Written by: Jake Tweedie
Follow him on Twitter: @MLBUKAnalysis1
Follow Prospects Worldwide on Twitter: @ProspectsWorldW
**Right below is the Dodgers Top 20 list simplified. Scroll further down for FULL Present/Future Grades, FV, ETA, and summaries on EACH PLAYER ranked in the system! Tons of Statistics on each player as well! Some player highlights, future outlooks and more enjoy!**
| Rank | Name | Position | How Acquired |
| 1 | Gavin Lux | SS / 2B | 1st Round: 20th Overall – 2016 Draft |
| 2 | Keibert Ruiz | C | International FA Signing 2014 |
| 3 | Josiah Gray | RHP | Trade with Reds |
| 4 | Brusdar Graterol | RHP | Trade with Twins |
| 5 | Kody Hoese | 3B | 1st Round: 25th Overall – 2019 Draft |
| 6 | Diego Cartaya | C | International FA Signing 2018 |
| 7 | Michael Busch | 2B | 1st Round: 31st Overall – 2019 Draft |
| 8 | Andy Pages | OF | International FA Signing 2017 |
| 9 | Miguel Vargas | 3B | International FA Signing 2017 |
| 10 | Jacob Amaya | SS / 2B | 11th Round – 2017 Draft |
| 11 | Clayton Beeter | RHP | CBB Round – 2020 Draft |
| 12 | Bobby Miller | RHP | 1st Round: 29th Overall – 2020 Draft |
| 13 | Luis Rodriguez | OF | International FA Signing 2019 |
| 14 | Kendall Williams | RHP | Trade with Blue Jays |
| 15 | Alex De Jesus | 3B | International FA Signing 2018 |
| 16 | Gerardo Carrillo | RHP | International FA Signing 2016 |
| 17 | Michael Grove | RHP | 2nd Round – 2018 Draft |
| 18 | Ryan Pepiot | RHP | 3rd Round – 2019 Draft |
| 19 | Andre Jackson | RHP | 12th Round – 2017 Draft |
| 20 | Edwin Uceta | RHP | International FA Signing 2016 |
1. Gavin Lux – SS / 2B– MLB
22 Years Old – Bat: L – Throw: R – Ht: 6’2 Wt: 190
| Hit | Raw Power | Power | Speed | Arm | Field | FV |
| 60/70 | 60/70 | 60/60 | 55/55 | 50/50 | 50/50 | 70 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .347 | .421 | .607 | 1.208 | 26 | 10 | 6 | 19.5% | 11.7% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .260 | 166 | 8.5% | 47.9% | 23.1% | 29% | 41.7% | 28.1% | 30.3% |
The standout prospect in the Dodgers’ system, Lux excelled at Rookie ball in his debut season before being brought back down slightly at Great Lakes in 2017, where he finished with an average of .244. This was just a blip though as he has dominated ever since. He finished with a .300+ average in 2018 and 2019, whilst playing at 3 different levels, all expertly. This earned him a call-up to the Majors in 2019, and despite not setting the world on fire, he has developed himself in all aspects.
He has a smooth left-handed swing that has plenty of loft and quick bat speed. There has been an increase in his strength, a fine-tuning of his action to include the use of his legs and an advanced approach at the plate. His power certainly has shone through in his Minors career but has yet to truly showcase itself in the Majors. With some adjustments and more experience playing against better pitchers, there’s every possibility that will improve.
Defensively he has a solid baseball IQ and reads the game really well. He has quick, soft hands and worked on his throwing to become more accurate and more of a threat in the field. He was used regularly at 2B due to Seager at SS, but with the right guidance and improvements, he can cement himself as first-choice in that position. There is still plenty of work to do but the offensive capabilities are superior to that of his fellow Dodgers’ prospects.
2. Keibert Ruiz – C – Oklahoma City Dodgers (AAA)
21 Years Old – Bat: S – Throw: R – Ht: 6’0 Wt: 225 – ETA: 2021
| Hit | Raw Power | Power | Speed | Arm | Field | FV |
| 40/60 | 35/45 | 30/40 | 25/25 | 50/50 | 50/55 | 50 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .261 | .331 | .347 | .679 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6.3% | 8.6% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .086 | 89 | 4.8% | 44.5% | 21.6% | 33.9% | 44.6% | 23.5% | 32% |
The 2nd prospect on the list is also another to make his mark on the Majors, hitting a home run in the middle of August 2020. Despite being bought due to his defensive capabilities, his bat proved to be more advanced than expected and he had a quick jump up through the system. This came about because of a .374 average with 27 XBHs in 2016. He continued his .300+ ability in 2017, before grinding to a halt at Tulsa, where he posted the worst offensive numbers of his career.
As an offensive threat, he is extremely disciplined and his SO rate is really low. His switch-hitting ability makes him an intriguing prospect, and he can make contact from both sides of the plate. The left-handed side of him has hit 27 HRs in his first 5 seasons of pro ball, including a Major League HR, but his right-handed side isn’t far behind in terms of getting him on base and making things happen.
Despite a slightly unorthodox stance and action, he makes it work with what he wants to achieve and clearly works for him due to his continued ability to stay above .300 BA. This may have to be fine-tuned when in the Majors more regularly but so far it has worked for him.
Defensively his arm can be a bit hit-and-miss due to his iffy accuracy but he has power in his throw. From a catchers’ perspective he is agile, good hands and at times can be solid behind the plate. However, this isn’t consistent enough and although his bat plays well he will need to develop his defensive side in order to get a run of games in the Majors. Overall though an exciting player with plenty of ability.
3. Josiah Gray – RHP – Tulsa Drillers (AA)
22 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’1 Wt: 190 – ETA: 2021
| Fastball | Curveball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV |
| 55/60 | 50/50 | 50/55 | 45/50 | 50/60 | 50 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 130 | 26 | 25 | 2.28 | 0.99 | 28.5% | 6% | 0.21 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 16% | 3.48 | 37.8% | 16.7% | 45.5% | 45.1% | 25% | 29.9% |
Picked up by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2018 Draft, he was traded to the Dodgers in a deal that saw Puig, Wood, Kemp, and Farmer all offloaded. He made a solid impression in his first season in pro ball with a 2-2 record, an ERA of 2.58, and 59 SOs in 52.1 innings. This led to him being bumped up to Great Lakes Loons for 2019, before a promotion to Rancho after just 5 appearances. He dominated with a 7-0 record at A Adv, with 80 SOs in 67.1 innings, before the second promotion to Tulsa in AA. His pitching ability is particularly impressive considering he only became a full-time pitcher in the Summer of 2017. He was also named the Dodgers’ minor league pitcher of the season.
His fastball sits between 92-97mph but plays up with deceptive velocity to generate swings and misses. It jumps out of his hand with riding action and rises in the strike zone. His standout pitch and is much better than what the velocity suggests.
His secondary pitches include a slider, a curveball, and a changeup. His slider is sharp, in the low-80s and works well with his FB with its slight downer action. He can manipulate his action to becoming more of a looping pitch and be his curveball. It is a softer pitch and becomes an elusive pitch due to its deception. His changeup is his least developed pitch with minimal movement. He repeats his delivery well but lacks real command.
He doesn’t have the smoothest delivery but he has tightened it up and worked with other pitches to try and develop them. His fastball is commanded well so just needs more emphasis on his breaking balls. A potential starter if he can fine-tune his delivery.
4. Brusdar Graterol – RHP – MLB
22 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’1 Wt: 265
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV |
| 70/70 | 60/60 | 40/45 | 40/50 | 50 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 61 | 18 | 11 | 1.92 | 0.98 | 25.9% | 9.8% | 0.44 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 14.1% | 3.45 | 55.5% | 13% | 31.5% | 33.8% | 26.4% | 39.9% |
Signed by the Twins in 2014, he made a handful of appearances in the DOSL before Tommy John Surgery ruled him out in 2016. He was traded to the Dodgers before the 2020 season in the Kent Maeda deal, with 10 Major League appearances under his belt. Although he has only reached 100 innings once in his career, he is seen as a bullpen arm whose stuff could overpower hitters in later innings.
His fastball sits in the upper-90s and is consistent throughout his spell. It is a heavy pitch, with plenty of sink, that leads to SOs and groundouts. There is the ability to reach triple digits, which is impressive considering his casual approach and low effort action. His technique allows him to pitch around the zone and do so effectively.
His secondary pitches include a changeup and a slider. His changeup is not often used and isn’t his best pitch. It will need further development, but his current role in the bullpen allows for this not to be a top pitch. His slider, however, has plenty of command and works well with his FB. It sits in the low-90s with plenty of movement and has hitters swinging and missing due to its movement away from RHH.
Overall, his command has improved, especially his FB and SL. This has enabled him to be a valuable asset coming out of the pen due to his ability to mix those 2 pitches so well. His explosive velocity and ability to pick up SOs have seen him make 24 appearances in the Majors, with 23.2 innings pitched, showing his versatility and the role the Dodgers see for him.
5. Kody Hoese – 3B – Great Lakes Loons (A)
23 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’4 Wt: 200 – ETA: 2023
| Hit | Raw Power | Power | Speed | Arm | Field | FV |
| 35/50 | 50/55 | 35/55 | 40/40 | 55/55 | 45/50 | 45+ |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .299 | .380 | .483 | .863 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 14.6% | 10.5% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .184 | 140 | 9.9% | 44.7% | 20.3% | 35% | 36.8% | 23.2% | 40% |
Drafted in the first round last year he spent his debut season mixed between LAD Mota and Great Lakes Loons. He took well to Rookie ball with a .357 BA and 9 XBHs, with nearly as many walks as strikeouts (10/11). His promotion led to an average season without standing out but developed well whilst showing his ability to hold his own.
He uses his frame well to create nice leverage alongside his smooth action and swing. He also uses his hips and lower body to shift his weight and momentum to get under the ball. There is the ability to generate above-average power and this bodes well alongside his ability to hit around the field and have good plate discipline. There is the projection to develop his power to be an extremely useful tool with his ability to launch the ball at a good angle. Emphasis is needed on his swing and how he develops this for more XBHs, seeing as he has not long had his power potential and strength so education is needed to utilize this to his advantage.
Defensively he has solid arm strength and decent range from 3B. However, there lacks consistency in the field despite his ability to make plays. He will need to work on this or shift to the other corner to be a prominent name in the line-up. There is the bat potential to stick at 3B but his agility and positioning will also need to be focused on.
6. Diego Cartaya – C – AZL Dodgers Mota (ROK)
18 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’2 Wt: 199 – ETA: 2024
| Hit | Raw Power | Power | Speed | Arm | Field | FV |
| 25/50 | 50/55 | 30/50 | 35/30 | 60/60 | 45/55 | 45+ |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .281 | .343 | .432 | .775 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 20.3% | 7.7% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .151 | 111 | 27.8% | 36.2% | 17% | 46.8% | 52.4% | 21.1% | 26.5% |
His first year in pro ball came last year after signing in 2018. He spent the season at Rookie levels, firstly in the DOSL before joining LAD Mota. He had a .281/.343/.432 line with 18 XBH so he didn’t stand out but had steady progression in his first exposure. The young catcher has plenty of potential despite not being as big a name as Keibert Ruiz.
For a young player, he has a good feel for the barrel and has a good awareness of the strike zone. He has the potential to hit around the field with hard contact. His nice solid stance allows him to generate just below average power with the potential for more with the right strengthening. His ability to drive the ball in the air is also key to his current successes.
Despite not being the strongest of players, he has projection for more and will focus on this raw power moving forward and start integrating it into his everyday play.
Defensively he has plus arm strength with decent throwing accuracy to get out base runners. He is also agile and has quick hands with the maturity to make the right calls and is a presence behind the plate. Although Ruiz is the Dodgers’ number 1 catching prospect, Cartaya is not far behind.
7. Michael Busch – 2B – Great Lakes Loons (A)
22 Years Old – Bat: L – Throw: R – Ht: 6’0 Wt: 207 – ETA: 2023
| Hit | Raw Power | Power | Speed | Arm | Field | FV |
| 30/50 | 40/55 | 35/50 | 45/45 | 45/45 | 35/40 | 45+ |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .125 | .371 | .125 | .496 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14.4% | 20% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .000 | 81 | 10.5% | 21.1% | 26.3% | 52.6% | 35% | 10% | 55% |
He played just 10 games in his debut season due to a hand injury. There wasn’t much chance to show his ability as he averaged just .125 with no XBHs. There is hope for him though as he did establish himself as one of the best all-round hitters in the 2019 Draft. He will hope for more time and experience in 2021 to really showcase his talents.
He controls the strike zone well and even though he struggled in 2019, he still wasn’t struck out that often and still had more walks than strikeouts. He has a slightly bent forward stance but has the discipline to hold off making any movement until he knows the pitch type. His nice kick and quick bat speed in his action allow him to drive the ball around the field with average power. His HRs from college have shown how he moves his bat quickly and bounces out of his bent stance to generate the power through his legs, alongside a decent launch angle.
He has a below-average arm but has played multi-sports so is fairly accurate and able to make plays when needed. He isn’t a standout fielder though, more suited to 2B or even 1B but is an area he will need to work on to be a regular in the line-up. His bat plays up enough to carry him forward but will need a clean season in 2021 to take advantage.
8. Andy Pages – OF – Ogden Raptors (ROA)
19 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’1 Wt: 180 – ETA: 2024
| Hit | Raw Power | Power | Speed | Arm | Field | FV |
| 25/40 | 55/60 | 30/55 | 50/50 | 60/60 | 40/50 | 45+ |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .298 | .398 | .651 | 1.049 | 19 | 7 | 6 | 28.3% | 9.3% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .353 | 165 | 14.4% | 22.6% | 23.9% | 53.5% | 49.4% | 26.9% | 23.8% |
After a fairly average 2018 season, the advanced hitter excelled with some big hitting for the Ogden Raptors in 2019. He led the league in XBH, while being second in HRs, TBs, and SLG. The youngster did well offensively but also defensively. If he can continue to develop consistently then he has every chance of excelling through the system quickly.
He is well-rounded in terms of his ability to create decent bat speed and make good contact with the ball, but he can also generate enough power to lead to 43 XBH last year. Although he is not projected to be a powerful player, his good leverage leads to XBHs. He has the habit of being struck out often, especially as he leaves his leg up high before the pitch arrives. This action can sometimes lead to him being closed up and unable to drive the ball into all areas of the field.
Defensively he has a strong arm with the ability to make plays from the outfield. He has plenty of development left physically so this could always increase. There is the potential to be an average fielder, as he relies on his instincts and speed to get to the ball, but he can make a few errors and doesn’t have the best fielding percentage (.955).
Overall he has shown improvements in all aspects of his game offensively, but he could reduce his SOs with a more refined approach and less focus on XBHs. He has the ability to generate power with his solid contact and this will need to be replicated as he moves forward. Defensively there are question marks but with further development and guidance he should reach his potential of an average fielder. There may be the option of moving to corner outfielder due to his bat.
9. Miguel Vargas – 3B – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A Adv)
20 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’3 Wt: 205 – ETA: 2022
| Hit | Raw Power | Power | Speed | Arm | Field | FV |
| 35/55 | 40/55 | 30/50 | 40/40 | 55/55 | 40/45 | 45 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .308 | .380 | .440 | .820 | 7 | 13 | 4 | 14.8% | 9.8% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .132 | 134 | 9.6% | 39.4% | 21.4% | 39.2% | 34.4% | 28.6% | 37% |
He has excelled quickly after signing in 2017. He had a decent spell at Rookie-level in 2018 with a .419 average at AZL Dodgers and a .394 average at Ogden Raptors, with a not-so-impressive spell at Great Lakes sandwiched in-between. 2019 was his breakout year as he averaged .325 with 20 doubles, 2 triples, and 5 HRs for Great Lakes before a promotion to Rancho, where he continued to excel. His average of .284, with 18 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 HRs was topped off with a 20/40 BB/K ratio in 54 appearances.
He has strong bat-to-ball skills that have seen him pushed up the system quickly, and done so with incredible form. His regular contact-making and average power potential is helped by a strong, solid stance that allows him to open his body up. This usually means hitting to all areas of the field and doing so with precision. He does lack, however, the step-up from doubles to HRs, but with work has the potential to get better and produce better results. This could be from an added kick to his action that would allow him to generate more power through the movement of his body.
Defensively he has solid arm strength and makes decent throws. There are question marks on his ability to stay at 3B as his bat isn’t quite there yet and he’s not the most agile or quickest in the field. He is projected just below average but the Dodgers seem happy with his progression.
If he can continue the way he left off in 2019 then he isn’t far away from the Majors roster. There will need to be some defensive improvements but his offensive ceiling is far more appealing.
10. Jacob Amaya – SS/2B – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A Adv)
21 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’0 Wt: 180 – ETA: 2022
| Hit | Raw Power | Power | Speed | Arm | Field | FV |
| 35/55 | 45/45 | 25/40 | 50/50 | 50/50 | 45/55 | 45 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .260 | .369 | .391 | .760 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 17.5% | 14.5% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .131 | 123 | 5.6% | 46.6% | 15.7% | 37.7% | 44.8% | 24.8% | 30.4% |
Since signing in 2017 above slot in the 11th round he has progressed steadily. His first year saw a .254 average in just 34 appearances before coming on strong in 2018. This included an average of .346 with Ogden Raptors, and promotion to Great Lakes, where he held his own and showed off his good plate discipline against better pitchers. His 2019 season saw him start at Great Lakes, where he excelled with his power hitting, before ending up at Rancho.
He has good plate discipline and judgment, that has seen him have a walk to strikeout ratio of 147/170 in 217 appearances. He has a smooth swing and action that allows him to hit to all areas of the field, and he does so with a decent barrel. There is the ability to produce more power, and he showed this in spells in 2019.
His hard contact and launch angle helped him increase his XBHs in 2019, as well as showing a bit more strength as a whole. His action allows him to put his body through the ball and generate his just under average power.
Defensively he has a strong, accurate arm that is decent at making plays across the diamond. His strong baseball IQ allows him to make plays and be versatile if needed. He also has quick and reliable hands.
He has shown progression over the past few seasons and his 2019 campaign set himself up for a solid year in 2020. There will need to be some focus as he switches back into it in 2021 due to the gap in the Minors but he has the potential to progress further and quickly when they return.
11. Bobby Miller – RHP – Drafted 2020
21 Years Old – Bat: L – Throw: R – Ht: 6’5 Wt: 220 – ETA: 2023
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV |
| 60/60 | 55/60 | 45/50 | 35/45 | 45 |
No Professional Stats
Picked up in the 1st round of the 2020 Draft, Miller started off as a reliever before converting to a starter in 2019. He was more of a thrower than a pitcher when he was relieving, but this changed significantly when he became part of Louisville’s weekend rotation. His initial ERA of 3.83 with 86/38 in 80 innings had scouts earmarking him as a reliever, but he came on strong in 2020, producing an ERA of 2.31 and 34/9 in just 23.1 innings. This is partly down to his arsenal becoming more refined, and he started showing some control with his velocity.
His fastball sits in the mid-90s, which has plenty of life and causes swings and misses. It is his most consistent pitch and he uses his height well to create his velocity and his action allows him to work deeper into innings with it.
His secondary pitches include a changeup and a slider. His changeup sits in the mid-80s and he shows a decent feel for it, although it needs more work to develop it into a better pitch. His slider sits in the upper-80s and its velocity plays off his FB well. His command over it is good and it shows more velocity over bite but is also a pitch that is improving.
His command has improved significantly over the past few years. He mixes his FB/SL combo much more effectively and showed more control to pick up more SOs. He started to dictate ABs more and this allowed him to showcase his big arm that could easily reach 100mph. Now it is about developing his secondary pitches, and if he does he could be a useful asset to the pitching line-up. If not, his big arm could be extremely useful coming out of the bullpen with his potential 100mph FB.
12. Clayton Beeter – RHP – Drafted 2020
21 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’2 Wt: 220 – ETA: 2023
| Fastball | Curveball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV |
| 60/60 | 55/60 | 45/50 | 45/50 | 35/50 | 45 |
No Professional Stats
Despite missing all of the 2018 season with Tommy John Surgery, he came back as a closer in his redshirt freshman year and showed his ability to pick up regular SOs. He had 40 SOs and 20 BBs in 20.2 innings. Although he walked far too many, his 8 saves led to him being named in the All-Big 12 Second Team. The 2020 season saw him return as a starter and he allowed his stock to improve due to a 2-1 record, 2.14 ERA, and 33/4 in 21 innings. This showed his ability to come back from injury and showcase himself as a starter as well as a reliever.
His fastball sits in the mid-90s and plays up due to his over the top release point and downward action. He can also put plenty of spin on his delivery, and this alongside his improved velocity makes it a dangerous pitch.
His secondary pitches include a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. His curveball is a sharp breaking pitch with a 12-6 action. He can slow this down or can increase his velocity dependent on what is needed. He is a lot more confident with his slider alongside its high spin rates to allow it to be used with his FB well. His changeup lacks a little bit of movement and this reduces its effectiveness.
He has improved significantly since his injury and this has allowed him to come back strong in 2020, granted albeit due to a small sample size. He added a slider and a changeup to further boost his arsenal and these are both average pitches, which shows his progression and ability to develop.
A player that could be a starter or a reliever, this should be decided with more exposure to both roles within the organization and see how he reacts.
13. Luis Rodriguez – OF – International FA Signing 2019
18 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’2 Wt: 175 – ETA: 2025
| Hit | Raw Power | Power | Speed | Arm | Field | FV |
| 25/50 | 40/55 | 35/50 | 55/50 | 55/55 | 40/50 | 40+ |
No Professional Stats
Signed in 2019 for $2.6 Million, the young Venezuelan shows natural ability and pure hitting with solid instincts. He shows the complete skill set needed to play in pro ball, but needs that exposure and experience to see how he develops within the system.
He has good plate discipline, with a solid stance that allows him to generate average power around the field. His consistent hard contact could lead to multiple XBHs, and alongside his projectable body, he has the potential to become much stronger with development within the organization.
Defensively he has an above-average arm that allows him to play around the outfield but could see him stick at CF with a nice glove and high baseball IQ. There will be adjustments required in the American game but with the right development, he could do well in both offensive and defensive. It will be interesting to see how he develops in 2021 with minor league baseball.
14. Kendall Williams – RHP – GCL Blue Jays (ROK)
20 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’6 Wt: 205 – ETA: 2024
| Fastball | Curveball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV |
| 50/55 | 45/55 | 40/50 | 40/55 | 35/50 | 40+ |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 16.0 | 6 | 5 | 1.13 | 0.81 | 30.2% | 11.1% | 0.00 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 29.9% | 3.32 | 32.4% | 17.6% | 50.0% | 47.2% | 31.6% | 22.2% |
Acquired in the Ross Stripling trade on deadline day, Williams was only drafted in 2019 by the Toronto Blue Jays. He made just 16 appearances in the Gulf Coast League but showed plenty of ability to pick up strikes. He has plenty of projection and room to build.
His fastball sits 92-96mph with plenty of late-life and causes problems coming from a big downhill plane. With his large frame, there is plenty of potential to get quicker, even more so with better command.
His secondary pitches include a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. His curveball stays in the low-80s and fits perfectly with his high 3/4 slot and the use of the downhill plane. His slider is a solid pitch that works down and hard. It could develop into more of a cutter down the line. His changeup flashes great fade and dives out of the zone.
He has good body control for someone his size and uses his downhill plane extremely well. His delivery repetition is consistent and he throws strikes well. He will need to focus more on command and has plenty of upsides if he stays healthy. It could turn out to be a decent acquisition, alongside the other PTBNL.
15. Alex De Jesus – 3B – AZL Dodgers Mota (ROK)
18 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’2 Wt: 170 – ETA: 2024
| Hit | Raw Power | Power | Speed | Arm | Field | FV |
| 25/50 | 40/55 | 25/50 | 35/35 | 60/60 | 40/45 | 40+ |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .281 | .340 | .392 | .732 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 29.9% | 8.3% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .111 | 102 | 35.2% | 36.1% | 26.4% | 37.5% | 51.7% | 22.8% | 25.5% |
The 2nd youngest hitter in the Rookie-level at just 17-years-old, he is a smart hitter that works both for average and power. He showed plenty of positive signs with 17 XBH but he struck out on 72 times He will need more plate discipline but that likely will come with more reps.
He has the ability to make solid contact with the ball with a compact swing. This allows him to generate average power, but he will need to further develop his discipline and pitch recognition to improve. These are both things that can be learned and developed, but in general, he plays the ball nicely around the field. His power will improve as he bulks, and he will need to do so to maintain the batting reliance of 3B.
Defensively he has a plus arm and this will only develop as he bulks up and gets stronger. This should aid him in his 3B role, and although he’s not the most agile or quickest, he will certainly improve with time and experience. There is the potential to play SS but if his bat and arm continue to develop the way it should then 3B shouldn’t be an issue.
16. Gerardo Carrillo – RHP – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A Adv)
21 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 5’10 Wt: 154 – ETA: 2022
| Fastball | Curveball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV |
| 60/60 | 50/55 | 50/55 | 35/40 | 35/45 | 40+ |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 86.0 | 23 | 21 | 5.44 | 1.60 | 21.2% | 12.6% | 0.31 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 12.1% | 4.93 | 53.3% | 19.1% | 27.6% | 47.0% | 18.7% | 34.3% |
Carrillo had an optimistic couple of years in rookie ball and then A class in 2018 after signing as an International FA in 2016. His ERA of 2.79 with a 5-2 record in 2017 showed his impressive stuff, before progressing with innings pitched per game in 2018 as well as a promotion to Great Lakes. His SO rate wasn’t particularly impressive but he had the ability to get outs and pick up results. Last season he struggled somewhat at A+, with his ERA going above 5 and having a losing record for the season. He did manage to step up his innings pitched further and his SO rate increased significantly too.
His fastball sits between 93-97mph, with the potential to show some heavy sink and reach triple digits. He isn’t the biggest of pitchers so he can’t generate a big downhill plane, as seen in a few of the other guys in the list, but he does create side arm run. Very impressive velocity and potential for further movement.
His secondary pitches include a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. His curveball sits upper-70s and has enough life to stay away from the barrel of the bat. He has decent command over it and uses the sidearm run well. His slider has plenty of life in the mid-80s and moves well. His changeup takes the velocity off well from his FB and he has the ability to control it.
He has good command over his secondary pitches and he uses his size to his advantage to create movement and add life to his pitches. He is more likely to become a bullpen arm, due to his lack of presence and potential durability. If his overall command improves then this could give him a chance to be more than a pen arm.
17. Michael Grove – RHP – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A Adv)
23 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’3 Wt: 200 – ETA: 2023
| Fastball | Curveball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV |
| 55/55 | 50/55 | 45/50 | 40/45 | 40/45 | 40+ |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 51.2 | 21 | 21 | 6.10 | 1.55 | 31.6% | 8.2% | 1.22 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 15.3% | 3.33 | 29.9% | 25.5% | 44.5% | 31.6% | 31.7% | 36.7% |
After missing his entire junior season due to Tommy John Surgery, he was signed over slot in the 2018 Draft and was given that season off to recover fully. He made his debut at A+, and despite an expensive ERA of 6.10 and a record of 0-5, he picked up 73 SOs in just 51.2 innings. There was some rustiness in his first season back but showed plenty of potential with his SO rate and ability to miss bats.
His fastball sits in the low-90s, topping at 95mph. It has a riding action with decent spin rates. He usually works high in the zone, and although this could prove costly if not pitched correctly, he shows plenty of life with the pitch and can miss bats with it.
His secondary pitches include a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. His curveball has a good bite to it but isn’t overly used. His slider is more of a harder pitch with the ability to pick up strikes alongside his FB. It sits in the mid-80s, with high spin rates and plenty of depth. It wasn’t as consistent after being shut down due to elbow discomfort. His changeup was rarely used as not much feel for it in college but is improving with it.
He picks up consistent strikes but is hit often, especially in the middle of the zone. With his high FB, there is the danger of being hit if it’s slightly off. There is control with his pitches, but command needs to come and will with experience. His secondary pitches will also need to be worked on but these are things that can be worked upon and developed.
18. Ryan Pepiot – RHP – Great Lakes Loons (A)
22 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’3 Wt: 215 – ETA: 2023
| Fastball | Slider | Changeup | Command | FV |
| 50/55 | 45/50 | 55/60 | 40/45 | 40 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 23.1 | 13 | 10 | 1.93 | 1.20 | 31.6% | 13.3% | 0.00 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 19.4% | 3.56 | 48% | 14% | 38% | 44.2% | 19.2% | 36.5% |
A productive first season in pro ball after being drafted in the 3rd round in the 2019 Draft. He made a few appearances at Rookie-level before 9 appearances for Great Lakes. He showed the ability to miss bats and to continue on from his college season of 126 SOs in a year. There wasn’t much exposure to pro ball but leaves plenty of room for when the Minors restart.
His fastball sits between 91-94, topping at 96mph. It has high spin rates and riding action. He has a slow wind-up but generates his velocity with a quick release and creates some deception with his 3/4 slot.
His secondary pitches include a slider and a changeup. His slider is a solid pitch that lacks some consistency. It is around the low-80s mark and shows some sharp movement. His changeup has plenty of fade and works well with his FB action. It is his strongest pitch and sits in the low-80s. His changeup is his true Strikeout weapon.
He has plenty of durability due to his size and although yet to be shown in pro ball, his frame and structure should project him to be a starter. He has a big kick and works across his body, giving him more control against LHH than RHH. He will need to refine his mechanics to become more effective against both sets of hitters but he has plenty to work with and could prove to be a valuable asset to the pitching staff.
19. Andre Jackson – RHP – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A Adv)
24 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’3 Wt: 210 – ETA: 2022
| Fastball | Curveball | Changeup | Command | FV |
| 55/55 | 45/50 | 50/55 | 40/45 | 40 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 114.2 | 25 | 25 | 3.06 | 1.28 | 29.2% | 11.8% | 0.47 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 14.4% | 3.53 | 46.1% | 20.7% | 33.2% | 39.6% | 23.7% | 36.7% |
Another player who missed time in his college career due to Tommy John Surgery. This affected his stock and made him a 12th round pick in the 2018 Draft. He was rested for the start of his pro ball debut season, starting off at Rookie-level before a 14-game spell at Great Lakes. His slow start of a 1-4 record and an ERA of 4.35 was quickly forgotten after a standout year in 2019. He finished with a 7-2 record across A and A Adv as well as an ERA of 3.06 for the season. His SO rate was high and he truly excelled at Rancho.
His fastball sits between 92-96, topping at 98mph. He does well with a late fade but it needs more control to be a truly effective pitch, especially against better hitters.
His secondary pitches include a curveball and a changeup. His curveball is effective but doesn’t spin too much so will need work to make his low-80s pitch more elusive. His changeup is more effective as he has more control over it. He takes the velocity off well by keeping the ball straight and slightly adjusting his arm angle to manipulate the velocity.
He is an athletic pitcher with a good action. His quick arm produces quicker pitches but comes with some command issues. He started to show the ability for more strikes but will need to continue this moving forward especially given his age in A Adv.
20. Edwin Uceta – RHP – Tulsa Drillers (AA)
22 Years Old – Bat: R – Throw: R – Ht: 6’0 Wt: 155 – ETA: 2021
| Fastball | Curveball | Changeup | Command | FV |
| 50/50 | 45/50 | 50/55 | 45/55 | 40 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 123.1 | 26 | 24 | 2.77 | 1.28 | 27% | 9.4% | 0.80 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 12.6% | 3.91 | 38.3% | 21.7% | 39.9% | 51.8% | 24.1% | 24.1% |
He has made steady progression since signed as a FA back in 2016. This has been largely in part due to more exposure to different games, which has culminated in an increase of innings pitched per season. He had his second straight season of 120+ innings in 2019 and also showed an improvement in his SO rate. Despite his smaller frame and size, he has done well as a starter and proved his worth with consistent pitching and accuracy.
His fastball sits in the low-90s with riding action that allows it to stay off the barrel. His big kick and his arm coming across his body allow the ball to stay away from RHH. Not the quickest of pitches but has good command and controls his pitch well to make it dangerous.
His secondary pitches include a curveball and a changeup. His curveball has been integrated recently so hasn’t been used too often. It has decent movement and dip, as well as coming inside to hitters. His changeup is his standout pitch. He uses his lack of power to create a pitch with fade and sink, with the deceptiveness to have hitters thinking he is producing his FB. Works well with his heater and has the same action.
He has improved significantly in most areas. His SO rate has increased, and although his walk rate has too, he is facing tougher hitters with a much smaller frame than most. Despite his lack of power, he uses what he has well and focuses more on getting within the zone or just outside rather than overpowering hitters. He has regularly shown his ability to be a starter so no doubt he will do his best to make the Majors in the same capacity.
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