Dodgers: Breaking Down the Non-Roster Invitees
The Dodgers have 21 non-roster invitees attending spring training for the chance to earn a spot on the MLB roster or impress enough to get called up later in the season. Let’s take a look at each player:
Starting Pitchers:
Tony Gonsolin: After a breakout season in 2018, Gonsolin is someone Dodger fans should be really excited about. In 83.2 innings for the Quakes, Gonsolin posted a 2.69 ERA. He was then promoted to the Drillers where he pitched to a 2.44 ERA in 44.1 innings. Gonsolin should make his MLB debut at some point this season. He has the potential to be a middle of the rotation starter or shut down reliever. He also has the best style of any Dodger ‘right meow’, which is shown here and here.
Dustin May: Nicknamed ‘Ginger Thor’, the Dodgers’ number 3 prospect has the potential to be a front of the rotation starter. He was drafted by the team in the 3rd round of the 2016 draft. Last season, he pitched 98.1 innings with a 3.29 ERA for the Quakes before getting promoted to the Drillers. With the Drillers, he had a 3.67 ERA in 34.1 innings. He is projected to debut in 2020 and he is definitely worth keeping an eye on this spring.
Mitchell White: White, the Dodgers’ number 8 prospect, was the Dodgers’ second-round selection in the 2016 draft. He struggled in 2018, posting a 4.53 ERA in 105.1 innings for the Drillers, but he has the stuff equivalent to that of a top of a rotation starter. He could debut by the end of this season. The team will be looking for a rebound season from him in 2019.
Relief Pitchers:
Stetson Allie: Allie is a hard-throwing right-hander who could pitch in the major leagues at some point this season. There is a pretty detailed recap about him here.
Joe Broussard: Broussard is a 28-year-old who drafted by the Dodgers in the 2014 draft. He seems more like a quadruple-A guy than someone who will make an impact at the major league level.
Daniel Corcino: Another 28-year-old righty, Corcino actually threw 4 innings for the Dodgers in 2018. He stuck out 1 batter and walked 3 in those innings. I’d be shocked to see him back on the roster at any point this year.
Kevin Quackenbush: You may remember Quackenbush from his time with the Padres (most recently in 2017) or more likely because of his 80-grade name and 70-grade beard. The 30-year-old right-hander has a career 4.38 ERA in 207.2 innings. He will likely serve as depth in AAA.
Josh Smoker: Smoker is a 30-year-old left-handed journeyman. In 79 career innings, he has a 5.35 ERA. His strikeout numbers are impressive (11.05 K/9) but his walk numbers are very unimpressive (4.90 BB/9). He is another minor league depth guy.
Jessen Therrien: After undergoing Tommy John Surgery in September 2017, Therrien was signed by the Dodgers on Nov. 29, 2017. He is a 25-year-old right-hander that made his MLB debut in 2017 for the Philadelphia Phillies. In 18.1 innings for them, he had an 8.35 ERA, 4.91 K/9, and 3.44 BB/9. It seems significant that the Dodgers signed him while injured and decided to wait for him. He was very good in nearly 60 minor league innings in 2017. Maybe the Dodgers saw something they liked about him but for now, consider him minor league depth.
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Catchers:
Will Smith: The Dodgers number 5 prospect, Smith was drafted in the first round of the 2016 draft. He has the potential to be an elite defender with some pop in his bat. Smith will make his debut this season and he could even be starting at some point this season.
Josh Thole: Purley minor league depth. Something has gone terribly wrong if he is on the roster at any point this season. I wrote about him here.
Infielders:
Daniel Castro: A 26-year-0ld infielder who made his debut in 2015 with the Atlanta Braves. He spent last season with the Colorado Rockies and appeared in 18 games for them. He is another minor league depth player.
Omar Estevez: Estevez is the Dodgers’ number 30 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He was signed by the team as a 16-year-old out of Cuba in 2015. He should start 2019 with the Quakes but he could develop into a solid major league player down the line.
Gavin Lux: Lux, a 1st round pick in 2016, is the Dodgers’ number 4 prospect. He projects to be their second baseman of the future so he is definitely worth keeping an eye on. You can read more about him here.
Jake Peter: Acquired by the Dodgers last season in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. He impressed in spring training but never got the call to the major leagues after struggling in AAA.
Outfielders:
Ezequiel Carrera: A 31-year-old journeyman, Carrera last played in the majors for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017. He has played in parts of 7 major league seasons but hasn’t ever been more than a fourth or fifth outfielder.
Kyle Garlick: Drafted by the Dodgers in 2015, Garlick is a 27-year-old who projects to be a depth player.
Paulo Orlando: A 33-year-old who won the World Series with the Royals back in 2015. Orlando was, to put it nicely, bad last season. He likely isn’t anything more than depth.
Cameron Perkins: Perkins is a 28-year-old outfielder who most recently played in the majors for the Phillies in 2017. He hasn’t found much success at the major league level but he has worked with Dodgers’ hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc. You can read about him and Orlando here.
DJ Peters: The Dodgers’ number 9 prospect, Peters has plus power, a strong arm, and speed. He should debut sometime this season and he could be a fun player to watch. You can read a breakdown on him here.
Shane Peterson: A 31-year-old who has bounced around a bit in his career. He last played in the majors in 2017 for the Rays. He is another guy who is likely just minor league depth.
Analysis:
It would be a big surprise if any of them make the major league roster out of camp but there are some exciting players to keep an eye on who could make an impact for the team in the future.