Dodgers 2011 #9 Prospect Chat

In yet another very close vote, Chris Withrow edged out Allen Webster for the Dodgers #7 prospect.  Because the vote was so close and because nobody else got much support, I’m going to go ahead and award the #8 prospect spot to Webster.   Thus far, the TBLA Prospect List looks like:

1.     Jerry Sands

2.     Trayvon Robinson

3.     Zach Lee

4.     Rubby De La Rosa

5.     Kenley Jansen

6.     Dee Gordon

7.     Chris Withrow

8.     Allen Webster

Not a bad top 8 if I do say so myself.  We’ve got three-fifths of a rotation, a closer, a shortstop, a center fielder, and a versatile 1B/outfielder

This round, I’m going to add in a few names.  I’ve heard Ivan De Jesus suggested a few times, so I’m going to add him.  I also feel like Scott Elbert could get some support despite his lost 2010 season.  Finally, I’m also throwing Garrett Gould, Kyle Russell, Nathan Eovaldi, and Brian Cavazos-Galvez into the mix.  With the new diverse group to chose from, the next few votes should be pretty interesting.  Feel free to continue suggesting names because I’ll still going to continue adding names.  We are going to continue voting using the comment method, so refer to the fanpost and submit your vote in the comments.  I’m going to leave this vote open for approximately 24 hours, which should give everyone a chance to vote.

To make it obvious for those not reading the whole article, Click Here To Vote.

As always, use this thread to talk about the voting and other things, and only use the other Fanpost to submit your votes. 

The round 9 candidates (ages as of 2011 opening day):

Aaron Miller (23.5 years old) LHP – Was great in the California league, but struggled during his 23 innings in AA.  He doesn’t throw real hard, generally working in the low 90’s, but he has great control.  He also has a power slider and is working on a changeup.

Ethan Martin (21.75 years old) RHP – Martin had terrible stats in 2010, but his stuff is still solid.  He throws in the mid 90’s, occasionally hitting 98, and has a big breaking curveball.  He also has a developing changeup, and is still just 21 years old.  His biggest problem last season related to the fact that his fastball lacked movement, so he needs to improve that as well as the mental aspect of his game.

Jonathan Garcia (19.25 years old) OF – Garcia played the entire 2010 season as an 18 year old and posted some very solid stats.  The only caveat to his .305 average and 10 homers is that he did most of his damage at home in the Raptors hitter friendly park.  He’s a little undersized at 5’11", but plays solid defense and at 19 years old he still could still hit a growth spurt.

Garrett Gould (19.5 years old) RHP – Gould had a solid season in the Pioneer League as a 19 year old (4.06 ERA, 3.39 FIP), although his velocity dipped a bit during the season.  However, his drop in velocity can be explained by a couple of injuries and the fact that this was really his first full season of professional baseball.  In addition to his fastball, he has a very strong curveball, and like most young pitchers is working on his changeup.

Scott Elbert (25.5 years old) LHP – Battled personal problems and injuries in 2010, but the lefty is still just 25 and has nasty stuff when he is able to get it over the plate.  According to a recent interview, it sounds like he will be strictly a reliever in the future.

Kyle Russell (24.75 years old) OF – Best known for his plus power and his strikeout totals, most prospect hounds either love him or hate him.  Russell dominated the California League before getting promoted to AA where he struggled initially before hitting a hot streak over the final month of the season.  Kyle is also a solid defender with a very good arm in right field.

Nathan Eovaldi (21 years old) RHP – Throws gas, but has never recorded particularly high strikeout numbers.  According to Charlie Hough, the low strikeout totals are due his poor command.  Had a mediocre season in 2010, and was limited due to a mid season oblique strain.  He is still being groomed as a starter, although it has been rumored that consistency with his breaking pitches will determine his future role.

Ivan De Jesus Jr (23.75 years old) 2B – A broken leg cost him virtually all of his 2009 season, but De Jesus responded pretty nice bounce-back year in 2010.  Hit .296 with 7 homers, although it should be noted he played his home games the very hitter friendly stadium.  He doesn’t really have a plus skill, but seems to hold his own in most aspects of the game and is still just 23 years old.  He is basically limited to 2B now on an everyday basis, although he could probably play enough shortstop to fill the role of a middle infield utility player.

Brian Cavazos–Galvez (23 years old) OF – After an outstanding 2009 season, BCG got off to an extremely slow start with the Great Lakes Loons.  By the time 2010 season was over, however, Cavazos-Galvez had put together one of the best all around seasons of any Dodger minor leaguer.  He hit .318, smacked 18 homers, stole 43 bases, and drove in 77 runs.  The negatives about BCG are that he was a little bit old for LoA, and that he isn’t a very strong outfield defender.

Again, Click Here for the #9 Dodger Prospect Voting