Dodgers Minor League Week in Review: Seager And Urias Impress
Top 10 Update
Grant Holmes: Holmes made his 2015 debut on Monday and was up and down with his performance. The 19 year old lasted just 3.2 innings while allowing four runs, though he did strikeout four batters. He pitched again on Saturday, seeing some improvement in his production, going five innings, allowing three runs (two earned), walking one and striking out six.
Holmes is getting stretched out for the season and throwing mostly fastballs, so when he’s allowed to break out the slider more frequently, expect the results to improve even more.
Alex Verdugo: Verdugo has been in center field every day for the Low-A Great Lakes Loons, showing solid range and a strong arm. At the plate, he’s been getting a little impatient, chasing his fastballs, which has led to him striking out once in every game he’s played.
Verdugo tallied a pair of doubles and three walks, but is OPSing just .613 in the early days. However, it’s April and it’s cold in the Midwest, as Verdugo, an Arizona native, tries to acclimate to the new league and new address.
Jose De Leon: Following his dominant debut, De Leon wasn’t quite himself on Tuesday, allowing a pair of runs on five hits while striking out just three in four innings. A few days later, he was placed on the disabled list with a minor groin injury. Hopefully he doesn’t stay on the sidelines for too long.
Julian Leon: Like Verdugo, Leon is still getting used to playing in the cold weather. He hit .300 this week with a walk, but has yet to collect an extra base hit. The 19-year-old catcher threw out two attempted base stealers this week and looks comfortable behind the plate.
Chris Anderson: Anderson continued his strong start to the season, with six shutout innings and as many strikeouts. The 22 year old will make a pair of starts this week and will hopefully continue to impress.
Zach Lee: It seems as though all of the Dodgers’ pitching prospects are dealing right now. Lee also tossed six shutout frames, adding seven strikeouts without issuing a walk. This improvement is more than just moving out of Albuquerque and could earn him his Major-League debut sometime this season.
Popup Player – Jeff Brigham:
The Dodgers’ fourth-rounder from the 2014 draft, Brigham was recovering from Tommy John surgery last year before going pro. He started 10 games in Ogden after signing, striking out 33 in 32.2 innings. He showed good velocity and a promising breaking ball with the Raptors, though he walked a batter every other inning.
This year, Brigham has been even better, striking out 11 in his first seven innings while walking just two batters and allowing only three hits. His fastball can get up to 97 mph and it features excellent life. His breaking ball shows plus potential with sharp break.
With the Loons, he’s working on the same days as Holmes, as the organization believes he should be eased back into a full starter’s workload. Brigham has modest size, listed at 6’0 and 200 lbs, and with one major surgery under his belt, there are concerns about his long term durability.
However, even if he ends up in the bullpen, Brigham should be a power arm with a pair of swing-and-miss pitches.
[divide]Corey Seager Discusses Playing Under Outside Pressure And Expectations
