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SAN DIEGO --- If you want to see runs scored, Double-A Tulsa might just be the Dodgers minor league team to watch in 2016, with several top offensive prospects headed to the Texas League on the Drillers' opening day roster.
First baseman Cody Bellinger, outfielder Alex Verdugo and infielder Willie Calhoun, rated by our David Hood as the Dodgers' seventh, eighth and 10th-best prospects heading into 2016, highlight the roster, which is talented on offense, and young as well.
Bellinger and Verdugo are entering their age-20 seasons, Calhoun is 21, and outfielder Jacob Scavuzzo is just 22.
Bellinger lasted most of spring training in big league camp as a non-roster invitee and impressed on both sides of the ball. Verdugo and Calhoun both impressed in their brief appearances in major league games during the spring.
Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who while biding time after his Tommy John surgery last year, helped the club with draft preparation has been particularly impressed with Calhoun, drafted in the fourth round last year. He played just 20 games at advanced Class-A Rancho Cucamonga.
"Calhoun looks to have elite bat-to-ball skills that will play at all levels," McCarthy said.
That offense will be in the hands of first-year manager Ryan Garko and hitting coach Terrmel Sledge, in his first year in the Dodgers' organization.
The Drillers will also have a pair of veteran pitchers signed this week by the Dodgers. Dale Thayer, 35, had a 4.06 ERA in 38 games with the Padres in 2015, with 25 strikeouts and 11 unintentional walks. He struck out 23.6 percent of hitters faced in 2013-2014 combined. Thayer was released by the Indians last week.
Seth Frankoff was released by the A's on March 30. The right-hander had a 3.53 in 2014-2015 combined and a 24-percent strikeout rate between Double-A and Triple-A.
I am very thankful and excited for a new beginning with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Looking forward to getting to work!
— Seth Frankoff (@frankoff34) April 2, 2016
Here is the Drillers' 2016 opening day roster, with age as of June 30, 2016. The disabled list includes Red Patterson, still recovering from Tommy John surgery, as well as minor league Rule 5 Draft pickup Alex Burgos and catcher Spencer Navin.
| Pos | Player | 2016 age | How acquired | Highest 2015 level |
| P | Chris Anderson | 23 | 2013 draft (1st round) | Triple-A Oklahoma City |
| P | Scott Barlow | 23 | 2011 draft (6th round) | Triple-A Oklahoma City |
| P | Logan Bawcom | 27 | 2015 minor lg Rule 5 Draft | Triple-A Tacoma (Seattle) |
| P | Ralston Cash | 24 | 2010 draft (2nd round) | Triple-A Oklahoma City |
| P | Chase De Jong | 22 | trade (Tor), 7/2/15 | Class-A Rancho Cucamonga |
| P | Caleb Dirks | 23 | trade (Atl), 7/2/15 | Double-A Tulsa |
| P | Seth Frankoff | 27 | minor league FA, 4/5/16 | Triple-A Nashville |
| P | Felipe Gonzalez | 24 | 2015 minor lg Rule 5 Draft | Class-A Bradenton (Pittsburgh) |
| P | Michael Johnson lhp | 25 | 2013 draft (14th round) | Class-A Rancho Cucamonga |
| P | Rob Rogers | 25 | 2013 draft (32nd round) | Double-A Tulsa |
| P | Jordan Schafer lhp | 29 | minor league FA, 1/9/16 | MLB (Minnesota) as an OF |
| P | Dale Thayer | 35 | minor league FA, 4/5/16 | MLB |
| C | Kyle Farmer | 25 | 2013 draft (8th round) | Double-A Tulsa |
| C | Tyler Ogle | 25 | 2011 draft (9th round) | Class-A Rancho Cucamonga |
| 1B | Cody Bellinger (L) | 20 | 2013 draft (4th round) | Class-A Rancho Cucamonga |
| 2B | Willie Calhoun (L) | 21 | 2015 draft (4th round) | Class-A Rancho Cucamonga |
| 3B | Brandon Trinkwon (L) | 24 | 2013 draft (7th round) | Double-A Tulsa |
| SS | Erisbel Arruebarrena | 26 | international FA, 2/22/14 | Double-A Tulsa |
| IF | Drew Maggi | 27 | minor league FA, 1/24/16 | Double-A Arkansas (Anaheim) |
| OF | Devan Ahart (L) | 23 | 2014 draft (16th rond) | Class-A Rancho Cucamonga |
| OF | Yadir Drake | 26 | international FA, 8/25/14 | Double-A Tulsa |
| OF | Adam Law | 26 | 2013 draft (12th round) | Double-A Tulsa |
| OF | Jacob Scavuzzo | 22 | 2012 draft (21st round) | Class-A Rancho Cucamonga |
| OF | Alex Verdugo (L) | 20 | 2014 draft (2nd round) | Class-A Rancho Cucamonga |
| Disabled list | ||||
| C | Spencer Navin | 23 | 2013 draft (11th round) | Class-A Rancho Cucamonga |
| P | Alex Burgos lhp | 25 | 2015 minor lg Rule 5 Draft | Double-A Jacksonville (Miami) |
| P | Red Patterson | 29 | 2010 draft (29th round) | DNP (Tommy John surgery) |
Tulsa opens its schedule on Thursday night in Corpus Christi.