On June 12 – 14, MLB will hold the 2017 Amateur draft. The Dodgers will select #23, #62, #100 in the first three rounds. The draft is again considered light on college position players, and strong with high schoolers. The overall number one selection goes to the Twins, who most project will select either University of Louisville 2 way player (lefty pitcher and 1B, Brendan McKay), or high school 2 way player (RHP/SS Hunter Greene). Greene plays HS ball out of Notre Dame Sherman Oaks (a school I know all too well), the same HS that produced Giancarlo Stanton. Green has plus power, and has hit 102 on the gun earlier in the season. Greene is Baseball America’s #1 prospect. Who will be this year’s Gavin Lux.
Before we get to the 2017 draft picks, let’s take a look at last year’s selections. Numbers 1 through 4 have been discussed at length on this blog, and will continue to be discussed.
#1 SS Gavin Lux
#1 C Will Smith
CBA RHP Jordan Sheffield
#2 RHP Mitchell White
#3 RHP Dustin May
#4 OF D J Peters
Not much has been discussed about #5 pick Devin Smeltzer, and I am working on something for Devin.
I thought that I would at least give some introductory information about selection 6 – 10. Some you may know, most probably not. If you were a betting person, you would have to bet that not many will make it past A Ball, but then again some may make it to ML.
Kevin Lachance – 6’ 3” 185 lb senior SS drafted in 10th round from University of Baltimore-Maryland. He came into the organization with a shoulder injury and remained on the 60 man DL for the entire 2016 season.
Billy Gasparino, LAD Scouting Director said this about Lachance. “He’s an athletic shortstop or maybe a center fielder, we’re not sure what up-the-middle position he’ll play,” said Gasparino. “He has a great body, a twitchy-loose athlete we’re excited to get.” He is currently assigned to AZL Dodgers. At 22 (soon to be 23), depending on how he performs, he should get to Ogden and maybe Great Lakes before the end of the season.
Tony Gonsolin – 23 year old RHP 6’ 2” 180 lbs. Tony was a 2-way senior player drafted in 9th round from St. Mary’s. He played OF and pitched for the Gaels, but the Dodgers want to see him pitch as a professional. Other scouts saw him as a player who could run, throw, and hit some. He pitched a total of 155 innings in college. He has a fastball that ranges from 90-94 and touching 95 at times, and a very good curve that he throws in the 70’s. He is projected to have a ceiling as a ML middle reliever.
In 2016, Tony started in Ogden and was assigned to Great Lakes August 5. He competed well at Ogden, but struggled at Great Lakes. Gonsolin started 2017 at Great Lakes, and is currently assigned to RC Quakes in the California League. He has had somewhat of a Jekyll & Hyde 2017 season at RC. He has pitched in 10 games, including 16.2 innings, allowing 13 runs (12 earned), 19 hits (including 4 HR), 7 walks, and 10 strikeouts. But in his last four games he has pitched 7.1 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits, 7 walks, and 10 strikeouts. He needs innings and better control, but he is being given a lot of opportunity to showcase what he might be able to achieve as a middle reliever.
Andre Scrubb – 22 year old RHP 6’4” 265 lbs – He was selected in the 8th round out of High Point University, North Carolina. Andre has a fastball that touches 96-97, but it is his breaking ball (78-83) that produces a lot swing and miss. In 2016, Andre was assigned to AZL Dodgers where he was 2-1 with a 2.13 ERA, 10 games all in relief, 12.2 innings pitched, 5 runs (3 earned) on 9 hits, 7 walks, and 18 strikeouts.
In 2017, Andre was assigned to Great Lakes on May 11. He has pitched in 3 games, 6.1 innings, 1 run on 2 hits, 5 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Andre will need to work on his control if he expects to get to the next level. He gave a lot of credit to his college coach for turning him into a pitcher from a thrower. He is going to need to improve in this area a lot more.
Luke Raley – 22 year old Bat Left – Throw Right OF – 6’ 3” 220 lbs. He was a 7th round selection from Division 2, Lake Erie College. As a college junior he hit .424/.528/.747, 28 BB, 11 K, in 158 AB. That’s pretty good at any level. After signing, Luke was assigned to AZL Dodgers. After 5 games and 10 hits, he was promoted to Ogden. After 5 more games and 10 more hits, Luke was promoted to Great Lakes. Great Lakes was a good test for Luke.
To start 2017, Luke was assigned to Rancho, and has continued to hit fairly well. He is currently at .294/.366/.427/.793. He has struggled his last 10 games going 6 for his last 38, dropping his BA from .327. Luke has played some CF, but is looked at more as a corner OF, but without the power. In order for him to get more notice, he is probably going to have to develop a little more power.
Errol Robinson – 22 year old 5’ 11” 170 lb SS drafted in 6th round out of Ole Miss – The 2016 amateur draft was considered weak for SS. Errol is considered a plus defender, and below average offensively. Most scouts project him to make it to the ML on his glove. His bat will determine if he is going to be a regular or a utility. But the scouts’ consensus is that he can stay at ML because of his glove.
After signing last year, Errol was assigned to Ogden where he had a fairly good offensive year batting .282/.336/.395/.732. For the 2017 season, on May 11 Errol was assigned to Great Lakes, where after 8 games and 31 AB, he is batting .258/.281/.419/.701, with 2 doubles and 1 HR. For those who like defense, Errol Robinson should be fun to watch.
MINOR LEAGUE REPORT
Tulsa Drillers were 13-6 winners over the Arkansas Travelers (Mariners) – The Drillers pounded out 19 hits, including 5 HR (Paul Hoenicke 2 – 6th on the year; Kyle Farmer #3; Jose Miguel Fernandez #3, a GS; Mike Ahmed #5). Kyle Farmer continued his hot bat with 4 more hits, raising his average to .342. Is OKC going to be calling soon? Edwin Rios got three hits, raising his BA to .353. Again, is OKC going to be calling soon? Paul Hoenecke also had 3 hits. Jose Miguel Fernandez added his 9th double to his grand slam to raise his BA to .300. Matt Beaty and Jacob Scavuzzo also had 2 hits each. Josh Sborz started and went 4.2 IP (80 pitches), 1R on 4 hits, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Josh still needs to work on his control to keep his pitch count down. Sound familiar?
RC Quakes were 8-2 winners over the Visalia Rawhide (DBacks). Drew Jackson, Yusniel Diaz, and Darrien Tubbs each got two hits, with Tubbs getting his 1st HR of the year after just his 2nd game after being assigned to RC from Extended ST. Caleb Ferguson got back on the bump for 3.2 IP, allowing 0 runs, on 1 hit, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts.
Great Lakes were unable to complete the sweep of the Fort Wayne Tin Caps (SD), losing 4-0. Leo Crawford went 6 and got the loss. Not much offense in today’s game.
OKC beat the El Paso Chihuahuas (SD) 5-4 in 10 innings. Alex Verdugo had 3 singles, and with his one walk was on base in 4 out of 5 PA. Charlie Culberson and Jack Murphy had 2 hits each, while Willie Calhoun added his 9th HR. Wilmer Font started and went 5, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, 2 walks, and 10 strikeouts. Layne Somsen made news when he allowed only his 2nd ER of the season, out of 21.1 innings. Grant Dayton pitched a scoreless 10th to get the save.
Discussion (54)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Ruiz seems to be the bright spot for the Loons. Barnes, Smith, Ruiz. I remember to long ago when the catchers in the Dodgers system were pretty poor. It’s a nice change from AJ and no one.
Good article AC. I enjoy articles on the farm kids. I especially like the summary each day on the farm teams Mark.
Very well written piece AC
I certainly have much more of an interest in our Minor League Players since you started these interesting pieces.
Good stuff AlwaysCompete
Verdugo had double digit home runs last year, and people expected that power to continue at AAA. It is shocking that he has zero hr in OKC to date, but it’s not like he’s Dee Gordon or Brett Butler.
Then again, our current CF has 2 hr, so not like Verdugo is too far from that guy! I do like the k/bb ratio. Means he sees the ball and can make solid contact. He’s also 20; not everyone can be like Franchise or Franchise 2, who are both trying to go to the all star game this year!!
Does Bellinger still lead mlb in hr and rbi since he was called up?
MJ, the Dodgers are back to #1 in MLB in pitching team ERA at 3.41. The Astros are #2 at 3.52.
Verdugo does have a weird stat line: 321/403/382/785 due to no power and lots of walks. He has 2 3B, 4 2B, 19 K’s and 19 BB. Rare to see slugging % below OBP % and not a good sign.
AC
Verdugo hasn’t hit a single HR, in 130 at bats in AAA.
And it seems he has lost some speed, too.
Right now his numbers, don’t seem to play, in right field.
Are the Dodgers going to try to get him, to hit with more power, down the line?
Boxout: Good find on Eibner and interesting reading. The Dodgers have had success moving both Jansen and Baez to the bullpen in the past from 3B and C. He appears to be a very nice under the radar pickup.
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I like DJ Peters a lot, he is more of a corner OF and has a very good arm. He is a slugger but has fallen off after a hot start at RC: 278, 400, 444, 844 with 4 HR’s and 21 RBI’s. Biggest problem: 54 K’s in 144 AB (26 BB) If he cuts down on his K’s he can be special and also has good speed and can steal a base.
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The new scouting staff does their homework and the quants understand the draft slots to maximize available capital, taking some guys earlier saving $$ on the slot to later sign a guy over slot who some thought was going to college. They do a great job of getting almost every one of the picks they really want signed.
Last year I read that the team went for Lux because they needed top-level talent at SS.
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Similarly, this year I have read that the team will target highest ceiling as the minors seem to be lacking in holes. Is this something you would concur with?
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Wood so far:
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ERA: 1.88 (2nd)
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FIP: 1.90 (2nd)
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Park-Adjusted ERA (2nd)
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Park-Adjusted FIP (2nd)
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K%: 29.9% (5th)
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HR/9 IP: 0.21 (2nd)
Nice post AC.
Actually Box, regardless of Eibner’s pitching ability, I’m already impressed with him. Another nice low key trade buy our front office. I like when he’s out there; I haven’t seen enough on defense yet (seems he doesn’t get that many chances), but I’d rather he hit than Joc at this point (hell, I’d rather watch Sergio Romo hit than Joc at this point)
Good writeup Always Compete!
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Vegas Dodger: “I think the Dodgers need to draft some stud 3B prospects and RH OF bats who can also play CF in addition to the corners.”
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I believe DJ Peters is a right-handed OF who has a chance of being able to play CF.
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How’s this for versatility? Anybody else impressed by Eibner? He just looks like a baseball player to me. Maybe this is a preview/educational experience on working someone like Shohei Otani into the fold.
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“The Dodgers are experimenting with using outfielder Brett Eibner as a pitcher, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times writes. Eibner pitched in college and reached 95 MPH with his fastball, and he’s now working on developing secondary pitches; it remains to be seen, of course, how those would play against big-leaguers. The Dodgers’ plan is to continue to treat Eibner primarily as an outfielder, but they envision using him as a pitcher more frequently than the typical position player taking the mound to relieve an exhausted staff. If Eibner were to prove effective as a pitcher, he’d become a useful and interesting tactical piece, reminiscent, perhaps, of a two-way player like Brooks Kieschnick, who first arrived in the big leagues as an outfielder but who also ended up pitching for Milwaukee in 2003 and 2004. The added versatility might also help Eibner from being shipped back and forth to Triple-A so frequently, Shaikin suggests — the Dodgers have already optioned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City four times this season. Here’s more from around the game.”
Looking at the photo of Kyle Farmer on SB Nation this morning, it appears he uses an interlocking grip on his bat, like one would do in golf. I wonder if others do the same.
AC
Nice report!
When I looked at some of the names that helped the AAA team win, it reminded me of a question that Friedman was asked, on the Dodger’s pregame show, this weekend.
They asked Friedman who is the next top player for the Dodgers, after Bellinger.
And Friedman said that Calhoun and Verdugo are the next top players, after Bellinger.
He also said don’t be surprised if they are called up to play for the big team, at one point in the season, this year.
Great report, thanks A/C! It looks like they hit 3 home runs with their first 6 picks on Smith, White and Peters and the others have flashed potential. Of the ones you covered today I like Raley, too bad he hits left. How has Garlick been doing? He along with Farmer and Ahmed have the look of ML players.
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I think the Dodgers need to draft some stud 3B prospects and RH OF bats who can also play CF in addition to the corners. They seem to have the pitching part covered and have acquired a lot of SS and Catchers. Just my 2 cents.
Great report, AC. Thanks. It looks as though Andre (The Giant) Scrubb could stand to shed around thirty pounds. Luke Raley looks like a hitter…what MLer would you compare him to?