Despite being a constant top team in the National League, the Dodgers have built a whole farm system in the MLB. Having won the NL West four of the last five seasons, the Dodgers have also been able to stockpile plenty of top-end prospects. They have had four former top 100 options make their way to the major league lineup the past few seasons. But they still have one of the top baseball farm systems, with four players currently ranked in the top 100.
Top Prospects in the Dodgers Farm System
C/1B Dalton Rushing
Rushing is the highest-ranked Dodgers prospect at number 47 in the top 100. He was a second-round pick in the 2022 draft by Los Angeles. Seen as having above-average power at the plate, Rushing can drive the ball to all parts of the field. He can do this while also not selling out for home run swings. So far in the 2023 season, he has hit nine home runs in High-A.
Along with his power to all parts of the field, Rushing is praised for his ability to draw walks with his patience at the plate. This has all led to him being the top prospect in the Dodgers farm system.
But defensively, Rushing needs improvement behind the plate. His receiving and blocking have been knocked by many against him. But in 38 games at catcher with the Great Lakes Loons, Rushing has allowed only two passed balls.
Should he continue to show improvements behind the plate, Rushing could make his way to the Dodgers roster in the next couple of seasons.
3B/2B Michael Busch
One of the older prospects in the Dodgers farm system at 25 years old, Busch was the team’s 2019 first-round pick. Coming into the draft, he was viewed as one of the top prospects in the class. He now sits at number 47 in the top 100 prospects in the MLB.
At the plate, his left-handed swing is smooth and mixes in good patience at the scale. His patience has improved vastly over the past couple of seasons. In 2022, Busch struck out 167 times but has knocked that down to 79 times in 85 games in Triple-A. He is also a hitter who can hit for both power and average, having hit .316 with 23 home runs.
But on the defensive side, Busch could switch from the third base spot to second. Although he has been able to play 54 of his Triple-A games at third, he has 13 errors on the season.
He made his MLB debut with the Dodgers this April but only lasted 15 games before being sent back to Triple-A. He hit .200 with only four runs batted in while in Los Angeles.
If Busch can continue punishing the ball in Triple-A the rest of the season (.316, 23 home runs), he should be making a push in 2024 for a spot full-time with the Dodgers.
C Diego Cartaya
The Dodger’s top farm system prospect from 2022, Cartaya, was originally an international signing in 2018. At the time, he was viewed as the leading international prospect. He has fallen in the top 100 but still sits at number 60 this season.
Offensively, he is seen as a power hitter who has also improved to hit balls to all parts of the field. But patience at the plate and being able to hit non-fastball pitches are among the areas he needs improvements on. So far, in the 2023 season in Double-A, he has only hit .185 with 107 strikeouts. But he has also shown off his power, totaling 17 this season.
Defensively, Cartaya must improve his receiving, framing, and blocking behind the plate as a catcher. But, with these aspects being works in progress, he can quickly become an everyday catcher in the future.
RHP Nick Frasso
Acquired at the 2022 trade deadline, Frasso was originally a Toronto Blue Jays fourth-round pick in 2020. In his time in the minors, he has only been able to throw in just over 123 innings in two-plus seasons. But even with that, he has shown off a lot of the potential that has made him one of the top prospects in the Dodgers farm system. He currently sits as the 69th-ranked prospect in baseball.
Frasso possesses a fastball on the mound that can touch 100 miles per hour and constantly sits in the 95-97 range. He has also been able to develop an above-average changeup that sits in the mid-80s. His command has been on display as well this season. In just over 69 innings, he has delivered 89 strikeouts. He has also been able to limit the extra base threat, only giving up four home runs.
He could end up in a high-leverage reliever role in a worst-case scenario. In the best case scenario, the Dodgers will have a middle-of-the-rotation starter.
RHP Gavin Stone
A fifth-round pick in 2020 by the Dodgers, Stone has been able to work his way through the minor league ranks. He has become one of the team’s best farm system pitchers. He currently sits at number 84 in the top 100 prospects.
The top pitch he throws is his mid-80s changeup. It is a pitch used about as often as his four-seam fastball. His fastball sits between 94-96 miles per hour. He also has a curveball and slider that both sit in the mid-80s.
Stone is another prospect who has made his MLB debut in 2023 already. In three started games, he pitched 12 innings, with a 12.75 earned run average before being sent back down to Triple-A. He has been able to strike out 11o batters but has also been prone to the long ball. He has given up 11 home runs this season in Triple-A.
If Stone can work on keeping the ball in the park and continue his progressions with his pitches, he should be making his way back to a Dodgers jersey shortly.
Overall, the Dodgers have done quite well with building a stout farm system for a team that is consistently one of the top teams in the league. If these prospects can jump to the majors, the Dodgers will continue to be one of the league’s premier teams.
Main Photo Credits: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
