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Though he isn’t one of the top prospects in the Dodgers’ farm system, you could make the case nobody has impressed more over the last few years than Zach McKinstry. Originally a 33rd round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, McKinstry has quickly shot up through LA’s system, earning a spot on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
McKinstry was a name Dodgers fans were familiar with, but he really became well-known after his incredible Spring Training back in March. He was the best hitter for the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch in early 2020, as he hit .414/.452/.862/1.314 in 14 games. He also added three homers, two doubles and seven runs driven in.
The last time we saw a full year from the 25-year-old was back in 2019, when he played for Oklahoma City and Tulsa. He appeared in 121 games, hitting .300 with an OPS of .882. He also hit 19 home runs, more than his previous three seasons combined.
McKinstry will fill in nicely for LA whenever he gets his chance, as his versatility already makes him a key asset. We know how the Dodgers love players who can play multiple positions, and McKinstry can do just that. In his minor-league career, he’s spent 153 games at second base, 102 games at third base, 78 games at shortstop and 16 games in the outfield.
He spent majority of the 2020 season at the Alternate Site, but he did manage to spend a few games with the big-league club. McKinstry made his major-league debut on September 16. He recorded his first career hit in his first career start on September 20.
2020 particulars
Age: 25
Stats: 2-for-7, 1 R, 4 games
Salary: $563,500
Game of the year
His best game of his brief four-game stint was his final game of the season in 2020. He got his first career start, going 2-for-4 with a double.
Roster status
McKinstry has 17 days of service time. He has two options remaining. Depending on how the Dodgers roster looks in 2020, he’ll likely begin the season in Oklahoma City.