Thread: Official Dodger Prospects Thread

Originally Posted by ASUcruz

#28 Preston Mattingly
2B/SS/OF
B-R
T-R
6-3 205

Yikes

Code:

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
GLL	MID	.200	29	110	14	22	2	1	2	7	32	2	34	5	1	.221	.291	.512
Minors		.200	29	110	14	22	2	1	2	7	32	2	34	5	1	.221	.291	.512

2 BBs, 34 Ks!

It's probably to early to give up on any 20 year old but Mattingly might go down as the worst 1st round pick in recent memory.

Keith Law Chat Wrap

Brett (WI): Kershaw has thrown 58 innings above A ball. As good as those innings have been for him, is he really ready for a jump to the majors? A 20 year old skipping triple A seems like a hasty decision that only impatient NY teams make. Even with his talent level, do you think this is the Dodgers best option?

SportsNation Keith Law: (1:26 PM ET ) Given where their AAA club plays, and the way AAA has devolved into a taxi-squad league more than a prospects league, I don't mind the idea. In this individual case, Kershaw has MLB stuff, but his feel and control probably aren't ready yet, but he may survive in the majors on stuff alone as he figures the rest out.

Here's a question regarding Scott Elbert

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

Elbert had a ton of potential. Wonder how he'll do after all the injuries he's had.

Originally Posted by ASUcruz

Another guy who has started the year off well is Andrew Lambo. A local kid drafted out of HS. Lambo was named the organization's best "pure hitter" going into the season by the handbook.

Here as his numbers thus far for Single-A Midwest League

Code:

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
GLL	MID	.291	22	79	8	23	8	1	3	18	42	9	26	0	0	.360	.532	.891

And his profile from BA.

#14 Andrew Lambo
OF/1B
B-L
T-L
6-3 190

Interesting write up on Lambo.

Helium Watch: Dodgers Prospect Andrew Lambo | Baseball-Intellect

Originally Posted by ASUcruz

Yikes

Code:

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
GLL	MID	.200	29	110	14	22	2	1	2	7	32	2	34	5	1	.221	.291	.512
Minors		.200	29	110	14	22	2	1	2	7	32	2	34	5	1	.221	.291	.512

2 BBs, 34 Ks!

It's probably to early to give up on any 20 year old but Mattingly might go down as the worst 1st round pick in recent memory.

Hindsight is 20/20 but considering who the Yanks took later in the round, I'd say so.

How the hell did I miss this thread until now?

Every Friday, Baseball America puts out their hot sheet, where they highlight guys who have had a good week.

Our other stud pitching prospect, James McDonald checks in at #10 in this past weeks edition.

No. 10 JAMES McDONALD
RHP
DODGERS

Team: Double-A Jacksonville (Southern)
Age: 23
Why he's here: 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K
The Scoop: Jacksonville lefthander Clayton Kershaw gets all the attention, and rightfully so. But don't ignore McDonald, who has an impressive combination of above-average stuff, command and athleticism. One of the better-kept secrets in the minor leagues, McDonald has a 4.19 ERA with a more impressive 35-7 K-BB ratio in 34 1/3 innings. Originally drafted in 2002 as a two-way player and developed as an outfielder until 2005, McDonald is now in his third full season of pitching, showing excellent aptitude for his craft.

And here is some stuff from the follow up chat

Q: Steve from Tallahassee, Florida asks:
Is there any truth to the rumor that Clayton Kershaw will be called up and make his Major League debut on May 17th? Or is that just some over-speculation by some journalists?
A:

Ben Badler: I would be shocked if Kershaw was called up to the big leagues. The Dodgers want to limit Kershaw's workload by keeping him in the bullpen for a brief period, which is fine... I wouldn't read much more into that, especially since his command isn't big league ready right now. If anyone deserves a shot at some point in the year, it would be James McDonald before Kershaw, even though Kershaw clearly has the higher ceiling.

Q: RYAN STONE from YORBA LINDA asks:
Who is better James McDonald or Charlie Morton?? Also what postition does Brandon Waring project at in the big leagues
A:

Ben Badler: McDonald, and I don't think that one's really close.

I'll also throw up McDonald's handbook profile.

#7 James McDonald
RHP
B-L
T-R
6-5 195

Originally Posted by Baseball America

A draft-and-follow who signed for $150,000, McDonald's path to prospect status has been an uncommon one. The Dodgers liked him as a two-way player and moved him to the outfield when he came down with arm trouble after his 2003 pro debut, but he returned to the mound at the end of 2005 when he didn't hit.

The son of former NFL tight end James and the cousin of big leaguers Darnell and Donzell McDonald, he has athletic bloodlines.

McDonald has above-average command of three average to plus offerings. His curveball is the best in the system, with depth and 11-to-5 shape, and he has the feel to throw it in any count. His 87-93 MPH fastball plays up because of deception in his delivery and his ablity to add and subtract velocity. He effectively sells his changeup, which shows occasional plus sink and fade.

He always had a loose, clean arm action, and has improved his extension, which gave him better command and life on his pitches. McDonald still is honing his consistency of hiss tuff and his mechanics, and growing into his slender frame. A possible No. 3 starter, McDonald most likely will open 2008 in Double-A with a chance to move to Triple-A at midseason

Code:

Team	League	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO	AVG
JAX	SOU	1	1	4.19	7	7	0	0	0	34.1	34	17	16	3	7	35	0.97	.26

Originally Posted by ASUcruz

Here's a guy I know the Dodgers are high on. Another infielder turned catcher and he's off to a fast start this season in Jacksonville.

Code:

Team	League	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
JAX	SOU	.319	20	72	16	23	9	0	5	16	47	10	17	0	0	.400	.653	1.053
Minors		.319	20	72	16	23	9	0	5	16	47	10	17	0	0	.400	.653	1.053

#17 Lucas May
C
B-R
T-R
6-0 190

An mini update on May's progress

Double-A Jacksonville C Lucas May (Dodgers) committed 31 passed balls last season with high Class A Inland Empire after converting to catcher from third base in instructional league the previous fall. He only has two passed balls this year in 23 games behind the dish, and he hit .381/.409/.810 with two homers and three doubles in the last seven days

BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Prospect Hot Sheet: Prospect Hot Sheet: May 2-9