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LOS ANGELES — There is good news if you want to get a close look at some top Dodgers prospects. The 2017 opening day roster for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, announced today, has several up-and-comers to watch.
Walker Buehler, the Dodgers’ first-round pick out of Vanderbilt in 2015, will technically open in extended spring training, but he will join the roster within a few days and start for the Quakes next week against Inland Empire.
In a paper move, Julio Urias will technically open with the Quakes, though he is not expected to pitch with them. The Dodgers say Urias will make his 2017 debut, whenever he pitches, with Triple-A Oklahoma City. If I’m a betting man, it will be Urias’ roster spot that Buehler takes once he joins Rancho Cucamonga.
Mitchell White, the club’s second-round pick last year, will also open with the Quakes. Both saw action on the mound in big league games with the Dodgers this spring.
In addition, the Rancho Cucamonga offense has 2016 first-round supplemental pick Will Smith, outfielders Ariel Sandoval, Yusniel Diaz, and DJ Peters, and 19-year-old middle infielder Omar Estevez.
Quakes included on David Hood’s top 30 Dodgers prospects include Buehler (third), White (10th), Sandoval (11th), Smith (14th), Mieses (18th), Diaz (19th), Peters (26th), and Drew Jackson (30th), the latter acquired from the Mariners in March for pitcher Chase De Jong.
This is all without pitchers Yadier Alvarez and Imani Abdullah, both of whom will start the season in extended spring training, but could conceivably see time with the Quakes this season.
Manager Drew Saylor and the rest of the Rancho Cucamonga staff returns intact for 2017, including Rafael Ozuna, hitting coach Jay Gibbons, and pitching coach Kip Wells.
The Quakes open their 2017 schedule on Thursday night on the road against Stockton, the opener of a four-game series.
Rancho Cucamonga 2017 opening day roster
| Pos | Player | B/T | 40-man? | 2016 highest level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Player | B/T | 40-man? | 2016 highest level |
| RHP | Adam Bray | R/R | No | High-A |
| RHP | Kevin Brown | R/R | No | High-A |
| RHP | Walker Buehler* | R/R | No | Low-A |
| LHP | Caleb Ferguson | R/L | No | Low-A |
| LHP | Wes Helsabeck | L/L | No | High-A |
| RHP | Alex Hermeling | R/R | No | High-A |
| RHP | Andrew Istler | R/R | No | Low-A |
| RHP | Dean Kremer | R/R | No | Low-A |
| RHP | Gavin Pittore | R/R | No | High-A |
| RHP | Chris Powell | R/R | No | High-A |
| RHP | Dennis Santana | R/R | No | Low-A |
| RHP | Shea Spitzbarth | R/R | No | Triple-A |
| LHP | Julio Urias | L/L | Yes | MLB |
| RHP | Mitchell White | R/R | No | High-A |
| C | Will Smith | R/R | No | High-A |
| C | Garrett Kennedy | L/R | No | High-A |
| C | Pete Summerville^ | R/R | No | n/a |
| 1B | Ibandel Isabel | R/R | No | Low-A |
| 2B | Omar Estevez | R/R | No | Low-A |
| 3B | Brandon Montgomery | R/R | No | Rookie |
| SS | Erick Mejia | S/R | No | High-A |
| IF | Drew Jackson | R/R | No | High-A |
| OF | DJ Peters | R/R | No | Rookie |
| OF | Luke Raley | L/R | No | Low-A |
| OF | Ariel Sandoval | R/R | No | High-A |
| OF | Yusniel Diaz | R/R | No | High-A |
| OF | Logan Landon | R/R | No | Low-A |