Written By: Austin Farmer & Drake Mann & Matt Heckman
Follow them on Twitter:@AustinF0421, @DrakeMann4, @Heckman_Matt115
Follow Prospects Worldwide on Twitter:@ProspectsWorldW
**Here’s the podcast edition of the Dodgers Risers and Shiners List for you Podcast lovers!**
**Right below is the Dodgers Risers and Shiners list simplified. Scroll further down for FULL Future Grades, Role, ETA, and summaries on EACH PLAYER ranked on this list! Tons of 2021 Statistics on each player as well! Some player highlights, future outlooks and more enjoy!**
| Rank | Player | Position | How Acquired |
| 1 | Miguel Vargas | OF | International FA Signing 2017 |
| 2 | Diego Cartaya | C | International FA Signing 2018 |
| 3 | Michael Busch | 2B | 1st Round: 31st Overall – 2019 Draft |
| 4 | Ryan Pepiot | RHP | 3rd Round – 2019 Draft |
| 5 | Bobby Miller | RHP | 1st Round: 29th Overall – 2020 |
| Risers | |||
| 1 | Eddys Leonard | SS | International FA Signing 2017 |
| 2 | Jose Ramos | OF | International FA Signing 2018 |
| 3 | Landon Knack | RHP | 2nd Round – 2020 Draft |
| 4 | Andy Pages | OF | International FA Signing 2017 |
| 5 | Wilman Diaz | LHP | International FA Signing 2021 |
1. Miguel Vargas INF | Oklahoma City Dodgers (AAA)
22-Years-Old | Throws: R | Bats: R | 6’3″ | 205 lbs. | ETA: 2022
| HIT | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 60 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .319 | .380 | .526 | .906 | 23 | 11 | 1 | 16.4% | 8.3% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .207 | 142 | 9.4% | 29.7% | 22.5% | 47.8% | 43.1% | 25.3% | 31.6% |
Scouting Report:
Vargas is one of my favorite prospects in the minors simply because he’s so underrated. Vargas to me is easily the #1 prospect in the Dodgers system and he’s rarely talked about. He has been nothing but exceptional since signing with the Dodgers for $300,000 in 2017. He has tremendous plate coverage and strikes out at a low rate. In fact, Vargas had the third lowest strikeout rate in the Dodgers system at 16.4%. There’s some good power potential in his bat but his hit tool is the best part of his game. He has solid bat speed and has a future above-average hit tool. Vargas needs a little more seasoning in the minors but the potential as an all-star caliber infielder with a solid hit tool and good power potential is there. The Dodgers continue to strike gold during the international signing period and Vargas is no exception, he’s one name to watch during the 2022 season.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
2. Diego Cartaya C | Rancho Cucamunga Quakes (A)
20-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’3″ | 219 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| HIT | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 55 | 55 | 50 | 30 | 60 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .298 | .409 | .614 | 1.023 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 27.0% | 13.1% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .316 | 158 | 12.9% | 39.2% | 20.3% | 40.5% | 60.3% | 26.9% | 12.8% |
Scouting Report:
Cartaya signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $2.5million as a 17-year-old catching phenom. To date, he has shown the ability to produce at the plate while having strong defensive skills. The Venezuelan possesses a plus arm strength behind the dish and looks comfortable behind the plate. He can get extended while displaying plenty of bat speed. While Cartaya is only an average hitter, he does possess above-average power, and that kind of production at the plate at a premium position could make him a very valuable player.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
3. Michael Busch 2B | Tulsa Drillers (AA)
24-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: R | 6’1″ | 210 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| HIT | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 50 | 55 | 50 | 40 | 45 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .267 | .386 | .484 | .870 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 26.1% | 14.1% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .218 | 134 | 10.2% | 41.7% | 23.4% | 34.9% | 47.0% | 24.2% | 28.8% |
Scouting Report:
Michael Busch is an interesting prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’s got a good build and can hit opposite field while driving the ball in the gap as well. He’s a power over hit bat and projects for a lot of doubles as well as 25-29 homers regularly. He’s a decent second basemen, but won’t wow anyone with his glove. Most of his value will come from his power numbers.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
4. Ryan Pepiot RHP | Oklahoma City Dodgers (AAA)
24-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’3″ | 215 lbs. | ETA: 2022
| FB | SL | CH | Control | Role |
| 60 | 50 | 70 | 50 | 6 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 101.1 | 26 | 22 | 4.62 | 1.29 | 29.2% | 10.8% | 1.69 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 14.8% | 4.78 | 36.2% | 17.5% | 46.3% | 42.9% | 28.7% | 28.3% |
Scouting Report:
Pepiot is one of the fastest rising and best pitching prospects in the Dodgers system. In his second full season, Pepiot’s stats aren’t too promising. He combined to have a 4.62 ERA (5.14 FIP) and a 29.2 K%. However, a lot of his struggles came from an advancement to AAA where his ERA ballooned from 2.87 in AA to 7.13 in AAA. However, Pepiot still maintained a 22.8% strikeout rate. Pepiot has some of the most electric stuff in the system with a fastball that sits in the mid-90’s with massive arm side run. His changeup is his best pitch with good fade and plays well off his fastball. His slider has good horizontal movement but it tends to be loopy at times and he’ll need to command it better for it to become an above-average pitch. The Dodgers have a long history of developing young pitchers like Julio Urias, Brusdar Graterol, and Tony Gonsolin, and Pepiot will be no different. He’s going to be a middle of the rotation starter going forward and he’ll excel in that role.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
5. Bobby Miller RHP | Tulsa Driller (AA)
23-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’5″ | 220 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| FB | CB | CH | SL | Control | Role |
| 70 | 55 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 6 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 56.1 | 17 | 14 | 2.40 | 0.94 | 30.4% | 5.7% | 0.32 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 11.5% | 3.53 | 44.7% | 32.3% | 32.3% | 48.5% | 21.2% | 30.3% |
Scouting Report:
Miller’s fastball hits 96-98 with plenty of run on it that can cause a lot of weak contact. His curveball has depth but his changeup is his best secondary offering. He commands the zone well, and won’t walk a lot of hitters at the big-league level. Before each pitch, Miller makes an almost shaking motion with his legs, as though he has to pee, but it is a deceptive mechanism. It will be odd to see, but when fans see how dominating Miller will be, he will be seen as a quirky pitcher. The Louisville alumni should debut sometime in the second half of the 2022 season.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
Risers:
1. Eddys Leonard SS | Great Lakes Loons (A+)
21-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 5’11” | 195 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| HIT | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 55 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .296 | .390 | .539 | .929 | 22 | 9 | 3 | 23.6% | 10.4% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .242 | 145 | 13.0% | 40.9% | 23.3% | 35.8% | 50.0% | 24.4% | 25.6% |
Scouting Report:
Signed out of the Dominican Republic back in 2017, Leonard has been consistently overshadowed by some of the other Dodgers signings from that class. This however to no fault of his own as Leonard has really started to come into his own as a ball player. Standing at only 6’0” 160lbs, Leonard plays bigger than he looks. His swing is loud and designed for power, yet he has excellent control of the strike zone and has shown a strong ability to make contact. He had his best season in 2021 across both Low and High A he hit a combined .296 while slugging .539. He has seen his exit velocity climb and the power has taken off with it. He always had a steady launch angle being able to hit the ball in the air while still hitting a high percentage of line drives. He also has always been a pull hitter which helps contribute to his power breakthrough.
Another added bonus to Leonard’s profile is his versatility. He has proven capable of covering any position in the infield and has even started playing some CF for the Dodgers affiliates. He can play at least an average SS, but profiles better at 2B. He has speed and fast instincts that help him defensively. He will steal some bases in the bigs, but does not profile to be a real base stealing threat. The Dodgers always have a lot of depth and Leonard has not even touched AA. It is unlikely he will get a chance until probably 2023, but if the power sticks and he maintains his strong ability to make contact he will force the Dodgers to move him quickly through their system.
Written by: Matt Heckman (@Heckman_Matt115)
2. Jose Ramos OF | Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A)
21-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’1″ | 200 lbs | ETA: 2024
| HIT | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 60 | 55 | 50 | 50 | 60 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .329 | .396 | .576 | .972 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 24.7% | 8.0% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .247 | 148 | 15.0% | 35.7% | 26.9% | 37.4% | 48.4% | 24.5% | 27.1% |
Scouting Report:
Ramos is another outfield prospect in the Dodgers system with massive potential. Originally, signed out of Panama in 2018 for $30,000, Ramos had a terrific 2021 campaign and is one of the rising stars in the Dodgers system. He has a slightly closed stance with his hands high in his stance, his load is a small leg kick that develops some good effortless power in his swing. However, his hit tool is better than his power and easily has the potential to be one of the best in the system. At one point last season Ramos had an 11 game hitting streak and five of those were multi-hit games. Ramos will be a problem for any pitcher as he matures and gets stronger, his ability to spray the ball and find consistent barrels remains his best trait. He’s undoubtedly going to rise through the system and becoming a regular in Los Angeles when it’s all said and done.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
3. Landon Knack RHP | Tulsa Drillers (AA)
24-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 220 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| FB | CB | CH | SL | Control | Role |
| 60 | 55 | 55 | 50 | 50 | 5 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 62.1 | 16 | 11 | 3.18 | 0.93 | 33.3% | 3.3% | 1.16 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 17.8% | 3.14 | 42.8% | 17.9% | 39.3% | 42.3% | 22.1% | 35.6% |
Scouting Report:
Knack’s fastball is his best pitch and his put away pitch. He can run it up to 96 with life and it consistently hits mid-90s. His curve hits mid-80s with 12/6 bite and he can locate his low-80s, deceptive changeup. He can start off a bit shaky with his command before he settles in early on, but starts locating his pitches as he continues to pitch. If he can figure out how to settle in early, he could possibly have above-average control or better. Overall, Knack could eat a lot of innings due to his build and deception and projects as a mid-rotation arm for any team.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
4. Andy Pages OF | Tulsa Drillers (AA)
21-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’1″ | 212 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| HIT | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 55 | 55 | 55 | 40 | 70 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .265 | .394 | .539 | .933 | 31 | 6 | 3 | 24.5% | 14.3% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .274 | 152 | 11.9% | 24.7% | 20.1% | 55.3% | 50.8% | 22.2% | 27.0% |
Scouting Report:
Andy Pages is one of those players that isn’t talked about but overall is a solid prospect to watch. He broke out in a big way in 2021 hitting 31 home runs and having a .394 OBP. Pages has a violent swing that embraces launch that’ll help him have some future above-average power. He’ll be an on-base machine as he has a solid eye at the plate and that continues to be one of the more underrated parts of his game. Pages will stay in one of the corner outfield spots but right field seems to be a better fit due to his arm strength and range. In the end, Pages is the going to be the best prospect on the “Risers” portion of this list as the sky is the limit for this talented young prospect.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
5. Wilman Diaz OF | DSL Dodgers Shoemaker (DSL)
18-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 182 lbs. | ETA: 2026
| HIT | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 55 | 50 | 50 | 40 | 50 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .235 | .309 | .353 | .661 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 27.7% | 9.6% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .118 | 89 | 39.8% | 38.2% | 18.2% | 43.6% | 43.6% | 30.9% | 25.5% |
Scouting Report:
Wilman Diaz is still a very raw prospect who will spend his first season in the states in 2022 at 18 years old after spending 2021 in the DSL. Diaz boasts a beautiful, fluid swing that has some power projection, but doesn’t hunt for home runs. He doesn’t have the softest hands at short, but can read hops and has a shot at sticking at the position.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
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