Thread: Official Dodger Prospects Thread

From Keith Law

Paddy (St. Louis, MO): Keith, What were those potato chips at Trader Joes you're addicted to, and is there a SS option for the Dodgers in their farm system? I'm puzzled by report on Hu's eye problem.

SportsNation Keith Law: Barbecue potato puffs - air-popped rather than fried. Even my two-year-old daughter likes them (although the face she made after the first one was priceless). Ivan DeJesus is a no-power SS with a good glove and a decent eye - he could probably start in the big leagues next year.

From the last BA hot sheet.

No. 12
JAMES McDONALD, RHP
DODGERS
Team: Double-A Jacksonville (Southern)
Age: 22
Why He's Here: 0-0, 2.25, 12 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 1 HBP, 2 BB, 11 SO
The Scoop: An improved changeup has helped McDonald complement his plus curveball and his fastball this season, leading to 79 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings along with 25 walks and a 3.52 ERA. "Right now it seems like he's going with his changeup," Jacksonville pitching coach Glenn Dishman said. "His curveball has such tight spin and such big break that hitters have a tough time hitting it and kind of lay off it just a little bit right now, and umpires have a tough time calling it for a strike. Even though it is a strike, sometimes they're not quite sure of the strike zone with the pitch.".

Prospect stuff

Ryan (PA): Hey Jim, Who is this Steve Johnson in the Dodgers system? I just noticed he is having a solid year for the Loons.

SportsNation Jim Callis: (2:14 PM ET ) Lots of Steve Johnson questions today. He's the son of former big leaguer Dave Johnson. Solid sinker, good curveball.

Rich (Sikeston, MO): Hi Jim. Now that we've seen a little bit of what Blake DeWitt can do at the ML level (see May) before struggling this month, do you have a better read on what he might be able to do at the top level? Do you think he can be a guy that hits close to .300 with 20-25 HR power and a good glove at 3B? Or can he switch back to 2B? Thanks

SportsNation Jim Callis: (2:22 PM ET ) I do like the bat, not sure I buy quite tha much power. He's going to have to be a third baseman.

Jordan (Rocky Hill, CT): David Price or Clayton Kershaw and why? Manuel said Price...

SportsNation Jim Callis: (2:32 PM ET ) I'll say Kershaw. He's proven himself at higher levels, that's the tiebreaker for me because the stuff is comparable.

bob, las vegas: i am the proud owner of mr clayton kershaw. when am i a going to be a #1 or #2 starter? what am i working on a 3rd pitch?

SportsNation Keith Law: (1:43 PM ET ) I've seen three pitches from him (changeup). He's pretty young, could be 2-3 years before he starts to approach his ceiling.

Chat Wrap

BA chat

Kevin (Hollywood, CA): Jim, what do you think of Kyle Russell of the Dodgers. Scouts questioned his transition from metal to wood, and his bat speed. He has been murdering the ball in Ogden, is he the next Shawn Green from what I see?

SportsNation Jim Callis: (2:39 PM ET ) Way too early to call him Shawn Green. I have a ton of respect for what Russell did at Texas but he has no track record of success hitting with wood bats, and I would hope three years in the Big 12 would prepare him for Rookie ball. So while his performance has been nice, I don't think it really means much.

We need Russell to pan out, we're a bit short on OF prospects. Lambo is the only one who I can think of at the mo....

Originally Posted by sarf

We need Russell to pan out, we're a bit short on OF prospects. Lambo is the only one who I can think of at the mo....

We have Xavier Paul who is pretty close. But his ceiling isn't too high. His strength his is arm+defensive capabilities. He can hit some, but isn't really a big bat. I'll post his profile up since I haven't done anybody in awhile.

Stats all in Vegas

Code:

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
LVG	PCL	.301	70	266	50	80	16	3	5	42	117	29	66	14	3	.372	.440	.812

#23 Xavier Paul
OF
B-L
T-R
6-0 200

Originally Posted by Baseball America

Part of Los Angeles' banner draft class of 2003 that included Chad Billingsley, Matt Kemp, and Andy LaRoche. Paul hasn't moved as quickly as that trio, but he has made strides in his development the last two seasons.

He moved to Double-A last season and played his way onto the 40-man roster. He has above-average bat speed and average power with a line-drive swing that's conducive to hard contact. He'll pepper both alleys with line drives, though he drives the ball best to his pull side. His strike-zone discipline is below-average, and a proclivity to swing and miss figures to prevent him from batting atop a lineup.

He's an above-average runner who has worked diligently on his defense. He can handle all three outfield positions, but his speed and plus arm profile best in right field.

Paul was considered a five-tool talent as an amateur, but his hit and power tools have been the slowest to show up in game action. At the least he'll have value as an extra outfielder who can steal a base and deliver power off the bench. He'll keep working on his approach in Triple-A this season.

Originally Posted by sarf

We need Russell to pan out, we're a bit short on OF prospects. Lambo is the only one who I can think of at the mo....

Here are Russell's stats in Rookie A ball

Code:

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
OGD	PIO	.327	15	52	15	17	5	1	3	12	33	13	16	0	0	.464	.635	1.098