Dodgers Prospects: Midseason rankings update

Heading into the 2019 trade deadline, the Dodgers’ farm system is as deep and healthy as any time in the Andrew Friedman era. A lack of trades and maneuvers at the end of Spring Training this season left the upper levels a little full, and the Dodgers need to make a few decisions on players to prevent overcrowding at key positions. While the top tiers (grade 60 and above) aren’t quite back to the levels of 2017, there are plenty of young players working their way up the lower rungs that show potential for breakout in the next year.

The Dodgers should have enough talent in their system to make any trade they deem fit at the deadline, including blockbusters for a major arm. Because of their success in filling their depth from within, the needs of the parent club are largely covered, outside of high end bullpen support.

This year’s midseason update has 34 names, thanks largely to four draft picks and one international signee entering the organization over the last few weeks. Michael Busch and Jimmy Lewis just signed in time to make the list, leaving no expected draft signees off the rankings. Two names currently stand out as absent, though Miguel Vargas would likely have made the 50 grade tier to hit this list. Vargas and Ogden outfielder Andy Pages are having big years but evaluating info is still sparse on the pair, leaving them unranked.

So as you look through the list, you will notice the disappearance of the pros and cons section, in favor of a one sentence “status” blurb. I believe this will make the rankings easier to read and hopefully will provide a “fresher” take on each prospect.