Great stuff DC. Minor leaguers have been baseball’s 2nd class citizens for way too long. I though the MLB portion of the rule 5 was postponed until they have an agreement. Well what the hell do I know. One of my best friends from way back passed yesterday. Guitar and steel guitar player Buddy Merrill. Buddy played with Lawrence Welk for about 20 or so years. Used to see him on TV long before I met him playing steel guitar for Danny Michaels at George’s Round-Up in Long Beach. He was still doing studio work on the side then. RIP my friend, you and your talent will be missed.
Bear I am sure it is postponed as is all other MLB off season work. As mentioned that was written before the lockdown.
Thank you Harold. It’s great how much you care about these young players, and amazing how you are able to keep up with so many of them, especially those who have left the game.
I appreciate all the writers here, but especially you and Jeff because I grew up in the 50s in Indiana, not close or wealthy enough to attend MLB games (we didn’t even have a car), and my baseball world was made up of American Legion, industrial league, semipro, and low minor teams.
So, I know it is strange, but I would have no problem if my team never signed free agent players other than their own. I love to see the players who are signed and developed by my team grow and become accomplished major league players. Guys like that used to care about the fans, their communities, their teammates and their team. It was so enjoyable to watch them grow together and then achieve success together.
The history of the game and the finding and various confirmations over time that MLB was exempt from anti-trust is a complex history. I have read quite a bit about it just because it’s interesting to me, and one thing that really messes with my head is that it was declared at one time that baseball was a sport, not a business. That argument would certainly not pass the test of time.
So, I’ll stop rambling now. Thank you again for sharing your passion for these young players. I greatly appreciate your time and effort.
Thanks Dave.
I am not astute enough to know who should manage, is a good manager, which players should be signed or at which position they should play.
I have been a Dodger fan since 1952 – and still am – but my passion has certainly been wounded especially by free agency and everything being about money. I no longer collect baseball cards of Dodgers or even minor league players as I know in a few years they will be wearing another uniform. I don’t want cards from the Boston Red Sox or Texas Rangers.
I understand that things change and change is often good. However, I am not a fan of the home run or bust philosophy of hitting. As Jeff mentioned in a post following Mark’s column yesterday, I too miss the base-to-base baseball with hit and run, SB, bunts, working the count, walks, etc.
I expect all of that, combined with my history in the fifties in Nova Scotia which would be very similar to yours, has driven my love of minor league baseball. It is still a game at the MiLB level, young players are trying to climb a mountain, they laugh and seem to still enjoy the game. I can enjoy the game without a great concern about the score although I still love to win even at the lowest levels in the minors.
Not to beat a dead horse, but about time Gil was put in the Hall. What would make it awesome is if Vin Scully were to be the presenter at the ceremony next year. If Vin were healthy enough to make the trek to Cooperstown, it would only be fitting since I believe one of the reason’s Gil finally got in is because of Vin’s strong message just a few days before the vote. His insight carries a lot of weight.
I agree that Vin had a lot to do with Gil getting in this time. He has been talking about this for a couple of months leading up to the vote. It would be fantastic if Vin did give his presentation speech.
… and maybe at the conclusion, he could smash the glass jar where they are keeping Ted Wiliam’s Cryogenically-Frozen Head!
“Take that, Ted!”
Ooh that is harsh. But warranted.
I got Belli today. Thanks, Bear!
Not very Vin like
Hallelujah! Gilbert Raymond Hodges was finally elected into the HOF. I know that this happened yesterday, but I just found out. I have stated on this site before that I had resigned myself to the fact that he would never get in. So this is really a pleasant surprise. Gil is my favorite player of all time. Thank you to the Golden era committee and to anyone else that helped, especially Vin Scully.
I’d like to see the Dodgers give out all 1 or 2-year deals when free agency returns. Clear the decks for the next wave of prospect talent and prioritize locking up our core (Buehler, Urias, Smith).
Unlikely. There will be some one year deals you can bet, but usually the 2 year deals go to veteran pitchers or a guy like Taylor, who’s last contract was for two seasons. They will sign some former MLB guys to minor league deals like they always do. Mets still searching for a manager, and the Astros and Red Sox are both interested in Trevor Story.
you think we’ll hand out a multiyear deal?
even rodon should just get two years
I doubt unless it is someone like Freeman that anyone will get more than two years.
or Suzuki but you’re right
I just got around to reading yesterdays excellent article on baseball dying. I found it personally ironic, because baseball has replaced the NFL and NBA as my favorite sport to follow within the last five years, but that’s neither here nor there. The article didn’t dive into a cross comparison with the other major sports. It’s interesting that the NBA and NFL, while not descending at the rate of the MLB, have basically flatlined over the last 5-7 years. Which suggests a declining interest in sports in general, or at least the major ones.
Baseball still has a lot going for it. Its still inherently the best game for statistical analysis, which I believe would be a strong attraction to the tech savvy younger generation. It’s still the cheapest option, which I think they should embrace further. I’m sure the bean counters have determined a team can make more money charging more even with lower overall sales, but taking a hit by drawing more ticket sales might invite more new fans. Just takes some risk and foresight. Maybe most importantly, and I know it’s partly what brought me back, it represents an alternative to the NFL and NBA which have become stale over the last decade.
The speed is a major flaw right now. I don’t think a lot of the tweaks are necessary and actually take away from some of the historical character of the game that makes it so appealing. I think addressing two things would go a long way. Speeding up the pitch delivery first and foremost. I wouldn’t impose a penalty, but there are abiding codes of conduct in baseball such as not showing up players or avenging a hit teammate. Playing quickly should be adopted as proper form, like anything longer than 10 seconds between pitches. Taking 30 seconds to re-adjust batting gloves or routinely walking off the mound to re-gather should be discouraged both by umpires and managers and the players. I think it would catch on quickly if everyone bought in, and I do think umpires and players alike wish the game was faster. The TV timeouts have to be curtailed, but maybe they could start split screening the TV running an ad between batters changing or during delays. I’m sure those don’t sell as well with advertisers, but the other major sports do it at times and it’s not as distracting as you’d expect. Mind commonly tunes out or suspends anyway when the game is not in action.
It is the morning of December 7, 2021. 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack strikes a personal note with me since my dad was there aboard the USS Nevada and was wounded when the Arizona blew up. So the day takes a special meaning in my family. RIP to all those who lost their lives that day and in the 4 bloody years of fighting that followed.
https://theathletic.com/3001740/2021/12/07/bobby-miller-might-be-the-next-success-story-for-a-dodgers-organization-that-gets-the-most-out-of-pitching-prospects/
It is sounding more and more like the Dodgers believe Bobby Miller will be in the rotation next year.
Here’s a snippet:
It’s certainly true that the sky isn’t falling around the 22-year-old Miller, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-hander whom MLB Pipeline ranks as the No. 4 prospect in the Los Angeles system. He throws 99 mph, holding his velocity late into starts, and features three offspeed pitches. Stacked up against his 10 poor innings this fall are 56 1/3 between High A and Double A in which he recorded a 2.40 ERA and struck out 70 batters. He’s likely to hit the big leagues next season, and the Dodgers happen to have some open rotation slots at the moment.
If Miller winds up filling one of them, either to start the season or more likely sometime midway through it, it will be thanks to a variety of factors. One is the competitive drive that doesn’t allow for satisfaction with the status quo and propels him to keep getting better. Another is a Dodgers player development apparatus that is now practiced at taking pitchers like Miller — lots of raw ability, drafted in the late first round or lower — and getting the absolute most out of them.
I think that Bobby Miller has easily the highest ceiling of any pitching prospect in the system. Madison Bruns is probably #2 but that is based purely on upside. While half of what is posted up top is accurate–that he’s likely to hit the big leagues next season–it is a more reasonable timeline to assume that he will get a taste of the majors at some point in 2022 (possibly in the pen or with a spot start) with his real date of arrival closer to 2023. The rationale for this is he simply needs to prove he can go deep into games and survive the physical rigors of a full season. His stuff appears to be top shelf but even that can still use some refining.
More likely to me is that we see what Jackson & White have to offer as starters. We can’t rule guys out before they’ve been given a chance. Pepiot probably fits into the Miller timeline and I almost feel like Knack is the most advanced of the Big Three due to his extreme control aptitude. Ideally, there is no immediate need for any of these three to produce major league results in 2022.
Right now the rotation is Buehler, Urias, [Bauer], Heaney & Gonsolin. Price is a true wild card and White/Jackson seem destined to begin the season either in the bullpen or as #6/#7 rotation depth in AAA. Maybe we’ll change our philosophy and actually let these young guys go from opening day but I doubt it. More likely we’ll bring back Kershaw [or sign Rodon or trade for a Red] and add at least one more rotation-filler type ala Heaney.
I love Miller and he’s in the mix for top prospect in the entire system but as with a high end luxury car, you only want to take it out of the garage when you know it’s polished and ready for the road.
Well stated.
Sounds like Miller and Buehler have some things in common, especially in the way they approach their game and the opposition. Wouldn’t hurt to have Buehler v.2 in the rotation starting in 2023.
For sure that’s the hope. At one time Grove was the low-key Buehler starter kit, but now we’d be happy to just get a bullpen arm out of him. Miller could very well be the next ace in the organization.
(Other names that merit mention on the SP prospect front are Duran, Choi, Heuback, Beeter [though I see reliever], Kendall Williams, Stone [bigtime sleeper], Ortiz [potential reliever too].)
I do not know who Madison Bruns is, but Maddux Bruns is nowhere near #2 prospect on upside. What are you basing that on? Because he was a first round draft pick? So was Chris Anderson and Chris Reed. He was absolutely torched in the Arizona Complex League, and is on nobody’s top 100 list. Fangraphs has him with a grade of 40+ which is projected as a back end starter with a FIP somewhere between 4.20 and 5.00. He is graded and ranked with Michael Grove. Per MLB Pipeline: “Some scouts believe Bruns’ stuff is good enough to make him a big league starter despite below-average control, while others think he might peak as a reliever who can’t be trusted in high-leverage situations. To remain in the rotation, he’ll need to refine his control and command as well as his changeup, a decent low-80s offering he didn’t need much as an amateur. While he’s still an extreme risk/reward play, Los Angeles has a knack for player development and he has the upside of a frontline starter.”
If that is what you are basing your assessment that Bruns is the #2 highest ceiling pitching prospect behind Bobby Miller, please note that MLB Pipeline is grading him based on the ability of the Dodgers development team. I read that more as a long reliever projection and not top of the rotation starter. I will say he does have being a LHP going for him. They get a little more rope.
BTW, I am not a fan of the LAD 2021 draft. It has 2018 written all over it.
my bad on the name. i don’t trust fangraphs and I stand by my statement.
ceiling isn’t the be-all end-all but it’s something.
i’d take pepiot ovrr him in a second.
You don’t trust Fangraphs, then again I ask what do you base your ranking of Maddux Bruns on? None of BA, MLB Pipeline, or Fangraphs are that high on him. They were not that high on him at the draft. Too much mid-relief and long man scouting grades. Of course he could surprise, but as of now, nobody has him as a frontline starter.
I was just about to post that Mark!
Loved reading it!
Also from TheAthletic:
The Dodgers have been operating under the assumption Bauer will never pitch for them again, but how much of his deal the Dodgers wind up paying could depend on how long a potential suspension lasts.
Two different sources in New York are saying that although Eppler is in charge of the manager search, both Scherzer and Cohen have made it clear to him that they want Buck Showalter.
Bob Geren is also getting an interview but it seems as though the job is Buck’s to lose at this point.
I may not know much about hiring a manager, but I would say if your billionaire boss and highest paid player want someone, that’s the guy to hire.
Funny you mention that. LeBron wanted his guy as head coach, the Lakers hired someone else, then won a Championship. You don’t let the lunatics run the asylum under any circumstances.
ok
As far as I know, no Dodger owner has ever caved to any player wanting some guy to manage. Freidman hired Roberts because DM was not his guy. DM only got the job because Torre pushed him as his successor.
Yeah, Torre held them hostage. You have to question the ethics surrounding that power play. So, what does MLB do? Hire him as an executive in the head offices. Brilliant!
Kurkjian going into the hall.
It’s nice to an analyst get to receive the highest honor. He’s a very smart guy and dedicated himself to the nuts and bolts of the game. Congratulations!
They seem to be printing hall passes like the fed is printing dollars these days. Maybe Mark’s inline for one as a blogger.
Not a chance.
Maybe Jon Weisman!
Not a change that you will receive an award that isn’t real? I think you’re selling yourself short! 😉
I keep seeing Correa and the Dodgers in the same sentence. There, it just happened again.
I’m open to it, especially at Baez money. Maybe 3rd base with Trea at short and Lux at second.
Jeff–scouting reports floating around the internet grade his fastball as a 60 [reaching 98] and his slider the same [60]. His curveball is just a notch behind [55].
Due to his age/inexperience, there’s a good chance he never reaches his ceiling, but it exists nonetheless.
I like you and am not trying to pick a fight. You can put Pepiot/Knack/Duran/Stone/Heubeck above him if you like.
I’m a Baseball America guy myself. You are right to be skeptical of what a rando on the internet says.
Cheers
First of all, I think you have me wrong. I was responding to your take on Maddux Bruns and not Bobby Miller. I have no problem with the ranking of Miller. I am not trying to pick a fight by any stretch. I questioned Mark when he said that the Dodgers still had a top ten farm system when no major (or minor that I can find) baseball publication rates them anywhere near the top ten. He said it is what he believes. Okay call me crazy, but I trust Fangraphs, BA, and MLB Pipeline more than I trust Mark on the state of the LAD farm system. But we all have our opinions.
My first response regarding Fangraphs was with regard to Maddux Bruns. I am not a fan. I was not when he was drafted, and I remain unimpressed. We are not in much of a disagreement at all on Bobby Miller. He has a very high ceiling, but his command and control will probably land him in the #3 slot. His ceiling is higher than Pepiot, but where they both land, we will find out sometime next year.
{dead germans}
I wish I were smart enough to know what that meant!
Same here, sometimes I wonder if Ole Dodger Lover is rowing with both oars in the water.
I’m not sure, but I think I drank one once!
Drat, Fed-ex retired. Showalter is set to interview with the Mets. Guy is marginal at best. Got fired in Arizona after 3 seasons because he was too dictatorial. Did not sit well with guys like Johnson and Shilling. 7-11 in the post season, just barely over .500 in his career. I hope they hire the jerk and go right in the tank.
There might be plenty of reasons not to like Showalter as a manager but winning percentage shouldn’t be one of them. The GM puts the rosters together, not the manager. You can only play the guys you have.
He has won three Manager of the Year awards.
Same lifetime winning percentage as Jim Leyland, a well respected manager.
Only a few percentage points less than Bob Melvin, whom everyone has been raving about and thinks the Pads got a steal when they were able to hire him.
Lifetime winning percentages worse than Showalter include Bruch Bochy and Connie Mack.
Make that Bruce Bochy.
He put those first D-Back teams together. All those players were his personal picks, I know, I was living in Az at the time. He was too much of a disiplinarian for the veterans taste and he got fired. He had a couple first place teams, but most of the time his teams finished either in the middle or lower. Too old school for todays players.