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State of the Minor League System - Starting Pitchers

Chris Withrow is number one
Chris Withrow is number one

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.

Catcher

1st Base

3rd Base

2nd Base

Shortstop

Right Field

Center Field

Left Field

Relief Pitchers

 

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.