Baseball HQ Top 15 Dodger Prospects

Baseball HQ is one of the sites I always look forward to reading their prospect rankings, since they just came out today here is a look at them.

This was last years rating:

This is this years rating:

Organizational Grades: Hitting (B-)…..Pitching (A-)…..Top End Talent (B-)…..Depth (B).....Overall (B)

Huge surprise this year in the top ten. I sure didn't see this coming.

HQ has given me permission to add a small quote from their info on each player. I'm cherry picking the quotes.

1. Devaris Gordon - 9D Same as Last year

Is still raw defensively, but has the athleticism to stay at the position or be an impact player in the majors. Should see his professional debut at some point in '11 and could become a SB leader for years to come.

2. Trayvon Robinson - 9D Moved up from #8 , and rating changed to 9D from 9E

Still strikes out too often, but did walk 73 times in '10 and makes consistent contact. Makes all the plays defensively and has enough arm strength to stay in CF. Toolsy but still raw.

3. Zach Lee - 9D - NR last year

4. Jerry Sands - 9D - NR last year

Can drive the ball out of any part of the park and should hit for power in the majors.

5. Kenley Jansen - 9C - NR last year

6. Allen Webster - 8C Moved up from #15 last year, Ranking improved from 8C to 8B

FB now sits in the low-90s and tops out at 94 MPH. Also has an above-average curveball and a good changeup and throws strikes. Not flashy but should develop into a solid #2 or #3 starter

7. Aaron Miller - 9D Drops from Number 2 to Number 7, Ranking is the same

Electric fastball in the 90-95 mph range and complements it with a hard slider that acts as his strikeout pitch.

8. Rubby De La Rosa - 9E - NR last year

Skinny, athletic flame-thrower from the Dominican Republic. Features a plus upper-90s fastball that tops out at 100 MPH, a potentially plus change, and a decent but inconsistent curveball. At 6'1", 170 there are concerns about durability and an ability to maintain the upper-90s heat from such a slight frame.

Hey does that sound familiar?

9. Brian Cavazos Galvez - 9D - NR last year

Lean, athletic OF prospect can do a bit of everything. Has solid power potential, runs well, can play all three OF positions, steals plenty of bags, and hits for average. Can be overly aggressive at the plate, leading to few walks and sub-standard plate discipline, but solid bat speed and quick hands allow him to put most balls in play. If the plate discipline improves he could be a solid big-league contributor.

10. Chris Withrow - 9D - Drops from #4 to # 10, Same Ranking

11. Ethan Martin - 9E - drops from #3 to # 11, Ranking Drops from 9D to 9E

Raw stuff is too good for these results and still features 90-96 MPH fastball that tops out at 98 MPH and a plus curveball

12. Jonathan Garcia - 9D - Drops from #11 to #12, Ranking improves from 9E to 9D

Has good raw power for his size, runs well, and can drive the ball. Defensively he covers lots of ground and has a strong throwing arm. Still raw, but making very nice progress.

13. Ivan DeJesus - 8C - Drops from # 10 to # 13, Ranking stays the same

Will not hit for power, but plays solid defense and uses short, compact stroke to hit for average, though does not walk enough or steal enough bases to profile as a top of the order hitter.

14. Scott Elbert - 8D - Drops from #5 to #14, Biggest ranking drop from 9D to 8D because he is now a relief pitcher.

15. Kyle Russell - 8D - Drops from #13 to #15, Ranking stays the same

The combination of power, moderate speed, and solid defense could be enough to get him extended action in the majors.

Only Zach Lee from the 2010 draft forced himself onto this list. Jerry Sands, Rubby, Jansen, and Galvez all jumped into the top 10. As we have said before while the power arms disappointed in 2010, many prospects we were not counting on had stellar years. As you can see from the Organizational grade they still are impressed with the assortment of power arms in the system.

Other then Galvez being in the top ten, and the fact we had Gordon at six instead of one, this looks quite similar to our vote.

Players gone from the 2010 Top 15:

6. Josh Lindblom - 9D

9. Andrew Lambo - 8C

12. Pedro Baez - 8D

14. Cole Saint Claire - 8C

Grading

PLAYER POTENTIAL RATING

Scale of (1-10) representing a player’s upside potential

10 – Hall of Fame-type player
9 – Elite player
8 – Solid regular
7 – Average regular
6 – Platoon player
5 – Major League reserve player
4 - Top minor league player
3 - Average minor league player
2 - Minor league reserve player
1 - Minor league roster filler

PROBABILITY RATING

Scale of (A-E) representing the player’s realistic chances of achieving their potential

A - 90% probability of reaching potential
B - 70% probability of reaching potential
C - 50% probability of reaching potential
D - 30% probability of reaching potential
E - 10% probability of reaching potential