Down On The Farm: Dodgers Minor League Review August 10-August 16

The Dodgers have won nine straight games and seem to be taking a strangle hold on the National League West. Given the now long successor the Dodgers, they’re now the favorites to win the World Series  and proved that this run isn’t just a fluke.

As roster expansion approaches, the Dodgers will continue to try to increase their lead in the N.L. West to make sure the stars can get their rest and most importantly, remain healthy for what seems to be now an almost guaranteed playoff run.

Here’s a look at what the Dodgers top prospects have been up too this week.

AAA Albuquerque Isotopes- The Isotopes began this week with the services of Scott Van Slyke, but were missing shortstop Dee Gordon as he was still filling in for the injured Hanley Ramirez.

However, on Friday, the two swapped places as the Dodgers recalled Van Slyke and optioned Gordon back down as he began to struggle defensively at the big league level.

-Offense  

Scott Van Slyke: Before Van Slyke was recalled to the big league roster, he left the Isotopes batting .347 on the year and this week he went 5-18, collecting four RBI’s with one home run and three runs scored. Van Slyke will probably be a spot starter for the Dodgers as Andre Ethier continues to battle a tight left calf.

Tony Gwynn Jr.: We checked up on Gwynn for the first time this year as he spent a lot of time with the Dodgers major league team last season. While he showed signs of being able to do a nice job, the Dodgers didn’t have a spot open for him with an already crowded outfield.

This week, Gwynn was average as he went 4-19 with only one run scored, which was somewhat of a down week for him as he’s hitting .302 on the season.

-Pitching  

Matt Magill: Although Magill has been mainly a starter this year for the Isotopes, he’s a candidate out of the Dodgers bullpen if he joins the team on the 40-man roster.

Magill has had a very nice season so far turning in a 4-1 record with a 3.04 ERA. This week wasn’t so kind to him as he struggled a little bit. He had two starts in which he combined to pitch 10 1/3 innings allowing 15 hits, eight runs and 13 strikeouts.

Brian Wilson: Before Brian Wilson left Triple A to join the Dodgers he  turned in another solid week. He pitched 2.1 innings allowing no hits or runs and struck out two batters. Don’t worry Dodger fans, his time will come.

AA Chattanooga Lookouts- The Lookouts have continued to struggle and look for their stride this season as they continue to sit in the bottom of the pack in the Southern League North. But nevertheless, there are some players that are still making some noise in hopes of putting their names in the conversation next season.

-Offense

Joc Pederson: As Pederson continues to be the Dodgers top outfield prospect, we will continue to track his progress. He continues to swing the bat well and this week was just another example of that. He went 6-16 with six RBI’s, two home runs and four runs scored.

-Pitching

Rob Rasmussen: We checked back up on Rob Rasmussen as he has quietly been putting together a nice season for the Lookouts. Rasmussen has mostly been a starter this season, but has made a couple relief appearances.

This week Rasmussen had two appearances, one in relief and one start. He pitched a combined seven innings allowing three runs on five hits and struck out five batters.

Ross Stripling: Stripling has been similar to Rasmussen this season as he has mostly served as a starter, but sometimes has been used in relief. This week Stripling made one start and pitched 5.1 innings. He allowed one run on eight hits and struck out three batters as it was another nice outing for him.

A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes: The Quakes have finished another week with new addition Corey Seager to the team after he was moved up two weeks ago. Seager’s is the Dodgers’ second ranked overall prospect and they can only hope he keeps producing at a high rate.

Corey Seager: Since being promoted to the Quakes, Seager has struggled quite a bit. He is hitting below .200 and and has not been very consistent. This was an up and down week for Seager, but it has to be expected as he tries to get relaxed in his new surroundings. This week Seager went 4-21 with four RBI’s and one home run and even though his average isn’t great, his production is not terrible.

A Great Lakes Loons: 

Julio Urias: This week Urias continued to pitch his usual short outings to make sure they don’t he isn’t taxed too much due to his young age.

This week, Urias went back to pitching his normal two innings, but he wasn’t as sharp as he usually is this time around. He gave up two runs on two hits but he did come away with four strikeouts.

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In case you missed it, be sure to find out the latest on Matt Kemp’s ankle injury.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg0AP5LACzc