Los Angeles Dodgers 2021 Midseason Top 50 Prospects

svHiXbbq — Dodgers Top 50 design by @designsbypack on Twitter

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The reason the Dodgers can afford blockbuster trades as they did at the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline, is because of their vast enterprise of prospects. Sure, money plays a part as well, but the blue chips open doors.

After trading away Josiah Gray, Keibert Ruiz, and Gerardo Carrillo for Mad Max and Trea Turner before this year’s trade deadline, the Dodgers’ system now enters into a new era of prospect-dom. Now that the Dodgers’ top 2 prospects have left for DC, who will step up and fill their respective spots?

Sit back, relax, and find out…

My January 2021 Dodgers Preseason Top 50 Prospects

Los Angeles Dodgers Affiliates:
AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers
AA Tulsa Drillers
High-A Great Lake Loons
Low-A Rancho Cucamonga
Rookie (ACL) Dodgers
Rookie (DSL) Dodgers Shoemaker
Rookie (DSL) Dodgers Bautista

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have a high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who have an outside chance of making their team’s 40 man roster

Tier 1

1. Andy Pages, OF (January rank #7)
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
At the ripe old age of 20-years old, don’t be surprised when Pages eventually cracks the overall Top 100 after exploding onto the prospect scene in 2021.

2. Bobby Miller, RHP (January rank #3)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Dodgers’ first pick in 2020, Miller has dominated hitters through two levels of pro ball in 2021.

3. Michael Busch, MI (January rank #4)
Age: 23
Current Level: AA
Dodgers’ 1st rounder in 2019, Busch has shown advanced skills at the plate that include an impressive amount of power, and he was a 2021 Futures Game selection.

4. Ryan Pepiot, RHP (January rank #6)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
Equipped with a changeup that’s made fools of both Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy, Pepiot’s ascension through the minors has come fast and furious – a 2022 ROY front-runner.

Tier 2

5. Maddux Bruns, LHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Physically gifted man-child and most recent Dodgers’ 1st rounder (2021), Bruns blew everyone away (including me) at PG National (2020) through the use of his monster curve, 97-MPH FB, and laser-like precision.

6. Brandon Lewis, 3B (January rank #23)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
The quintessential big-bodied, power-hitting third baseman who’s consistently displayed elite power tool across every level of his career. Think Troy Glaus.

7. Landon Knack, RHP (January rank #11)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Dodgers 2nd round pick in 2020, Knack’s first full-season of professional baseball has proven his likelihood of being a horse at the highest level – 7-1 record, 2.95 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 55 IP, 76 K’s.

8. Diego Cartaya, C (January rank #9)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A
At only 19, Cartaya has paced Low-A Rancho Cucamonga as a hit-first catcher, one to keep an eye on.

9. Andre Jackson, RHP (January rank #30)
Age: 25
Current Level: AAA
The top riser in 2021, Jackson finds himself in the top 10 of the Dodgers’ system after making his MLB debut earlier this year and being selected to the Futures Game.

10. Miguel Vargas, 3B (January rank #12)
Age: 21
Current Level: AA
Cuban import Vargas has consistently proven himself to be one of the best players in AA, regardless of his young age, and has some gaudy stats in 2021: 80 R, 20 HR, 62 RBI, 8 SB, .311 AVG, .379 OBP, .900 OPS.

11. Alex De Jesus, SS/3B (January rank #20)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A
At only 19, De Jesus will have one full year of pro-ball under his belt and his play has been exemplary throughout. Think a young Manny Machado.

12. Clayton Beeter, RHP (January rank #8)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
A flat-out stud on the hill, Beeter’s stuff plays up at seemingly every level.

Tier 3

13. Kody Hoese, 3B (January rank #2)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Hoese’s 2021 has been a bit of a letdown in both his performance and injury history but, expect a bounceback in 2022.

14. Luis Rodriguez, OF (January rank #10)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Highly heralded J2 signing from Venezuela entered stateside this year with mixed results, but there’s a lot to like about his loud tools.

15. Hyun-il Choi, RHP (January rank #22)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A
Korean import, Choi’s stateside stats are extremely impressive in 2021: 8-4 record, 3.07 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 88 IP, 96 K.

16. Mitch White, RHP (January rank #25)
Age: 26
Current Level: AAA
Equipped with a nasty curve and some heat, White’s already seen success at the MLB level in 2021 as a starting pitcher, and we should expect more.

17. Peter Heubeck, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: Not assigned
The Dodgers 3rd round selection of the 2021 MLB Draft, just out of high school, Heubeck’s arsenal’s impressively equipped and ready to see pro ball.

18. Jacob Amaya, SS (January rank #28)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Former first rounder, Amaya’s 2021 season has been a bit of a disappointment, though expect a big bounceback in 2022.

Tier 4

19. Kendall Williams, RHP (January rank #14)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
Big piece in the trade for Hyun-Jin Ryu, Williams is a projectable, young, talented arm with a headstart thus far in his career.

20. Jimmy Lewis, RHP (January rank #13)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A
Another long-limbed and toolsy high-schooler from Texas, Lewis has had an underwhelming year in 2021, yet I fully expect a big rebound in 2022.

21. Wilman Diaz, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)
Far too young to place any stock within his 1st pro season, regardless of the outcome, expect big things from the talented youngster.

22. Jesus Galiz, C (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)
Along with his J2 signing mate (Diaz), Galiz’s first pro-season has been a bit of a letdown given how highly-touted both were coming into this year.

23. Jake Vogel, OF (January rank #18)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A
First taste of full-season baseball, Vogel’s 2021 season has gone as expected, as the toolsy OF shows a lot of speed but trouble getting on base with regularity.

24. Edwin Uceta, RHP (January rank #29)
Age: 23
Current Level: AAA
Armed with a dirty changeup and good sinker, Uceta has molded himself into a well-rounded MLB-ready arm.

25. Robinson Ortiz, LHP (January rank #31)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A (60-day IL)
A lefty version of Marcus Stroman, Ortiz shows a lot of promise but his 2021 season was prematurely cut short due to injury.

26. Nick Nastrini, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
2021 MLB Draftee, Nastrini is an exceptional talent who thrived at UCLA and has already begun his career as a pro, with success at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga. Expect big things.

Tier 5

27. Carlos Duran, RHP (January rank #32)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A
Standing at a monstrous 6’7″, Duran’s an obvious benefactor of his height, learning the strike zone this early in his life shall prove advantageous.

28. James Outman, OF (January rank #33)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Former seventh-rounder shows good power/speed combination at AA Tulsa.

29. Cristian Santana, 3B (January rank #34)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
High level talent who’s yet to put two consecutive seasons together without injury thus far in his career.

30. Ben Casparius, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: Not assigned
Former ace at UConn, Casparius was selected by the Dodgers in the 2021 MLB Draft.

31. Jorbit Vivas, 2B (January rank #35)
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
Hit-first lefty shows an advanced approach at the plate and has displayed natural pop in 2021.

32. Juan Morillo, SS (January rank #37)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A (60-day IL)
Talented young righty has been hurt throughout nearly all of High-A Great Lakes’ 2021 season.

33. Jerming Rosario, RHP (January rank #38)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Youngster made his state-side debut this year with middling results.

34. Eddys Leonard, SS (January – unranked)
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
Slashing .309/.410/.577 with 21 HR through 89 games this season between Low-A and High-A, Leonard could be a sneaky dynasty sleeper.

35. Jeren Kendall, OF (January rank #39)
Age: 25
Current Level: AA
Former Dodgers 1st rounder, Kendall’s career probably hasn’t moved as fast as some hoped but there’s still a lot of talent left in the 25-year-old.

36. Octavio Becerra, LHP (January rank #41)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Tall, projectable lefty pitcher who has tapped into his potential in 2021 – 12.1 IP, 27 K.

37. Guillermo Zuniga, RHP (January rank #43)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Another tall, projectable righty in the Dodgers’ system, Zuniga has dominated AA in relief this year.

38. Robbie Peto, RHP (January rank #36)
Age: 23
Current Level: Low-A
Durable RHP from horse factory Stetson, Peto has the stuff to make the bigs.

39. Devin Mann, 3B (January rank #19)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Tall and strong 3B who has lost some momentum throughout 2021.

40. Emmet Sheehan, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
Taken in this year’s draft out of Boston College, the big kid has already proven that he’s built for the innings.

41. Ryan Sublette, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 22
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Fresh arm taken in 2021 from Texas Tech, Sublette’s pedigree looks perfect in this Dodgers system.

42. Luis Yanel Diaz, SS (January rank #45)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
Triple threat from the DR, Diaz shows off his loud tools across his multi-faceted stat-line.

43. Leonel Valera, SS (January rank #46)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Yet another MI with a high-ceiling, Valera has already tallied 14 HR and 15 steals with High-A this season.

44. Drew Avans, OF (January rank #48)
Age: 25
Current Level: AAA
Quintessential leadoff lefty OF, has speed and OBP to spare, yet Avans has only managed 150 AB due to injury this year.

45. Jeff Belge, LHP (January rank #49)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Perhaps a lefty specialist at the highest level, Belge hasn’t put it all together quite yet in 2021.

46. Heisell Baro, RHP (January rank #50)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Highly projectable righty teen who’s missed bats and the strike zone in 2021.

47. Ben Harris, LHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Filthy lefty from Bobby Miller’s alma mater Georgia, Harris went in the 8th round of the 2021 Draft and should fit right in with the Dodgers’ system.

48. Lael Lockhart, 1B/OF/RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Super athletic two-way player who was taken with the Dodgers’ 9th round selection circa 2021 could be a fast riser.

49. Michael Hobbs, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Local boy Hobbs (Corona) was taken with the 10th round selection by the Dodgers from St. Mary’s in the 2021 Draft and happens to be another potential quick riser.

50. Justin Wrobleski, LHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 20
Current Level: Not assigned
Toolsy lefty-hander, Wrobleski was taken with the 11th round pick in the 2021 Draft from Oklahoma State.

and one more for good measure…
51. Ronan Kopp, LHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Standing at 6’7″, Kopp fits the prototypical mold of a “Dodgers’ starter” from the left side of the hill, taken in the 12th round in 2021, look for Kopp to make some noise soon.