Dodgers News: Two Big Name Prospects Are Still Atop The MLB Pipeline Rankings

At the 2021 trade deadline, the Dodgers sent their top two prospects, Keibert Ruiz and Josiah Gray, to the Nationals in the trade for Trea Turner and Max Scherzer. At that point, the Dodgers’ farm system had bounced out of many top 10 rankings among MLB. Now, they have rushed back with a vengeance as their 2020 and 2021 drafts have proven to be excellent so far.

We’ll have an article up on the 2021 draft in the next few days that breaks down players from that draft.

As many had heard, the Dodgers were in the running to trade for Juan Soto and it would have cost 5-6 prospects. At least. Something that was interesting for me is that I thought the Dodgers could withstand a trade like that and still bounce back quickly. The scouting, drafting and player development personnel the Dodgers employ continue to prove they are amongst the best in the business. Not all prospects will be with the Dodgers in the major leagues. Some will make it but many will be traded or not make it at all.

MLB Pipeline has released their post-Trade Deadline updates to their top 30 for the Dodgers. This article will look at the new list and compare it to the previous one from the beginning of the 2022 season.

The List

The table below shows the list from late March of 2022 and the new list, including the changes from the previous list.

What Stands Out

• Diego Cartaya and Bobby Miller remain the top two prospects for the Dodgers. Both players have already moved up one level during the 2022 season.
• The Dodgers have seven prospects in the top 100.

Seven Dodgers in the top 100:
9. Diego Cartaya (C)
27. Bobby Miller (RHP)
44. Miguel Vargas (INF/OF)
45. Michael Busch (INF/OF)
69. Andy Pages (OF)
77. Ryan Pepiot (RHP)
81. Gavin Stone (RHP) https://t.co/hC4Ogkbhp7

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 17, 2022

• Gavin Stone was the biggest gainer as he moved up 11 spots. He has risen fast. He started the 2021 season in Single-A with the Quakes and is now in Triple-A with OKC. We’ve written about him quite a bit over the last two years.
• The biggest drop was for Wilman Diaz, who dropped 16 spots. The kid is literally just 18 years old and is playing in the US for the first time. We shall see.
• Peter Heubeck dropped 8 spots and it does not make sense. He has been very good in his first professional season. He’s had a couple of bad games but most of his starts have been excellent. They are limiting his innings like they do with most pitchers drafted out of high school.
• The biggest omission has got to be River Ryan. He was the pitcher the Dodgers got back in the Matt Beaty trade. For the season he has thrown 42 innings, given up 32 hits, has an ERA of 2.36, 62 strikeouts, and only 15 walks.
• Andre Jackson is missing from the list. He should still be on as he still retains his rookie status.
• 7 players dropped off while 2 were traded. 9 new players appeared.
• Kyle Hurt was acquired from the Marlins before the 2021 season. He’s made excellent progress this season.
• The highest new entry was the 2022 top draft pick, Dalton Rushing. In his first 37 at-bats, he is slashing .405/.558/.730 (AVG/ OBP/SLG) while playing catcher and DH for the Quakes.
• There are 4 catchers in the top 30. The system is loaded with catching prospects.
• The biggest position strength is right-handed pitching. There are 12 of them in the top 30.

Analysis

These types of lists are a good tool to help get to know the players in the organization. However, the lists are pretty subjective. If you were to look at any other prospects list you would see a lot of differences, especially after the top 7. On Dodgers 2080, we will continue to discuss the top prospects but also ones that are under the radar.

When you go to Ranch Cucamonga to watch a baseball game you are watching many future Dodgers. If you are a Padres fan you go to Lake Elsinore to watch mostly trade bait. The Dodgers take the talent they find, including lower draft picks, and develop that talent. The proof is visible. As we dig deeper into these players on the 2022 list, we will see that not all of them are high draft picks or received huge bonuses. The player development for the Dodgers is elite.

What are your thoughts on the latest prospect rankings? Who do you think the number one prospect is?

WATCH: Dodgers Prospect Rankings, Hidden Gems, Risers/Fallers, Miller, Cartaya & More!

For more prospect information please visit our prospect site, Dodgers 2080, and the associated Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube accounts.