The Dodgers drafted 22 players at the 2023 MLB Draft, and signed 19 of them. I like to take a look at the end of the season to see which ones might pop out for review in the next couple of years.
Where the Dodgers draft, it will be difficult to find that elite unpolished gem. Instead the Dodgers generally look for certain skills they hope to develop with their elite development team. This year was no different. There looks to be multiple players in platoon/depth/MLB reserve roles. Maybe someone jumps on the development team and earns a regular starting position.
It is hard to determine which pitchers might jump out at you in their initial season, because LAD does not let their pitchers do too much.
Which of the draftees did not play this year.
- 3rd Round – Brady Smith RHP, High School – 18 years old
- 4th Round – Wyatt Crowell LHP, Florida State – 21 years old
- 4th Round Compensatory – Eriq Swan RHP, Middle Tennessee State – 21 years old
- 9th Round – Ryan Brown RHP, Ball State – 20 years old
- 11th Round – Carson Hobbs RHP, Samford University – 21 years old
- 13th Round – Makarewich RHP, Northwestern State – 21 years old
- 17th Round – Luke Fox LHP, Duke – 21 years old
- 18th Round – Sterling Patrick LHP, High School – 18 years old
- 19th Round – Spencer Green RHP, High School – 18 years old
That leaves 10 players who played professionally in 2023.
1st Round – Kendall George OF, High School – 18 years old
- ACL – 16 games, 71 PA, 58 AB, .362/.451/.414/.865, 3 doubles, 11 BB, 11 K
- RC – 12 games, 50 PA, 42 AB, .381/.469/.429/.898, 2 doubles, 6 BB, 9 K
2nd Round – Jake Gelof 3B – Virginia – 21 years old
- ACL – 4 games, 17 PA, 13 AB, .231/.412/.692/1.104, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 HR, 4 BB, 5 K
- RC – 30 games, 137 PA, 120 AB, .225/.314/.433/.747, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 16 BB, 41 K
4th Round Compensatory – Dylan Campbell OF, University of Texas – 20 years old
- ACL – 4 games, 11 PA, 8 AB, .250/.455/.875/1.330, 1 triple, 1 HR, 3 BB, 2 K
- RC – 10 games, 40 PA, 39 AB, .205/.225/.231/.456, 1 double, 0 BB, 8 K
5th Round – Joe Vetrano 1B, Boston College – 21 years old
- ACL – 2 games, 10 PA, 6 AB, .167/.500/.167/.667, 0 XBH, 4 BB, 2 K
- RC – 33 games, 144 PA, 126 AB, .270/.354/.357/.711, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 17 BB, 36 K
6th Round – Bryan Gonzalez SS – Carlos Beltran Academy – 17 years old
- ACL – 9 games, 35 PA, 32 AB, .219/.286/.219/.505, 0 XBH, 2 BB, 7 K
7th Round – Patrick Copen RHP, Marshall University – 21 years old
- ACL – 1 game/0 starts, 1.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .333 BAA, 0 BB, 0 K
- RC – 2 games/2 starts, 3.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, .167 BAA, 3 BB, 2 K
8th Round – Jaron Elkins OF, High School – 18 years old
- ACL – 1 game, 4 PA, 3 AB, .333/.500/.333/.833, 0 XBH, 2 BB, 0 K
10th Round – Sam Mongelli SS, Sacred Heart University – 22 years old
- ACL – 2 games, 10 PA, 7 AB, .286/.500/.286/.786, 0 XBH, 2 BB, 7 K
- RC – 29 games, 108 PA, 87 AB, .241/.389/.310/.699, 3 doubles, 1 HR, 15 BB, 23 K
12th Round – Noah Ruen RHP, JC – 20 years old
- ACL – 1 game, 1.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.000 WHIP, .000 BAA, 0 BB, 1 K
- RC – 10 games, 1-1, 12.1 IP, 2.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .222 BAA, 4 BB, 12 K
15th Round – Jordan Thompson SS, LSU – 21 years old
- ACL – 2 games, 9 PA, 8 AB, .250/.333/.375/.708, 1 double, 0 BB, 4 K
- RC – 21 games, 82 PA, 74 AB, .270/.329/.297/.626, 2 doubles, 5 BB, 22 K
I know it is easy to draw conclusions, positive or negative, based on what players do in their first professional go-around, and not beyond low A. Compare that to 1st round picks Nolan Schanuel (LAA), 1B, made it to MLB. Wyatt Langford (Texas), OF, made it to AAA. RHP Hurston Waldrep (Arizona), made it to AAA. There were quite a number of draftees that made it to AA and even more to A+. The Dodgers seem to slow roll their draftees, wanting to make sure that the development process has a sound foundation.
I am excited to see what Kendall George and Jake Gelof can do in 2024. George will have to develop some kind of XBH ability. He has the ability to hit, but to succeed at the MLB level, he has to slug some. Gelof will slug, but will he get enough bat to ball, and will he find a defensive position he might succeed at, at the MLB level.
I am looking forward to seeing what Luke Fox can do in 2024 after sitting out all year after TJ surgery. Also I am looking forward to the Dodgers top two pitchers drafted: High School RHP, Brady Smith, and Wyatt Crowell LHP, Florida State.
One question I will be following; will Jordan Thompson hit enough to break through? He was not known as a prolific hitter at LSU. He is a glove first SS.
With the LAD game against SF, Lance Lynn once again battled with his control. He battled to finish 6.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, but 4 walks. The three relievers, Ryan Brasier, Joe Kelly, and Brusdar Graterol each pitched a scoreless and hitless inning.
While I am writing this, I have not heard about how Miggy Ro’s hand is doing. Will Smith hit a 2 run HR, and JDM slugged a 3-run shot. Freddie, had a single, double (59) and HR (29). It was a good win on the field, but we will have to wait and find out if Rojas’ hand will be okay for the playoffs.
Mookie was subject to some of the worst umpiring that I have witnessed this year.
I will be traveling most of the day on Saturday, so I do not believe I will have anything to publish for Sunday.
A team I dislike more than the Giants, the San Diego Padres, were finally eliminated from the playoffs.
I really do not like that Farhan Zaidi seemed to throw Gabe Kapler under the bus. Kapler may not have been a good manager, but it was Zaidi’s job to get him the players, and he failed at that job.
Totally agree. Kapler kept them relavent until a week or so ago with virtually nothing.
Rockies signed Blackmon to a one-year extension. USC plays Colorado at 10 my time this morning. Nice win, Freddie needs one double for 60. SF’s home park is a good park for doubles. I still would love to see Mookie get to 40 but I think he is pressing. He hasn’t hit a homer in 15 days.
To me Mookie looks detached. Could it be the many stupefyingly dreadful calls made against him lately? Or is it something else? I’ve said it before but you must be used to my recurring regurgitations so I will say it again say it again, it’s my opinion Mookie could use some time to self. I’d recommend some Solfeggio binaural beat music, earth vibration (theta) frequency 7.83 Hz might work, while getting a deep tissue massage. 3 days soaking in the waters of Calistoga would work as well.
The umpiring has been atrocious this last week or so. Last game of the year tomorrow. It is now or never for Freddies 60th, Mookies 40th, and Max to get his career high 37th. Bobby M going tomorrow.
Good for Colorado and Blackmon. I hope he continues to get one year extensions until he cannot play anymore. It’s not as if Charlie is hurting the team. They are a 100 loss team for a reason, and that reason is not Charlie Blackmon.
Something was mentioned in the booth last night regarding clubhouse chemistry, and Kapler being the principal problem behind it.. Allegedly Logan Webb leaked it. Even if that is the case on the surface it seems the organization could have waited. That said it would not surprise me to hear that when told he would be released at the end of the year Kapler told them to phuck off.
I’m with those of you who would welcome him back here. He may prefer to take some time off and wait for another managerial opening. Or, as intense as he is, he may want to get back to work right away.
Wondering how many of you would consider skipping over Lynn in the first round in favor of Pepiot?
Miller
Kershaw/Sheehan
Pepiot
Hey Dave. I would give Lynn the ball in game #3 especially if the Dodgers are up 2-0. Have Pepiot ready to go in relief if the wheels come off with Lynn. If it’s 1-1 in the series then I’d start Pepiot. Nothing would be better than these young pitchers step up during the playoffs and help the team with a championship. It would be a great story for baseball. It would, also, send Kershaw off with a World Series ring as he enters retirement.
Carry on.
Yeah, it’s a legitimate question Dave asks, but my guess is the Dodgers go with the veteran. I believe in the young arms but I also believe it would a huge ask to look to them to keep the Dodgers in the October win column. They will be out there and I just hope when they are they will be protecting leads.
I agree, it will probabky depend on the win/loss. And you are saying if we don’t have a big lead you trust Pepiot more than Lynn, and I tend to agree w that too. I think they will need Lynn in the second round so they need to use him somehow in the first round to keep him sharp and not piss him off
I know this is a Dodger blog. But, I wanted to comment on the Mike Trout situation with the Angels especially with the highly critical article Sam Blum wrote at the Athletic.
With Ohtani certainly not returning to the Angels, why would Mike Trout want to continue to play for such a awfully run organization? After a late season call up in 2011 Trout made the team in 2012 and had a nice rookie season. His continued to improve to All Star quality and in 2014 signed a six year extension with the Angels at $24M a season. The team won the division that year, but were swept in the playoffs. In 2015 was the last time the Angels finished above .500.
So, with only one playoff appearance in his career why did Mike Trout sign a huge contract with the team in 2019? He had been with the team for ten years. He and his agent had to know how Arte was running (and ruining) the team. I would think he knew that the Angels had little chance at success or a World Series title. The Astros had become a powerhouse (by cheating) by then. He got the largest contract in baseball at the time. But, I’m sure he could have received that amount or close to it from several other teams. So, why the Angels?
Mike Trout seems to be the type of player that likes to avoid the limelight. He doesn’t crave publicity and likes to keep his private life private. He spends the offseason in New Jersey with his family. His few public appearances are at Eagle games in Philly. He’ll be in a commercial now and then. MLB has done little to promote Mike as a face of baseball. I believe that’s his choice. Other than that there is no news from the Trout camp until the spring rolls around and the start of a new season with the future of disappointment and injuries.
So why does Mike Trout endure this franchise year after year? Why, doesn’t he request a trade to a contender (like his home town Phillies)? I don’t think he has a burning desire to win a championship. He can play a game he loves in the quiet environment that is the Angels. He is loved and appreciated by the fans. The media doesn’t bother him. Lately, with his injuries he is not a factor much of the season. He makes $37M a year for the next seven years.
Unfortunately, for the Angels and him he has only played 290 games in the last four years. His future, health wise, doesn’t look positive for those remaining years on his contract. So, even if the Angels did decide to trade Trout who would take on the financial obligation even if the Angels paid a chunk of his salary. Recent history has shown that he would have trouble playing more than 100 games a year. The time for Mike Trout to play for a contender has probably passed. It’s a damn shame such a talented player was not able to perform in the postseason more often than he has. But, maybe, he is OK with that. He has his family, generational wealth, and can play a game he loves in quiet, stress free setting.
Sorry for going non Dodger here. But, I’m a baseball fan and have admired Mike Trout since he arrived with the Angels. It’s a shame that the team is so poorly run and hasn’t given Mike the stage he deserves to succeed more than he has.
Carry on.
Well said. Trout is awesome, but waning.
Recently pundits voted the Dodgers as the odds on favorite to sign Trout if he were traded. That’s surprising.
I wonder if a player who has had a few say is the all time best be so stocic that he tamps down the enthusiasm that might otherwise lead to more wins.
That last sentence ended up being a real doozy, Fred.
I’m not sure what you are/were/tried to say.
I’m still confused how we sign Trout if he’s traded.
He is already signed. ??
Uh, yeah, long term too. But you already knew that Fred.
I did. The ?? came after the period and basically was a separate but incomplete sentence meant to ask clarification on Bobby’s comment. I’m surprised it caused confusion.
I think I understand it. Lack of fire from your star is contagious.
It’s my opinion he’s in it for the money. Hell they’re all in it for the money. A contract like that one may have looked good when he was putting up 8 & 9 oWAR but as soon as he was extended that number dropped to under 3. An average annual WAR of 4-5 would cover his cost. A guy like him could do that in 125 games if he manages his health properly.
All that said, if the Angels pick up a few million a year, would he fit with a team like ours, as a DH and part time corner outfielder? If he wanted to be here, I would say yes, but, I don’t believe we need him.
It wasn’t easy constructing it either.
I find it easier to wait until my meds kick in to post anything here. That way it makes sense to me and interpretations are up to others.
I don’t know if it’s relevant but there’s something called the Dunning-Kruger effect. It is a cognitive bias in which people with limited competence in a particular domain overestimate their abilities. After the meds take effect I may overestimate my ability to write clear, concise prose, but, I don’t care. To me my rants sound fulgent.
I like fulgent. May you be surrounded with healing and protective fulgent divine light Badger.
Thanks Fred, and may it bounce off me and stick to you.
The Dodgers are the odds-on favorites to sign just about anyone if they want to. I think they will target a pitcher or two depending on if Kersh decides to return for one more year and get to 3000 K’s. He is only a little over 50 short.
Can’t wait to see Swan and Brown after Dodgers development starts the shaping process.
USC hung on to beat Colorado 48-41. SC’s defense got careless in the second half and gave up some easy scores. I think if George can hit for average, steal some bags, play solid defense and occasionally hit one out, I am down with that. Haven’t seen a prototypical lead-off man in years.
SC has a championship offense. But it looks like that may not be enough. They need to win like Michigan is winning if they want to move up in the polls.
I hope Muncy knocks in more than he is letting get on.
SF fans are no doubt ready to leave the giants in the rear view look to the 49ers.
These last two games mean little of course but it isn’t confidence building to see them play like they did last night. I look for a blowout finish today.
Hard to know exactly who the Dodgers have in their plans going forward. Vargas, Busch, Cartaya, Rushing, Pages. I wonder how much the plans for ‘24 hinge on how the team finishes?
The Dodgers hung onto Lee until he had little interest from other teams and didn’t have a path to the majors. They got lucky when they got Taylor for him. Now they face a similar situation with Cartaya maybe in that they could have received a good return a year ago but not so much now.
Hopefully Vargas still has good trade value.
It appears Rushing has passed Cartaya, but Rushing is still in A ball. They are both 22, Cartaya just turned 22 last month. I still have hope for him and I know prospect rankings change all year long.
You’re trading Vargas? For who?
We lost a good one today. Tim Wakefield passed away fro brain cancer. Kevin Youkilis called Andy this AM and told him. Andy called me before the news broke. Andy and Tim were good friends.
Sad day. RIP Tim.
The Greek God of Walks!
Sorry for your son’s loss. RIP.