Thread: Official Dodger Prospects Thread

Originally Posted by DiehardKingsFan

Can't wait to see him with the big club. I am glad he'll be spending the year in the minors. No need to rush him.

Definitely sounds like the Dodgers plan on using Kershaw in some capacity later on in the season.

Torre said the challenge with Kershaw in the season's early months is to give him enough innings to improve while keeping him fresh enough to help the Major League team in the second half of a long season.

Part of the plan is for Kershaw, after making a handful of starts, to spend some time in the bullpen to conserve his arm, a tactic the organization is using with many of their young starters.

Minor League Baseball: News: Article

With Lu making the team, I'll do his write up.

#3 Chin-Lung Hu
SS
B-R
T-R
6-0 165

Originally Posted by Baseball America

While high-profile Pacific Rim signees Chin-Feng Chen and Hong-Chi Kuo didn't pan out for Los Angeles, Hu has persevered and developed into a valuable prospect. After a poor offensive season in 2006, he came to camp 10 pounds heavier and produced the best numbers of his career. He was the MVP of the Futures Game, the Dodgers' minor league hitter of the year and a September callup.

A line-drive hitter with barrel awareness, Hu cleaned mechanical flaws in his swing and improved his plate coverage and ability to make hard contact. He has a tendency to step in the bucket with his front foot, but when he remains closed he hits the top half of the ball consistently, and uses all fields. He likes fastballs early in counts, but shows good pitch recognition and plate discipline.

His well-above average defensive package - with arm strength, footwork, and hands of a Gold Glover- always will be his best asset. He has slightly above-average speed and runs the bases well. He's a hard worker with strong makeup.

Hu had a career .397 slugging percentage entering 2007, and even with the improvements, his power grades below-average. Avoiding bad habits with his swing will be vital to his ability to produce against more advanced pitchers. Rafael Furcal is entering the final year of his contract, so Hu will compete with Tony Abreu for a utility-infield job in spring training. Hu could spend most of the season in Triple-A and will be posed to take over in 2009 if he can replicate his offensive success.

Originally Posted by ASUcruz

Definitely sounds like the Dodgers plan on using Kershaw in some capacity later on in the season.



Minor League Baseball: News: Article

Speculation is already out there that Kershaw will be used in the same way Joba was last year for the Yankess.. So I guess we can expect the "Clayton rules" when he is recalled.

Originally Posted by Frolov24

Speculation is already out there that Kershaw will be used in the same way Joba was last year for the Yankess.. So I guess we can expect the "Clayton rules" when he is recalled.

Yea, sounds about right. Kershaw can definitley be a weapon out of the bullpen down the stretch. I hope Meloan succeeds in his bid to be a starting pitcher, but if he doesn't I expect him to be up late in the season as well. Kershaw, Meloan, Broxton. Plenty of power arms to set up Saito.

Not much Dodger content in the BA chat today. But in the interests of keeping this thread going...

Mike (LA): Kershaw/Billingsley or Cain/Lincecum? I NEED To KNOW!!

SportsNation Jim Callis: So tough . . . Kershaw/Billingsley.

Bob, AZ: Kershaw O/U 12 starts this year?

SportsNation Jim Callis: Over. We're talking in Los Angeles, I assume.

Steve (NY): Clayton Kershaw will compete for the NL Cy Young in ______.

SportsNation Jim Callis: 2010.

Keith Law chat wrap

Dennis (Santa Clarita, CA): What is the plan for Kershaw? A month in Jacksonville, a month in Las Vegas; and if all goes well to LA? Anticipating that Laoiza pitching like he has for last couple of years (badly).

SportsNation Keith Law: I don't know their plan, but I would approve of any plan that avoids Vegas. Why send your best young pitcher - the best in the minors - to a great hitters' park? Better to leave him in AA a little longer, and let him continue to develop as a long reliever in LA.

Here's an organizational depth chart

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/970/bigboard.htm

Brought to you from the good people at truebluela.com

Originally Posted by ASUcruz

Here's an organizational depth chart

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/970/bigboard.htm

Brought to you from the good people at truebluela.com

Interesting to see Mattingly at second, hopefully he improves with the glove this season.

Kershaw, McDonald, and Meloan had starts this week with mixed results. Kershaw and McDonald are both in Double-A while Meloan is in Triple-A

Kershaw

3 Innings Pitched
2 Hits Allowed
2 Runs Allowed (One Earned)
4 Ks
2 BBs
And the Loss

Jacksonville Suns: Scoreboard: Scoreboard

McDonald

3 Innings Pitched
6 Hits Allowed
3 Runs Allowed (2 Earned)
2 Ks

Jacksonville Suns: Scoreboard: Scoreboard

FYI: Brazoban K'd the side for the Save

Meloan

4 Innings Pitched
7 Hits Allowed
2 Runs Allowed (All Earned)
3 Ks

Las Vegas 51s: Scoreboard: Scoreboard

Also Greg Miller(AAA) working as a reliever has worked in 2 games. He's 0-1, 2 IPs, 2 ER, BB, 4 Ks