I saved the best for last in my minor league series, starting pitching. I think this is the strongest minor league postion for the Dodgers, and I have more analysis after the jump. Also, here is a recap of the links for all of the other positions I posted in the series.
Preseason | Current | Name | How Acquired | Age | Height | Weight | Throws | Current Level |
1 | 1 | Chris Withrow | 2007, 1st | 21.31 | 6' 3" | 195 | R | AA |
3 | 2 | Garrett Gould | 2009, 2nd | 19.01 | 6' 4" | 190 | R | Pioneer Rookie |
6 | 3 | Aaron Miller | 2009, 1st | 22.84 | 6' 3" | 200 | L | AA |
2 | 4 | Ethan Martin | 2008, 1st | 21.13 | 6' 2" | 195 | R | Hi-A |
7 | 5 | Carl Webster | 2008, 18th | 20.44 | 6' 2" | 185 | R | Lo-A |
13 | 6 | Rubby De La Rosa | Signed 7/2/07 | 21.38 | 6' 1" | 170 | R | Lo-A |
5 | 7 | Nathan Eovaldi | 2008, 11th | 20.44 | 6' 3" | 195 | R | Hi-A |
N/A | 8 | Ralston Cash | 2010, 2nd | 18.92 | 6' 1" | 197 | R | Arizona Rookie |
4 | 9 | Scott Elbert | 2004, 1st | 24.94 | 6' 1" | 215 | L | AAA |
21 | 10 | Elisaul Pimentel | Signed 12/12/06 | 22.03 | 6' 2" | 170 | R | Lo-A |
8 | 11 | Brett Wallach | 2009, 3rd | 21.63 | 6' 2" | 180 | R | Lo-A |
15 | 12 | Matthew Magill | 2008, 31st | 20.70 | 6' 3" | 175 | R | Lo-A |
10 | 13 | Brandon Martinez | 2009, 7th | 19.66 | 6' 4" | 150 | R | Arizona Rookie |
N/A | 14 | Ryan Christenson | 2010, 7th | 21.52 | 6' 1" | 185 | L | Arizona Rookie |
12 | 15 | Carlos Frias | Signed 1/3/07 | 20.69 | 6' 4" | 170 | R | Pioneer Rookie |
17 | 16 | Yimi Garcia | Signed 2009 | 19.93 | 6' 1" | 175 | R | Arizona Rookie |
14 | 17 | Timothy Sexton | 2007, 25th | 23.12 | 6' 6" | 185 | R | AA |
11 | 18 | Brent Leach | 2005, 6th | 27.67 | 6' 4" | 220 | L | AA |
29 | 19 | Alberto Bastardo | Signed 1/13/06 | 26.29 | 6' 0" | 160 | L | AAA |
19 | 20 | Beyker Fructuoso | Signed 7/9/07 | 20.29 | 6' 3" | 195 | R | Arizona Rookie |
18 | 21 | Josh Wall | 2005, 2nd | 23.50 | 6' 6" | 190 | R | Lo-A |
33 | 22 | Greg Wilborn | 2009, 18th | 23.13 | 6' 2" | 175 | L | Pioneer Rookie |
16 | 23 | Jon Michael Redding | 2008, 5th | 22.68 | 6' 1" | 195 | R | Hi-A |
20 | 24 | Gustavo Gomez | Signed 2008 | 19.16 | 6' 1" | 150 | R | Arizona Rookie |
24 | 25 | Moises Tamarez | Signed 2009 | 18.38 | 6' 3" | 195 | R | DSL |
25 | 26 | Antonio Castillo | Signed 3/30/07 | 22.38 | 5' 11" | 180 | L | Pioneer Rookie |
30 | 27 | Arismendy Ozoria | Signed 2009 | 19.96 | 6' 0" | 195 | R | Arizona Rookie |
26 | 28 | Jesus Castillo | 2003, 27th | 26.14 | 6' 0" | 195 | R | AAA |
32 | 29 | Daniel Tamares | Signed 9/26/06 | 20.59 | 6' 3" | 170 | R | DSL |
31 | 30 | Bobby Blevins | 2007, 13th | 25.51 | 6' 0" | 200 | R | AA |
23 | 31 | Edwin Contreras | Signed 11/28/06 | 21.84 | 6' 2" | 165 | R | Lo-A |
27 | 32 | Mario Alvarez | Signed 1/16/03 | 26.32 | 6' 0" | 205 | R | AA |
N/A | 33 | Chad Arnold | 2010, 18th | 22.87 | 6' 4" | 170 | R | Pioneer Rookie |
N/A | 34 | Red Patterson | 2010, 29th | 23.20 | 6' 3" | 210 | R | Pioneer Rookie |
22 | 35 | Bolivar Medina | Signed 2007 | 22.03 | 6' 2" | 175 | L | Arizona Rookie |
N/A | 36 | William Savage | Signed 2/2/10 | 25.91 | 6' 4" | 210 | R | Hi-A |
36 | 37 | Luis Rosano | Signed 2009 | 19.24 | 6' 2" | 190 | R | DSL |
35 | 38 | Luis Mesa | Signed 2009 | 20.02 | 6' 4" | 170 | R | DSL |
34 | 39 | Jose Dominguez | Signed 7/2/07 | 19.96 | 6' 0" | 180 | R | DSL |
9 | N/A | Danny, Danielson | 2007, 7th | 21.61 | 6' 4" | 220 | R | Retired |
28 | N/A | Travis Chick | Signed 12/3/08 | 26.11 | 6' 2" | 220 | R | Left as FA |
37 | N/A | Marlon Arias | Signed 3/11/03 | 25.89 | 6' 3" | 150 | L | Left as FA |
Starting pitching is probably the strongest and deepest position in the Dodgers minor league system. By my count, there are currently at least 10 pitchers who have the potential to be at least a #4 starter in the major leagues, so the Dodgers could continue to have strong home grown pitching for years to come. Of course not everyone will pan out, but even if just one or two turn out to be good major league pitchers then I'm sure the Dodgers will be happy.
Similar to the relief pitchers recap, there are lots of starting pitchers in the Dodgers minor league system, so I will only highlight a few key names. Despite his 2010 struggles, the #1 starting pitching prospect still has to be Chris Withrow who has at least 2 plus pitches and is still just 21 years old. I'm convinced he'll eventually turn things around and eventually pitching like a top prospect, although that might not happen until 2011. Garrett Gould hasn't pitched much at all yet in professional games, but I'm pretty high on him and I'm hoping he turns out to be something special. He's been just mediocre thus far in 2010, but he's still young and gaining experience. Rubby De La Rosa has an electric arm and has thrived in 2010 as a starter, so I have high hopes for him. Carl Webster continues to surprise people and has really been amazing since being drafted in 2008. His career ERA is now 2.54 in 149 innings.
A couple of risers this year include Matt Magill and Elisaul Pimentel. While neither of these guys will ever be the ace of a major league staff, they both are having breakout seasons and could potentially help out the Dodgers at some point in the future. Other guys are trying to regain their form in 2010 like Josh Wall and Alberto Bastardo.
2010 draftee Ralston Cash has only one professional inning under his belt, but he is young and has a solid pitching frame, so I think he has a bright future. 2010 7th round pick Ryan Christenson has also been a pleasant surprise as he has dominated thus far with the Arizona Dodgers.
There are also several players that are unknowns at this point, but could be very good. Included in this group are Brandon Martinez, Carlos Frias, Yimi Garcia, and Beyker Fructuoso. Finally, in case you didn't already know, it was discovered that Danny Danielson has quit baseball, so that is why I have him classified as retired.