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Although 2017 was largely a redshirt season for Imani Abdullah, he slides from No. 9 on last year’s Dodgers prospect list to 18th this year largely based on the performances of others. Abdullah pitched in just six games last season, and his rather nondescript 12⅓ innings of work don’t tell us much about the improvements he’s made. However, a cleaner-looking delivery in instructs video and further physical development set the stage for a promising outlook on what could be a make or break year for Abdullah’s prospect status.
Abdullah is the first 55-grade tier prospect on the list this year, with no grades changing from 2017 to 2018. The outlook on Abdullah hasn’t changed despite the lack of in-game looks, largely because Abdullah suffered no significant injury, nor does it appear his abilities took a sharp step back. If anything, I’m more anxious to see where his tools have progressed in 2018 given the physical developments of last season.
Already an impressive looking 6’4 and 205 lbs., Abdullah appears to have added more upper-body strength while loosening up some of the stiffness that I’ve previously knocked him for. While he still doesn’t have the smoothest or quickest arm action in the system, Abdullah’s upper body mechanics look more athletic and repeatable.
Added strength should come as a plus for Abdullah, as his fastball showed promise but was said to operate in the lower 90s in his first Low-A stint. He showed advanced command for a teen, but the pitch lacked significant life and could use a few ticks in velocity to register as a plus pitch.
Beyond his physical projection, Abdullah is also exciting as a prospect for his feel for spin at a young age. His curveball isn’t a big bender, but features a tight 1-7 break that he can control in the zone. The curve is currently his best pitch and offers the most strikeout potential in his arsenal. Abdullah also throws a change but I have little information to share on the pitches progress last season.
Abdullah will turn 21 shortly after the start of next season, and though he only pitched briefly in Low-A last season, he could be pushed to High-A to start the year and be more in line with his age peers. More than anything, Abdullah just needs innings, as he’s still three innings shy of 100 professional innings despite starting his fourth year as a pro.
Physically, Abdullah looks up to the challenge of taking on a greater workload, and 2018 could be the year the kid gloves come off. For Abdullah to capitalize on his potential in the upcoming season, an uptick in velocity and strikeout percentage are needed, regardless of level. Abdullah has shown excellent command numbers before last year’s 12-inning season, but he now must put the whole package together.
If nothing else, Abdullah could reach the ceiling of a command guy at the back of a rotation or as a swingman between Triple-A and the majors, bullpen and rotation. However, the Dodgers have patiently been carefully steering his development and likely hope 2018 is the year they will see the fruits of their labor.
While talented and tool laden, Abdullah likely carries less trade value than his ability would indicate given the limited looks scouts have been given and his distance from the majors. He could accelerate his time table with a fast start in A-ball and reaching Double-A next season isn’t out of the question, but most clubs would likely prefer to take a wait-and-see approach with Abdullah.
Fans have been reading about Abdullah since he was given a large bonus in the 2015 draft as an overslot 11th rounder. Few fans, though, have been given the chance to see Abdullah perform, and that should change. A healthy, full season on the mound in any combination of Rancho Cucamonga and Tulsa should see Abdullah hold his 55 grade and perhaps climb in these rankings once again. Another abbreviated or start and stop season, and Abdullah will be seen as more project than prospect.
2018 top Dodgers prospect list
RK | NAME | POS | OD AGE | LEVEL | OVERALL | RISK | CEILING | PROS | CONS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RK | NAME | POS | OD AGE | LEVEL | OVERALL | RISK | CEILING | PROS | CONS |
18 | Imani Abdullah | RHSP | 20.11 | LoA | 55 | 45 | 60 | excellent frame, upside, feel for spin on CB | 17 a redshirt year, limited exposure, little stiff |
19 | Kyle Farmer | C/3B | 27.07 | MLB | 50 | 50 | 45 | good feel for hit, offensive profile at C, utility | more productive bench bat then starter, age |
20 | Caleb Ferguson | LHSP | 21.09 | HiA | 50 | 45 | 50 | K production, 3 pitch mix, command, feel for spin | upside more mid rotation, maxed out frame |
21 | Connor Wong | C/2B | 21.10 | LoA | 50 | 45 | 50 | versatile talent, good athlete for a C, solid power prod | some swing and miss, build not projectable |
22 | Josh Sborz | RHSP/RP | 24.03 | AA | 50 | 45 | 50 | high floor, command of three pitches, competitive | stuff has backed up this season, likely reliever |
23 | James Marinan | RHSP | 19.06 | ROK | 50 | 40 | 55 | projectable frame, flashes + SNK, chance for +CH | slurvy BB, more middle than upper rotation upside |
24 | Devin Smeltzer | LHSP | 22.08 | HiA | 50 | 45 | 50 | high pitchability, 3 pitch mix, throws nothing straight | fringe avg velo, 4th or 5th starter ceiling |
25 | Matt Beaty | 1B/LF | 24.11 | AA | 50 | 45 | 50 | excellent feel for hit, career production, game pop | limited ceiling, future defensive home |
26 | Andrew Sopko | RHSP | 23.08 | AA | 50 | 50 | 45 | 3 pitch mix, pitchability, command, deceptive | velo can be fringy, bottom rotation upside |
27 | Ariel Sandoval | CF/RF | 22.05 | HiA | 50 | 35 | 60 | livey athlete, raw power, arm, 2nd half production | too raw at plate, noisey set-up, high swing and miss |
28 | Tim Locastro | SS/2B/CF | 25.09 | AAA | 50 | 45 | 45 | good bat to ball skills, high steal rate, versatile | fringe pop, stretched at SS and CF, upside |
29 | Jake Peter | 2B/SS | 24.11 | AAA | 50 | 45 | 45 | fluid LH swing, arm strength, versatile | utility/bench upside, ? on overall pop |
30 | Yaisel Sierra | RHRP | 27.01 | AAA | 50 | 40 | 50 | good velo, SL will flash +, quick arm | command, incon. release, FB can be straight |
31 | Wilmer Font | RHSP/RP | 27.10 | MLB | 50 | 40 | 50 | excellent K production, rise on FB, + SL | age, previous command issues, upside |
32 | Ibandel Isabel | 1B | 22.09 | HiA | 50 | 30 | 60 | ++ raw power, physical build, strength | huge swing and miss, poor defender, raw |
33 | Mitchell Hansen | CF/RF | 21.11 | SS | 45 | 40 | 55 | chance for 5 tools, upside, projectable frame | struggling to break full season, swing and miss |
34 | Errol Robinson | SS | 23.06 | AA | 45 | 45 | 50 | smooth infield actions, throwing arm, solid athlete | better long speed than SB threat, off. ceiling |
35 | Johan Mieses | RF/CF | 22.09 | AA | 45 | 40 | 55 | impressive arm, defensive ceiling, raw power | serious swing and miss concerns |
36 | Omar Estevez | 2B/SS | 20.01 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 55 | added defensive versatility, some feel for hit | production stagnated at Hi A, power potential |
37 | Donovan Casey | CF/RF | 22.01 | SS | 45 | 45 | 50 | twitchy athlete, production, solid bat to ball skills | ceiling more 4th OF than starter, power ceiling |
38 | Edward Paredes | LHRP | 31.06 | MLB | 45 | 45 | 45 | K production, tough on LHH, + SL | age, one pitch reliever, LOOGY upside |
39 | Rob Segedin | 3B/LF | 29.05 | MLB | 45 | 45 | 45 | hit vs lefties, gets most of tools, avg pop | bench bat upside, limited defender, upside |
40 | Drew Jackson | SS/2B | 24.09 | AA | 45 | 40 | 50 | elite athlete, + to ++ speed and arm strength | offense improving but limited ceiling, utility upside |
41 | Wills Montgomerie | RHSP/RP | 22.10 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | spin rate, durable build, flashes + velo and CV | uneven production, command wavers |
42 | Cody Thomas | RF | 23.06 | LoA | 45 | 35 | 55 | great build, good athlete, chance for above avg pop | still raw, swing and miss concerns |
43 | Jesen Therrien | RHRP | 25.00 | AAA | 45 | 45 | 45 | SL flashes +, good command and K production | TJ wipes out '18. middle relief/ROOGY upside |
44 | Carlos Rincon | RF | 20.06 | SS | 45 | 35 | 55 | big raw power, physical upside, bat speed | pretty raw offensively, serious swing and miss |
45 | Kyle Garlick | CF/RF/LF | 26.02 | AA | 45 | 45 | 45 | productive, feel for hitting, avg pop | 4th outfielder profile, age, fringe speed |
46 | Luke Raley | LF/RF | 23.06 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 50 | muscular build, chance for above avg pop | just avg bat speed, possible swing and miss |
47 | Luis Paz | 1B/C | 21.09 | SS | 45 | 40 | 50 | power production, bat speed, strong build | ? on ultimate defensive home, avg athlete |
48 | Riley Ottesen | RHRP | 23.05 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | good velo, will flash + SL, arm speed | poor college production, likely reliever only |
49 | Rylan Bannon | 3B | 21.11 | SS | 45 | 45 | 45 | college/pro production, good feel for hit, game pop | skills over tools, ceiling, possible utility upside |
50 | Leo Crawford | LHSP | 21.01 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | solid production, command of 3 pitch mix | fringe velo, not as projectable, likely back end |
51 | Zach Reks | LF/RF | 24.05 | HiA | 45 | 45 | 45 | feel for hit, on base skills, productive | - power, age, 4th OF profile |
52 | Romer Cuadrado | LF/RF | 20.08 | SS | 45 | 35 | 55 | excellent frame, chance for + raw power | development lagging behind age, swing and miss |
53 | Ryan Moseley | RHRP | 23.06 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | chance for ++ snk, big groundball potential | struggles with command, results don't match stuff |
54 | Jared Walker | 3B/RF | 22.02 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | + size/athleticism combo, chance for hit/power, + arm | raw, buggy whip swing, error prone in IF |
55 | Zach Pop | RHRP | 21.06 | NA | 45 | 40 | 50 | good life/velo combo on FB, solid build, poss. CH | mid relief profile, SL loses shape in low slot |
56 | Corey Copping | RHRP | 24.03 | AA | 45 | 45 | 45 | good SL, bulldog mentality, decent production | FB velo avg to fringe, middle relief ceiling |
57 | Shea Spitzbarth | RHRP | 23.06 | AA | 45 | 45 | 45 | agressive mound demeanor, arm strength, CV | middle relief upside, maxed out frame, size |
58 | Layne Somsen | RHRP | 28.10 | AA | 45 | 45 | 45 | tough overhead BB, production, athletic | limited mid relief ceiling, age, avg FB velo |
59 | Tony Gonsolin | RHRP | 23.11 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 50 | arm speed, flashes + SL, solid K production | lithe build, not quite late relief upside |
60 | Alfredo Tavarez | RHSP/RP | 20.04 | LoA | 45 | 35 | 50 | king sized frame, arm strength, K production | still raw mechanically, repeating arm slot, command |
61 | Aneurys Zabala | RHRP | 21.03 | LoA | 45 | 40 | 50 | will flash ++ arm strength, some feel for spin | relief profile, command, limited physical upside |
62 | Michael Boyle | LHSP | 23.11 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 45 | pitch movement, pitchability, 3 pitches | no plus pitch, fringy velo, #5 starter/swingman |
63 | Jefrey Souffront | 2B/3B | 20.11 | ROK | 45 | 35 | 50 | some feel for hit, quick bat, mature plate approach | distance from the majors, build not projectable |
64 | Jacob Amaya | SS/2B | 19.02 | ROK | 45 | 35 | 50 | chance to stick at SS, good athlete, some feel for hit | distance from majors, offensive ceiling |
65 | Ronny Brito | SS | 19.00 | SS | 45 | 35 | 50 | infield actions, long athlete, chance to hit | ? on overall offensive potential, far from majors |
66 | Logan Crouse | RHRP | 21.04 | LoA | 45 | 35 | 50 | size, projectability, athleticism in delivery, arm action | Fringy present velo, lots of projection left |
67 | Chris Mathewson | RHSP/RP | 21.10 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 45 | SNK/SL mix, solid production, command | back of rotation, middle relief upside, fringe velo |
68 | Adam Bray | RHSP | 24.11 | HiA | 45 | 40 | 45 | durability, feel for spin, good command | fringe starter upside, upside, avg K potential |
69 | Brian Moran | LHRP | 29.06 | AA | 40 | 40 | 45 | funk in delivery, tough in LHH, K potential | limited ceiling, fringe velo, age |
70 | Nolan Long | RHRP | 24.02 | HiA | 40 | 40 | 45 | long frame, athletic for size, FB flashes + | long levers to control, command, likely reliever |
71 | Mike Ahmed | 1B/3B | 26.02 | AA | 40 | 40 | 45 | productive in '16, swing plane, avg pop | bat speed, age, limited upside |
72 | Nathan Witt | RHRP | 21.11 | ROK | 40 | 35 | 50 | good build, projectable, arm strength | project arm, distance from majors, relief upside |
73 | Travis Taijeron | LF/RF | 29.02 | AAA | 40 | 40 | 45 | good career power production, physical build | age, defensive upside, swing and miss concern |
74 | Jacob Scavuzzo | LF | 24.02 | AAA | 40 | 40 | 45 | solid tool profile, still a chance for upside | game going backward, struggling hit tool |
75 | Max Gamboa | RHRP | 22.04 | ROK | 40 | 35 | 50 | excellent arm strength, + to ++ velo, good frame | production does not match stuff, incon. SL |
76 | Dean Kremer | RHRP | 22.03 | HiA | 40 | 40 | 45 | decent athleticism and frame, K production, sink on FB | was hit hard in HiA. Homer prone, no + pitch |
77 | Moises Perez | 2B | 20.08 | LoA | 40 | 40 | 45 | loose athlete, some feel for hit | offensive ceiling, lower on defensive spectrum |
78 | Isaac Anderson | RHSP/RP | 24.07 | HiA | 40 | 40 | 45 | versatile arm, some SNK on FB, avg SL | no plus or above avg tool, low ceiling, taxi arm |