Thread: Official Dodger Prospects Thread

Originally Posted by Wolvie

I wouldn't be surprised if Logan White had been eyeing Lindblom before the 2005 draft and simply continued to be a fan.

Perhaps, the Lindblom pick is somewhat similar to our second pick last year, James Adkins. After taking a raw HS pitcher in the last draft, White drafted Adkins a polished starter out of Tennessee who has a devestating out pitch. Lindblom is a reliever and is more overpowering but has the same sort of polish and can is on a different track than our first rounder(probably will advance more quickly).

I meant to post this as soon as Kershaw was called up but I flew back home and didn't take the handbook with me. So this is a little late, but enjoy.


#1 Clayton Kershaw
LHP
B-L
T-L
6-3 210

Originally Posted by Baseball America

As an underclassmen in high school, Kershaw had the benefit of pitching on a high-profile travel teams, but teammates Shawn Tolleson (now at Baylor) and Jordan Walden (Angels) got most of the attention. Kershaw pitched just four innings out of the U.S. junior team's bullpen at the 2005 Pan American Championships in Mexico, buried at the time behind harder throwers such as Tolleson, Brett Anderson (Athletics) and Josh Thraikill (Clemson).

But it was Kershaw who blossomed into the best high school prospect in the 2006 draft after he gained velocity on his fastball, and tightened his curveball. The Tigers were set to take him with the sixth overall pick before Andrew Miller unexpectedly fell in their laps, allowing Kershaw to drop one more spot to the Dodgers.

He ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2006 and in the low Class A Midwest League in 2007. He also pitched in the Futures Game and jumped to Double-A Jacksonville a month later in just his first full pro season.

Kershaw pitches off a fastball that rests comfortably at 93-94 MPH. He touched 99 a handful of times last summer, including once with Los Angeles general manager Ned Colletti in the stands (the Great Lakes scoreboard posted a reading of 101 on the pitch). Kershaw's heater has late, riding life with explosive finish at the plate. His 71-77 MPH curveball has hard 1-to-7 tilt from his high-three-quarters arm slot. He made strides with his circle changeup during the year, and it grades as a third plus future offering.

He generates his stuff with a loose, clean arm action. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he has an ideal pitcher's frame that exudes durability as well as athleticism. He eventually should pitch with above-average command, tough he didn't show it in 2007. Kershaw is a little slow to the playe, but is cognizant of baserunners. He employs a slide-step effectively and has a good pickoff move. His makeup and competitivness are off the chards, and he's lauded for his humility off the field.

After Kershaw posted a 54-5 strikeout-walk mark in his pro debut, he failed to maintain his focus and delivery during 2007, which led to erratic command. He's workin gon improving the timing of his shoulder tilt. He tends to load his left shoulder late, causing his arm to drag during his follow-through, a correctable flaw. It makes him misfire up in the strike zone, and when he overcompensates, he begins to bury his pitchers in the dirt.

Because of exceptional life on his fastball and the fact it gained velocity in 2007, learning to harness it will be an important step. His focus also waves at times. The shape of his breaking ball is somewhat inconsistent and he'll need to continue to work on sharpening his secondary pitches.

Kershaw offers a promising combination of front-of-the-rotation stuff and the work ethic to reach his ceiling as an ace. Some in the organization say his stuff is more advanced than Chad Billingsley's and Jonathan Broxton's at the same stage of their development. Now he has to apply the polish. He'll most likely open what could be his last season in the minors in Double-A.

Elbert has made his return to a minor league roster. He had been in extended spring training recovering from surgery. He's pitched 2 games in relief for the Suns

Jacksonville Suns: Stats: Player

Code:

Date	OPP	W	L	ERA	SV	IP	H	ER	BB	SO
Jun 04	MOB	1	0	0.00	0	1.0	0	0	1	1
Jun 07	@CAR	0	0	0.00	0	1.2	2	0	0	2
Totals		1	0	0.00	0	2.2	2	0	1	3

Craig (PA): Whatever happened to Scott Elbert?

SportsNation Keith Law: (1:36 PM ET ) Shoulder surgery last May. I took some criticism for leaving him off of my prospect rankings this offseason, but shoulder surgeries are serious business for pitchers, and most pitchers who have one either don't come back at all or come back with less stuff. Will Kline of Tampa Bay is in that boat now, out for the year, probably won't have the same velo when he returns.

He has yet to pitch this season, but Baseball America is still high on him while other(Law) aren't because of his injury.

Here is the handbook profile.

#4 Scott Elbert
LHP
B-L
T-L
6-2 190

Originally Posted by Baseball America

Elbert entered 2007 among the minors' elite pitching prospects, but he made just three starts before being shut down with a shoulder injury in April. He had surgery to remove scar tissue from his labrum in June and missed the rest of the season. He was throwing at 75 percent up to 70 feet off flat ground by November.

A talented athlete who was an all-Missouri running back in high school, Elbert has outstanding arm strength and two plus pitches. When he's healthy, his fastball sits at 90-92 MPH and touches 96. His two-plane curveball has the spin, shape, and deception of a legitimate wipeout pitch against both lefties and righties.

His work ethic and competitiveness should aid in his recovery effort. Elbert's delivery has some effort and his mechanics may cause stress on his shoulder. He has a tendency to rush through his windup, which causes his arm to drag and contributes to below-average command.

His secondary stuff is inconsistent, and he needs to improve the feel of his changeup. He had displayed durability in the past and his mechanical flaws are correctable, so there's reason to believe Elbert will recover his status. He profiles as a No. 2 or 3 starter, and he could wind up a top-flight closer if moved to the bullpen. If he's healthy he'll begin 2008 in Double-A

Is it just me, or are the Dodgers truly cursed when it comes to developing a lefty starter? Kuo... Miller... Elbert...

I fear for Kershaw, and if you're superstitious you should too.

Originally Posted by Wolvie

Is it just me, or are the Dodgers truly cursed when it comes to developing a lefty starter? Kuo... Miller... Elbert...

I fear for Kershaw, and if you're superstitious you should too.

Maybe that's why they made Loney a hitter!

Cole St. Clair

I know this kid's Mom. He had a few injuries but is an outstanding relief pitcher

Some Dodger stuff

Paolo (Tempe, AZ): Thoughts on Ethan Martin, Hitter Vs. Pitcher?

SportsNation Keith Law: Liked him both ways. Dodgers intend to send him out as a pitcher. More polished as a hitter, to me, but more upside on the mound.

BronBron (Cleveland, OH): Jim, What's your take on Kershaw's start so far? I know we shouldn't expect greatness out of a 20 year old this early but it seems many of today's top prospects (Bruce, Braun, Gallardo, etc.) have shined early on in their careers. The walk rate has me a bit concerned.

SportsNation Jim Callis: Way too early to be concerned. A lot of rookie pitchers nibble rather than challenge hitters initially. Check out Chad Billingsley's rookie walk rate, though he hasn't chopped it down a ton since

Baseball Toaster: Dodger Thoughts : Logan White's Got Needs

Great read on the Dodgers draft overall.

Dodgers asst GM Logan White has news for you - PE.com - Professional Sports

"I promise you, this is one of the best (draft classes)," said White, adding he would be surprised if it were not among the top 3 while with the Dodgers. "I love it when they say it's not a good draft. Usually, that's an indicator it might not be (bad)."