Editorials

Dodgers News: Seventh Annual Winter Development Camp Starts Tomorrow

Joc PedersonAs they’ve done the previous six years, the Los Angeles Dodgers will host prospects at Dodger Stadium starting tomorrow until Thursday, January 9 for a Winter Development Program.

15 prospects will be on hand to participate in seminars, fundamentals workouts, strength training and conditioning. Expected to participate are household names such as starter Zach Lee and outfielders Scott Schebler and Joc Pederson. Other familiar names include Jose Dominguez, Nick Buss and Matt Magill, who all spent time with the big league club this past season.

The players will talk with former Dodger players and members of the front office as they try and take the next step in their careers. Since they started these camps in 2008, 40 participating players have made it to the big leagues.

Here’s the official press release from the Dodgers:

LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers’ seventh annual Winter Development Program, which helps prepare minor league players for the Major Leagues both on and off the field, will begin tomorrow and run through Thursday, January 9 at Dodger Stadium.

 

Fifteen of the club’s top minor league prospects will be in Los Angeles for the event, which includes seminars with Dodger staffers and workouts that focus on fundamentals, strength training and conditioning. Throughout the week, Dodger prospects will familiarize themselves with the greater Los Angeles area through social events and a community service visit to A Place Called Home, a youth center in South Los Angeles. The program is highlighted by sessions with Don Mattingly, Tommy Lasorda, Don Newcombe, Maury Wills, Eric Karros, Shawn Green, Stan Kasten and Ned Colletti and the annual Legends Dinner with Dodger alumni.

 

Many of the Dodgers’ top prospects will be in attendance, including the organization’s 2013 Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Year, right-hander Zach Lee and outfielder Scott Schebler, along with Baseball America’s top-rated Dodger prospect, outfielder Joc Pederson. In addition, some of the club’s newest roster additions will be on display, including right-handed pitcher Seth Rosin, who was acquired through the Rule 5 Draft, and recent 40-man roster selections right-handers Pedro Baez and Yimi Garcia and left-hander Jarret Martin. Of the prospects attending this year, seven are already on the 40-man roster and three have Major League experience, including pitchers Jose Dominguez and Matt Magill and outfielder Nick Buss. The club’s top pick in the 2011 draft, left-hander Chris Reed, and right-hander Ross Stripling will round out the hurlers and will be joined by catchers Pratt Maynard and Chris O’Brien and infielder Miguel Rojas.

 

Six of the 11 participants in last year’s Winter Development Program played in the Major Leagues in 2013 and, since its inception in 2008, 40 participating players have reached the big leagues.

Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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