The Los Angeles Dodgers have so many talented prospects in the system that some players can be overlooked. It may feel as though the Dodgers have had Omar Estevez on the farm for a while now, but he is still only 20 years old. His 21st birthday (2/25) is not until the beginning of spring training in 2019.
With the #Dodgers sending Luke Raley to the #MNTwins in the deal for Brian Dozier, @RCQuakes 20-year-old 2B/SS Omar Estevez enters the @Dodgers‘ Top 30 Prospects list: https://t.co/AnIkFLceXR pic.twitter.com/lOfQhgH9xF
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 31, 2018
Omar Estevez
Actual conversation that took place at the beginning of the season, at the home of the Quakes. “That Estevez guy is back again.”
“Uh-oh, that’s like his third season here. That’s not good.” It is only his second with Rancho, third with the Dodgers overall. He spent 2016 in Great Lakes winning a championship with the Loons.
“I think he is like 20.”
“Oh, wow. Nevermind, he is still a kid, especially for the this league (Cal League).”
This conversation may or not be a representation of what many Dodger fans had been pondering about Estevez. The name has been with the organization for some time now, he was signed by the Dodgers as an international free agent in November of 2015 when he was 17.
Fantastic Season for Estevez
The Quakes shortstop has had a fantastic campaign in 2018 at the plate and in the field. This is what Omar’s Manager, Drew Saylor, had to say about his young protégé in a recent interview. “You look at the extra base hits, look at the damage he is doing in terms of staying in the middle of the diamond, he is really starting to see the fruits of his labors.” He certainly is, the Cuban prospect leads the Cal League in two base hits, with 37 and is sixth in the league in Total Bases with 204. Going into action on Thursday night, Estevez is also second in the statistical category of runs with 73.
Omar Estevez, whose two-run homer helped rally the Dodgers, was a late addition Tuesday from the Minor League side. He had four home runs last year at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 27, 2018
Omar is a dynamic hitter in a fantastic line-up at High-A. He hits along side such hitters as Cristian Santana, Connor Wong, Cody Thomas. Estevez has been an integral cog in the Quakes machine, and during the mid-season winning streak.
Rancho has an entry into the playoffs as they won the first half championship. Estevez will have a chance to shine in a playoff atmosphere once again. In 2016, Estevez was able to help the Loons capture the Midwest League Title. Last year, Estevez and the Quakes fell to the Jethawks in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Bright Future
Omar Estevez figures to see a full season of action next year in Tulsa at the Double-A level. As is the case with this season and the two previous, Omar Estevez will be a “young player” for the Texas League. His development is on the upswing and 2019 should be exciting.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
