Dodgers Minor League Baseball Blog

I’m going to start my list of the top ten eleven Dodgers prospects tomorrow or Sunday.  Although I guess I shouldn’t say it’s my list, it’s a combination of three lists that I like the most.  I’ll be taking the top ten lists from Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus (Kevin Goldstein) and John Sickels and then similar to a fantasy baseball league, I’ll give ten points to each first place finish, nine points to each second place finish and so on.  I’ll then compile the points and work from there.  The reason it’s now the top eleven list is because there’s a tie down at the bottom. 

One thing I learned is that once you get past the top four, it’s kind of crap shoot.  You’ve got guys showing up at fifth place on one list, then not even on the next.  One player shows up in sixth place on one list, then doesn’t appear on either of the others.  So you’ll get their final results as well as some stas and thoughts on each guy.  Hopefully you’ll stop by as I make my way through the list leading up to the season.

Baseball America released their list of the top ten Dodgers prospects today.  No major surprises and despite all of the promotions last year, the Dodgers remained stocked with talent.

Andy LaRoche comes in at number one.  LaRoche had solid numbers at both Double A and Triple A and he could be the teams starting third baseman this year if he has a solid spring.  If there’s one Dodger prospect to keep an eye on, it’s LaRoche because he has a legitimate shot at becoming an everyday starter right now.

Number two is the Dodgers first pick in last years draft, Clayton Kershaw.  The lefthander slipped to the Dodgers when Andrew Miller slipped to the Tigers and he completely lit up rookie ball.  He won’t turn 19 until March and we’ll be keeping an eye on him as he should start at either Low A or High A in 2007.

Number three is another left handed pitcher.  Scott Elbert was the Dodgers first round pick in 2004 and he had outstanding seasons at both High A and Double A.  He’ll probably start at Triple A but if he shows us something this spring, he could make the pen for the Dodgers.  I’d like to see him get time as a regular starter though so I think some time in Triple A would do him some good.

James Looney comes in at number four and he’ll suffer because the Dodgers picked Nomar Garciappara back up.  Regardless though, he’s shown all he can in the minors so he’ll probably make the team as a reserve left handed bat.

Rounding out the top five is second baseman Etanislao Abreu, who is a decent spray hitter.  He put up decent numbers in 2006 at Double A and we’ll probably see him in Las Vegas in 2007.