Dodgers 2018 top prospects: No. 19, Kyle Farmer

2017 was the year Kyle Farmer finally broke through to the major leagues, and his ability to make consistent contact even earned him a brief spot on the Dodgers’ postseason roster. Farmer’s offensive production has proven consistent over the last three seasons, and his bat could find him on the Dodgers bench full time in 2018 despite an already crowded catching position. With more talent following Farmer up the minor league ranks, Kyle could prove to be a valuable trade chip for the organization as well.

While Farmer’s offensive profile remains relatively unchanged from the time he first appeared on this list, Farmer was able to maintain his production as he reached the big league level. Farmer was able to do this by keeping it relatively simple at the plate. Farmer’s swing is contact oriented, and he sprays the ball from gap to gap. Farmer remains fairly upright at the plate, and employs little of his lower half, compromising his power but removing any timing element that would keep him from being consistently quick to the ball.

What makes Farmer a particularly valuable bench bat is his lack of a platoon split and consistent batted ball profile. Farmer is a low line drive hitter that keeps the ball off the ground more than you would expect from someone that is low on power and strikeouts. He has an excellent eye but will be aggressive on fastballs in the zone and is always willing to go with a pitch on the outer half of the plate.

While Farmer keeps the ball off the ground, he won’t provide much in terms of power. His .175 isolated slugging in Triple-A Oklahoma City was his best since High-A, but his Double-A range (.120-.139 over three stints) might better represent his future slugging potential. He will accumulate enough doubles with his propensity for line drives in the gap, but doesn’t pull the ball or impact the ball consistently enough for double digit home runs. In his brief major league appearance, his exit velocity was essentially league average.

Farmer is a competent backstop that perhaps doesn’t receive enough credit for his ability behind the plate. The bar for receiving is higher in this organization than any other, and Farmer is not in the same league as Austin Barnes or Yasmani Grandal, but his Triple-A numbers suggest the ability to be slightly above average in terms of defense and receiving. His throwing ability is more quick release than arm strength, but Farmer is accurate and might have more potential in controlling the running game than either major league catcher.

While Farmer has enough ability to start for other teams, his path to a roster spot in Los Angeles will come through defensive versatility. Farmer was a college shortstop and has taken plenty of reps at third base. He’s not the quickest defender at the hot corner, and his range is slightly below average, but his hands are soft and his arm has enough carry with solid accuracy at the position. Farmer has only seen five games at first base, but could likely handle the position in a reserve/emergency role if need be.

At 27 years old, Farmer is essentially a finished product in terms of development. He’s an okay athlete at catcher but isn’t going to offer anything additionally in terms of speed. Despite his college position, Farmer’s versatility is limited to catching and corner infield. Though he might return to Triple-A due to a crowded big league roster, Farmer has nothing left to prove in the minors.

The 40-man roster is far from a finished product at this stage of the offseason, but you could make the case that Farmer’s chief competition for a 25-man slot will come from non-catchers Tim Locastro and Rob Segedin. Locastro offers more speed, and Segedin more power, but Farmer’s propensity for contact and a lack of a platoon split might make him more attractive as a pinch-hitting option. His value as a catcher has him ranked ahead of Locastro on this list, and with catchers always in demand, Farmer might have additional value in trade.

Barring a late offseason trade of Grandal, Farmer will have to fight for playing time in a late inning role, while showing enough with the glove to be able to spell Justin Turner on occasion. In another organization, he likely would have already carved out a catching job share at the major league level, but unfortunately for Kyle, Los Angeles is the most catching rich organization in baseball. His ability shouldn’t be overlooked though, and should an injury arise, Farmer can capable handle a share of the receiving duties while providing better than average offensive production.

Note: The list picks up again at #19 thanks to the departure of Trevor Oaks, who ranked ahead of Kyle Farmer at #19 prior to being dealt to Kansas City.

In addition, new infielder Jake Peter slots in at No. 29. His profile can be found here.