High A Preview
A new year brings a new High A affiliate for the Dodgers, who have moved from their facility in Vero Beach to San Bernardino, California and have become the Inland Empire 66ers. This year will be an opportunity for me to attend my second Dodgers' minor league game (My first was in Montana of all places). The main difference in the change of scenery is that the California League plays very favorably to hitters, whereas the Florida State League was always a pitcher's league. Let's take a look at how their roster may shape up.
Many Dodger fans were surprised to see Ivan De Jesus Jr taken in the second round of the 2005 draft, considering most experts had him going after round five. But it's seems to have paid off, after two successful seasons and a spot in Baseball America's Top Ten list for the Dodgers. Like his father, Ivan plays shortstop with ease. He shows smooth actions, good range and first step quickness. The only negative on him defensively is his arm; it isnt overly strong and his accuracy is erratic. At the plate, DeJesus shows a line drive stroke, though power is much more projection than a present tool. I was most surprised by his ability to draw a walk, as he collected an impressive 63 in under 500 at bats. He also used his speed well on the basepaths, swiping 16 bags in 21 attempts. Ivan presents an intriguing package of tools, and should have no problem putting up solid offensive numbers in the Cally League.
When James McDonald was drafted, no one really knew what position he would play. It's clear now that his future is on the mound after a successful Low A campaign. A draft and follow signed prior to the 2003 draft, J Mac spent his first summer of pro ball pitching. Then, in 2004, he spent the entire season as a position player, and did both in 2005. 2006 was his first year above the rookie leagues and he showed the Dodgers what he was capable of, striking out more than a batter an inning and finishing the season with an ERA of under 4. While he did well as a starter, James was very impressive in 8 relief appearances, striking out 23 in 15.1 innings while walking 6 and posting an ERA of 2.35. If McDonald's future is in the pen, he should move quickly through the system.
Russell Mitchell, not to be confused with Russell Martin, seemed like an unlikely candidate for promotion after hitting just .239 in Low A Columbus. But following a callup to Vero Beach, Mitchell clubbed 4 Doubles and 4 Homeruns in 22 games, raising his batting average nearly .040 points and slugging over .500. Mitchell is a third baseman with passable defensive skills and pop at the plate. Look for him to have an impressive showing in High A.
When Joel Hanrahan went down with an injury last season, Steven Johnson probably thought he was at the bottom of the list of pitchers to replace the Double A starter. But he did so with aplomb, posting 4.2 scoreless innings as an 18 year old. He returned to extended spring training before moving into rookie league Ogden's rotation. Johnson pitches well beyond his years, and admittedly, his stuff. His fastball peaks in the low 90s, but he shows great ability to locate it to both sides of the plate. He also mixes in a big, slow curve, a slider, a changeup and the occasional cutter. While he could move quickly through the minors, his ceiling is that of a back-of-the-rotation innings eater.
Next comes Low A.
Many Dodger fans were surprised to see Ivan De Jesus Jr taken in the second round of the 2005 draft, considering most experts had him going after round five. But it's seems to have paid off, after two successful seasons and a spot in Baseball America's Top Ten list for the Dodgers. Like his father, Ivan plays shortstop with ease. He shows smooth actions, good range and first step quickness. The only negative on him defensively is his arm; it isnt overly strong and his accuracy is erratic. At the plate, DeJesus shows a line drive stroke, though power is much more projection than a present tool. I was most surprised by his ability to draw a walk, as he collected an impressive 63 in under 500 at bats. He also used his speed well on the basepaths, swiping 16 bags in 21 attempts. Ivan presents an intriguing package of tools, and should have no problem putting up solid offensive numbers in the Cally League.
When James McDonald was drafted, no one really knew what position he would play. It's clear now that his future is on the mound after a successful Low A campaign. A draft and follow signed prior to the 2003 draft, J Mac spent his first summer of pro ball pitching. Then, in 2004, he spent the entire season as a position player, and did both in 2005. 2006 was his first year above the rookie leagues and he showed the Dodgers what he was capable of, striking out more than a batter an inning and finishing the season with an ERA of under 4. While he did well as a starter, James was very impressive in 8 relief appearances, striking out 23 in 15.1 innings while walking 6 and posting an ERA of 2.35. If McDonald's future is in the pen, he should move quickly through the system.
Russell Mitchell, not to be confused with Russell Martin, seemed like an unlikely candidate for promotion after hitting just .239 in Low A Columbus. But following a callup to Vero Beach, Mitchell clubbed 4 Doubles and 4 Homeruns in 22 games, raising his batting average nearly .040 points and slugging over .500. Mitchell is a third baseman with passable defensive skills and pop at the plate. Look for him to have an impressive showing in High A.
When Joel Hanrahan went down with an injury last season, Steven Johnson probably thought he was at the bottom of the list of pitchers to replace the Double A starter. But he did so with aplomb, posting 4.2 scoreless innings as an 18 year old. He returned to extended spring training before moving into rookie league Ogden's rotation. Johnson pitches well beyond his years, and admittedly, his stuff. His fastball peaks in the low 90s, but he shows great ability to locate it to both sides of the plate. He also mixes in a big, slow curve, a slider, a changeup and the occasional cutter. While he could move quickly through the minors, his ceiling is that of a back-of-the-rotation innings eater.
Next comes Low A.
posted by Jared @ 9:36 PM
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