Since 2015, the Dodgers have had 47 All Stars. However only Will Smith made it as a LAD position player from the AF era in the draft. Walker Buehler and Tony Gonsolin are the only two who have been named to the All Stars as LAD pitchers during that era. The AF era includes 11 drafts. Of those players, only three reached All Star level as Dodgers, and Zach McKinstry made it with Detroit. I may be wrong, but I do not think any other LAD draft pick from 2015 has been named to an All Star roster. Michael Busch could (should) make that list in future seasons.
The Dodgers get the hype because of the number of drafted players making an MLB 26-man roster. A couple years back they led all MLB with draft picks from 2015 to reach MLB. So, while they certainly provide MLB depth, they are not producing All Stars. So how do you judge a farm system?
MLB publications seem to judge them on the number of top 100 prospects and their chances of reaching MLB. The Dodgers always have multiple top 100 prospects, and have a consistent history of developing them to reach MLB. However, because of their desire to stay at the top of contenders, and because of their largesse of cash, AF preferred to acquire stars via free agency and trades (followed by large extensions).
The current makeup of the projected 26-man roster:
- Free Agents – 12
- Trades – 8
- Drafted – 4
- IFA – 2
One of the IFA’s is Roki Sasaki, and I suppose he could be considered a FA as well.
Here is a very shortened list of players who were drafted by the Dodgers and reached MLB. Dodgers get credit for developing them.
Willie Calhoun, Brendon Davis, Edwin Rios, Matt Beaty, Kyle Garlick, DJ Peters, Devin Smeltzer, Andre Scrubb, AJ Alexy, Cody Thomas, Cal Stevenson, Rylan Bannon, Zach Reks, Jacob Amaya, Andre Jackson, Chris Roller, Clayton Andrews, John Rooney, Justin Hagenman, Drew Avans. Jack Little, Nick Robertson, Nick Nastrini, Jordan Leasure…
There are others who have compiled a semi sustained MLB career, but no All Stars. Players like Jonny Deluca, James Outman, Brett de Geus, Michael Grove, Stephen Kolek, Braydon Fisher, Clayton Beeter.
And some who could have solid MLB careers with potential All Star selections: Ryan Pepiot, Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan, Ben Casparius. Notice, all pitchers.
I have purposely not included Ryan Ward and Bobby Miller. Their stories with LAD may be over, but maybe they could catch on to a team that could use them.
Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“The team explored trade talks for Ward in the wake of Tucker’s signing. Perhaps the Dodgers were trying to see if they could extract a prospect of value for a player who has produced in the minor leagues but now seems blocked by age (Tucker is 29 to Ward’s 28), along with opportunity. The Dodgers need to clear a 40-man roster spot, with Ward or Siani as possibilities to open up a spot.”
The same is probably true with Bobby Miller (27), as both Ward and Miller were being pushed in potential trades. As Ardaya stated, no takers. So much for trade value.
We have since learned that it was Mike Siani who was DFA and has been picked up by NYY. NYY is now looking to trade Jasson Dominguez. Makes sense as NYY needs a speedy OF who can play CF with Trent Grisham. That is not Dominquez.
OTOH, as usual, the Dodgers chose potential offense over defense. Call, Edman, and Kim can all play CF, so Siani was not as necessary. Apparently Siani has been working his tail off this winter trying to improve his swing. I hope he sticks with NYY and finds a home. Ward and Miller? Back to OKC. No roster spot available, and no reason to trade them or DFA them.
We now have the first two major publications publish their list of top 100 prospects: Baseball America (BA) and MLB Pipeline (MLB). Both publications have a common 8 prospects in their respective top ten lists.
BA and MLB have included 4 and 5 LAD prospects respectively.
James Tibbs III is not in the top 100 but is the closest OF to reach MLB that is not on the current 40-man roster. He should start at AAA. Maybe Zach Ehrhard will also start at AAA. Quintero is good enough to start at Tulsa (AA), but he will undoubtedly return to Great Lakes (A+). Kendall George looks to be a #4 OF in Tulsa or will return to Great Lakes.
I know many LAD fans want to see De Paula get a chance at 1B. So far that has not been a consideration. With the heavy load of OF talent, maybe this year.
How many elite OF prospects do the Dodgers need with Pages and Tucker, who will both be there for at least the next 4 years? And unless traded, Teoscar will be there for two more years.
Quintero figures to be the most complete OF who is more than capable of holding down CF.
Sirota was included as one of 10 prospects primed to rise, according to BA.
Mike Sirota, OF, Dodgers
Current Rank: 45
“Were it not for a knee injury, Sirota might already be much higher on this list. The Northeastern-bred outfielder was off to a scalding start in the Midwest League before his season ended. Still, the reviews were clear: He has the toolset and the polish to jump to the head of Los Angeles’ cluster of talented outfielders. If he returns unscathed, he could jump right back on the rocket ship.”
I know Bums might be expecting Sirota by June, but it is much more likely that he can make enough noise to break camp with LAD in 2027.
We have not yet seen a list from The Athletic (Keith Law), ESPN (Kiley McDaniel), or Fangraphs.
By the numbers per BA:
Top 100 Prospects By Team
Six: Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers,
Five: Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins,
Four: Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays
Three: Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals
Two: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers
One: Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres
Zero: Houston Astros
The Dodgers have a 12-year streak of having at least three players on the Top 100 prospects list.
Top 100 Prospects By Position
- SS — 28
- RHP — 23
- OF — 22
- LHP — 14
- C — 9
- 1B — 2
- 3B — 1
- 2B — 1
Top 100 Prospects By Source
- High School — 46
- College — 29
- International — 23
- Junior College — 2
Top 100 Prospects By Nationality
- United States — 76
- Dominican Republic — 12
- Venezuela — 7
- Canada — 2
- Cuba — 1
- Bahamas — 1
- Australia — 1
Interesting to note that High School is the #1 source for BA’s top100 prospects at 46%. Interesting because a topic to be negotiated in the next CBA figures to be whether or not to allow high school players to be drafted. There figures to be a number of proposals that could impact MiLB (Again!) and their top prospects, reported in the same highlighted linked article.
MLB Pipeline’s top 100 by team:
Seven: Seattle Mariners
Six: Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox
Five: Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals,
Four: Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals
Three: A’s, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays
Two: Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants
One: Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers
Zero: Houston Astros
Thanks for the research, and time you put into articles like this, they are very informative. Almost all of what I know about the dodgers farm system I get from your posts here.
Jeff’s prospect coverage is top shelf.
Jeff, do we have any infielders capable of a breakout this year? Not necessarily LA but level jumper.
Emil Morales is one to watch. He may not stick at SS (okay he won’t), but he can stick at 3B. It is his bat that will carry him. He should start at Ontario (California League), but could get a taste of AA this year at just 19. If thinkgs go well, he could be the starting 3B in 2028 at the age of 21. Dodgers don’t push players (except pitchers), so they still may keep him in A and A+ this year.
I am also still an advocate for Kellon Lindsey. His shoulder impingement injury last year set him back. He will undoubtedly start back up at Ontario. He is still just 20 and could move quickly. With Morales and Lindsey curretnly scheduled to open at Ontario, it will be interesting to see who is the opening day SS. Could be Morales at SS and Lindsey at 2B or Lindsey at SS and Morales at 3B. Chances are excellent both players will play multiple positions and DH this year.
Another of the youngsters who should also start back up at Ontario is Joendry Vargas. He lost most of 2025 to a stress fracture in his wrist. It looks like he is already transitioning to 3B.
And yet another infield prospect is 3B Chase Harlan. Massive raw power potential with swing and miss. Sound familiar? With the above 3 already at Ontario, and Harlan not being outclassed there in 2025, it is possible that Harlan could get some RF duties this year.
I am looking forward to seeing Aidan West make his professional debut this year in the Arizona Complex League. He is another more athlete than SS who will be moved around.
Every one of these five are bat first infielders. It will be their bat that gets them to MLB, with Lindsey the best chance at sticking at SS.
If it were not for the number of utility infielders already on the roster, I would look for Noah Miller and Elijah Hainline to get an opportunity as a middle infield utility player. Both are good defenders, while Miller is elite. Hainline could have better offensive tools. Unfortunatley for both, AF/BG prefer the veteran like Miggy Ro,Tommy Edman, or Andy Ibáñez in that role. Hainline will probably start at Tulsa with Miller back at OKC.
We are going to see a logjam at the infield position as we are now seeing for OF/ They are all bunched up, and the development team will need to be creative to get them all enough ABs.
Great stuff, thanks.
Lindsey is a great call.
Ramirez signed another extension with the Guardians. Takes him to his age 39 season.
I honestly cannot see any of the kids making a huge contribution to the team this year, and with the chances of a lockout next spring, I fear they won’t get their shot in 27 either. With this probably being Muncy’s last season with the team, and Freeman’s contract over after 27, I would think 28 will be the earliest we see the kids making significant contributions. Team is too focused on a threepeat to trust the kids a lot.
Yes, 2028 seems like the most likely season for the top prospects to arrive.
One reason, I think, is that the Dodgers tend to slow-track prospects. Even if one of these has a breakthrough this season, the Dodgers seem less likely to push that player into the majors.
If any of these players were on the Angels, they could be major leaguers this season.
Tigers management will have a major dilemma if the team is in serious contention at midseason. Dealing Skubal makes a lot of sense if it’s obvious he’ll opt for free agency.
Detroit doesn’t look to be a serious contender if you believe what you read online. It would be very risky to keep Skubal.
Dealing Skubal. How much leverage will Detroit have mid year? He would be a half-year/playoff rental. The serious market might be thin. And we could list the top contenders in that market today.
Right. Very few teams could afford Skubal long-term.
I think the AF will go into his let’s-be-pigs mode and make a compelling offer to the Tigers and then a record-setting AAV contract for a pitcher. Because the Dodgers are simply determined to ruin baseball.
BTW, I don’t see the logic in asserting that Ryan Ward and Bobby Miller lack trade value.
These are guys on the 40-man roster of the mighty Dodgers, after all. If not for the Tucker acquisition, Ward would have competed for a job this spring (He still might, sort of. Injuries happen.)
Are we supposed to believe that small-market teams that are weak at LF, 1B or DH wouldn’t want to see whether a guy who nearly made the Dodgers and was the PCL MVP might help them?
As for Miller, it was just a couple seasons back that he was showing why he was a first-round pick. Lately the Dodgers have been trying him in relief role. His problems don’t seem to be physical. Could a change of scenery help? Maddux Bruns is another first-round talent who has had bigger struggles. Again, he may be a prime change-of-scenery candidate. A new coach, a new pitch… who knows?
There are many pro ballers who struggled for years to succeed and benefited from a fresh start. Some are storied Dodgers, like Justin Turner and Max Muncy. Maury Wills labored in the minors for eight seasons before he finally got his chance and wound up becoming an MVP. Late bloomers happen.
I like that we haven’t added a veteran SP (yet), leaving some opportunuties open for Ston, Ryan, Wrobleski, maybe Casparius or Knack. In a pinch, we could see Ferris this year. Or Campos.
I expect Freeland to get a lot of action. We need to see if he can handle 3B next year. And Kim is probably the young player with the best chance of winning a starting job this year.
I don’t believe in Ward and think we could maybe see Tibbs before him.
Edman’s slow recovery could give Freeland an early opportunity. If he has a strong spring, he might bump Ibanez or Kim to OKC. Freeland’s stock would rise if he shows he can play some OF, a la Kike.
Rushing and Rojas strike me as locks for the bench, even if they have crappy springs. With the current roster, Call is likely the 4th outfielder. Edman’s absence should give Kim a good opportunity at 2B.
There will likely be injuries and I certainly think Kike could show up at midseason.
I see it the same Bear. The 26 man doesn’t appear to have any rookies on it. Not at the moment anyway. The season is so long, and such a grind on the 30+ year old players that we might see a minor league player or two in mid season, and mid season only. I think we all look forward to that possibility (probability?) and I’m sure we will be discussing who that might be for weeks leading up to it.
The names that appear most likely to kick the door down and get a call up look like outfielders. Quintero, DePaula, Hope, Sirota. Infielder Freeland I guess.
Who will be the first starter to go on the IL? Outfielder or infielder? Muncy or Teo? When will Edman be ready? When will Mookie get a rest? All Star break? And who will used in the Skubal trade? Ferris? Ryan? DePaula? Quintero? All of them?
And billionaire owners forcing a lockout. Nose face idiom.
Much to talk about all Spring and Summer.
Geez, there is a lot of clickbait AI baseball crap on You Tube…
Just stumbled on a so-called report about a supposed Dodgers’ offer for Skubal…
…which described Zyhir Hope as “a switch-hitting shortstop.”
Thanks Jeff. You channeled your AC.
If one of the following teams wanted to upgrade their prospects I would love a volume for all star trade.
One: Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers
Zero: Houston Astros
The Yankees thought they had long-term solutions in Volpe and Dominguez. It turns out they didn’t.
I sometimes try to figure out care packages for the Angels…
But what could the Angels give back?
Well, I’d take Jo Adell over Teo… But that’s it.
NYY fans also thought they had long term solutions in Volpe and Dominguez. NYY fans hyped those two as LAD fans are hyping the Dodger prospects. Volpe reached #5 in MLB top 100 prospects while Dominguez topped out at #41. Freeland may not have been hyped as much as Volpe, but outside of SLG they both had comparable MiLB production. Is De Paula another Dominguez? MiLB production and hype do not always translate to MLB success. Obviously some do, but most do not.
Given Volpe’s struggles, I had thought the Yanks might grab Bichette for two reasons:
–To stick it to division rivals Blue Jays and Red Sox, which was also rumored to be in on Bo.
–To have great bat with a mediocre glove at SS. Sort of the Yankees’ Way these days.
Kudos to the Mets for salvaging the winter. But I still think they should have kept Alonso.
“Most do not.” But they can be traded to those teams that know they can’t keep the stars they developed. Is Skubal next? Konnor Griffin? Skenes? Made? Montgomery? Who’s next to opt out? I’m just spitballing here, which used to be illegal but anything goes these days.
With Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Braxton Ashcraft already in tow, and Bubba Chandler about to break into the rotation, the Pirates actually believe they have an opportunity to sneak into the playoffs as Cincinnati did last year. Jared Jones could return May or June, which could give them a solid 5 in the rotation. Brandon Lowe gives them veteran experience in their infield. They could use another bat (or two or three), But so could the Giants, and the Giants rotation may not be as good as Pittsburgh’s.
While it will be a longshot for Konnor Griffin to break into the lineup out of ST, there is a better than zero chance that he will, and a much higher chance that he will debut this year.
Depending as to where Detroit is at the deadline, Skubal could very well be traded. There will be more than a dozen teams at the deadline who believe they are playoff bound and that Skubal will get them over the hump. Outside of the Dodgers or Mets, two teams that will explore extensions, the other contenders will only be looking for August through October, and not worry about being able to re-sign Skubal. So who will have the best package?
But your point is valid. There will always be stars available, and the Dodgers have the prospect capital to get them. Will they spend it? Will other teams trade stars to them?
Will they spend it?
Yes. They will.
The Dodgers pulled off a couple significant trades with top 100 prospects as capital early in AF’s reign.
· Rich Hill – Grant Holmes and Franke Montas were top 100 when traded.. Jharel Cotton reached that status the year after he was traded to Oakland. Montas was acquired via AF trade but only pitched 30 innings as a LAD prospect. Holmes and Cotton were drafted prior to AF.
· Yu Darvish – Willie Calhoun was a top 100 prospect (2017 and 2018). Brendon Davis and AJ Alexy were not.
· Manny Machado – Yusniel Diaz reached top 100 status the year after he was traded to Baltimore. None of Rylan Bannon, Zach Pop, Brendon Davis, nor Breyvic Valera were top 100 prospects.
· Jack Flaherty – Neither Thayron Liranzo nor Trey Sweeney were top 100 prospects when traded by LAD. Liranzo reached top 100 status after arriving in Detroit.
Alex Verdugo, Ryan Pepiot, and Gavin Lux were top 100 prospects but were traded after reaching MLB and no longer prospects.
Perhaps the best LAD prospect traded while still a prospect was Michael Busch. He was traded for two prospects who reached top 100 status as a LAD prospects: Jackson Ferris (no longer a top 100 prospect), and Zyhir Hope.
Since the Machado trade, there have not been many LAD top prospects traded. You seem certain some will be traded as top LAD prospects. I am not as certain. If it is Skubal, YES they will. Anyone else???
The deal for Scherzer and Trea Turner was another. Dodgers gave up Josiah Gray, Keibert Ruiz and a lesser prospect.
The package for Skubal could include some very good, ML-proven pitchers like Sheehan and Wrobleski. Maybe even Glasnow.
At this point, the one “expendable” pitcher I’d hate most to expend is River Ryan. He was just so impressive before he got hurt, and now he’s added about 20 pounds of muscle. He could have a big season.
Looking back on those trades, they all look pretty good to me….
Still hoping for Hope and Ferris to make the Busch deal look good too.
If and when Skubal becomes available I believe Friedman will make a competitive offer. And it follows if the Dodgers want Skubal they will eventually get him and everyone knows it, so why offer several of your best prospects if he’s going to LA in ‘27 anyway?
The Ohtani window will close eventually but until it does the ruin will continue..
And as for a lockout, I believe, and history shows, it’s a colossally bad idea. Fan alienation, disruption of operations, massive loss of revenues, negative public image are all expected outcomes for organizations, and the players, all millionaires, won’t back down. These aren’t laborers fighting for a 40 hour week, workplace safety regulations and a minimum wage. These guys play baseball for a living and a year off, for most of them anyway, won’t make a dent in their retirement plans.
Billionaires fighting millionaires and OPM (ours) pays for it all. What a concept. Only in America.
Common sense says work it out. But common sense in this country? There have been several well written articles over the last few years of how the U.S. has lost its collective mind. Don’t believe it? Just watch the nightly news for 10 minutes. A baseball lockout, deliberately turning off the faucet to a multi billion dollar cash flow would be another example of it.
As Terrance Mann so eloquently put it, “the one constant through all the years Ray, has been baseball…. It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again….”
Or is it too late?
Austin Gomber signed to a minor league contract by the Rangers.
Austin Gomber. Sounds like a Texas stew with a Louisiana flare.
“jambalaya, crawfish pie, Austin Gomber,
‘cause tonight I’m gonna see, my chère, won’t be somber,
pick guitar, fill fruit jar, have big fun and be gay-er,
Son of gun, we’ll have big fun on the Bayou-er”
Sorry. Got carried away there. Maybe my poetic license should be revoked.
Don’t mess with my toot-toot
Your toot-toot is safe with me. I have my own.
Excellent piece Jeff.So my take is that it does matter where in the order you draft. The Dodgers are lauded for their young player development, but they aren’t producing any positional stars from the bottom of the draft. We have been more successful developing young pitching. It will be interesting what shakes out with all this young OF talent. I for one would love to see DePaula move to first. The need will be there in 28 and opens up an OF spot for one of the other kids.