Los Angeles Dodgers Top 50 Prospects (2023)

January 13, 2023 Nate Eckert Dodgers, General, MiLB, NL West, Top 50 Lists 15

2023-P1500-LAD — Los Angeles Dodgers Top 50 graphic design by Michael Packard, @CollectingPack on Twitter

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A wintery frost has befallen Dodgers baseball and its fans since the rival San Diego Padres eliminated them in the 2022 NLDS. Especially for the Dodgers, the chilling sting of defeat has lingered long and true. However, I’m going to prove that Springtime and its promised redemption are right around the corner.

The most effective remedy for this wintery frostbite is winning, and time has proven that championship-contending organizations have depth. As you’ll see, the Dodgers have depth in spades.

Their player development is second to none. Their front office perennially drafts diamonds in the rough. Because they’ve maintained such a treasure trove of prospects over the years, the Dodgers are one of the first clubs that GMs flock to before the trade deadline every August. These are but a few of the many advantages privy to an organization whose farm comes above all else.

Therefore, without further ado, here are the best players from the best farm system in baseball.

Dodgers MiLB affiliates:
Oklahoma City Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) – Triple-A
Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) – Double-A
Great Lake Loons (@greatlakesloons) – High-A
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (@RCQuakes) – Single-A
Arizona Complex League Dodgers – Rookie
Dominican Summer League Dodgers Mega – Rookie
Dominican Summer League Dodgers Bautista – Rookie

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. Diego Cartaya, C, 21, High-A
An imposing presence behind the plate and in the box, Cartaya brings power to the plate and command to the field every day. 6’3″ and 219 lbs, his comparisons with Salvador Perez come quite naturally. Like Salvy, Cartaya chooses his pitches well, punishing mistakes and balls in the zone with consistency. Having turned only 21 a few months ago, the top international signee of 2018 plays the game with the poise and confidence typically only seen in MLB veterans. Look for his debut as early as next season in Los Angeles, likely after the rosters are expanded and perhaps before.

2. Bobby Miller, RHP, 23, Triple-A
With their first pick in 2020, the Dodgers took the ultra-talented Miller some 19 picks after Louisville’s ace, Reid Detmers, went to the Los Angeles Angels. With a no-no already attached to Detmers name, Miller’s upside looks very similar. An absolute horse on the hill, Miller stands 6’5″ and weighs 220 lbs. Arguably the most exciting young pitcher in the Minors. Both his size and arsenal harken to power pitchers of yore. With his bowling-ball heft 2-seam and his 100+ MPH rising 4-seam, Miller pounds the zone with regularity. At his will, opponents flail at his nasty 2-plane slider, hammer curve, or diving changeup. Look for the big righty to arrive in Los Angeles as soon as May or June.

Tier 2

3. Miguel Vargas, 3B/OF, 23, MLB
Upon breaking with the big league club last season, Vargas now has an invaluable piece of information that every prospect who’s not in the Bigs wants: experience. During his cup of coffee last summer, Vargas didn’t just sit back and take notes. He hit the ball hard and excelled in some clutch moments. Given the fact that the talented righty has hit the ball everywhere he’d been prior to the Bigs, it’s only a matter of time before he figures out NL West pitching. And because he transitioned well to LF, plenty of opportunities should find him whenever the Dodgers need him.

4. Michael Busch, 2B/OF, 25, Triple-A
Aside from Miller, Busch might be the first prospect to break with LA in 2023. The only question is, where do they put him? His bat was MLB-ready last year. A career .374 on-base percentage shows off his impeccable timing, eye, and approach. And the 32 HR he hit last year (20 the year prior) prove that his power’s here to stay. A lefty in the box, we’re potentially looking at a mix between current Dodgers’ Max Muncy and the “silver fox” himself, Chase Utley. What MLB team would say no to that?

5. Gavin Stone, RHP, 24, Triple-A
A relative “unknown” until a couple of years ago, Stone is far from a hidden gem nowadays. Former “Minor League Pitcher of the Year” for the Dodgers, Stone’s advanced repertoire revolves around a plus-plus changeup that runs harder and faster than most track stars and drops off the table faster than a bottle of ketchup. That ridiculous secondary would’ve been a moot point had his FB not jumped 4-5 MPH in velocity. Now, Stone lives in the 94-96 range and rears back for 98 when necessary. Add a cut-piece with his arm-angle, athleticism, and ability to catch hitters off-guard, and his rapid ascension becomes clear. Perhaps 2 months into next year, Stone will be en route to the Big Leagues.

6. Andy Pages, OF, 22, Double-A
One of my favorite prospects across baseball, his power is near-limitless. After scuffling for most of 2022, Pages put on a show at this year’s talent-laden Arizona Fall League. He raised his batting average by 60 points without sacrificing any power (5 bombs), and came up clutch significantly and often for his Glendale Desert Dogs, propelling them into the championship game. The Cuban Missile (70-grade arm) should prepare to land in LA sometime within the next year and will make a splash wherever it is that they put him.

7. Ryan Pepiot, RHP, 25, MLB
Pepiot is another MLB debutant from last season. Equipped with a tumbling changeup that’ll fool anybody, and an MLB-ready FB that creates swings and misses on its own, Pepiot’s strikeout stuff is a great fit in the Dodgers’ rotation. However, the righty misses the zone far too often with that 97 MPH rising FB. Instead of relying upon his secondaries and peppering the corners (or attempting to), Pepiot needs to pound the zone with his FB because it’s good enough on its own. Once that’s established, then his secondaries will be there for him. Look for the hurler to go back to the basics and let the easy things beget the hard in 2023.

8. Dalton Rushing, C, 21, Single-A
Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2022 MLB Draft, the Dodgers felt like they drafted a 1st rounder. As they had no 1st round selection in 2022, Rushing’s placement atop the 2nd round was kismet. Blocked by the #1 selection in 2021’s MLB Draft, Henry Davis, for 2 years at Louisville, Rushing excelled in no time by the end of his junior year. Upon breaking through at the pro level, the powerful catcher kept the good times flowing. His first year as a pro blew everyone away. .404/.522/.740 through two levels, 30 games, and 104 ABs. He blasted eight HR, paced the Minors in hard-hit rate, exit-velocity, and maintained a BB/K ratio of 1 (22/22). Look for this beastly backstop to mash his way into AA next year.

9. Jose Ramos, OF, 22, High-A
A high riser after the 2021 season, Ramos continued to play after 2022’s regular season had just finished. Even though he played in 123 games this year at High-A Great Lakes, Ramos still decided to face the advanced pitching he’d yet to see as a pro, at this year’s Arizona Fall League. He finished with the 2nd most RBI for his team, the Glendale Desert Dogs. He did so against pitching that he’d never seen and at a solid level or two more advanced than him. That’s a pretty good indicator of the type of corner outfielder the Dodgers have in Ramos. There’s some swing and miss in his game, but he blasted 25 bombs before his AFL appearance. It’ll be interesting to see how he fares in Double-A next year now that he’s had a taste of more advanced stuff.

10. Nick Nastrini, RHP, 22, Double-A
“Nasty” Nick Nastrini came to the Dodgers in the 2021 MLB Draft for a song in the 4th round. 131 players into the draft, only one year removed from his place atop UCLA’s nationally-ranked rotation, the Dodgers saw he was still available and they jumped all over him. Since then, all he’s done is flown through the minors (6 starts at Double-A last year) with a career opponent’s average of .176 through 132.2 IP. Not bad for somebody who was passed over 130 times. As you can see below, Nastrini comes equipped with a starter’s arsenal. He’ll blow hitters away with his 96 MPH heater that rises, falls, spins, and dances. Or he can reach into his bag and pull out 3 plus offerings – changeup, slider, and curve. Now, we’ve got an arsenal to dream on potential impact.

11. Emmet Sheehan, RHP, 23, Double-A
Possibly the fastest-rising RHP in the Dodgers’ system, Sheehan was taken in the 6th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Tall, projectable, physical, and seemingly unfazed by upper-echelon hitting, Sheehan could very well be on his way to the Dodgers’ rotation sooner rather than later. Though he overpowers hitters with premium velocity, a three-quarters arm slot, with extension, his go-to secondary is a late-dropping changeup. Thus creating the perfect one-two punch. The combination is deadly when Sheehan fills the zone. Next? Developing an MLB-ready breaking pitch, and then? Look out.

12. James Outman, OF, 25, MLB
For those who are not believers in Outman, humor me as I make my case. First, let’s remind ourselves that the Dodgers took Outman in the 7th round of the 2018 Draft. 6’3″ and 210 lbs, Outman averaged 20 HR a year in the minors. Upon his call-up for a tasty cup of coffee in 2022, all he did was triple-slash .462/.563/.846 with 6 runs scored, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 3 RBI, and played stellar OF for the LA Dodgers. Granted, it was only 4 games and 13 ABs at the MLB level. However, after being sent back to Triple-A, Outman didn’t pout about his demotion. He continued to rake (.294/.392/.586 with 31 HR in 2022 at AAA), kept his head down, and did his job. Now, he’s on the precipice of cracking the Opening Day roster.

Tier 3

13. Rayne Doncon, SS/OF, 19, Rookie (ACL)
After obliterating the ball in 2021 at the DSL, the Rayne Doncon hype train quickly gained traction. Doncon outperformed several top international prospects in 2021, including LAD’s own, Wilman Diaz. Doncon has the tailor-made attributes necessary to assess his immense projectability. Already 6’2″ and with plenty of room to grow, Doncon’s frame is lean, high-waisted, and broad-shouldered. Even though 2022 treated Doncon and the hype train with a dose of reality during his first trip stateside. His OBP plummeted from .387 (DSL) to .306 (ACL-Low-A), and the swing-and-miss nature of Doncon’s approach was found and attacked. He’ll need to make the proper adjustments, but that was to be expected. Given his track record, natural athleticism, age, and talent, there’s every reason to believe that what he experienced in 2022 was just a glitch. He’ll make the proper adjustments. And when he does, oh boy.

14. Nick Frasso, RHP, 24, Double-A
Acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays late last season, Frasso is everything the Dodgers look for in a starting pitcher. He’s projectable (6’5″ 200+ lbs), has a 70-grade FB, and his slider and changeup flash-plus already. And all of this was true before he came to the Dodgers. As the preeminent developmental organization – especially pitching – Frasso’s advanced projectability is pure fodder for the Dodgers, their front office, and their developmental team. Look for the newly acquired righty to make leaps and bounds in 2023.

15. Josue De Paula, OF, 17, Rookie (DSL)
Although he’s only 17, De Paula’s ceiling – a middle-of-the-order advanced hitter who hits for both average and power – seems very real right now. Already measuring in at 6’3″ and 200 lbs, De Paula is incredibly difficult to not get excited about. He owns the left side of the plate and his swing is effortlessly beautiful, yet inordinately powerful all the same. Imagine that this kid still has another 25 lbs of muscle (at least) and (perhaps) another inch or two before he hits twenty. He’s only seen the DSL and now the Instructs, but he’s certainly someone we should all look for in the near future, especially when he comes stateside.

16. Jorbit Vivas, 2B/3B, 21, High-A
Although Vivas isn’t the sexiest name amongst top-prospects lists, the kid can flat-out hit. He owns a career .286 batting average, .383 OBP, and a .429 slugging percentage. Granted, he’s yet to see Double-A, but he’s only 21. He continued to hit at this year’s Arizona Fall League, to the tune of .333/.471/.407, against pitching more advanced than he’s seen. Even though he has barely average speed, his hit tool and on-base qualities should carry him.

17. Eddys Leonard, SS, 22, High-A
The post-2021 hype candidate of the year for the Dodgers’ farm system, Leonard spent all of 2022 in High-A (the same level that he dominated in ’21, over 41 games). Unfortunately, Leonard’s second stint with the Great Lake Loons didn’t go nearly as well as his first. His batting average dropped 35 points and his OBP did about the same. More concerningly, his slugging dipped 100 points. How does something like that happen? Perhaps Leonard thought he deserved to see Double-A Tulsa. Or perhaps he was just that hot in 2021. Regardless, the numbers do not lie. And the seemingly indestructible force that was Leonard in 2021 no longer occupies the same body. Though he’s an excellent athlete, Leonard’s main problem is his swing-and-miss and that’s likely the real reason for his ’22 struggles. Look for the youngster to address this in 2023.

18. Carlos Duran, RHP, 21, High-A
To watch Duran pitch is to watch a bullfighter slay his adversary. His windup, delivery, follow through, arm slot, extension, and the action he puts in his above-average FB is frankly, vicious. There aren’t many words that describe Duran’s pitching more accurately. His right arm is part bullwhip, all iron. His stature alone is more intimidating than any Dodgers prospect currently in the organization. Physically, he’s thicker and stronger than Dustin May. It’s just a shame that all of these wonderful attributes are the same ones that necessitated his recent Tommy John surgery. And it’ll take all of 2023 to return. If his velocity and action come back to life, look for Duran in 2024.

19. Landon Knack, RHP, 25, Double-A
After a stellar professional debut in 2021, the arrow pointed straight up for Knack heading into 2022. Unfortunately, Knack was plagued with injuries in 2022 and never got his footing. Virtually every statistical category regressed. And one might start to wonder if Knack’s physical problems are the root of his struggles or just the tip of the iceberg as he dominated High-A in 2021. But everything ballooned as soon as he faced Double-A hitters. And we’re still waiting for it to come back down. Hopefully, we’ll see the “real” Landon Knack in 2023.

20. Yeiner Fernandez, C/2B, 20, Single-A
Although they’re close in age and position, #1 Dodgers prospect Cartaya and #20 Dodgers prospect Fernandez couldn’t be on further sides of the spectrum from one another. Fernandez has lightning-quick hands which allow him to play 2B part-time. That’s not to say Cartaya’s hands aren’t quick but Fernandez’s game is built for the old-school, scrappy catcher who uses quickness and speed to his advantage. Comparisons that naturally accompany the 20-year-old happen to be within the Dodgers’ organization already. Russell Martin and Austin Barnes. And although it’s not currently present in Fernandez’s game, don’t be surprised if he starts to eclipse the 20 HR mark very soon.

21. Maddux Bruns, LHP, 20, Single-A
It pains me to have Bruns ranked at #21. But with the strength of this organization and its farm system, I hope the ranking is justified. I was smitten with Bruns after watching him pitch during the PG National (2020). A monster on the hill, even as a high-schooler, he consistently pumped his heater 97-99 MPH straight past any/all hitters who dared to face it. At the time, he must’ve already been 6’5″ and 220 lbs. He looked plainly like a man amongst boys. Not long after that, the Dodgers took him in the 1st round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Everyone understands that there are going to be growing pains in any transition. After losing reps to the pandemic, becoming a professional pitcher less than a year removed from high school, and moving across the country, things have a natural tendency to get jumbled. But, for a kid who trained by himself during the pandemic by watching YouTube videos on Clayton Kershaw, lifted homemade weights in his garage, and maintained a weight regimen self-sufficiently throughout the entire pandemic, so much so that he eventually added 9 MPH to his FB and created the pitcher I happened to watch that day on television. I have zero doubt that Maddux Bruns will once again find himself atop of his game. It’s only a matter of time.

22. Ronan Kopp, LHP, 20, High-A
Signed for $125K after being selected in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Dodgers, Kopp’s making a case for “Steal of the Draft: 2021 edition.” 6’7″ and 250 lbs, the intimidation factor atop the hill is second-to-none. He shoves a rising 95-97 MPH FB (on average) and can pump it up to 99 MPH. Say he had the FB only, he’d still be the steal of the draft because (again) he’s 6’7″ 250 lbs, and was drafted in the 12th round. But wait, it gets better. He’s only 20 years old. Kopp’s now a Dodger. What do the Dodgers do with freakishly sized and freakishly talented pitchers? Think, Kenley Jansen, Dustin May, heck, even Clayton Kershaw. Look for big things in 2023.

Tier 4

23. Peter Heubeck, RHP, 20, Single-A
24. Edgardo Henriquez, RHP, 20, Single-A
25. Jesus Galiz, C, 19, Rookie (ACL)
26. Logan Wagner, 3B, 18, Rookie (ACL)
27. Ryan Ward, OF, 24, Double-A
28. Wilman Diaz, SS, 19, Rookie (ACL)
29. Michael Grove, RHP, 26, MLB
30. Kyle Hurt, LHP, 24, Double-A
31. River Ryan, RHP, 24, High-A
32. Justin Wrobleski, LHP, 22, Single-A
33. Jonny DeLuca, OF, 24, Double-A
34. Maximo Martinez, RHP, 18, Rookie (ACL)
35. Thayron Liranzo, C, 19, Rookie (ACL)
36. Samuel Munoz, 1B/OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)

Heubeck came to the Dodgers in the 3rd round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Projectable frame and plus curveball already equipped upon his arrival into Single-A, expectations regarding some added velocity to his FB have yet to pan out. Still, he’s only 20 and he’s still got room to grow (literally and figuratively). Henriquez’s build, stature, mound presence, and even his hair look like another Dodgers hurler, Brusdar Graterol. Even his FB – though not 100+ MPH all the time – has that same bowling ball-like weight and quality. Unfortunately, though, Henriquez is yet another victim of Tommy John surgery. Galiz signed out of Venezuela in the same international class (2020-21) as fellow Dodgers prospects Rayne Doncon and Wilman Diaz. Touted as a plus-plus defender behind the dish as an amateur, Galiz doesn’t quite fit those giant shoes. However, he’s still an excellent backstop who has a real opportunity to stick behind the plate at the highest level. Though his bat hasn’t come completely to fruition just yet, the Dodgers are excited about his elite bat speed. That they can work with. Diaz has yet to put together a pro season that resembles anything close to what the previous hype surrounding him all but guaranteed. Look for Diaz to continue adding weight and hopefully some points on his OBP and AVG. Martinez is an intriguing RHP. I can say with confidence that he has the easiest premium FB velocity I’ve ever seen in an 18-year-old.

Tier 5

37. Mairoshendrick Martinus, 3B, 17, Rookie (DSL)
38. Luis Valdez, LHP, 19, Single-A
39. Joel Ibarra, RHP, 20, Rookie (ACL)
40. Alex Freeland, 3B, 21, Single-A
41. Hyun-il Choi, RHP, 22, Single-A
42. Ben Casparius, RHP, 23, High-A
43. Oswaldo Osorio, SS, 17, Rookie (DSL)
44. Payton Martin, RHP, 18, Rookie (ACL)
45. Juan Alonso, OF, 19, Single-A
46. Sean McLain, SS, 21, Single-A
47. Ryan Sublette, RHP, 24, High-A
48. Nick Biddison, OF, 22, Single-A
49. Moises Brito, LHP, 20, Rookie (DSL)
50. Nelson Quiroz, C, 21, Single-A
51. Alvaro Benua, RHP, 20, Rookie (DSL)

Martinus is a complete freak of nature. 6’3″ 175 lbs and 17 years old. His frame exudes power, violence, and hard-hit rates the likes of Giancarlo Stanton (not a comp though). And more importantly, what a great name. Freeland is a toolsy INF recently drafted in the 3rd round of the 2022 MLB Draft. His superior hand-eye coordination provides for his advanced hit tool and he’s got that stereotypical super-utility feel that the Dodgers love. Kind of like Chris Taylor, Gavin Lux, and/or Kiki Hernandez. At only 17, Osorio is one of the youngest players on this list. A slick-fielding SS, the teen already has a leg up on the competition. He’ll eventually need to change the trajectory of his left-handed swing (starts down, ends up) because premium velocity, especially up in the zone, will eventually blow right past him once he begins to see pitching of that caliber. But again, at only 17, the expectation is that he’ll get there. McLain is the younger brother of the 17th overall selection (2021), Matt McLain (CIN). Their games are very similar. Brito came to the Dodgers in the trade that also brought Frasso from the Blue Jays. He dominated the DSL last year.

Nate Eckert

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