When it comes to organizational success, the Los Angeles Dodgers are a great example. But, in reality, they’ll have as many as half of their position players who are homegrown starting for them a lot of nights. Recently, Andy Pages has been the talk of the NL West with his hot start after being called up in mid-April. He was signed by Los Angeles as an amateur free agent after defecting from Cuba as a 17-year-old.
Examining Dodgers Prospects Who Deserve Attention
Someone From The 40-Man Roster?
Could it be someone already on the 40-man roster and thus available to be called up without any complicated machinations? In a word… no. They could call up any number of people. Would they be an actual game-changer? For the most part, they’ve all already had a shot. Pitcher Nick Frasso won’t be back this season, and it looks like Landon Knack may be the odd man out in the rotation.
That leaves two catchers as the lone possibility if James Outman doesn’t go down to Triple-A Oklahoma City and come back raking. The Dodgers don’t need a catcher or a designated hitter. Neither Diego Cartaya nor Hunter Feduccia are being called up this season. It would likely be based entirely on need if they call one up. Cartaya has struggled over the last two seasons. However, his defense behind the plate is possibly the best in the entire organization. Feduccia on the other hand is batting .284 in Oklahoma City.
Hunter Feduccia adds to the lead with a RBI single! pic.twitter.com/ADZjDw21lK
— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) May 19, 2024
One Of The Top Prospects?
Speaking of catchers, current Tulsa catcher Dalton Rushing is going to be an absolute star in MLB. His teammates would run through a wall for him, and he has proven time and again that he can be counted on in the clutch. He is batting .254 with four home runs while alternating between catcher and DH. Just like the issue with Feduccia and Cartaya, however, the Dodgers aren’t in need of a catcher. In fact, Rushing could be dangled in front of other teams as the Dodgers look to fill what few needs they may have toward the trade deadline.
The Dodgers would be willing to make a roster move for the Oklahoma City Baseball Club’s Austin Gauthier should they find themselves in need of a spark at any number of positions. This season Gauthier has played every position save pitcher, catcher and first base. But his versatility in the field is not the only thing that bodes well for his chances. Gauthier was recently called-up to OKC after being successful against Double-A pitching to the tune of a .933 on-base plus slugging. Triple-A pitching has not slowed him down a bit. He is batting .327 over his 13 games there.
Playing in his first game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, Austin Gauthier endears himself to the home crowd with a two-run triple! pic.twitter.com/RuVvznh9Dq
— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) May 22, 2024
Someone Not Considered A “Big Time” Prospect?
Is there a chance that a player could come out of “nowhere” and surprise everyone in the organization? Yes. It happens all the time around baseball.
If it’s positional versatility the Dodgers are looking for, they may have found it when they snagged Andre Lipcius from the Tigers back in early March. In Oklahoma City, Lipcius has played first, second, and third while batting .331 while hitting more home runs (13) than he has in any of his first four professional seasons.
Different week. Same guy.
Andre Lipcius homers to give OKC the early lead! He’s now tied for the PCL lead with 13 homers this season. pic.twitter.com/ADp0zwjZ09
— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) May 22, 2024
Another option could be Taylor Young. He has not only been hitting at Double-A Tulsa, but he has also been racking up the stolen bases. Currently he has 16 to lead the team by a large margin. A lot of times it’s speed that can get a young guy added to the 40-man roster. Even when they may not have necessarily been on the radar yet.
The most likely non-roster player to get the call would probably be Drew Avans. He’s been good in Oklahoma City for the fourth season in a row. The career .275 batter has great speed and can step into one occasionally. However, he has not made it to the show yet in his six-year career. With a big season, the team may either reward him or choose to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. They possibly could use his glove off the bench later this year.
Another catch to add to the Drew Avans highlight reel! pic.twitter.com/8TmJ6I7dOx
— Oklahoma City Baseball Club (@okc_baseball) May 14, 2024
The Dodgers have got to trust that Brandon Gomes and company will do what’s best for the club. Simply due to that they’ve already helped get to the top of the National League so far this year.
Main Photo Credits: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
