Zach Lee got a little competition from Allen Webster and Nate Eovaldi, but in the end he pulled out a sizable victory to become TBLA's #1 Prospect for the 2012 season. Lee received 42 votes, while Webster and Eovaldi had 13 and 7, respectively. After ranking #3 in the TBLA vote last year, Lee moved up a few spots after a solid professional debut. Now the only question that remains for Lee is where he will start the 2012 season.
Another question is where all the Lee apologists from round 1 will turn to in round two? For the #2 prospect vote, all of the previous candidates will remain options, and I'm also throwing Chris Withrow into the mix. I probably didn't need to include a new name already, but I want to try and add one or two players for each vote.
Use this thread for the prospect discussion, and cast your vote in this fanpost.
Here are the candidates for the Dodgers #2 prospect:
Allen Webster - RHP (21.75 years old) - Webster was dominate in the California League with a 2.33 ERA and 10.3 K/9 through 54 innings, then continued his success in AA before tiring down the stretch. The right hander throws a heavy sinking fastball that can reach 95, and his changeup is described as a potential plus-plus pitch. He also throws an average curveball.
Chris Reed - LHP (21.5 years old) - This year's 1st round pick only threw 7 innings in his professional debut, but as the Stanford closer Reed had a 2.56 ERA in 2011 and struck out a batter per inning. The Dodgers plan to use him as a starter, and he figures to move quickly through the system. The lefty can touch 96 mph and has 3 quality pitches (fastball, power slider, and an above-average changeup)
Garrett Gould - RHP (20.25 years old) - Gould had a breakthrough season in 2011 as he ranked 2nd in the Midwest League with his 2.40 ERA. His FIP was also solid at 3.31, and he had a 7.6 K/9. The big righty possesses a low 90's fastball with good sink and an average changeup, but he's best known for his big 12-to-6 curveball that ranked as one of the best of the 2009 draft.
Nate Eovaldi - RHP (21.75 years old) - We got a good look at Eovaldi in a Dodgers uniform this past season, and he performed well in his big league debut with a 3.63 ERA in 34.2 innings. Back in AA, Nate posted a 2.62 ERA, a 3.05 FIP, and a 8.65 K/9. In terms of his stuff, we all saw that Eovaldi's best pitch is his upper 90's fastball, and he also throws a slider and a changeup.
Joc Pederson - OF (19.5 years old) - Pederson's name was scattered all over the Pioneer League Leaderboard after a big offensive season that saw him hit .353 with 11 homers, 24 SB's, and a .997 OPS. As I mentioned last year he has 5-tool potential, although none of his 5 tools seem to have a particularly high ceiling. Scouts don't think he'll be able to handle center field in the big leagues, but believe he can play either corner outfield spot.
Chris Withrow - RHP (22.5 years old) - Withrow had a quiet, yet solid campaign in 2011 as he posted a 4.20 ERA in AA to go along with a 3.86 FIP and a 9.1 K/9. He continues to struggle with control, but is armed with a hard fastball, a very good curveball, and a changeup that Baseball America calls fringy. He's still in the rotation for now, although there have been talks that he could move to the bullpen if he can't improve his walk rate.
Again, please use this post as the discussion thread, and cast your actual vote in this Fanpost.
One other side note is that we will not hold a vote tomorrow (Thursday) out of respect for the National League Cy Young announcement. The #3 prospect vote will start up on Friday.