Minor League Recap - 10/31/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 4-3

Justin Orenduff - 2 IP, Hit, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's (1.80 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_31_peswin_pddwin_1


Winter League - Team USA won 5-3

Delwyn Young - 1 for 4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, 2 K's (.529 BA)
Andy LaRoche - 1 for 4, RBI, K (.357 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_31_usawin_surwin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires were rained out

Minor League Recap - 10/30/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros won 15-2

Xavier Paul - 1 for 4, R, BB, K, CS (.232 BA)
Blake DeWitt - 1 for 2, 3B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB (.385 BA)

Cory Wade - 1 IP, Hit, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's (1.69 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_30_chnwin_peswin_1


Winter League - Team USA won 10-2

Andy LaRoche - 0 for 2, K (.400 BA)
Delwyn Young - 1 for 4, RBI, R, K (.615 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_30_usawin_msswin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 8-2

Russell Mitchell - 0 for 4, 2 K's (.254 BA)
Josh Bell - 1 for 4, 2 K's (.191 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 2 for 4, 3B, R, 2 K's (.222 BA)
Kenley Jansen - 1 for 3, RBI, K (.208 BA)

Kyle Wilson - 2 IP, 3 Hits, 2 ER, BB, 0 K's (10.43 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_30_wocwin_nshwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/29/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 13-12

Xavier Paul - 1 for 5, RBI, 2 R, BB, K (.231 BA)

Wesley Wright - 1.2 IP, Hit, 0 R, BB, 0 K's (4.76 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_29_peswin_msswin_1


Winter League - Team USA lost 8-6

Delwyn Young - 2 for 2, 2B, R (.778 BA)
Andy LaRoche - 3 for 5, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, SB (.500 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_29_scowin_usawin_1


Winter League - HWL had the day off

Minor League Recap - 10/28/07

Winter League - AFL had an off day


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 6-3

Josh Bell - 0 for 2, 2 BB (.188 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 0 for 4 (.203 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_28_waiwin_wocwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/27/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 3-0

Zach Hammes - 2 IP, 3 Hits, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K's (4.91 ERA)
Justin Orenduff - 1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's (2.25 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_27_scowin_peswin_1


Winter League - Team USA won 3-2

Delwyn Young - 3 for 4, R, K (.714 BA)
Andy LaRoche - 1 for 3, 2B, RBI, BB (.333 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_27_pddwin_usawin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires won 3-1

Russell Mitchell - 0 for 3, K, HBP (.270 BA)
Josh Bell - 0 for 4, 2 K's (.194 BA)
Kenley Jansen - 0 for 3 (.200 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_27_waiwin_wocwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/26/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros was off for AS Game (No Saguaros played)


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires won 6-5

Ryan Rogowski - 0 for 3, BB, K, SB (.230 BA)
Russell Mitchell - 2 for 2, RBI, 2 BB (.283 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 1 for 4, R (.218 BA)

Kyle Wilson - 2 IP, Hit, ER, 2 BB, 2 K's (10.66 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_26_waiwin_wocwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/25/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 8-2

Xavier Paul - 1 for 3, RBI, BB (.234 BA)

Wesley Wright - 2 IP, 3 Hits, 2 ER, 0 BB, K (5.59 ERA)
Cory Wade - 1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (2.08 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_25_peswin_pddwin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 2-0

Ryan Rogowski - 0 for 2, BB, K (.241 BA)
Josh Bell - 1 for 3 (.207 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 0 for 0, 2 BB (.216 BA)
Kenley Jansen - 1 for 3, K (.214 BA)

Steven Johnson - 4.2 IP, 5 Hits, ER, BB, 3 K's (2.78 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_25_nshwin_wocwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/24/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros won 11-7

Xavier Paul - 2 for 4, 2B, 2 R, 2 BB, K (.227 BA)
Blake DeWitt - 3 for 5, 2B, K, PO (.375 BA)

Greg Miller - 2 IP, 2 Hits, ER, BB, 3 K's (13.50 ERA)
Zach Hammes - 1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's (5.06 ERA)
Justin Orenduff - 1 IP, Hit, 0 R, 0 BB, K (2.57 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_24_peswin_surwin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 7-6

Ryan Rogowski - 0 for 4, R, BB, 2 K's (.250 BA)
Josh Bell - 0 for 4, R, 2 K's (.200 BA)
Russell Mitchell - 2 for 4, HR (2), RBI, R, K (.259 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_24_nshwin_wocwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/23/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros won 9-3

Xavier Paul - 3 for 4, RBI, R (.200 BA)
Blake DeWitt - 1 for 4, 2 R, K (.316 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_23_msswin_peswin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 6-1

Russell Mitchell - 0 for 4, 3 K's (.241 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 0 for 3, K (.216 BA)
Ryan Rogowski - 0 for 3 (.269 BA)
Kenley Jansen - 0 for 3 (.205 BA)

Kyle Wilson - 2 IP, 0 Hits, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K's (11.81 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_23_nshwin_wocwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/22/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 10-1

Chin Lung Hu - 0 for 1 (.273 BA)
Xavier Paul - 0 for 4, K (.139 BA)

Wesley Wright - 1.1 IP, 3 Hits, 2 ER, BB, 2 K's (4.70 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_22_peswin_scowin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires did not play

Dodgers' Top 50 Prospects - 10-1

10. Jon Meloan, RHP HT: 6'3 WT: 230 B: R T: R DOB: 7/11/1984
Acquired: Selected in 5th round of 2005 Draft
2007 Statistics: (Minors) 66.2 IP, 36 H, 5 HR, 27 BB, 91 K 2.03 ERA (MLB) 7.1 IP, 8 H, 1 HR, 8 BB, 7 K 11.05 ERA

The Good: Ranked #14 on Baseball America's Top 20 Southern League Prospects list. Came back from an early season injury in 2006 as a reliever and has thrived in the role. Fastball now sits in the low to mid 90s and both his slider and curve have improved. Command/control is average.

The Bad: Muscular frame hinders his flexibility. There's a lot of effort in his delivery and recoil on his release, which could lead to injury. Struggled mightily with his control in his MLB debut.

The Future: Meloan has spent the last 2 seasons dominating the minor leagues, so he has nothing left to prove. He'll likely get a chance to win a roster spot during Spring Training and should be a fixture in the Dodgers' pen for years to come.

9. Delwyn Young, OF HT: 5'8 WT: 209 B: S T: R DOB: 6/30/1982
Acquired: Selected in 4th round of 2002 Draft
2007 Statistics: (Minors) .337/..384/.571 in 121 Games (MLB) .382/.417/.647 in 19 Games

The Good: Bounced back from a mediocre 2006 season by ranking second in the minors with 54 Doubles, adding 17 HR and 5 triples. Shows plus bat speed and tremendous power potential despite his size. Plus arm strength is his best defensive tool.

The Bad: Formerly a 2B, Young had to move to the OF because he lacked the quickness/actions to play the position. His speed and range are below average in the OF. Could stand to walk more.

The Future: At age 25, Young is ready for the majors. However, the Dodgers' outfield is pretty crowded, though he could split time with Andre Ethier in 2008. He also could return to the minors and become a valuable commodity come the trade deadline.

8. Ivan De Jesus Jr, SS HT: 5'11 WT: 185 B: R T: R DOB: 5/1/1987
Acquired: Selected in 2nd round of 2005 Draft
2007 Statistics: .287/.371/.381 in 121 Games

The Good: Son of Ivan Sr, he has his father's natural shortstop actions. He has soft hands and plus range. His arm strength is average. At the plate, Ivan shows a solid line-drive stroke and an uncanny ability to draw walks. His speed is above average.

The Bad: Despite his defensive prowess, Ivan accumulated 30 errors this season. His arm wanders on throws, leading to throwing errors. He has little power and doesn't project to hit for much down the road. While he stole 11 bases in 2007, he was caught 6 times.

The Future: Ivan is going to be a starting shortstop in Double A before turning 21 years old. His glove is a known commodity, but it will be a big test to see how he does offensively moving from the California League to the Southern League.

7. Andrew Lambo, 1B/OF HT: 6'3 WT: 190 B: L T: L DOB: 8/11/1988
Acquired: Selected in 4th round of 2007 Draft
2007 Statistics: .343/.440/.519 in 54 Games

The Good: Ranked #10 on Baseball America's Top 20 GCL Prospects list. As far as tools go, Lambo was a 4th round steal. He consistently hit well with wood in prep tournaments and showed what he's capable of in the GCL. Lambo's patience and line-drive stroke earn him comparisons to James Loney. He has a strong arm and is a very good defensive first baseman.

The Bad: Lambo was drafted out of his second high school after he was kicked out of his first one. Some scouts viewed him as being immature during interviews. On the field, he's not a great runner and probably won't be more than an average corner OF.

The Future: If Andrew keeps his head on straight, he could be a hell of a ballplayer. He should be Great Lakes' starting right fielder in 2008 and could move quickly if there are no off the field setbacks.

6. Josh Bell, 3B HT: 6'3 WT: 220 B: S T: R DOB: 11/13/1986
Acquired: Selected in 4th round of 2005 Draft
2007 Statistics: .271/.331/.444 in 128 Games

The Good: Ranked #9 on Baseball America's Top 20 Midwest Prospects list. With Matt Kemp graduating to the big leagues, Bell is the Dodgers' best power hitting prospect. He slugged .470 in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League, with 21 Doubles and 15 HR. His walk rate was adequate and his strikeout rate was acceptable. On defense, Bell has good hands and a strong arm.

The Bad: Josh needs to take his conditioning and defense more seriously. He committed 35 errors in 90 games with the Loons. While he switch-hits, Bell doesn't hit well as a right-hander.

The Future: Bell is likely headed back to Inland Empire after struggling there in a 20 game stint this past season. If he comes to camp in better shape and does well in a better hitters' league, I woulnd't be surprised to see him down in Jacksonville by August.

5. Scott Elbert, LHP HT: 6'1 WT: 200 B: L T: L DOB: 8/13/1985
Acquired: Selected in 1st round of 2004 Draft
2007 Statistics: 14 IP, 6 H, 0 HR, 10 BB, 24 K 3.86 ERA

The Good: Prior to his surgery, Elbert was dominating Double A hitters with a low 90s fastball and a plus curve. He's very athletic and has a loose delivery. He also earns high marks for his fierce competitive nature.

The Bad: Missing nearly a full season never helps a prospect, though Scott's surgery revealed no structural damage to his shoulder. If he returns with his pre-injury stuff, he'll need to harness his control to reach his potential.

The Future: Assuming his rehab goes well, Elbert will likely head back to Jacksonville to start next season. I'm hoping the Dodgers' take it slow with him, holding him in the minors this year and not rushing him to the bigs.

4. Chin Lung Hu, SS HT: 5'9 WT: 160 B: R T: R DOB: 2/2/1984
Acquired: Signed out of Taiwan January 31, 2003
2007 Statistics: (Minors) .325/.364/.507 in 127 Games (MLB) .241/.241/.517

The Good: Ranked #12 on Baseball America's Top 20 Southern League Prospects lists. After a 2006 campaign that saw Hu hit just .254, he broke out in a huge way by setting career highs in Doubles (40), Triples (6), HR (14) and all his slash stats (AVG/OBP/SLG). Defensively, Hu is all world and a Gold Glover in waiting. He has above average speed.

The Bad: As good as his 2007 season was, I don't think he'll repeat it. He really needs to draw more walks after walking in just 5.6% of his plate appearances this year. He also needs to improve his stolen base success rate.

The Future: Hu earned MVP honors in the Futures Game during the All Star Weekend and was named the Dodgers' offensive player of the year for 2007. He's been seeing some time at 2B, but his future is clearly at SS and he should replace Rafael Furcal following the 2008 season.

3. James McDonald, RHP HT: 6'5 WT: 195 B: L T: R DOB: 10/19/1984
Acquired: Selected in 11th round of 2002 Draft; signed as Draft and Follow prior to 2003 Draft
2007 Statistics: 134.2 IP, 121 H, 13 HR, 37 BB, 168 K 3.07 ERA

The Good: Ranked #6 on Baseball America's Top 20 Cal League Prospect list. "J Mac" has been pitching full-time for only 2 seasons after spending 2004 playing the outfield and 2005 playing both ways. He already shows great control, spotting his fastball where he wants it. Both his curve and changeup get high grades. McDonald also gets a good downhill plane on his pitches. Still projectible given his frame.

The Bad: McDonald isn't overpowering, as his fastball velocity fluctuates between the high 80s and low 90s. His flyball tendencies don't bode well for his future HR rates.

The Future: James will almost definitely head back to Jacksonville in 2008 and he could be a prime candidate for a callup in injuries mount on the big league staff. His ceiling isn't as a #1, but he should become a dependable MLB starter within the next few years.

2. Andy LaRoche, 3B HT: 5'11 WT: 200 B: R T: R DOB: 9/13/1983
Acquired: Selected in 39th round of 2003 Draft
2007 Statistics: (Minors) .309/.399/.589 in 73 Games (MLB) .225/.365/.312 in 35 Games

The Good: Ranked #4 on Baseball America's Top 20 PCL Prospects list. Shows well above average raw power with plus bat speed and leverage. Has a great eye at the plate. Shows a strong arm and decent range at 3B.

The Bad: LaRoche has been plagued by injuries over the past 2 seasons. He injured both his shoulders in 2006 and developed a chronic back condition in 2007. LaRoche needs to use the opposite field more consistently without abandoning his aggressive nature at the plate. His speed is below average.

The Future: LaRoche's health problems cost him a shot at establishing himself as the Dodgers' everyday 3B in 2007. He could compete for the starting job in Spring Training, though with Nomar on the books, he'll likely only see time in the majors when Garciaparra's hurt. Andy should take over full time in 2009.

1. Clayton Kershaw, LHP HT: 6'3 WT: 220 B: L T: L DOB: 3/19/1988
Acquired: Selected in 1st round of 2006 Draft
2007 Statistics: 122 IP, 89 H, 9 HR, 67 BB, 163 K 2.95 ERA

The Good: Ranked #1 on Baseball America's Top 20 Midwest League Prospects list. Kershaw is a scout's dream, as he has the size, stuff and character to be a #1 starter in the majors. His delivery is sound, his arm action is quick and he uses his lower half well.

The Bad: After walking 5 batters in his first 37 pro innings, Kershaw walked 67 in 122 innings this year. Desperately needs to reduce the walk rate. Needs to continue to improve his changeup.

The Future: The Dodgers were very aggressive with Kershaw, skipping him past High A and making him the only teenage pitcher in the Southern League. He'll return there as a 20 year old and headline a staff that could include James McDonald and Scott Elbert. There's an outside chance that he reaches the bigs in 2008. He's truly a special prospect and has the chance at becoming an ace in the majors.

Minor League Recap - 10/21/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros did not play


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires won 6-4

Ryan Rogowski - 1 for 2, 2 BB, K (.286 BA)
Josh Bell - 1 for 4, 2B, RBI, R, K (.216 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 2 for 4, RBI, R, SB (.229 BA)
Kenley Jansen - 0 for 3, BB (.222 BA)

Garrett White - .2 IP, 0 Hits, 2 ER, 5 BB, K (7.88 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_21_wocwin_honwin_1

Dodgers' Top 50 Prospects - 20-11

20. Xavier Paul, OF HT: 6'0 WT: 200 B: L T: R DOB: 2/25/1985
Acquired: Selected in 4th round of 2003 Draft
2007 Statistics: .291/.366/.429 in 118 Games

The Good: Paul is coming off his second consecutive successful season after a couple of poor ones. Hits the ball to all fields. Has enough speed to play CF. Owns the best OF arm in the organization.

The Bad: Despite his strong, compact build, Paul has not slugged over .430 since rookie ball. Also needs to work on his routes/jumps in the OF and success rate when stealing bases. His BABIP in 2007 was .375, which will likely regress next season.

The Future: Paul's prospectual status depends mainly on his power. If it develops, he could be an above average starter in RF. If not, he could be a decent starter in CF. Either way, he'll start next season as a 22 year old in Triple A, so time is on his side.

19. Austin Gallagher, 3B HT: 6'4 WT: 217 B: L T: R DOB: 11/16/1988
Acquired: Selected in 3rd round of 2007 Draft
2007 Statistics: .284/.346/.401 in 55 Games

The Good: Another surprise from Logan White this June, Gallagher was drafted mainly for his massive raw power. In his debut, Gallagher showed a mature approach and a decent walk rate, while keeping his strikeouts down. He uses the opposite field well.

The Bad: Gallagher's raw power doesn't translate from batting practice into games, as he collected just 4 Homeruns in 197 at bats. His hands are alright at 3B, but he doesn't move well and may have to move to 1B.

The Future: As Gallagher continues to mature, his power should develop and become a usable tools come gametime. His ultimate defensive home will greatly affect his value Gallagher will likely take his watermelons to Great Lakes and be the Loons' starting 3B next season.

18. Jamie Hoffman, OF HT: 6'3 WT: 210 B: R T: R DOB: 8/20/1984
Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent August 20, 2003
2007 Statistics: .309/.378/.455 in 116 Games

The Good: Rebounded from a poor 2006 season by setting career highs in Doubles (22) and HR (9). Displayed a good eye and contact ability. Named the best defensive OF in the system last year and tallied 17 OF assists this year.

The Bad: One of those players who does everything well but nothing great. Despite his size, he's not really a power threat. Could steal bases more effectively and walk more if he's going to make it as a leadoff type.

The Future: Ready to take the leap to Double A and prove he's worthy of this ranking. A former hockey player who entered pro ball as a 3B, Hoffman's already shown great ability in the field and promise at the plate. His offensive ceiling is the biggest question.

17. Michael Watt, LHP HT: 6'1 WT: 185 B: L T: L DOB: 2/24/1989
Acquired: Selected in 2nd round of 2007 Draft
2007 Statistics: 21 IP, 18 H, 0 HR, 6 BB, 18 K 3.00 ERA

The Good: Yet another surprise pick, Watt is a semi-local product from Mission Viejo. Lauded for his arm action, he's also extremely athletic and played CF in High School. His fastball already touches 91mph and has shown a good curve. Has some deception in his delivery.

The Bad: His ranking is based mostly on projection, as his current stuff isn't much to brag about. Doesn't have great size. There's some recoil in his delivery that throws his command off from time to time.

The Future: I view Watt as "Elbert-lite" and he could develop into a similar type of pitcher with some added velocity. He's a rare prospect given the fact that he's not that big but still offers some projection. He should start next season in the Great Lakes rotation.

16. Anthony Raglani, OF HT: 6'2 WT: 215 B: L T: L DOB: 4/6/1983
Acquired: Selected in 5th round of 2004 Draft
2007 Statistics: .248/.369/.461 in 136 Games

The Good: Led all Dodger minor leaguers with 85 walks. Has legit power, mostly to the pull side. Also has decent speed.

The Bad: Also led all Dodger minor leaguers with 139 strikeouts. His contact ability and flyball tendencies don't bode well for his BABIP. Relegated to LF due to a poor throwing arm. Doesn't use speed effectively on basepaths.

The Future: Will turn 25 on or about opening day next year, so he's ready to be tested in the majors. His OBP/SLG combo will likely go overlooked by the current Dodgers' administration and he could be valued by a more sabermetrically inclined organization.

15. Blake DeWitt, 3B HT: 5'11 WT: 175 B: L T: R DOB: 8/20/1985
Acquired: Selected in 1st round of 2004 Draft
2007 Statistics: .292/.327/.466 in 128 Games

The Good: DeWitt has a great stroke at the plate, spraying line drives to all fields. While he struggled to make contact in 2006, he posted a career high in BA and Doubles (42).

The Bad: Had a great month of June and did great after his July callup, but didn't do much else. While his strikeout rate dropped, so did his walk rate. His defense is a question mark at 3B and he's shown that he can't handle 2B. Has below average speed.

The Future: DeWitt is a prospect that continues to hang around rather than repeatedly prove himself. He gets respect mostly for his swing and first round pedigree, but he'll need to consistently smoak the ball in Triple A next season to get consideration for a look in the bigs.

14. Bryan Morris, RHP HT: 6'3 WT: 200 B: L T: R DOB: 3/28/.1987
Acquired: Selected in 1st round of 2006 Draft
2007 Statistics: N/A

The Good: Prior to his Tommy John surgery, Morris showed a fastball that sat in the low to mid 90s and a nasty curveball. His father is a coach at the JC he attended, so the kid knows how to pitch. Lean, athletic build and clean arm action.

The Bad: Anytime a prospect requires a major surgery, it's a negative. Many pitchers come back from TJ surgery and flourish, but Morris will have to make some adjustments in order to avoid another injury. He throws across his body, which could have contributed to his UCL tear.

The Future: I haven't heard any news regarding his recovery, but I have high hopes for Morris. Health permitting, the sky's the limit and he could end up being a front of the rotation starter.

13. Greg Miller, LHP HT: 6'5 WT: 220 B: L T: L DOB: 11/3/1984
Acquired: Selected in Supplemental 1st round of 2002 Draft
2007 Statistics: 76.2 IP, 65 H, 3 HR, 89 BB, 97 K 5.87

The Good: Still has the stuff that made him the best lefty in the minors back in 2003. Fastball can sit in the mid 90s and his breaking ball is a plus pitch. Has stayed healthy since returning to action in 2005.

The Bad: Can't find the strike zone with a Thomas Guide and a second set of hands. Led the minors in walks. Showed some improvement after a demotion to Jacksonville but still ended up walking 43 in 48 innings there.

The Future: He'll pitch as a 23 year old next year, meaning he still has a year or two to find his control. If he does and stays healthy, he'll return to 2003 form. If not, it'll be a huge disappointment for that much potential to go down the drain. He could break into the majors next season if he can consistently throw strikes.

12. Chris Withrow, RHP HT: 6'3 WT: 195 B: R T: R DOB: 4/1/1989
Acquired: Selected in 1st round of 2007 Draft
2007 Statistics: 9 IP, 5 H, 0 HR, 4 BB, 13 K 5.00 ERA

The Good: Logan White's dream, Withrow has a great pitcher's build, a clean delivery and plenty of projection. Started sitting in the low 90s late in the spring, leading to his 1st round selection and was touching 98 in a GCL playoff appearance. Has the makings of a plus curveball.

The Bad: Needs to show more consistent velocity. Could fine-tune his command and control, as well as improving the consistency of his curve and improving his changeup to a third reliable pitch.

The Future: Should be skipped past Ogden and enter next year as Great Lakes' ace. If his velocity in the playoff start was what we can expect going forward, Withrow's ceiling is considerably higher than what it was when he was drafted.

11. Pedro Baez, 3B HT: 6'2 WT: 200 B: R T: R DOB: 3/11/1988
Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic in March of 2007
2007 Statistics: .274/.341/.408 in 53 Games

The Good: In his pro debut, Baez took a rehabbing Pedro Martinez deep and made a name for himself in the GCL. Ranked as the #6 prospect in the GCL by Baseball America. Has excellent raw power and Gold Glove caliber defense. Has one of the strongest arms in the Dodgers' system.

The Bad: Didn't show too much power or hit many line drives in 2007. Needs to improve his strike zone judgement. Struggles a lot with breaking balls away. Speed isn't part of his game.

The Future: With proper development, he could be the player Adrian Beltre was supposed to be: a middle of the order masher who can really pick it at the hot corner. The Dodgers were aggressive with Pedro, so I expect him to make his full season debut in 2008.

Minor League Recap - 10/20/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 5-4

Chin Lung Hu - 0 for 4 (.281 BA)
Xavier Paul - 1 for 4, 2B, RBI, R, K (.156 BA)
Blake DeWitt - 1 for 3, 3B, RBI (.333 BA)

Cory Wade - 1.1 IP, 3 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's (2.70 ERA)
Zach Hammes - 1 IP, 2 Hits, 2 ER, BB, 0 K's (6.23 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_20_peswin_perwin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 8-1

Russell Mitchell - 0 for 4, 2 K's (.260 BA)
Josh Bell - 1 for 3, 2B, R (.213 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 0 for 3, 2 K's (.205 BA)
Kenley Jansen - 0 for 3, PB (.242 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_20_wocwin_honwin_1

Dodgers' Top 50 Prospects: 30-21

30. Wilfredo Diaz, LHP HT: 5'11 WT: 180 B: L T: L DOB: 1/22/1987
Acquired: Selected in 15th round of 2005 Draft
2007 Statistics: 55 IP, 62 H, 5 HR, 23 BB, 61 K 4.58 ERA

The Good: Smooth, easy delivery with quick, clean arm action. Good deception and some downhill plane thanks to high 3/4 delivery. Curve has tight spin with big, late break. Change shows promise.

The Bad: At just 5'11, has little projection left in him. Fastball sits in mid to upper 80s. Ceiling is limited to back of the rotation starter. Has spent first 3 pro seasons in rookie ball.

The Future: Diaz will finally get his first taste of full season ball when he joins Great Lakes next spring. He just missed the Pioneer League's Top 20 list, so he is a legit prospect. But his frame and stuff limits his potential and since he'll be 21 entering the 2008 season, Wilfredo will have to move quickly.

29. Yosanddy Garcia, 2B HT: 6'0 WT: 170 B: R T: R DOB: 10/20/1987
Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic July 7, 2004
2007 Statistics: .252/.338/.488 in 38 Games

The Good: Former top international signee more than doubled his career HR total, tallying 8 in the GCL while playing sporadically. Provides punch in the middle infield. Should handle 2B after moving from SS.

The Bad: Has spent the last 3 seasons in the GCL. Would be a better prospect at SS. Though he walked enough (16 in 145 PA's) his strikeout rate was too high (40 in 127 AB). Shows little speed for a middle infielder.

The Future: Garcia has to get into full season ball next year. Cutting down on the strikeouts will really help his development, as he has the power to be an impact hitter. Hopefully he'll open next year as Great Lakes' starting 2B.

28. Alfredo Silverio, OF HT: 6'1 WT: 185 B: R T: R DOB: 5/6/1987
Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic November 13, 2003
2007 Statistics: .373/.406/.544 in 51 Games

The Good: Freakishly good GCL season, was an MVP candidate. Great power to pull side. Enough arm to play right field. Home/Road and Left/Right splits were beneficial.

The Bad: Came out of nowhere, after OPSing under .800 in his 3rd season with the DSL Dodgers. Tries to pull everything and needs to use the whole field. Struggles with soft stuff away. Speed is just average.

The Future: Should skip Ogden and head to Great Lakes or even the Inland Empire. Extraordinary BABIP (.421) will drop considerably and he'll have to do a better job of drawing walks to maintain a high OBP.

27. Zach Hammes, RHP HT: 6'7 WT: 245 B: R T: R DOB: 5/15/1984
Acquired: Selected in 2nd round of 2002 Draft
2007 Statistics: 94.2 IP, 110 H, 11 HR, 30 BB, 76 K 5.23 ERA

The Good: Broke out last year in the Hawaii Winter League while working in relief. Started throwing in the mid 90s with regularity coming out of the pen. Showed good command of his slider.

The Bad: Struggled this year as a starter. While he throws hard, his fastball is relatively straight. His slider breaks out of his hand, eliminating much deception.

The Future: After inexplicably being used as a starter in 2007, Hammes' future lies in relief. He'll likely head to Vegas to start 2008 and could join the Dodgers' pen sometime next season.

26. Ryan Rogowski, OF HT: 6'2 WT: 200 B: L T: L DOB: 1/26/1984
Acquired: Signed as non-drafted free agent August 28, 2005
2007 Statistics: .253/.347/.381 in 121 Games

The Good: Profiles as a good leadoff hitter. Has the quintessential speed/on-base ability that you look for in a table-setter. Has stolen 69 bases and been caught 12 times as a pro. Has also walked 106 times in 816 plate appearances.

The Bad: Power profiles as below average, as he has just 7 HR in 191 games. XBH totals in 2007 were inflated by the Cal league. Will be 24 on opening day in 2008.

The Future: Was extremely unlucky, posting a .297 BABIP in 2007. Should bounce back in 2008 with the Jacksonville Suns, for whom he should bat leadoff.

25. Kyle Orr, 1B HT: 6'5 WT: 205 B: L T: R DOB: 9/29/1988
Acquired: Selected in 4th round of 2006 Draft
2007 Statistics: .228/.330/.329 in 48 Games

The Good: While Kyle had a disappointing debut, he struggled against righties and his .311 BABIP was well below league average. His frame lends many to project him to have massive power down the road. Hit surprisingly well against lefties (.308/.390/.481).

The Bad: Orr has a ways to go as far as polishing his offensive game. Flyball tendencies don't bode well for his BABIP. His walk rate was fine but he struck out too much (47 in 158 AB). Can play OF but would lose some value if he stays at 1B.

The Future: Hopefully the Dodgers will take it slowly with Orr, who will play as a 19 year old next season. Hold him back in extended spring training and let him get his feet wet in the Pioneer League during the summer.

24. Preston Mattingly, 2B HT: 6'3 WT: 205 B: R T: R DOB: 8/28/1987
Acquired: Selected in Supplemental 1st round of 2006 Draft
2007 Statistics: .210/.251/.297 in 107 Games

The Good: Uber-athletic son of former All Star Don, Preston was a three-sport star in high school. Has excellent speed for someone his size and good bat speed.

The Bad: He's as raw as he is athletic. Walked in about 5% of his PA's in 2007. Struck out 119 times in 404 at bats. Had to be moved off SS after committing 15 errors in 18 games. Moved to 2B but still struggled and will eventually end up in either CF or LF.

The Future: Mattingly looked like a rookie league player in full season colors this summer. He has a long way to go before realizing his immense potential and I wouldn't be surprised if Preston's back in Great Lakes to start 2008.

23. Jaime Ortiz, 1B HT: 6'3 WT: 200 B: L T: L DOB: 7/14/1988
Acquired: Selected in 7th round of 2006 Draft
2007 Statistics: .274/.333/.473 in 59 Games

The Good: Ranked #12 on BaseballAmerica.com's Top 20 Pioneer League Prospect list. His power is well above average and should spread to all fields as he matures as a hitter. Has soft hands defensively.

The Bad: Jaime could stand to cut down on the K's. Really needs to work on using the whole field. Can also stand to work the count better and draw more walks. Well below average runner.

The Future: Moving to Great Lakes will show if Ortiz' power is for real. He'll play the majority of next year as a 19 year old, so he's on a good pace as a prospect.

22. Justin Orenduff, RHP HT: 6'4 WT: 205 B: R T: R DOB: 5/27/1983
Acquired: Selected in Supplemental 1st round of 2004 Draft
2007 Statistics: 109 IP, 112 H, 16 HR, 45 BB, 113 K 4.21 ERA

The Good: Finally healthy after recovering from shoulder surgery, Orenduff struck out more than a batter an inning in his second-go-round in Double A. Uses a low 90s fastball and sometimes overuses his mid 80s slider.

The Bad: After giving up 13 HR in his first 210.2 IP, he allowed 16 this season. Justin's walk rate also rose and he was more hittable. His flyball tendencies don't bode well for him lowering his HR rate, but hopefully he can return to previous seasons' form.

The Future: "Duff Man" will turn 25 early next season, so he needs to get to the majors in a hurry. He's a darkhorse to make the rotation if an injury occurs next season and could join the team by midseason as a reliever.

21. Lucas May, C HT: 6'0 WT: 190 B: R T: R DOB: 10/24/1984
Acquired: Selected in 8th round of 2003 Draft
2007 Statistics: .256/.313/.465 in 128 Games

The Good: Very good athlete for a catcher, actually began his career as a SS and played the OF before being converted last offseason. Tied for second in the league with 25 HR. His .280 BABIP is about .030 to .040 points below league average, so his numbers could actually improve next season. Best defensive tool is his plus arm strength.

The Bad: Still very new to catching, May was credited with 31 passed balls in 2007. He stole 5 bases but was caught 7 times. Walk rate could improve.

The Future: Should be Jacksonville's starting catcher in 2008. I see his future as more of a super utility in the bigs. Power numbers should drop but BA and OBP should raise next season.

Minor League Recap - 10/20/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 2-0

Chin Lung Hu - 0 for 4, K (.321 BA)
Xavier Paul - 0 for 3 (.143 BA)

Justin Orenduff - 1 IP, 3 Hits, ER, BB, 2 K's (3.00 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_19_msswin_peswin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires won 7-2

Russell Mitchell - 1 for 5, 2B, RBI, R, K (.283 BA)
Ryan Rogowski - 1 for 5, RBI, R, 2 K's (.277 BA)

Steven Johnson - 5 IP, 2 Hits, 0 R, BB, 5 K's (3.00 ERA)
Kyle Wilson - 2 IP, 2 Hits, ER, 0 BB, 5 K's (14.54 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_19_wocwin_honwin_1

Dodgers' Top 50 Prospects - 40-31

40. Josh Wall, RHP HT: 6'6 WT: 190 B: R T: R DOB: 1/21/1987
Acquired: Selected in 2nd round of 2005 Draft
2007 Statistics: 129.1 IP, 136 H, 8 HR, 48 BB, 103 K 4.18 ERA

Three years in pro ball and still hasn't advanced past Low A, but at least his numbers this year were encouraging.

39. Steven Johnson, RHP HT: 6'1 WT: 185 B: R T: R DOB: 8/31/1987
Acquired: Selected in 13th round of 2005 Draft
2007 Statistics: 81.2 IP, 90 H, 2 HR, 40 BB, 65 K 4.85 ERA

Finesse righty had a disappointing campaign after looking promising in 2006.

38. Justin Miller, RHP HT: 6'3 WT: 190 B: R T: R DOB: 8/2/1987
Acquired: Selected in 6th round of 2007 Draft
2007 Statistics: 17.2 IP, 22 H, 0 HR, 2 BB, 12 K 3.92 ERA

Split time between mound and outfield for his JuCo, Miller can throw in the low 90s and shows a promising mid 80s slider.

37. Tim Sexton, RHP HT: 6'5 WT: 205 B: R T: R DOB: 6/10/1987
Acquired: Selected in 25th round of 2007 Draft
2007 Statistics: 22.2 IP, 24 H, 2 HR, 5 BB, 25 K 3.57 ERA

JuCo draftee is a Bronson Arroyo clone, with unorthodox delivery and average stuff that plays up with good command/control.

36. Scott Van Slyke, OF HT: 6'5 WT: 214 B: R T: R DOB: 7/26/1984
Acquired: Selected in 14th round of 2005 Draft
2007 Statistics: .254/.310/.328 in 104 Games

Son of Andy has great size but needs to learn to hit for power as well as fine-tuning the rest of his game.

35. Jose Dominguez, RHP HT: 6'0 WT: 180 B: R T: R DOB: 8/7/1990
Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic July 2, 2007
2007 Statistics: 8 IP, 10 H, 0 HR, 7 BB, 14 K 4.50 ERA

17 year old has a mature approach on the mound with a fastball that can touch 90 mph and a good curve.

34. James Adkins, LHP HT: 6'5 WT: 195 B: L T: L DOB: 11/26/1985
Acquired: Selected in Supplemental 1st round of 2007 Draft
2007 Statistics: 26 IP, 17 H, 1 HR, 10 BB, 30 K 2.42 ERA

Controversial 2007 draft pick had strong debut in Low A; reminds me of a bigger, lefty version of Justin Orenduff.

33. Mike Megrew, LHP HT: 6'6 WT: 210 B: L T: L DOB: 1/29/1984
Acquired: Selected in 5th round of 2002 Draft
2007 Statistics: 93.1 IP, 97 H, 7 HR, 46 BB, 90 K 5.30 ERA

Once called "the poster boy for projectible lefties: by Logan White, Megrew needs to hit Triple A running in 2008.

32. Dan Danielson, RHP HT: 6'4 WT: 220 B: R T: R DOB: 12/12/1988
Acquired: Selected in 7th round of 2007 Draft
2007 Statistics: 20.2 IP, 17 H, 2 HR, 6 BB, 21 K 3.48 ERA

From famed prep Russell County HS, DD has an excellent frame and easy delivery; will need to polish breaking ball going forward.

31. Jovanny Rosario, OF HT: 5'9 WT: 160 B: S T: R DOB: 6/7/1985
Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic June 2, 2003
2007 Statistics: .331/.376/.452 in 70 Games

Mentioned by name by DeJon Watson in a chat, has 4 average or above tools and projects as a classic lead-off hitting CF.

Minor League Recap - 10/18/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 10-3

Blake DeWitt - 0 for 2, BB (.333 BA)

Greg Miller - 2 IP, 4 Hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K's (18.00 ERA)
Wesley Wright - 1.1 IP, Hit, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's (2.84 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_18_peswin_surwin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires did not play

Dodgers' Top 50 Prospects - 50-41

50. Juan Rivera, 2B/SS HT: 6'0 WT: 148 B: S T: R DOB: 3/17/1987
Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic July 21, 2003
2007 Statistics: .252/.291/.385 in 39 Games

Former top international prospect has floundered in the low minors since signing, but showed improved power this summer with Great Lakes.

49. Kenley Jansen, C HT: 6'2 WT: 220 B: S T: R DOB: 7/30/1987
Acquired: Signed out of Curacao November 17, 2004
2007 Statistics: .207/.313/.277 in 73 Games

Switch-hitting catcher's lone offensive tool is getting on base; must improve defense to move up the ladder.

48. Baker Fructuoso, RHP HT: N/A WT: N/A B: N/A T: R DOB: / /1990
Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic July 12, 2007
2007 Statistics: N/A

The information I do have about this 17 year old is that he's a converted outfielder who's already throwing 92-94 mph.

47. Edwin Contreras, RHP HT: 6'0 WT: 184 B: R T: R DOB: 9/17/1988
Acquired: Signed out of Mexico November 28, 2006
2007 Statistics: 30 IP, 27 H, 3 HR, 11 BB, 28 K 3.30 ERA

Mexico native displayed his 4 pitch mix in his pro debut, including a fastball that can touch the low 90s.

46. Eric Thompson, RHP HT: 6'6 WT: 210 B: R T: R DOB: 4/4/1988
Acquired: Selected in 23rd round of 2006 Draft
2007 Statistics: 46.1 IP, 48 H, 2 HR, 23 BB, 28 K 4.47 ERA

Former Basketball player has promising stuff and excellent frame, but will need more than just a low 90s fastball.

45. Cory Dunlap, 1B HT: 6'0 WT: 290 B: L T: L DOB: 4/13/1984
Acquired: Selected in 3rd round of 2004 Draft
2007 Statistics: .226/.337/.323 in 121 Games

Like Jansen, offers little else aside from his ability to get on base; his time as a prospect is quickly running out.

44. Bolivar Medina, LHP HT: 6'2 WT: 175 B: L T: L DOB: 7/11/1988
Acquired: Signed out of Domican Republic
2007 Statistics: 36 IP, 27 H, 1 HR, 22 BB, 43 K 2.75 ERA

Mentioned by name in a chat with Logan White, Medina will find his way to the states next season.

43. Geison Aguasviva, LHP HT: 6'2 WT: 166 B: L T: L DOB: 8/3/1987
Acquired: Signed out of Dominican Republic December 15, 2005
2007 Statistics: 66 IP, 43 H, 0 HR, 14 BB, 69 K 1.50 ERA

Mentioned by name in a chat with DeJon Watson, Aguasviva started the DSL's All Star Game by pitching a perfect inning and finished 9th in the league in ERA.

42. Kyle Smit, RHP HT: 6'3 WT: 165 B: R T: R DOB: 10/14/1987
Acquired: Selected in 5th round of 2006 Draft
2007 Statistics: 61 IP, 57 Hits, 4 HR, 25 BB, 66 K 4.87 ERA

Breezed through the GCL before struggling in the Midwest League, needs to be more consistent with low 90s fastball and slider.

41. Javy Guerra, RHP HT: 6'1 WT: 196 B: R T: R DOB: 10/31/1985
Acquired: Selected in 4th round of 2004 Draft
2007 Statistics: 117.2 IP, 139 H, 10 HR, 80 BB, 121 K 6.27 ERA

Still seems to have electric fastball, but challenged fellow Dodger farmhand Greg Miller for minor league lead in walks.

Minor League Recap - 10/17/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 10-5

Chin Lung Hu - 2 for 5, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, K, E (.375 BA)
Xavier Paul - 2 for 4, RBI, R, K (.160 BA)

Zach Hammes - 1.1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's (2.70 ERA)
Cory Wade - 1 IP, Hit, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's (4.50 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_17_surwin_peswin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 7-6

Ryan Rogowski - 2 for 3, R, 2 BB, K (.286 BA)
Josh Bell - 1 for 5, RBI, 2 K's (.205 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 1 for 3, BB, OF Assist (.220 BA)
Kenley Jansen - 1 for 3, 2B, R, BB, E (.267 BA)

Garrett White - 2 IP, 2 Hits, 2 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K's (6.14 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_17_wocwin_waiwin_1

And so it begins...

The time has finally come. After weeks of procrastination, I'm finally ready to post my Top 50 Dodgers' Prospects. Tomorrow night I'll post 50-41, continuing through Sunday when I reveal my Top 10. You have been warned.

Minor League Recap - 10/16/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 3-2

Xavier Paul - 0 for 3, R, BB, 2 K's (.095 BA)
Blake DeWitt - 1 for 2, BB (.400 BA)

Justin Orenduff - 1 IP, Hit, 0 R, BB, 2 K's (1.80 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_16_peswin_pddwin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires won 5-3

Russell Mitchell - 0 for 4, RBI (.293 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 0 for 3, BB (.211 BA)

Kyle Wilson - .1 IP, 2 Hits, ER, BB, 0 K's (17.55 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_16_wocwin_waiwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/15/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros won 3-2

Chin Lung Hu - 0 for 4 (.368 BA)
Xavier Paul - 0 for 3 (.111 BA)

Wesley Wright - 2 IP, 3 Hits, 2 ER, 0 BB, K (3.60 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_15_pddwin_peswin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires won 8-2

Ryan Rogowski - 0 for 2, R, 2 BB, SB (.256 BA)
Russell Mitchell - 1 for 4, R, K (.324 BA)
Josh Bell - 1 for 3, R (.205 BA)
Kenley Jansen - 3 for 4, 2B, K (.259 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_15_wocwin_waiwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/14/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros did not play


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 9-3

Ryan Rogowski - 1 for 3, BB, SB, CS (.270 BA)
Josh Bell - 1 for 4, RBI, K (.194 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 0 for 3, BB, K (.229 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_14_wocwin_nshwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/13/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 4-0

Chin Lung Hu - 3 for 4, K (.467 BA)
Xavier Paul - 1 for 3, K, CS (.133 BA)

Cory Wade - 1 IP, Hit, ER, 0 BB, K (9.00 ERA)
Zach Hammes - 1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's (4.50 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_13_peswin_msswin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 8-4

Russell Mitchell - 2 for 2 (.333 BA)
Josh Bell - 0 for 2, RBI, R, BB (.188 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 2 for 5, 2B, 3B, K (.250 BA)
Kenley Jansen - 0 for 4, BB (.174 BA)

Steven Johnson - 4 IP, 6 Hits, 5 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's (4.15 ERA)
Garrett White - 2 IP, 6 Hits, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's (8.44 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_13_wocwin_nshwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/12/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 6-3

Chin Lung Hu - 2 for 4, BB, CS (.364 BA)
Blake DeWitt - 1 for 4 (.375 BA)

Greg Miller - 2 IP, 6 Hits, 4 ER, BB, 3 K's (18.00 ERA)
Justin Orenduff - 2 IP, 2 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, K (2.25 ERA)
Wesley Wright - 1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 R, 2 BB, K (0.00 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_12_peswin_perwin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 5-0

Ryan Rogowski - 0 for 3, BB, K (.265 BA)
Josh Bell - 0 for 4, 2 K's (.200 BA)
Russell Mitchell - 1 for 3, 2B, E (.290 BA)

Kyle Wilson - 2 IP, 2 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, K

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_12_wocwin_nshwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/11/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros lost 14-2

Xavier Paul - 1 for 4, K (.083 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_11_perwin_peswin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires lost 8-7

Ryan Rogowski - 2 for 5, 2B, HR (1), 4 RBI, R, CS (.290 BA)
Josh Bell - 0 for 3, RBI, K, E (.231 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 1 for 3, R, BB, K (.222 BA)
Kenley Jansen - 1 for 2, R, BB, E, PB (.211 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_11_wocwin_honwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/10/07

Winter League - Peoria Saguaros won 5-4

Chin Lung Hu - 0 for 3, BB (.286 BA)
Xavier Paul - 0 for 4, 3 K's (.000 BA) Has struck out in 5 of first 8 at bats in AFL
Blake DeWitt - 2 for 4, R, E (.500 BA)

Zach Hammes - 1 IP, 0 Hits, ER, 2 BB, K (9.00 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_10_scowin_peswin_1


Winter League - West Oahu Canefires tied 5-5 (Game ended after 11 innings)

Russell Mitchell - 2 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K's, SB (.286 BA)
Jamie Hoffman - 1 for 4, R, BB, K, 2 SB's, E, HBP (.208 BA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l405&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_10_wocwin_honwin_1

Minor League Recap - 10/09/07

Winter Ball - Peoria Saguaros won 4-3

Chin Lung Hu - 2 for 4, 2B, R, K, SB (.500 BA)
Xavier Paul - 0 for 4, 2 K's (.000 BA)

Wesley Wright - 2 IP, Hit, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's (0.00 ERA)
Justin Orenduff - 2 IP, Hit, ER, BB, K (4.50 ERA)

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2007_10_09_peswin_scowin_1


Winter Ball - West Oahu Canefires did not play

Year in Review - Los Angeles Dodgers

Major League Baseball - Los Angeles Dodgers (Overall record 82-80, 4th in NL West)

Last year, as quickly as the thrill of victory filled Dodger fans' hearts from making the playoffs, the agony of defeat swept into LA as the Mets swept the Dodgers out of the playoffs. Still just one playoff win in the last 19 years. The Dodgers went into the offseason with a wishlist that included a power hitter, a starting pitcher and some complimentary pieces to flesh out the team around young players like Russell Martin, Andre Ethier, James Loney, Chad Billingsley and Matt Kemp. However, the Dodgers didn't get what they needed, be it by miscalculation or mishap, and I'll now attempt to look back and figure out why the Dodgers' season ended the way it did.

Where Did We Begin?

The roster has been fluid over the past few years, the result of having three general managers in the last four seasons. JD Drew's exodus seemingly spelled the end of the sabermetric experiment for the Dodgers. Two-month rentals were also purged from the roster, as Julio Lugo joined Drew in Boston and Greg Maddux headed south for San Diego. And journeyman Kenny Lofton signed with his eleventh organization, the Rangers, before returning to the Indians at midseason.

So what did Colletti do? First, he re-signed Nomar Garciaparra for 2 years at $9.25 million a year. Initially, I thought this was a fair deal that wouldn't hurt the Dodgers. However, upon further review, you'll notice Nomar's nose-dive began in the second half of 2006. His post All Star OPS was a dismal .694 and while he clubbed 6 Homeruns in September, that should not have been enough to block James Loney, who led the planet by batting .380 in the minors last season.

Next, Colletti signed Juan Pierre to a 5 year deal worth $44 million. This acquisition did not make sense to me. Generally, giving 5 year deals to ANY player is a bad idea, but even worse when the player turns 30 in the first year of the contract. Pierre did nothing in the past two years to warrant such a contract, as he put up mediocre numbers in both Florida in 2005 and Chicago in 2006. He does not get on base enough to compensate for his utter lack of power nor to properly utilize his greatest asset: his speed. And given his age, he likely isn't going to get any faster.

Then the Dodgers signed a pair of pitchers: Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf. Schmidt was a player I believed the Dodgers would target in the offseason, given his history with the Giants and the Dodgers' need for a good starting pitcher. What the Dodgers got, however, was damaged goods. I'm not going to accuse anyone of anything, but I find it hard to believe that such serious shoulder problems would go unseen during a routine physical examination. With Wolf, it was a matter of risk versus reward. The risk was that he'd get hurt, the reward was he'd pitch well. And in reverse order, both happened.

Finally, the Dodgers signed Luis Gonzalez to a one year deal. This signing showed me Colletti's apprehension for giving too many "kids" too much playing time. The Gonzalez signing effectively assured James Loney, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp that they would not be full-time starters. And they were being replaced by a near-40 year old who would not outproduce them. Suffice it to say, I was not a fan of this signing either.

Where Did We Go From There?

The Dodgers finished April with a 15-11 record, then went 16-11 in May. Unfortunately, they would not finish another month over .500. Schmidt, who started on opening day in Milwaukee, would make just five more appearances with the big club and end up with only 25.2 innings logged during the entire season. Randy Wolf, who started strong, was bitten by the injury bug in July and missed the rest of the year. Brett Tomko and Mark Hendrickson filled in with mixed results. Hendrickson made the most of his opportunities in April, posting a 1.66 ERA in just over 21 innings. However, "Lurch" would be relegated to relief duty for the remainder of the season. Tomko, on the other hand, pitched himself out of the rotation and was given his walking papers in late August. The bright spots in the rotation ended up being Brad Penny, Derek Lowe and Chad Billingsley. Penny was a Cy Young contender for most of the season, Lowe logged just under 200 innings with a 3.88 ERA and Chad Billingsley was arguably the Dodgers' best pitcher in the second half of the season.

At the plate, Nomar got off to a hot start but faded quickly and struggled through injuries. Luis Gonzalez posted respectable numbers in the first half, but couldn't save his second half even with a strong September. Jeff Kent led the team with 20 HR and OPS'd .971 after the All Star break. Similarly, Juan Pierre came on strong after the All Star break by raising his OBP by .045 points.

But the stars this season were the kids. According to Vin Scully, Matt Kemp's .342 batting average was the third highest ever from a Dodger with that many plate appearances. James Loney led the league with 32 RBI in September and led the team (Delwyn Young excluded) with a .919 OPS. Russell Martin established himself as the best catcher in the National League. Chad Billingsley sported a 3.31 ERA for the year between the pen and the rotation. And Andre Ethier compiled a respectable .802 OPS.

What Went Wrong?

If there's one truth in Baseball, it's pitching wins championships. And the Dodgers just didn't have it. The first problem was Tomko making the rotation to start the year. In spite of acquiring two starting pitchers through free agency, the rotation was not set until the end of spring training. And when Chad Billingsley was relegated to the pen for half the season, it seemed as though the staff would be constantly adapting to who was hot and who was cold. With Schmidt suffering through injury and Tomko suffering through ineffectiveness, Mark Hendrickson and Hong Chih Kuo got the call. But more injuries and less reliable performances forced the Dodgers' hand and Chad Billingsley entered the rotation in late June. Billingsley, Lowe and Penny could only pitch so much. But when the year ended with the likes of David Wells and Esteban Loaiza gracing the Dodger rotation, it proved to be the team's undoing.

The hitting didn't fare much better, starting with Garciaparra's power outage. Gonzalez did well in the first half but not so much in the second, with Pierre doing the opposite. Furcal struggled with his ankle injury all season. Only Kent held his own as far as the veterans go. And as I already mentioned, the kids did more than anyone could have expected.

The defense was a problem as well. While Russell Martin, James Loney and Rafael Furcal are all above average to excellent, the rest of the team struggled with the glove. Juan Pierre, despite his speed, rarely gets great jumps and occasionally takes circuitous routes. Luis Gonzalez's arm strength and range rival Stephen Hawking's. And while Matt Kemp has good speed and a nice arm, he's still raw in the outfield. Jeff Kent is known for his bat for good reason, and Nomar Garciaparra was nothing special at first and flat out poor at third.

What's The Solution?

The first issue that should be adressed is the rotation. Jason Schmidt's health greatly affects the shape of the Dodgers' pitching staff heading into next year. Unfortunately, Dodger officials and fans alike will have to wait until next spring to see if he'll be able to pitch in 2008. Another problem with the Dodgers' projected rotation is the presence of Esteban Loaiza. Not only were his numbers downright ugly (16 walks and 9 HR allowed in 22.7 innings), he also seemed dismissive of Rick Honeycutt's advice when approached about his performance. So, assuming Schmidt is healthy, who steps in for Loaiza? My target would be Jason Jennings. Jennings was acquired along with Miguel Asencio by the Astros for Willy Taveras, Jason Hirsh and Taylor Buchholz. Jennings' second half, coupled with a new front office staff, could dissuade the Astros from re-signing him. His G:F ratio this year was an outlier, as he's been a groundball pitcher throughout his career. So keeping the ball down and pitching in a more forgiving home park should see his numbers change for the better.

Secondly, the Dodgers could use a big bat. Now, call me crazy, but I'm in the crowd that would like to see Alex Rodriguez don Dodger blue. And while LA hasn't had many superstars play their home games in Chavez Ravine, it would make too much sense for A Rod to return to the west coast. Afterall, he should have been a Dodger all along. LA should have had the first overall pick in 1993, but due to an arbitrary rule that alternated which league got the first pick, the Mariners had the first choice and chose Rodriguez. The Dodgers, picking second even though they had the worst record in Baseball, wound up with Darren Dreifort. And it's not every year that the best player in the game hits the free agent market. With the team's youth and inexpensive contracts over the next few years, McCourt could absorb the blow of spending $25-30 million a year on a single player. Plus, he fills a black hole at third base and could move over to short in 2009 once Furcal hits the open market.

But last, and most important, this team needs a leader. While I am a believer in the theory that winning breeds chemistry, someone needs to light a fire under these guys. It's not going to be McCourt, who's too far removed from the clubhouse and doesn't appear to be really "hands-on." It isn't Colletti, who came out and defended Kent's remarks about how the young players don't have the experience or "know-how" to win (Even though the youth carried the veterans in the final weeks of the year). It isn't Little, whose laid-back nature and almost apathetic attitude irritated many Dodger fans when they were on the verge of missing the playoffs. Whoever it may be, the Dodgers desperately need him to step up and lead the clubhouse to the promised land.

Year in Review - Rookie Leagues

Rookie Leagues - Ogden (Overall record 34-41)

Nothing new here. Hitters flourished, pitchers suffered. It was a mix of 2007 and 2006 draftees, with few high ceiling hitters and next to nothing of note in the rotation or pen. As a team, Ogden finished in the middle of the pack in hitting and pitching, while placing third in each half. And now, onto the prospects!

Breakout - Jaime Pedroza, SS

Yes, the name should look familiar, as Jaime's brother Sergio was a 3rd round pick of the Dodgers in 2005 and traded at the deadline in 2006 along with Joel Guzman for Julio Lugo. Jaime shares some qualities with his brother, including offensive aptitude and defensive question marks. Jaime signed out of UC Riverside for $70,000 and started at shortstop for the Raptors. Pedroza's OPS was 6th best in the Pioneer League (.982) and he led the team with 18 doubles. A brief stint in the Cal League yielded a .250/.400/.250 line in 16 plate appearances.

Pedroza was drafted for his bat, though it's questionable how much offense he'll produce. He doesnt have great size at 5'8 but a quick bat gives him some line drive power. He'll have to hit for good average in order for his OBP to stay above average, as he drew just 17 walks in 255 plate appearances. And while he's an average runner, he doesnt really profile as a top of the order hitter. Then there's his defense. While he played shortstop in his first season, Pedroza will likely have to move to second base soon. He committed 20 errors in 53 games at short during his debut.

With shortstops like Chin Lung Hu and Ivan De Jesus Jr ahead of him, a change of position could do Jaime good and he may become the Dodgers' best second base prospect once Tony Abreu establishes himself in the majors. Offensive-minded middle infielders are always a hot commodity, though it's uncertain how much his defense will drag down what he does with the bat. Nevertheless, Pedroza will have to move quickly through the system after being drafted out of college at age 20 (Turned 21 on September 12) and should begin next season back in the Inland Empire.

Breakdown - Kenley Jansen, C

Jansen was never a big name in the Dodgers' system, though he was ranked as their second best catching prospect behind converted infielder Carlos Santana coming into the season. Kenley Jansen was signed out of Curacao on Nov 17, 2004 as a free agent. He made his debut with the GCL Dodgers in 2005, hitting .304/.339/.441 before joining Ogden and posting a meager .523 OPS. Last year, he was back in the GCL and disappointed by hitting .248/.362/.308. So this year, the Dodgers moved him up past Ogden and he struggled mightily in his first full season. Kenley hit just .102 in 20 games with Great Lakes before being sent down to Ogden, where he batted just .240 with 2 HR in 53 games.

Jansen is a big kid at 6'2 220 lbs, though he hasnt hit for much power in his pro career as his .320 career SLG illustrates. His .237 career batting average is also disappointing and he hasnt hit over .250 since his first taste of pro ball in 2005. However, the one bright spot in his offensive game is his ability to get on base; he's drawn 61 walks in 545 plate appearances. Defensively, I dont have much information on his defense, though he's committed 10 errors in 106 games and allowed 21 passed balls.

Jansen turned 20 on September 30 so he's got plenty of time to develop. However, with Lucas May and Carlos Santana being switched to catcher before the season and Alex Garabedian and Jessie Mier being drafted this year, he needs a strong offensive season to establish himself as a legitimate prospect in 2008.

Others of Note

Austin Gallagher, 3B - The surprise third round pick in 2007, Gallagher was viewed by some scouts as not being ready for pro ball. But after batting .284/.346/.401 in his debut and ranking 7th on BA.com's Pioneer League Top 20, Gallagher's future looks more promising than it did in June. He needs to refine his approach to develop his raw power and he'll have to work hard to stay at third base.

Wilfredo Diaz, LHP - It's hard to establish yourself as a legit pitching prospect in the Pioneer League, but Diaz' name came up as a Raptor who showed some potential. The short lefty was drafted in the 15th round out of Puerto Rico in 2005, so being in rookie ball doesnt help his prospect status. However, his 61 strikeouts in 55 innings is encouraging and he's still just 20 years old.

Jaime Ortiz, 1B - Another PR product, Ortiz failed to show much at the plate in 2006. But a move to Utah seemed to ignite the first baseman's power potential as he clubbed 10 doubles and 11 HR in 59 games. He ranked 12th on BA.com's Pioneer League Top 20 and may be the Dodgers' best first base prospect.





Rookie Leagues - GCL Dodgers (Overall record 40-15)

The GCL Dodgers ran away with the East Division title, averaging 5 runs per game on offense and 3.67 runs per game against. The GCL club hosted first round pick Chris Withrow, second rounder Michael Watt and many other promising talents. Some international flavor was added to the club with players from the Dominican Republic, Canada and even France making apperances with the club.

Breakout - Andrew Lambo, 1B/OF

I was surprised to hear the Dodgers selected Lambo in the fourth round, mainly because he was selected out of a high school that's about 10 minutes from my house. Though he was drafted as a htiter, he pitched his summer league team, the Reds scout team, to the championship game in the World Wood Bat Association tournament. Lambo was bought of of his commitment to Arizona State with a $164,250 bonus.

Andrew compares favorably with James Loney; they both pitched and hit in high school, both have pretty left-handed swings, both have gap power and both play very good defense at first base. They're even similar in size. However, unlike Loney, Lambo has makeup issues. He was kicked out of his first high school and turned scouts off in the spring by acting immature in his interviews. However, Logan White didnt seem to have a problem with his character and I'll trust him on that. Lambo ranked 10th on BA.com's GCL Top 20 list.

Lambo is a rare high school hitter who could move quickly. I expect him to make his full season debut with Great Lakes next year, but the Dodgers could promote him to the Inland Empire if he handles Low A pitching like I expect him to. If he keeps his head on straight, the Dodgers could have another strong hitting prospect on their hands.

Breakdown - Kyle Orr, 1B/OF

Kyle Orr was drafted in the 4th round in 2006 out of a British Columbia high school. Although, due to Visa problems, Orr was unable to make his pro debut until 2007. He was signed for $435,000 in order to steer him away from college.

Orr failed to show his tremendous power potential this summer, as he managed to hit just 3 HR in 158 at bats and slugged .329. His .228 batting average and 47 strikeouts contributed to his poor season. However, much like Kenley Jansen, Orr showed a knack for getting on base by posting a .330 OBP by drawing 19 walks in 182 plate appearances.

Orr is still young, having turned 19 on September 29. Given his age, he'd probably be best served starting next year in extended spring training and playing for Ogden. There's no need to rush him, as he needs time to add weight to his slender 6'5 185 lbs frame to better utilize his power. He'll likely play the outfield in the future to give him some defensive versatility, though he played all of his games in 2007 either as a first baseman or DHing.

Others of Note

Chris Withrow, RHP - The 20th overall pick in 2007 was a surprise to some, given his being valued as a fringe first rounder, but he fits Logan White's preferences perfectly. He's projectible, has a very clean delivery and great makeup, but that's not all. During a playoff start, Withrow was sitting at 92-94 mph while touching 98. He's also shown an above average curveball and a developing changeup. He could start next year in Low A.

Pedro Baez, 3B - When I asked both Farm Director DeJon Watson and Assistant GM Logan White who to look for in terms of Dominican signings, they both mentioned Baez. And despite pedestrian numbers in the GCL (.274/.341/.408), he was lauded for his defense and power potential. A memorable moment came when Baez homered off of a rehabbing Pedro Martinez. He ranked 6th in BA.com's GCL Top 10.

Michael Watt, LHP - Another surprise pick from Logan White, Watt was a SoCal product who was thought of as a project who could really benefit from 3 years in college. But White saw the athletic lefty and nabbed him in the second round. Watt's arm action makes scouts drool and he can generate 91mph heat already. His curveball gives him a second reliable offering and he's working on a changeup.

Up Next - LA Dodgers Year in Review will be up late Sunday