Dodgers News: Minor League Organizational All-Stars Named
The Dodgers are a fantastic organization all throughout, but the one constant that has been seen under the Friedman regime is an excellent scouting department. From Gabe Kapler to Billy Gasparino, the Dodgers have done an excellent job — just look at their current major league roster. The organization is having their draft picks ‘hit’ at an uncanny rate. Bellinger, May, Urias, Seager, and Lux are just some of the names that have been bred by the developmental system the Dodgers have in place that is undoubtedly excellent.
As the 2019 minor league season closed, MiLB.com named their Dodgers organizational All-Stars for the year:
Just an embarrassment of riches here. Just don't expect the #Dodgers to be that embarrassed by their 2019 Organization All-Stars as picked by @JoshJacksonMiLB: https://t.co/BM8Bb3jAFH
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) November 11, 2019
Catcher: Connor Wong
Wong is the newest member of the Dodgers’ excellent minor league catching depth to have a breakout campaign. He falls in a long line of Will Smith, Keibert Ruiz, and Diego Cartaya. Wong would be the best catching prospect almost everywhere else in the league, but he is probably the fourth best in the Dodgers’ system. Nuts.
First Base: Connor Joe
Joe saw time in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants, but was returned to the Dodgers as a waived Rule 5 pick. Joe put up a .300 batting average and 132 wRC+ for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Second Base: Zach McKinstry
McKinstry, the 33rd-round pick of the Dodgers in 2016, has certainly exceeded expectations. He impressed at Double-A Tulsa, putting up a 126 wRC+ across 95 games. He was then promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City and crushed more. Across 26 games there, McKinstry put up a ridiculous 177 wRC+ with seven homers over that span.
Third Base: Miguel Vargas
Vargas, almost 20 years of age at High-A Rancho Cucamonga, had a very nice season. He put up a .308/.380/.440 slash line and 134 wRC+.
Shortstop: Gavin Lux
We all know what Mr. Lux did. The stud middle infielder put up a 188 wRC+ with Oklahoma City after a 147 wRC+ with Tulsa. He also crushed 28 homers across 136 games at three stops — including in Los Angeles.
Gavin took some time before his callup to chat about his breakout season with Dodgers Nation.
Outfield: Zach Reks
Reks had quite the season for someone who is not typically viewed as one of the Dodgers’ top-30 prospects. He saw time at both Tulsa and OKC, where he combined to crush 28 home runs in just 121 games, posting a terrific .291/.385/.536 slash line.
Outfield: Andy Pages
Pages really came out and hit in 2019, posting a ridiculous 165 wRC+ with the Ogden Raptors. Across just 63 games played, Pages hit 19 bombs and stole seven bases, amassing a .298/.398/.651 slash line.
Outfield: Kyle Garlick
Garlick saw time in the major leagues with the Dodgers, but when he was down in Triple-A, he was fantastic. In 81 games with OKC, Garlick batted .314 with a 1.057 OPS and 23 homers.
Utility: Edwin Rios
Rios also saw time in the major leagues and hit everywhere. Rios put up a .915 OPS with OKC and smashed 31 homers in just 104 games. Across 28 games with the big club, he slugged .617 and put up a 161 wRC+ with four home runs.
Honorable Mention: Jeter Downs
Downs might be the biggest breakout outside of Gavin Lux and Josiah Gray. Downs walked at an excellent 11.1 percent clip and posted an .888 OPS combined with Rancho and Tulsa. In 119 games played, Downs hit 24 homers and stole 24 bags.
Jeter took some time to chat with Dodgers Nation earlier this season.
Honorable Mention: Devin Mann
Mann, 22, has climbed through the prospect ranks rather quickly. Now at Rancho, Mann crushed to the tune of an .867 OPS and hit 19 homers in 95 games.
Starting Pitcher: Josiah Gray
Gray, one of the pieces the Dodgers received from the Reds in the Yasiel Puig trade, has been a revelation in the Dodgers’ system. Gray rose all the way to Tulsa at 21 years old and posted a 2.28 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across three levels.
The right-hander was highlighted by Dodgers Nation earlier this season.
Dodgers Prospects: Josiah Gray and Niko Hulsizer Are Two To Watch
Starting Pitcher: Leo Crawford
Crawford really impressed in 2019, posting a 2.81 ERA with Rancho and Tulsa. The 22-year-old southpaw also struck out 134 batters across 121 1/3 frames.
Relief Pitcher: Logan Salow
The 25-year-old Salow emerged as a legit bullpen prospect in 2019, posting a 2.31 ERA with Rancho and Tulsa with 93 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings.
Honorable Mention: John Rooney
The Dodgers’ third-round selection in 2018, Rooney posted a 2.84 ERA and reached Rancho Cucamonga in the latter half of 2019. He struck out 89 batters and walked just 39 in 104 2/3 innings.
Dodgers Nation chatted a bit with Rooney about his arsenal amongst other topics earlier this season.
Honorable Mention: Brett de Geus
de Geus found his groove this season after a very rough 2018. The right-hander held a 1.75 ERA, striking out 72 batters in 61 2/3 innings.
Final Thoughts
With top prospects like Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Alex Verdugo having already graduated to the big leagues, the organization isn’t slowing down when it comes to churning out future stars in the lower levels.