FanPost

State of the Minor League System - 2nd Base


Next up in the series is 2nd base. As a reminder, this analysis will serve two purposes. First, it will take a look at the Dodgers minor league system at each position and show the depth and talent at each. Second, it will provide a re-ranking of the players within each position. I am not going to provide an new overall ranking, but instead will just show the rankings within each position. I will also provide the preseason rank that I gave to each player within the position. You'll notice that some players have an N/A next to their preseason rank. That is because the player is new to the Dodgers since my preseason ranking. I will be providing a position by position breakdown over the next two weeks.

I am including the players that were drafted in the 2010 draft and have already signed with the Dodgers. I know that it is difficult to evaluate such prospects so early into their Dodger career, but I am going to do my best and basically give them a preliminary ranking. Also, I use Baseball America's prospect restrictions (130 AB's or 50 IP), although I also limit my ranking to players under 28 years old.

In addition, the position that I have each player ranked at is the position that I believe is best for the player. It may not be the players current primary position, but it is where I believe each player will ultimately end up should they make the major leagues. The same holds true for pitchers. If I believe a pitcher is best suited as a reliever, then that I where I put them. Finally, please feel free to leave comments, debate my rankings or challenge the positions that I have the players at. Enjoy.

Preseason Current Name How Acquired Age Height Weight Bats Current Level
1 1 Ivan De Jesus 2005, 2nd 23.21 5' 11" 190 R AAA
3 2 Enlly Morales Signed 10/12/07 20.84 5' 11" 168 R Arizona Rookie
2 3 Jaime Pedroza 2007, 9th 23.84 5' 8" 167 S AA
5 4 Pedro Guerrero Signed 7/10/06 21.62 6' 3" 181 R Pioneer Rookie
N/A 5 Travis Denker Re-signed April 2010 24.94 5' 9" 205 R High A
8 6 Rafael Ynoa Signed 2006 22.94 5' 10" 162 R Lo-A
4 7 Elian Herrera Signed 5/14/03 25.45 5' 11" 190 S AA
6 8 Faustino Oguisten Signed 2009 19.49 6' 2" 165 R DSL
9 9 David Iden 2009, 35th 23.37 5' 9" 160 R Arizona Rookie
7 N/A Adolfo Gonzalez Signed 3/8/02 25.09 5' 11" 160 R Released
10 N/A Rafael Aybar Signed 4/9/07 20.17 6' 0" 160 S Released

2nd base could be considered the Dodgers weakest minor league position as there isn't much depth at all. Ivan De Jesus is currently our best 2nd base prospect, but as most people know I'm not a huge fan of his and I really don't think he'll have much success if he ever does make it to the big leagues. After a slow start, he's had a successful campaign thus far in 2010 (including a great game last night), but I just don't think that will translate into anything special in the majors. Enlly Morales had a great year in the DSL in 2009, but has yet to prove anything in a US based league. He's already 20 years old, and while that might now sound old, it is for a player who is in just his first season of Rookie ball. Jaime Pedroza had a good year in the Midwest League in 2009, but has struggled against AA pitching and will be 24 years old in September.

Pedro Guerrero started the season in Lo-A, but he struggled mightily and has now found himself back in the Pioneer League. He is only 21, however, so he still has time to develop into a prospect if he picks up his game. Travis Denker has returned to the Dodgers and is currently putting put big numbers in the California League, but his changes of returning to the big leagues get slimmer with every passing day. Elian Herrera, who can really play all over the field, is fast and is a switch hitter, but he's never hit for a high average or for power. There really isn't anyone else worth mentioning, except for maybe 22 year old Rafael Ynoa is having a very solid 2010 for Loons. However, prior to this season he has never had any offensive success so I'm not getting to excited over him yet.

This is a fan-written post that is in no way affiliated with or related to any of the authors or editors of True Blue LA. The opinions reflected in this post do not necessarily reflect those of True Blue LA, its authors or editors.