And now we get into the real meat of my Dodger minor league countdown: the top 200. While I'm mostly kidding as the chances of any of these guys making it to the big leagues is slim to none, there are at least a few interesting names in this group you may have heard of.
200. Luis Jimenez, RHP (23.2 IP in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers in 2012
6’0", 178 lbs, 19.75 years old
4-2, 4.56 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 3.88 FIP, 5.70 K/9
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
Luis Jimenez made his professional debut as a Dominican Dodgers' middle reliever in 2012, and unfortunately for him his stats were pretty mediocre. Jimenez was a bit wild and failed to strike out many batters which won’t get him much attention. Given that he is still a teenager he’ll likely get another chance in the DSL in 2013 but will really need to impress in order to get promoted.
199. Jorky Infante, OF/3B (61 games in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers in 2009
6’0", 155 lbs, 22 years old, switch hitter
.275 average, .687 OPS, 0 HR’s, 19 RBI’s, 12 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: 195; Pre 2011 Rank: 186; Pre 2010 Rank: 167; Pre 2009 Rank: N/A
2012 was Infante’s fourth (and probably final) season in the DSL, and after struggling badly in 2011 he showed a decent amount of improvement. He improved virtually all his hitting stats year over year and continued to show good plate disciple as he walked almost as much as he struck out. Jorky also basically switched positions in 2012 as he spent almost all of his time in the outfield instead of at 3rd base. Overall the Dodgers have a decision to make with Infante because it’s almost unheard of for a player to spend 5 seasons in the DSL, yet he’s stats don’t really warrant a move to the US. We’ll have to wait and see.
198. Luis Subero, C (11 games in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers in 2012
5’11", 185 lbs, 18 years old, bats right handed
.217 average, .426 OPS, 0 HR’s, 4 RBI’s, 1 SB
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
Luis Subero is another young player signed by the Dodgers in 2012 who just barely got his feet wet in the DSL. Born in Venezuela, the catcher played in just 11 games and didn’t do much as one of the younger players in the league. The good news is that over 23 at bats the 17 year old didn’t strike out, but he also failed to walk or connect on an extra base hit either. I’m sure he’ll get more playing time with the club in 2013 and at that point we’ll have a better sense of his worth to the organization.
197. Devon Ethier, OF (26 games in Pioneer Rookie Lg in 2012)
Drafted by Dodgers 2010, 32nd round
6’0", 165 lbs, 22.75 years old, bats right handed
.169 average, .478 OPS, 0 HR’s, 6 RBI’s, 3 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: 152; Pre 2011 Rank: 85; Pre 2010 Rank: N/A
Devon Ethier, Andre’s much younger brother, was selected by the Dodgers in the 32nd round of the 2010 draft. Since that day he has been an absolutely awful. Devon signed late with the Dodgers in 2010 so his first real professional season came in 2011, and boy was it ugly. Ethier only collected 5 hits all season long and ended up batting .119 for the year. He also struck out in a third of his plate appearances, and due to his struggles was used very sparingly and only participated in 27 games. Even still the Dodgers decided to send Devon to the Pioneer League in 2012, but the results were almost the same. Ethier this time struck out in over a third of his plate appearances and again hit will below .200 for the season. I said last year that if he continues to struggle he would not be around much longer, but it looks like the Either name might give him one last shot in 2013 when he’ll most likely return to Ogden.
196. Willie Canelo, LHP (17.2 IP in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers 5/5/2011
6’2", 180 lbs, 20.75 years old
1-1, 2.04 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 3.77 FIP, 7.64 K/9
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
2012 was actually Willie Canelo’s second season with the organization even though he only threw 0.1 innings for the Dominican Dodgers in 2011. This past year he got in much more work as one of the club’s main left handed relievers, and while he had a solid ERA he was also a bit wild which is something he’ll have to work on. Despite a .200 batting average against for the season I don’t think the Dodgers will send him to the US in 2013 so he’ll have another year in the DSL to build his resume.
195. Webster Rivas, C (7 games in Arz Rookie Lg in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers 5/29/09
6’0", 195 lbs, 22.5 years old, bats right handed
.208 average, .505 OPS, 0 HR’s, 1 RBI, 0 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: 169; Pre 2011 Rank: 179, Pre 2010 Rank: N/A
After a couple of mediocre seasons in the Dominican Summer League, Webster received somewhat of a surprise promotion to the Arizona Rookie League in 2012. It was surprising in the sense that Rivas hadn’t dominated in the DSL by any means, but at the same time he was the best catcher for the Dominican Dodgers in 2011 so he got the call when it was determined that another backstop was needed in the US. At the end of the day the 22 year old only played in 7 games in 2012 so he didn’t really get a chance to prove whether or not his promotion was warranted. Over 24 at bats he managed 5 singles but did provide solid defensive behind the plate. He’ll almost certainly return to Arizona in 2013 and will probably have another limited role with the club.
194. JJ Ethel, C (13 games in Pioneer Rookie Lg in 2012)
Drafted by Dodgers 2011, 49th round
6’2", 180 lbs, 23.75 years old, bats right handed
.216 average, .820 OPS, 2 HR, 10 RBI’s, 0 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: 191; Pre 2011 Rank: N/A
The Dodgers last ever 49th round pick (the draft was shorted to 40 rounds in 2012), Jack Joseph Ethel was a college senior in 2011 so it was either the Dodgers or the real world. He chose baseball, so at the very least he’ll be able to tell his kids one day that he played professional ball. In his two years at Louisville Ethel did a whole lot of nothing at the plate as he managed just two career homers and hit just .271. Since turning pro, however, Ethel has actually had a decent amount of offensive success albeit in limited playing time. He posted a .894 OPS in Arizona in 2011, then this past season he joined the Ogden Raptors and again OPS’ed above .800 despite hitting just .216. That was thanks to a pair of homers and 4 doubles over just 37 at bats. He’ll probably return to Ogden in 2013, but at the end of the day he probably won’t ever be more than a warm body that helps out during spring training and fills a backup catcher role.
193. Ricardo De La Rosa, RHP (38.3 IP in DSL in 2011)
Signed by Dodgers 5/29/09
6’0", 184 lbs, 21.75 years old
0-6, 5.56 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 2.23 FIP, 9.13 K/9
Pre 2012 Rank: 186; Pre 2011 Rank: 191, Pre 2010 Rank: N/A
Ricardo De La Rosa, who has no relation to Rubby, made his professional debut in 2010 as an outfielder, but hit just .163 and showed no power. So the Dodgers decided to transition him to the mound, and the move seems to have paid off. After posting solid stats across the board in 2011, De La Rosa became the closer for the Dominican Dodgers in 2012. While he had an 0 – 6 record and an ugly ERA of 5.56, he was able to nail down 9 saves and kept the ball in the yard which is what helped him maintain a very respectable FIP. Now 21 years old De La Rosa is at a bit of a cross-roads. My guess is that the organization will want to evaluate him for one more season in the DSL before considering a move to the US, but it’s also possible that he ends up in Arizona in 2013.
192. Geison Nunez, OF (54 games in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers in 2012
5’11", 178 lbs, 22 years old, bats right handed
.333 average, .785 OPS, 1 HR, 31 RBI’s, 9 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
Geison Nunez had an impressive professional debut with the Dominican Dodgers in 2012. He was the team’s every day center fielder, and ranked second on the club with a .333 average. That being said Nunez played the entire season as a 21 year old and didn’t really have any other impressive stats outside of his batting average so it’s a little tough to get too excited about him. In addition his batting average for ball in play was extremely high at .403, so he was probably getting a bit lucky. Given his age and solid season the Dodgers may send him to Arizona in 2013, but there is also a good chance he’ll return to the DSL.
191. Luis Alcantara, OF/C (27 games in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers in 2012
6’1", 185 lbs, 20.25 years old, bats right handed
.271 average, .630 OPS, 0 HR’s, 6 RBI’s, 2 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
Signed out of the Dominican Republic, Luis Alcantara is a rare catcher/outfielder who played both positions for the Dominican Dodgers in 2012. He spent most of his time in left field, but was flawless in 7 games behind the plate. At the dish Alcantara improved as the season progressed, finishing the year with a .333 average in August which won him a Dodger pride award. With just 3 extra base hits all year (all doubles) and a very low walk rate Luis has work to do in 2013 before he’ll be considered for a move to the US.
190. Jose Luis Javier, SS/OF (65 games in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers prior to 2011 season
5’10", 160 lbs, 20.25 years old, bats right handed
.242 average, .646 OPS, 1 HR’s, 19 RBI’s, 15 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: 197; Pre 2011 Rank: N/A
Jose Luis Javier, or JLJ as I like to call him, is another Dominican born player who signed with the Dodgers before the 2011 season. His appearance was brief during that first year, but in 2012 Javier was the Dodgers main shortstop and he showed a little bit of progress in his second pro season. His overall offense stats (.242 average and .646 OPS) weren't all that exciting however, and neither was his defense as he posted a .908 fielding %. Jose did show some speed and versatility, however, as he also played a bit of center field for the team. JLJ will most likely get another look in the DSL in 2013 as a 20 year old, and given his ability to play in the middle of the field he could eventually make it to the US.
189. Nelson Sandoval, RHP (23.2 IP in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers in 2012
6’0", 190 lbs, 19 years old
2-1, 4.08 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 5.41 FIP, 5.60 K/9
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
Signed out of Venezuela, Nelson Sandoval had an average debut in the Dominican Summer League. Playing as an 18 year old the right hander held opposing hitters to a .222 average for the season, but he had a tough time finding the plate and didn’t generate a lot of swing and misses which is what led to an ugly FIP. The youngster seems to have some upside, however, and hopefully 2013 will be a better year for Sandoval when he returns to the DSL.
188. Ricky Perez, RHP (22.1 IP in Arz Rookie Lg in 2012)
Signed as non drafted FA in 2012
5’11", 185 lbs, 22.5 years old
1-1, 8.46 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, 2.71 FIP, 10.88 K/9
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find out much information on Ricky Perez. I know he was born in the Dominican Republic and signed this past June, but I’m not sure where he went to college or what his background is. Wherever he came from he started his professional career with a bang as he immediately became the Arizona Dodgers closer and converted 9 saves through the end of July, allowing just 3 earned runs in the process. Over the last month of the season, however, Perez got absolutely rocked and ended the year with a 8.46 ERA. He did keep the ball in the park and had a solid strikeout rate, however, which is how he kept his FIP so low. After last season implosion I’m not sure what 2013 will bring for Ricky, but my best guess is that he’ll move up to the Pioneer League.
187. Riley Welch, RHP (6 IP in Pioneer Rookie Lg, 2.1 IP in Arz Rookie Lg in 2012)
Signed as non drafted FA in 2012
6’2", 190 lbs, 22.5 years old
0-0, 4.32 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 5.12 FIP, 8.64 K/9
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
Riley Welch, the son of Bob, was passed over in the 2012 draft after a solid career at the University of Hawaii. The Dodgers took advantage of that and signed Welch as a non drafted free agent. While Welch didn’t get much playing time in his professional debut, he figures to get a chance to prove his worth in 2013 in the rookie leagues. There is nothing the Dodgers like more than bloodlines so maybe Riley can take advantage of that and work his way through the minor leagues.
186. Simon Binns, RHP (8.2 IP in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers before 2011 season
6’3", 170 lbs, 19.75 years old
1-0, 9.35 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 5.28 FIP, 5.19 K/9
Pre 2012 Rank: 165; Pre 2011 Rank: N/A
The Dodgers signed Simon Binns out of Panama when he was just 17 years old, and in 2011 he made a brief appearance with the Dominican Dodgers. In 2012 he returned to the DSL but his time was limited once again as he threw just 8.2 frames and was shutdown mid way through June for an unknown reason. Despite limited action and a career ERA of 9.56 I still like Binns pitching frame and think he could turn it around in 2013 when he’ll undoubtedly be back in the Dominican.
185. Yensys Capellan, 3B (46 games in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers in 2012
6’2", 190 lbs, 19.5 years old, bats right handed
.276 average, .749 OPS, 2 HR’s, 30 RBI’s, 2 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
Yensys Capellan made his professional debut with the Dominican Dodgers in 2012, and he put up solid numbers while playing the entire season as an 18 year old. He hit a respectable .276, and even showed some pop with 13 extra base hits including a pair of homers. He also showed a good eye as he walked in 10.8% of his plate appearances, and struck out just 14.5% of the time. The bad news is that Capellan’s defense was a little suspect at 3rd base, which is probably why he actually spent more time at DH. At the end of the day Yensys will most definitely return to the DSL in 2013, but with another solid season at the plate he could make a case for a promotion to the US in 2014.
184. John Sgromolo, 1B (27 games in Arz Rookie Lg in 2012)
Drafted by Dodgers 2012, 37th round
6’0", 210 lbs, 22.5 years old, bats left handed
.310 average, .805 OPS, 1 HR, 17 RBI’s, 0 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
John Sgromolo was drafted this past year out of the obscure Flager College where he was a 4 year starter and had a career .313 average. The left hander also connected on 10 homers during his tenure and was very good defensively at 1st base. Upon joining the organization John was sent to the Arizona Rookie League where he made the most of his professional debut with a .310 average and a .805 OPS. It was a good start, but given that he plays 1st base Sgromolo is going to really have to hit throughout his career in order to get noticed. He’ll probably head to the Pioneer League in 2013 and will probably fill one of the backup roles while occasionally taking the role of DH.
183. Jeffry Rojas, 3B/1B (38 games in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers 10/14/10
6’0", 170 lbs, 20.5 years old, switch hitter
.327 average, .803 OPS, 1 HR, 18 RBI’s, 2 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: 189; Pre 2011 Rank: N/A
After a rough professional debut in 2011, Jeffry Rojas turned things around in 2012 with a solid season in the DSL. While he wasn’t quite an everyday player, Rojas ended up leading the team in games played at 3rd base and showed some solid offensive skills. His .327 average is outstanding for the Dominican Summer League, although it should be noted that he only had 5 extra base hits on the year. His most impressive stat, however, was the fact that he struck out in just 4.6% of his plate appearances. Now 20 years old Jeffry will most likely spend a 3rd season in the DSL and that will probably determine his future in baseball.
182. Jose Moreno, RHP (24 IP in DSL in 2012)
Signed by Dodgers 10/26/2010
6’0", 187 lbs, 22.75 years old
1-1, 2.63 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 5.37 FIP, 4.50 K/9
Pre 2012 Rank: 200; Pre 2011 Rank: N/A
After struggling as a catcher in 2011, the Dodgers moved Jose Moreno to the mound in 2012 and the results were encouraging. While the Dominican native was quite wild as he walked more batters than he struck out, Moreno was very stingy with the hits he allowed. Opposing batters hit just .200 against him which led to a solid WHIP and a very strong ERA. Despite being 22 years old Jose’s arm is still very young and he still has a lot of work to do so he’ll probably return to the DSL for another year.
181. Austin Cowen, C (6 games in Pioneer Rookie Lg, 13 games in Arz Rookie Lg in 2012)
Drafted by Dodgers 2012, 35th round
5’11", 195 lbs, 23.5 years old, bats right handed
.319 average, .805 OPS, 1 HR, 8 RBI’s, 0 SB’s
Pre 2012 Rank: N/A
Drafted out of Western Illinois University this past year where he hit .309 for his career, Austin Cowen signed early but was used sparing this past season. He debuted in the Arizona rookie League but didn’t do much over 13 games, then he was sent to Ogden to finish out the year. He found the hitting environment in the Pioneer League to be much more friendly as he posted a 1.014 with the Raptors, although the sample size was small at only 22 at bats. I don’t really know much else about Austin other than he had a solid walk to strikeout ratio in college, however his good eye wasn’t really on display in his professional debut. The 23 year old will almost certainly return to Ogden in 2013 where he’ll split time behind the plate with a few other backstops.