Spring Training will be upon us soon enough. I had started by covering a couple of new and upcoming prospects, namely, Wyatt Crowell and Luke Fox. But, there are a lot more to cover and I had better get busy. Today, we are going to discuss some players taken in the 2024 Amateur Draft, namely Kellon Lindsey and Elijah Hanaline as well as other players who played at Rancho Cucamonga last season who are all in varying stages of their development.
There are lots of blogs, websites and other services who have in-depth articles and rankings on these players. Just realize that the vast majority of these players will never see the show, so I am not going to go on ad nauseum about these guys… a paragraph will suffice. I sometimes feel that talent evaluators like to “hedge their bets” by using a lot of words to describe a prospect… so as to not look to be wrong. I am just going to give you want I think their ceiling might be… knowing full well most will never reach it. That is understood. Here we go…
- Sean McLain – RH 2B – I believe that he can play SS and possibly other positions. I see him in a “superutility role.” He could be a solid back up player. That’s his ceiling! Nearest Comparison: Ivan DeJesus, Jr.
- Jesus Galiz – RH C – He is a top defensive catcher and a surprisingly reliable hitter. He moves well behind the plate and has good receiving skills and am above average arm. I see him as a backup catcher. Nearest Comparison: Pat Borders
- Jake Gelof – RH 3B – Jake has tremendous power… maybe the most in the organization. Burley and thick, he kills baseballs… when he hits them. He hasn’t shown a good eye and his swing is long. He’s one of these guys who doesn’t look like an athlete, but is a guy who has immense athletic ability and he has the arm and glove to stay at 3B. Will he hit? Nearest Comparison: A RH Max Muncy
- Kendall George – LH CF – Offering speed and more speed, but little else, George is an intriguing talent. He shows little power and hits the ball on the ground. He can beat out a ball to SS if the throw is not perfect. Of course, he covers CF like a blanket, but his arm is below average. I wonder if the Dodgers will ever try a player like this in CF again? Nearest Comparison: Juan Pierre
- Samuel Munoz – LH CF/LF – Just 20 years old. Munoz is 6′ 3″ Outfielder who is not bad in CF, but due to his below average speed and weak arm, is best suited for LF. He has very good pitch selection and should mature into a power hitter. Watch him grow. Nearest Comparison: Lars Nootbaar
- Zyhir Hope – Another Speed Merchant, Hope is a LH batter with a good arm. He can play CF, but also has the arm to play RF. He has a chance of being a big star. He has power to burn on the bases and at bat. Enjoy watching him. Nearest Comparison: Roberto Clemente (I can’t believe I just said that!)
- Josue DePaula – LH DH/LF/1B This guy has the ability to be an absolute stud in LF! His baserunning and defense have been suspect, but has showing a wilingness to work and improve and his baserunning is near average. His arm is average, at best… probably below average. I think he can improve his defense and baserunning to became at least average in those respects. His ticket to the Show, it his LH hit tool and this guy is an All-Star waiting to happen. Expect him in 2027… or sooner. Nearest Comparison: Yordan Alvarez
- Elijah Hanaline – Drafted in 2024, Elijah has excellent bat-to-ball skills and great plate discipline. He is a RH utilityman who can play all over the infield. I am certain he can also play the outfield. He has a lot of growing to do, but the power could come. Nearest Comparison: Some say Ian Kinsler, but I say Kike Hernandez!
- Eduardo Quintero – RH OF – Still just 19, he started as a Catcher and could always revert to that, but he has plus speed and is one of the best defensive outfielders in the system and has the tools to play CF. blazing fast, he has 20+ HR power and could win a batting title. Nearest Comparison: Willie Davis
- Wilman Diaz – RH 2B/SS – He has the tools to be a top utilityman, and his bat is the final piece. Can he hit on a consistent basis? That is the question… Nearest Comparison: Mike Sharperson
- Joe Vetrano – LH 1B – A big 6′ 3/230 pound 1B who immense power, who loves to chase and strikes out a lot. Nearest Comparison: Rowdy Tellez
- Cameron Decker – SH SS – He has tremendous power and a great eye. His strong hands and great bat speed are special and his strong lower body may make him a hitter to watch. SS may not be his final destination. I have no idea of a comparison.
- Jordon Thompson – RH IF – Light hitting, defensive player who is likely organizational depth. No comparisons.
- Chase Harlan – RH 3B – He has the hands and arm to stick at 3B. Still just 18, he could blossom into a slugger at 3B. Nearest Comparison: Austin Riley
- Ching-Hsien Ko – LH OF – Still 18, he has the arm to play RF and could be a 30+ HR hitter. He has a buggy-whip fast swing and has a good knowledge of the strike zone. Nearest comparison: Dwight Evans.
- Kellon Lindsay – RH SS – He has blazing speed and is a 6′ 2″/175 scrawney kid who plays SS with incredible range and an average arm. His range can keep him at SS, but he could be a plus defender at 2B or CF. His power will come. He is RH. Nearest comparison: Trey Turner.
I’ll cover more suspects next week. Spring Training is likely only about 5 weeks away. I think the Dodgers will report early due to the game in Japan.
i’m a little concerned about Dalton rushing. he’s projected to be a stud! I’m concerned about playing time. In order to become the player they project him to be, he needs to play. Now is that going to be at the major league level, or is he stuck in AAA again? He’s not gonna take time away from Teo or any other outfielder and if the Dodgers are keeping Austin Barnes, he’s not gonna get any time behind the plate. So is it possible, that if the Dodgers don’t sasaki, he could become a very valuable trade piece for a starting pitcher? It’s too bad rushing can’t play third base. That’s the only place I could see someone taking time away from a starter. As I read on different sites, everybody loves this kid. So if you can’t play him, what do you do with him? Personally, I would offer Barnes a coaching position, hoping that he takes it and stays in the dodger organization. I don’t think there’s any doubt that rushing will hit more than Barnes. I know Barnes handles a pitching staff very well, but I think it’s time for some new blood behind the plate. It’s not a popular decision for some, but if rushing has a good spring, it’s time….. as for the pitching staff, I get a little more excited every day thinking about Blake Snell being in this rotation.! With a healthy glasnow, a healthy Yamamoto, and a healthy ohtani , the sky the limit for this rotation! Now that’s just four starters! There’s so much to choose from starting with gonzo , May, Kershaw,knack,, and the signing or possible signing of Sasaki! I’m still intrigued by the talent of Bobby Miller! There’s too much talent just to give away! If his health is good, and he’s in the right frame of mind, he has all the tools to be an ace! So what do you do with him if Sasaki signs elsewhere, Bobby Miller would sure make a great number five starter! And if that happens, I could see the cat man being included in a trade…. last thing, will Tanner Scott budge on a four-year contract and signed for three years to be with the Dodgers? Teo said he didn’t wanna talk to anybody else after the Dodgers made their offer and he was satisfied. Will Tanner Scott do the same that bullpen will be special! Spring training will be here before you know it. I can’t wait for pictures and catchers to report!… I hope everyone has a safe and prosperous new year! Sure would be nice to see people get along again!
I think Dalton Rushing’s future is in his hands.
He will obviously be given a lot of playing time early in the Spring… probably a lot at C.
If he can handle the staff and hit, he will likely play his way onto the team.
I would not be surpriced to see Will Smith work out at 2B or 3B. Catching seems to wear him down a lot as the season goes on. Rushing LH bat should play well against tough RHP!
I think the Dodgers will look for ways to use Rushing… if he hits!
I am a big Tony Gonsolin fan and Bobby Miller gets a long leash.
The big question with Rushing is if he makes the big club will he be able to get regular at bats. It doesn’t make sense to have him sit and only play once a week. If on the other hand he catches once a week plays 1st to give Freddy a day off is the DH when Ohtani pitches and gets a day in the outfield it might be worth it to have him on the big club.
i like gonsolin too. his makeup is off the charts! Miller can pitch his way on the roster,or off the roster. if will smith can play some 2nd, and rushing hits, Lux might be gone! Love Lux, but it’s always “will he be there opening day?”. But! if rushing hits? i believe he will. And i keep seeing people wanting Max on second. NO THANKS! it’s 3rd or nothing.
Hyeseong Kim joins on a 3 year deal
$22m
Deal is 3 years at 12.5MM. There is also a club option for an additional 2 years at 9.5MM, hence the total of 22MM (but for 5 years). Originally projected for 3 years @ 24MM, so looks like a pretty good deal.
With the Kim signing, Lux will probably be traded. I am hoping for the Dodgers trading for Helseley from St L. It would take more than Lux but that would finish off the team along with Kike.
Does anyone know if this effects international money that could have been used to sign Roki?
No he is 25 and a regular free agent who can sign a contract like Yamamoto did last year. The Dodgers have 2.5 million signing fee they need to pay his Korean team.
Dodgers DFA’d Cartaya for the Kim spot.
He was once a top prospect, now he seemingly didn’t have any trade value.
Shocking… and it may tell the tale of what his problem is: Attitude.
I am not excited about this move. Read what MLBTR says:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/dodgers-to-sign-hyeseong-kim.html
That said, AF and BG know a lot more than me and they stole him.
The fact that they dumped Cartaya tells me that Rushing will almost certainly start the season as the the starting Catcher for the Comets.
Thay also have 10 days to reach a deal to trade Cartaya.
This deal makes the most sense if they want to trade Lux.
Maybe they already have the deal in place:
Lux, Cartaya, Outman, and someone else for Robert, Jr.
That deal is a tad silly, but I do agree that:
Lux is our 2B
is feeling more and more like:
Dee Gordon is our 2B
Player A has a bruise and is day-to-day, Betts is the shortstop, Lux is the second baseman = Things Roberts might say.
Re: Dee Gordon
It would feel even more like that if the words were coming from Farhan.
There’s still time!
If the “someone else” is Bobby Miller, the ChiSox should jump at that. Would Chicago settle for Wrobleski or Knack?
I’d also be fine with dealing DePaula, who seems best suited for DH. (If I ran the ChiSox, I’d want a big prospect bat–either DePaula or Rushing–who could theoretically compensate for the loss of Robert.)
I love the idea of a blockbuster for Robert.
But I doubt the Kim deal serves as a trigger. It’s just context.
Success at the KBO is like success at Triple A, so Kim arrives essentially as an athletic glove-first prospect with speed. His promising bat-to-ball skills haven’t been proven at the highest level. If the Dodgers get Robert in a package that features Lux, Edman would shift to 2B. If Kim proves himself, he’d become a lefty-swinging super UT counterpart to Taylor, and perhaps block Kike’s return…. unless AF figures out a way to move Taylor’s contract.
Another takeaway: The Shohei Effect brought Kim to the Dodgers. Shohei tweet–“Welcome my friend”–apparently reflects a genuine relationship. Kim sought out Shohei’s advice on his ML job hunt, and reportedly turned down a bigger offer from the Angels to sign with Shohei’s team.
Now the question is whether Sasaki prefers to play with Shohei or Darvish…
I think he’ll got to the Padres, if only to avoid Shohei’s shadow.
Then again, Japanese culture values conformity.
“The nail that sticks out,” it is said, “gets hammered down.”
This does not bode well for a return to the Dodgers by Kike Hernandez.
Bummer. I love Kike’s energy.
Is it a good idea to move Rushing all over the field in order to get him at bats? Logically a young player will play better if he is in he’s comfort zone. Just a thought.
Well, now that Cartaya is gone, I would think the plan is for Rushing to catch most of the games with the Comets… at least early in the season. Then… anything can happen.
I don’t get the Kim signing. Has a Juan Pierre feel to it. Chance for a decent AVG but no power.
I think that maybe… maybe, the Dodgers want some less swing and miss in the lineup.
Just a guess… but they have the analytics…
If all goes well, Kim could be a strong “second leadoff” hitter who combines superior bat-to-ball skills with good speed. If he takes his walks, so much the better.
Kim essentially had neutral splits in Korea, hitting over .300 against lefties and righties. If he makes the roster out of spring training, perhaps he’ll bump Rojas as a platoon partner for Lux.
I assume that the contract would allow the Dodgers to move Kim to OKC if he struggles. I assume that guys like Alex Freeland and Austin Gauthier are not overjoyed with the new internal competition that could block their path to LA.
Take a look at the other 8 guys in the lineup on any day that Kim would play.
Why would power be important as long as he has good on base skills?
How does a .326 and a .387 OBP translate in MLB? Is the KBO AAA/AA/A equivalent?
As Mark states, the Dodgers have the analytics to decipher that, but at a quick glance, the signing feels a bit underwhelming.
I know that a lot of the oldtimers don’t like the three outcome players, but would a team rather have a Max Muncy or a Luis Arraez?
Arraez would have a higher BA and OB% but Max Muncy would score and drive in more runs.
Wow. I’m really excited about the direction the Dodgers are going. Defense, speed ,etc. The 3 outcome guys are slowly fading into the sunset. Kim is another excellent defender all around the diamond. Andrew has always liked veterans with a track record over the kids. And since we always draft at the tail end. It’s really impossible to get any blue Chippers. Pardon the pun. Kim is rehabbing so there is that. But he will solidly deepen the Dodgers bench. I’m wondering what will happen when Kim is activated. Do they part ways with Miggy Ro , CT3 or Barnes? I know their under contract…but? As the Dodger world turns. Stay tuned.
Book em
My bad. Wrong Kim. Lol
Book em
You won’t be the first to make that mistake. 🙂
When my son told me the Dodgers signed Kim, my first thought was that perhaps Mookie would be moving to 2B after all, and Lux would be dealt.
Then it turned out to be the other Kim.
But there should be a few more chess moves before Spring training, right?
Elijah Hanaline content requested. Don’t know him.
I’m not a scout but I saw Hainline play a couple of games in Rancho. He is a very good fielder he played shortstop and second base when I saw him. He made all the routine plays and made a difficult turn on a double play. He struggled at the plate but has good scouting reports on his plate discipline. Just a guess but if he doesn’t hit he could be a defense first utility player. Best case he starts at 2B at the major leagues.
Thx
Thank you
i was wondering if tommy edman being a dodger was a factor in Kim signing with the dodgers. Probably not, but interesting! …. So Mark, you think James has a chance to beat out Pages for backup outfielder? I guess they will need a lefty off the bench, and outman is better defensively. Although, Pages has a definite advantage on the offensive side. Watching James strike out on 3 consecutive pitches could cause severe illness in my belly! …. So with Cartaya gone,looks like you could be right about Dalton starting off the season in AAA Mark. I’m sure he’ll be disappointed. ……. Austin Barnes should give the “Luckiest man alive “ speech every season! Not a bad gig if you can get it!! ….. Is there any chance of Kike being a dodger this season? …. Any news on Dave ‘s contract? …. So mark, could Jake Geloff be the next Mark Reynolds “ at 3rd? ….. I hope that Hope will be the next great center fielder in dodgers future! …. Is Ohtani throwing regularly? …… Will the dodgers use a 6 man rotation this season? … i’m getting the feeling Sasaki won’t be a part of that rotation. If not, how about a nice package for Pablo Lopez? The Twins are listening!. …… Well that’s enough questions for today!
Will Smith was 24 when he came up in Late May. I think Rushing will catch at least 4 games a week and play some LF… just to enhance his versatility. Then in June or July, he could be ready. Will Smith does not have much in the way of diverse splits. He hits RHP and LHP equally well. I do think he could benefit from more rest and Rushing could provide it. We might get a clue in the Spring if Will practices somewhere else (2B, 3B).
The Dodgers could have a “handshake agreement” with Kike to bring him back at some point, but if he gets a better offer, he has to take it.
I have no expectation about Jake Gelof. Hope could be a great RF’er as well. He has a cannon.
Ohtani is throwing, but they are slow-walking him as it is a long season.
Even if Sasaki signs elsewhere, the Dodgers have the following starters:
1. Snell
2. Glasnow
3. Yamamoto
4. Gonsolin
5. Knack
6. Miller
7. May
8. Ohtani
9. Sheehan
10. Kershaw
I would not be surprised if they held Ohtani back until June or July. The same with Kershaw.
Sheehan should be available about that same time and May may end up in the pen … or not.
I cannot see them trading for Lopez… but if the price is right, it could happen.
This will be a big Spring for James Outman. We know that he will never hit LHP, but what can he do against RHP?
In 2023, he had an .836 OPS against RHP – that dog will hunt! But in 2024, it dropped to .540. MLB pitchers discovered a hole in his swing the size of the Grand Canyon. I personally do not think it is fixable, although I hope it is. If you have a weakness, MLB pitchers will exploit it. In the case of Miguel Vargas, they discovered he cannot catch up to the high fastball. I doubt that he can fix that either. The Dodgers will give Outman another chance as his value is near zero.
The Dodgers will likely use a 6-man rotation but that rotation will certainly change over time.
“We know that he”–being Outman–“will never hit LHP…”
Do you think Pages will ever hit RHP? Do you realize that his rookie performance against righties was much, much worse than Outman’s rookie performance against lefties?
In ’23, the records show that Outman did not totally suck against lefties. He batted .254 and, more importantly, had an on-base percentage of .357, which is well above the ML average. His OPS against lefties was a weak .665, but a strong .835 (including 22 of his 23 HRs) against righties.
Importantly, Outman played more games than every Dodger not named Mookie or Freddie, and he earned high marks for his defense in CF. He was very streaky but was allowed to work through his slumps at the ML level, and wound up 3rd in ROY balloting.
All considered, Outman’s rookie season was much better than Pages’s rookie season. Pages hit lefties much better than Outman did–but he struggled to a .647 OPS against righties, and his OBP was a crummy .277. That’s a full 80 points below Outman’s rookie OBP against lefties. (Cue Vinnie: “You can’t walk off the island.”)
On most teams, Outman and Pages might be penciled into a platoon that could theoretically produce an OPS well over .800.
Because most pitchers are righties, Outman would get more action. His superior defense would also make him a late-inning replacement, and a better “4th OF” candidate. (If the ChiSox wanted both Outman and Pages in a deal for Robert, I’d wish them both well in the Windy City.)
Lux probably saved his job at 2B with the Dodgers, at least for another season, with his strong finish in ’24.
But as Lux knows too well, stuff happens. If he gets hurt or traded, perhaps Edman shifts to 2B and we could see an Outman/Taylor platoon in CF and a Conforto/Pages platoon in RF. (I think Pages has proven himself to be a corner outfielder.)
Or maybe the new rookie Kim shines in the Spring and takes over at 2B…
I do not have an opinion on Pages hitting RHP at this time, but he does hit LHP very well.
The question waiting to be answered is: Was 2024 an anomoly for Outman or a trend?
I hope it was just a blip. Joc Pederson can’t hit LHP but he has made a career in feasting on RHP.
great feedback Mark! i just get the feeling Sasaki ends up somewhere unexpected. maybe Boston or Atlanta? both are desperate for more pitching. .. Charlie Morton. good sign by the orioles. Man, would have loved to see him in a dodger uniform 5-6 years ago! Supposedly one of the best guys in baseball!!! A fan of his!! …. well it’s college basketball season so lets go hoos!!! Baseball just around the corner!!!!
Sasaki will sign with us. That is the way.
I don’t see how there will be room for Kike on this team. Maybe he’ll be available later in season
MLBTR wrote this:
“The big question is how Kim’s bat will hold up against MLB pitching. While he struggled at the plate early in his career, the lefty batter blossomed into a well-above-average hitter during his last three years in the KBO. From 2022-24, he produced a .326 batting average and a .384 OBP, while his wRC+ was never below 118 in any season. However, Kim has never hit for much power, even by the slightly lower power standards of the KBO. His 2024 season was the best of his career power-wise – he reached double-digit home runs for the first time – but his .132 isolated power was still below league average. Thus, it’s fair to worry that Kim might not have the necessary power to be an everyday player in MLB. Just look at his former KBO teammate Ha-Seong Kim. Ha-Seong Kim was a genuine power threat in the KBO, socking 30 homers in 138 games during his final season in Korea. Since coming to MLB, he has become known as a soft-hitting contact specialist. His career .137 ISO in MLB is 15% worse than the league average over the last four years.”
It seems to me that he might not be much of a hitter…
The Dodgers have four more days to trade Diego Cartaya.
Having immense talent does not always translate into success.
Here’s what was recently said about him:
Cartaya has plenty of strength and leverage in his 6-foot-3 frame, as well as a quick right-handed stroke, so he still managed to slam 19 homers in 93 Double-A games (2023). But his swing got way too long as he tried to launch every pitch he saw to his pull side, leading to disastrous results. He repeatedly chased pitches out the zone and was easily fooled by breaking balls and changeups, leading to concerns about his hitting ability if he doesn’t overhaul his approach.
Cartaya could hit the fastball, but struggled mightily with breaking stuff and changeups.
Miguel Vargas could hit breaking stuff and changeups, but could not hit the fastball.
Perhaps some team could clone them together. 😉
BTW, I think some team will jump on Cartaya.
When I first stumbled upon LADT, two prospects were getting the most hype: Cartaya and Miguel Vargas.
Both seemed to be “can’t-miss” types. I remember a couple of fans touted Cartaya, while playing for the Quakes, as the future “face of the franchise”–a big, strong Salvador Perez- type who would surely push the undersized Will Smith over to 3B in a few years. Sounded good to me!
Now we see that both Vargas and Cartaya should have been classified as “suspects.”
Retrospect is easy, of course, but I’d say the Dodgers would have been wiser to deal both Cartaya and Vargas a couple seasons back, when they had greater trade value. And the way that hype is often misplaced may be a reason to not hug DePaula so tightly.
Could he be another Yonder? That’s unlikely. But if the White Sox think that’s possible, they might be willing to deal Luis Robert Jr.
All of these players could factor into a blockbuster: Lux, Outman, Pages, Taylor*, Cartaya (duh), Feduccia, Miller, Knack, Wrobleski…. and just about every prospect Mark has profiled here. I hope a lot of these guys get traded to teams where they have a better shot at making the majors. A lot will be decided in spring training.
If you have read the book Future Value (I have) you will understand how difficult it is to profile young players.
I don’t have access to statistics, but if you are right just 25% of the time you might be a genius!
I want to thank Mark for contacting Jeff when I was unable to get to my computer. I am out of the hospital and now in the CLC where they can monitor my meds and start PT on my ankle. Following all the moves when I can. Like the Kim signing. Kike not coming back unless they can unload Taylor and that is doubtful. Taylor and Rojas the only real backups for Muncy at third.
Glad you are progressing, Bear. Godspeed to you!
Thanks Mark.
Glad you’re back. Pages might be biggest loser with Kim move but I think we could still see a Lux trade.
Could this be a trade for Luis Robert Jr.? Outman to replace the Jr in CF, Lux and Carrara to make it fair, and sweeten the deal by throwing in Chris Taylor and paying part of his salary in exchange for CWS international bonus signing money?
You can’t trade a bunch of shit you don’t want for a player you do.
Forgot to add: This would be why they needed Kim and would allow Dodgers to get rid of Taylor allowing them to resign Kiki when roster expands .
Glad you’re on the road to recovery, Bear! Also happy to see you post on both sites again. Excited to see what moves AF/BG have in store for us until ST but it will be VERY disappointing if Kike isn’t able to return.
VIVA AZUL!!
Hyeseong Kim’s Dodgers Contract Doesn’t Include Clause To Reject Option To Minors.
Good to hear you are doing better Bear and glad you like the Kim signing. It seems you and I may be the only ones excited about it. I like it on a bigger picture basis. AF is making the Dodgers the “Worlds team” just as Landry made the Dallas Cowboys “Americas team”. Winning on the field is so much easier when you win the revenue game off the field. The dodgers could dominate International marketing for the next two decades at least. The KBL may just be AA ball but imagine dominating AA for 8 years and just being age 25. This kid could be special both on the field and in marketing terms as well.