{"id":15393,"date":"2018-10-23T08:57:37","date_gmt":"2018-10-23T12:57:37","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=15393"},"modified":"2018-10-23T08:57:37","modified_gmt":"2018-10-23T12:57:37","slug":"los-angeles-dodgers-organization-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2018\/10\/23\/los-angeles-dodgers-organization-best\/","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles Dodgers Organization &#8211; The Best from Top to Bottom"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/mlb-teams\/los-angeles-dodgers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Los Angeles Dodgers <\/a>are the best organization, from top to bottom, in all of baseball.\u00a0 Scouting, player development, and quality people are the difference. It is true what they say, &#8220;there might be something in the water.&#8221; The Dodgers franchise as a whole appears extremely dedicated to building champions through a strong character in staff and players. The culture within is what others strive for. Organizations will try to hire away current Dodgers staff for that winning persona.<\/p>\n<p>These are difference-makers who are impacting players on a daily basis. Baseball minds such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gomesbr01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandon Gomes<\/a> &#8211; Dodgers Director of Player Development, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/bullpen\/Don_Alexander\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Don Alexander<\/a> &#8211; Minor League Pitcher Coordinator, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/bullpen\/Travis_Barbary\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Travis Barbury<\/a> &#8211; Catching Coordinator, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brockta01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tarrick Brock<\/a> &#8211; Outfield and Baserunning Coordinator, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=mccull001cla\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clayton McCullough<\/a> &#8211; Field Coordinator. Hopefully, for Dodgers fans and the organization, these leaders can be retained by Los Angeles.<\/p>\n<h2>Los Angeles Dodgers Organization &#8211; The Best from Top to Bottom<\/h2>\n<h3>Playoffs, Playoffs, and More Development<\/h3>\n<p>All state-side affiliates made the playoffs in their respective leagues. No coincidence, as the Dodgers have the best coordinators, instructors, and developmental minds in place. Success is fully expected and achieved through this &#8220;culture&#8221; that has been re-enlisted since the dark days of the McCourt ownership.\u00a0 From Low Rookie League all the way up to the Triple-A Level, teams developed into playoff contenders.<\/p>\n<h3>Arizona Rookie League Title<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"AZL Rookie Dodgers Win 1st Playoff Game of 2018\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hmFpPd4k-to?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The Arizona League Dodgers qualified for the playoffs in 2018 under Manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=kerten000mar\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Kertenian<\/a>, who also led Ogden to a championship in 2017. Kertenian again led his troops to victory for the title.<\/p>\n<p>The Arizona League Champion version of the Dodgers had an awesome season of <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Pcd91YqltEc\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">player development<\/a>, and also rehabilitation. The coaching, development, and training staff all do fantastic work to make sure that the June draft picks are integrated into the Dodgers winning culture and attitude immediately. Most of the new players are sent to Camelback Ranch, spring training home to the Los Angeles Dodgers and home for the Arizona League team. A title at this level is truly a team and staff victory with many people dedicating themselves to this.<\/p>\n<h3>Pioneer League<\/h3>\n<p>The Raptors of Ogden had quite the run in the first half of the season led by such prospects as <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/2018\/08\/05\/jacob-amaya-recent-promotion-to-the-loons\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Amaya<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.milb.com\/player\/index.jsp?player_id=678246#\/career\/R\/hitting\/2018\/ALL\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Miguel Vargas<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=avans-000dre\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Drew Avans<\/a>. Manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=rodrig002jer\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremy Rodriguez<\/a> had his players performing at a high level all season in the Pioneer League. Development is key, and getting players promoted to the next level, Low-A, is imperative. The Raptors fell short in the playoffs to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/mlb-teams\/colorado-rockies\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colorado Rockies<\/a> affiliate at Grand Junction. Second-half stars for Ogden included <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=outman000jam\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Outman<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/xZV-7lxQtbI\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matt Cogen<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=arocho000jer\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremy Arocho<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The next level that players at Ogden aspire to is at Great Lakes in Midland Michigan. The Loons had an amazing run in August to earn a birth in the Midwest League playoffs. Players that were outstanding for Manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/bullpen\/John_Shoemaker\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Shoemaker<\/a>&#8216;s club were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=mclain000jos\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh McLain<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wpSTKKGPiko\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Willeman<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=kolek-000ste\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stephen Kolek<\/a>, Particularly during the August run.<\/p>\n<h3>Cal League Title<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rancho Cucamonga Quakes - 2018 Champions of the Cal League\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Upb2ODCTu2Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes won in convincing fashion. After mid-May, that statement was true nearly every night. The High-A Dodgers affiliate started off the campaign slowly and were seemingly out of the first-half hunt. Until the club caught fire and was able to take the first-half crown. The Quakes, led by Manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0BdxhxQWrAg\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Drew Saylor<\/a> (the winningest Manager in Quakes history), progressed and developed into a confident, talented bunch of teammates that felt like they could, and should win, every time they stepped on the field. &#8220;Win the day&#8221; was a phrase often uttered by the skipper during this journey to the Cal League Title.<\/p>\n<h3>Prospects Galore<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/5Szyar45KI8\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cristian Santana<\/a>, with his 109 RBI&#8217;s and MVP in the League Finals, was a force to be reckoned with all season long. <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/v-pSBxdHOQ4\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gavin Lux<\/a> crushed the league in his time before being moved up to Tulsa. <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Maj6SlamARw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rylan Bannon<\/a> was traded away in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/machama01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Manny Machado<\/a> deal with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/mlb-teams\/baltimore-orioles\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Orioles<\/a>, yet he had impressive enough number to still be named the Cal League MVP. The Quakes had many stars on offense and on the mound. <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/xNHIc5kk4-s\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tony Gonsolin<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/w_8FcgWf5F4\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dustin May<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/kDgDUj5OaXw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Sopko<\/a> moved on to Tulsa on the starting side of the equation. <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/uMf8iNrl4hM\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marshall Kasowski<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/kiW3ZwvJ9wk\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Scrubb<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/2018\/07\/08\/zach-pop-best-era-in-the-dodgers-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Pop<\/a> (traded) all moved on as well. The &#8220;next man up&#8221; philosophy was fully in effect, as <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/vo4wWzshqKM\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leo Crawford<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/C1YjgcKC0z4\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Max Gamboa<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/kT7uIrT7IJs\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Edwin Uceta<\/a> stepped up to fill the starting roles. <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/y3P__IemWfc\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Strain<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=jagiel000dan\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dan Jagiello<\/a> filled any void in the bullpen with quality innings and outs.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Tonight on WWE Raw, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RCQuakes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#RCQuakes<\/a> reliever Logan Salow defends his <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@WWE<\/a> championship belt, as well as the California League Trophy! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/toEaUBMbpw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/toEaUBMbpw<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (@RCQuakes) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RCQuakes\/status\/1044372574849794049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 24, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Mainstays of the team all season, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/jB7pCtptANw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cody Thomas<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/_mxywBhcUpg\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Wong<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/2018\/08\/24\/omar-estevez-dodgers-prospect-is-still-young\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Omar Estevez<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/D0ETwkSglGQ\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeren Kendall<\/a>, developed into champions as a result of hard work and talent. Every single player, in all four of five versions of this team, are worthy of recognition for the team effort. It was a magical season for the Quakes.<\/p>\n<h3>Texas League Title<\/h3>\n<p>The Tulsa Drillers were led most of the season by such budding stars as <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/2018\/08\/08\/conversation-with-dj-peters-dodgers-prospect\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DJ Peters<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/2018\/07\/30\/jacob-scavuzzo-dodgers-prospect-locked-in\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Scavuzzo<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Ef1IG_3irHg\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Will Smith<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mUZ2BJAAWmk\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Keibert Ruiz<\/a>. Manager Scott Hennessy was again at the helm for Drillville. The Texas League Champions got some additional help as the year went on, with the promotions of RHP&#8217;s Sopko, Gonsolin and May, as well as SS\/2B Gavin Lux. Lux and Gonsolin went on to become named as the organization&#8217;s top MiLB Player and Pitcher respectively as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/news\/tony-gonsolin-gavin-lux-named-the-minor-league-pitcherplayer-of-the-year\/c-294978058\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Branch Rickey<\/a> Award winners.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TulsaDrillers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TulsaDrillers<\/a> swept the Championship Series to claim their first Texas League title in 20 years ?<br \/>\n?: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hvNOsydtLX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/hvNOsydtLX<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yBLHgG3VYK\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/yBLHgG3VYK<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MiLB\/status\/1040995692121083904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 15, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>OKC Dodgers<\/h3>\n<p>Pacific Coast League Playoffs featured the Triple-A version of the Dodgers versus the Memphis Redbirds, a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate in the semi-finals. Although the Dodgers would go on to lose the series, this team is really the Dodgers &#8220;MLB-B team.&#8221; They are always at the ready should these players be needed for a major league roster spot. Manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/haselbi01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bill Haselman<\/a> did another tremendous job for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.<\/p>\n<h3>World Series Bound<\/h3>\n<p>The Dodgers earned a chance against the American League by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in an exciting <a href=\"https:\/\/dodgerslowdown.wordpress.com\/2018\/10\/21\/the-lowdown-nlcs-dodgers-continue-reign-in-the-national-league-best-brewers-in-seven\/?fbclid=IwAR08pmS5WKm3si4sprt3mm41qIC8qqo3ZrQgboIHECvSwTXRF88WTWhv1Gc\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">seven-game<\/a> series. Whether or not the series is won by the Dodgers, the entirety of the organization is outperforming the competition. Now for the faithful fans of Los Angeles, there is nothing that can satisfy, except a World Series Championship. It has been 30 years since their last title, so that is a valid point. However, looking towards the franchise&#8217;s future, and the talent and development occurring, the Dodgers will compete for title&#8217;s every year for a while.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Thanks god for this moment and opportunity <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HS90bS5cJ0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/HS90bS5cJ0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YasielPuig\/status\/1053921666970107904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>People are the difference. Ownership and the front office have placed an emphasis on getting back to the old &#8220;Dodger Way!&#8221; That way consists of building champions through strong character, and it was on full display this season.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"0v7hPYyOTw9KENV8PcRAIw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1052770984\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'0v7hPYyOTw9KENV8PcRAIw',sig:'MH3uU7qVorKSFznfL4xURQaY-O9sXBsPMCqF8X2FIDM=',w:'594px',h:'401px',items:'1052770984',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Call it a vibe, a culture, or a winning attitude. The results of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization show development in building champions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2228,"featured_media":15445,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33,2,926,1071],"tags":[68,92,169,69,351],"class_list":["post-15393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dodgers","category-featured","category-milb","category-mlb","tag-baseball","tag-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-milb","tag-mlb","tag-world-series"],"modified_by":"Paul Harvey","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2228"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15393"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15393\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}