While we (im)patiently wait for the start to ST, I wanted to look at a couple of positions of need throughout the organization. My first position of need is the OF.
I got the notion for this post because of the number of commenters that want to see Dalton Rushing play LF/RF. There are a couple of reasons for the intrigue. Rushing has been known as a catcher/1B/DH since he was drafted. Well if there are three positions blocked for prospects, it is those three positions. Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani.
If the Dodgers wanted to keep Rushing in their plans, he was going to need to play another position. Thus, the Dodgers tried Rushing in LF once he reached OKC.
IF the Dodgers had MLB ready OF in line, they would not have needed to sign Michael Conforto. The dearth of OF prospects for LAD gave BG another reason to try Rushing in LF.
During an appearance on “The Dodgers Debate” podcast, Jack Harris of the L.A. Times relayed that general manager Brandon Gomes said the Dodgers still view Rushing as a catcher long-term:
“The bat plays. Everybody you talk to with the Dodgers or around the sport, they think this is going to be an impact hitter in the big leagues. The question is, he’s primarily a catcher and still has some development to do there.
“It’s a position that’s blocked with Will Smith, at least for now. They tried to play him in the outfield, and you get kind of varying evaluations about how well that went. Brandon Gomes said, ‘We want to try him again back behind the plate.’
“That’s going to be his meat and potatoes position, was I think the phrase he used.”
Currently in AAA, the Dodgers have either James Outman (28) or Andy Pages (24), and then a lot of AAAA players. Per Fangraphs’ Roster Resource, the other OKC outfielders will be Ryan Ward (27), Justin Dean (28), Bubba Alleyne (26), and Damon Keith (25). A 6th OF will be utility player, Austin Gauthier.
So how much time will Rushing get in LF?
Ward will probably be playing in his final season in the LAD system. He will become a MiLB free agent 5 days after the World Series, unless he gets called up during the season.
Justin Dean is an older version of Kendall George. Bubba Alleyne will get a chance at AAA even without much of an offensive output last year. He has no power, and strikes out nearly 27% of the time at AA. Damon Keith has more power, but strikes out more (29%), also at AA.
Gauthier is going to be all over the field.
It is entirely possible that BG will sign more OF to MiLB contracts.
Tulsa’s OF is projected to have a top OF prospect on their roster, Josue De Paula (20), the Dodgers #2 prospect per MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. I hope he does get to start AA, because he played well enough as a 19 year old at Great Lakes for half a season, but often times AF/BG like to see that player start where they finished the year before to get comfortable and confident. It is time to push the prospects to see if they are in fact legit prospects. But that is a fan with a blog talking and not the best organizational talent evaluators in MLB. IMO, if a 20 year old plays well in AA, that is a good omen.
The others? José Ramos (24) is expected to begin his third year at Tulsa. Newly acquired MiLB Rule 5 OF John Rhodes (24) is projected to start his LAD career at Tulsa. Chris Newell (24) struggled in his short stint at Tulsa, so he will undoubtedly be back. Newell has more of a 3-outcome approach. He has power, but struck out nearly 34% of the time, with a BB rate of 13.5%. Dylan Campbell (22) will get another opportunity at AA after a lackluster season at Tulsa. Campbell is a legit base stealer option (42 SB, 7 CS). At 22 he deserves to get a long look at AA.
Great Lakes figures to have two top 13 prospects for the OF: Kendall George (20) and Zyhir Hope (20). George is the LAD #13 prospect, while Hope is the #11 prospect. George is not making as much contact as we may have been led to believe. Last year with 1 HR and 11 XBH (404 PA), he has little to no SLG (.328). He did have 84 singles. He struck out 20.5% and drew a BB of 14.1%. He is fast (grade 90 out of 80), but has not yet learned to be good base stealer. He did steal 36 bases, but was caught 12 times. This is going to be a big year for Kendall. I said the same thing about Jeren Kendall. The Dodgers should hire Brett Butler to work with George to see if he can coax every bit of talent out of him.
Hope, a former high school pitcher, has a grade 65 arm with a 55 field. He is projected to be a bit more power than hit. Another speedster in the OF with a grade 70 speed. He already has excellent exit velos. He could be a 30-30 player. There are some who think that Hope could bypass De Paula as a prospect this year. BA has already moved Hope to #5 LAD prospect. We will see where MLB Pipeline drops Hope this pre-season.
Jake Vogel (23) is looking to start his 3rd season at Great Lakes. He went backwards in 2024. Looks to be more of a Jeren Kendall. Another speedy OF that just cannot hit enough to stay in professional baseball, as of now.
Nick Biddison (24) and José Meza (22) figure to be the other Great Lakes OF. Both players are organizational depth.
Rancho Cucamonga looks to have a 4th top OF prospect, Eduardo Quintero (19). He is the LAD #6 prospect in BA, and the #9 prospect in MLB Pipeline. As an 18 year old, he dominated Arizona Complex League (ACL), after dominating DSL the year before. Quintero is a converted catcher who has become an accomplished CF in quick fashion, and figures to stick there. If he gets off to a quick start at RC, I think he is one who could move up quickly.
Jaron Elkins (20) should get a long look at RC after a very productive season in the ACL. He is a potential top 30 prospect. Former top IFL prospect Samuel Muñoz (20) will get an opportunity to get back on track. He is young enough to get that opportunity.
The 4th OF is last year’s 9th round draft pick, Kole Myers (24), who will get his first professional shot this year.
The Dodgers have a couple of prospects: 1 at AA, and 3 at A+/A, but none in the class of Dylan Crews, Roman Anthony, Walter Jenkins, Jasson Dominguez, Owen Caissie, or Chase De Lauter, all MLB or MLB ready. As long as the Dodgers have players like Mookie, Freddie, Max, and Smith on the dirt, players on the grass do not have to be All Stars, even though a couple are more than capable.
Perhaps by default, Dalton Rushing should get a real opportunity to play LF, with an occasional start behind the dish. Before we declare Rushing a future LF, let’s see how he plays in ST.
Maybe I am crazy, but I hope that the Dodgers top prospect is more than a backup catcher, utility OF/1B. But without an injury to a MLB player, that is the best he can hope for this year. For 2026, can he beat out Andy Pages? Or again are we satisfied that the LAD top prospect is a platoon OF/backup C?
The Dodgers signed two free agent outfielders because there are no prospect outfielders in which they have confidence. Pages? Outman? Nope. Well, yeah, maybe. Hope and DePaula are two years away. All those other guys mentioned (good work by the way) are just names of minor leaguers. Maybe some will rise, but on a team as deep as the Dodgers they won’t rise to the bigs here and are likely career minor leaguers or trade bait. Even Hope and DePaula could be trade bait.
Rushing. Sigh. He’s remains in the minors until he doesn’t remain there. Who knows. I realize and fully accept the value Barnes brings to this team but come on, if Rushing’s bat plays shouldn’t he be the backup catcher? Maybe ‘26. Sorry kid.
The trade simulator I was able to get working for me says Lux for Robert Jr is an even trade. If so I do it. Throw in a low level pitcher to sweeten the deal. Centerfield is solidified, 30 home runs are added and Mookie goes to second where he belongs. Tell me where I’m wrong.
Lux is not a fit. White Sox don’t need major league players. They need young controllable future talent. Gonna be a long haul for them
I think he’s a great fit. He’s not a free agent until ‘27, by then they may want to keep him or even could have used him in a deadline deal in ‘26. He’s something of a local kid there and that could be to everyone’s advantage.
Maybe the Guardians are a better fit with a relief pitcher coming in return.
The idea that Lux has equal value to Robert Jr. is simply absurd, and it makes me doubt every “trade simulator.”
I agree that Lux would be a great fit for the White Sox. While they say they want “young controllable talent,” they also need to field a credible team in ’25 and ’26–before that young talent is ready.
Lux is only 26 and could be the White Sox starting 2B for years to come. He probably wouldn’t platoon on the Sox and would bat near the top of the lineup. If he figures out how to hit lefties, he could be an all-star. (His OPS after the all-star break in ’24 was over .900. He’s no slouch against righties–but on the Dodgers he’s a platoon guy.)
So make the White Sox an offer that starts with Lux and adds the top prospect bat of Josue DePaula. Getting Robert would push either Pages or Outman out of a job–so add one of those guys. (I’d give the White Sox a choice. I’d be pleased when they take Pages because of his youth and perceived potential–pleased because Outman is a much better fielder and legit 4th outfielder. His lefty bat, power and superior speed would be useful too.)
Now add an SP who could step immediately into the Sox rotation, like Knack or Wrobleski. (I’d offer Miller if the Dodgers could keep DePaula and the Sox would accept a lesser prospect, like Kendall George.)
To recap, the White Sox would lose Luis Robert Jr–and get back two starters in Lux and Pages/Outman, plus a starter for the rotation, plus a top young prospect bat who might be a stud… but also might be the next Cartaya.
A trade simulator might say the Dodgers get fleeced in such a deal. But Robert Jr. has superstar potential–he’s a gold-glove, silver-bat talent–and he’s five or six years younger than Teoscar.
In fact, think of him as younger, faster Teoscar who plays gold-glove D in center. And he’s under a team-friendly contract for the next 3 years. With his injury history, it would be a high-risk, high reward proposition. But the Dodgers are deep enough to take the risk.
If he’s a bust, the Dodgers can move on. Maybe Zyhir Hope would be ready to play CF.
The signing of the Korean infielder, Hyeseong Kim, is a major coup. To get a guy like that perfects the infield big time. This is going to be interesting watching this team plow into the competition. The FO has pulled out all of the stops!
Hye-Seong Kim looks good, but the KBO’s level of competition is similar to Triple A in the USA. It took the other HS Kim two seasons to get his offense going in the MLB.
If the Dodgers’ Kim can do 80% of what he did in Korea, he’d be a solid contributor. No power, but excellent contact skills–and great speed. Walked nearly as much as he struck out, and had a OBP over .380, which would be great for a “second leadoff” guy. Unlike Lux, Kim hits both lefties and righties with aplomb–or at least he did so in Korea.
If the Dodgers deal Lux, Kim has an excellent chance of making the roster. If not, he might be optioned to OKC. And that would be fine.
Pretty thorough Jeff,good work! I know this is the first minor league report but the lack of quality outfield depth is glaring. Could his be due to the organizations drafting strategy? I know they draft low, and they draft pitchers. I don’t know how they compare with other clubs re their drafting strategy, a comparison would be interesting. But we know that pitching is king and also provides valuable trade chips to acquire what they need at the major league level. Is hat their strategy?
We really need one of these young 20 year olds to develop into a starting player. Even the Dodgers can’t afford $20 mil players at every position
“Even the Dodgers can’t afford $20 mil players at every position”
Sure they can. That’s only $180 million. They can add 8 more at that price.
But, I see your point. The Dodgers can’t have All Stars at every position. But they don’t need that. 3+ WAR at every position in the lineup with the top 4 guys would do it.
Is this the year Freddie starts taking time off? It’s going to happen eventually. He’ll be 36 in September.
I saw Hope, Quintero and George play at Rancho this year. All three are solid in the outfield in the games I saw. Mostly routine plays. Hope does have a cannon for an arm. Hope and Quintero put the ball in play but hit into outs. I only saw George play in one game he was 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts and a walk. The speed is real as he scored from first on a double to right. He was less than 10 feet behind the runner that scored in front of him. Jeff is right Butler or someone like him really needs to work with George to improve his on base skills. Hope and George should start the year in Great Lakes. Quintero should start at Rancho if he gets off to a hot start he should jump to Great Lakes fairly quickly. I really look forward to seeing Lindsey at Rancho this year.
Good stuff. Lindsey could be converted to CF too.
Yes, but I’m sure the Dodgers hope Lindsey can stick at SS.
From what I’ve read, he probably can.
The other teenage SS prospects–Jeondry Vargas and Emil Morales–are bigger dudes who seem more likely to move to 3B or ??.
All of them are a few years away. We might see top SS prospect Alex Freeland in LA this season.
It sure would be fun if the Dodgers has a real prodigy in this bunch who could break into the majors at 19 or 20….
Catchers are also, FWIW, very valuable trade chips.
The Dodgers have made an offer to KBO middle infielder, Hye-Seong Kim. He has until this afternoon to agree to a MLB contract or return to KBO.
Very strange. I imagine it’s a major league offer or is it possible he signs and is willing to go to the minors?
It has to be a MLB contract. He will have options. The Dodgers should be honest if their intent is to option him. I am sure his agent asked the question.
Per MLBTraderumors Kim signed a 3 year deal with the Dodgers
Per KBO Trade Rumors, he signed for $22MM, and also has two option years. We need to wait for LAD to report for the exact details.
He supposedly had offers from at least 4 or 5 teams. I don’t think he would have accepted this one if he knew he was going to OKC.
Bye-bye CT3 or Lux or Rojas.
My guess is Lux and it’s about time for Dipoto to pull the trigger on a deal. They’ve been listening on Castillo. Lux plus Gonsolin/Knack/Wrobleski plus Outman? That might be too much.
Maybe Lux and Outman would be enough if they took on the entire Castillo contract.
Or maybe Lux and Rushing for one of their younger good starters?
Ain’t this fun?
It’s funny reading the comments about this signing at the various sites. It’s amazing that the Dodgers signing a 4 million a year utility player are destroying MLB.
I think Rojas for now is safe as he is the best backup for third. Outman, if he is still a Dodger when spring training begins will have to have a sensational spring to make the team. Because he would have had a sensational spring to still be a Dodger, I would think he would start the season lineup. Someone who is expected to be in the lineup therefore wouldn’t.
Cartaya DFAed so Rushing can at least get more innings at catcher in OK.
I hear the Dodgers can option Kim to OKC. And it seems that Kim is willing to accept the risk.
I’m impressed by his confidence.
It’s been reported that he conferred a lot with Shohei about coming to the US. Looks to me that he really wanted to play with Shohei and the Dodgers–and was willing to take less $$ to do so.
It’s worth remembering that the Dodgers started building their Korean fan base when they signed Chan Ho Park and followed that with Hyun-Jin Ryu. These guys were big stars in Korea, and now Kim is following in their footsteps.
Yes, it’s fun.
I like Castillo–but I like Julio Rodriguez more!
How about Lux, Rushing, Outman, Kendall George and an SP for Castillo and JRod?
I loved this article.
I think it’s a great distillation of management theory/philosophy.
I’m interested to hear Jeff weigh in further!
Is it in the player’s best interest to stay at his optimal position, in this case Catcher, and become the best catcher.
Or is it in the player’s best interest to play a sub-optimal position, in this case OF, and become the more useful player for the team?
In the former, I guess the upside is higher. In the latter, the path to playing time is quicker.
If he hits his defense matters less.
So will Kim play SS or 2nd base? Passable at SS, gold glove at second base. But Betts is more comfortable at 2nd.
More than ‘passable’ at SS. He won the KBO Golden Glove Award in ’21 as a SS.
Per Ardaya:
As far as how the pieces fit: the Dodgers have said this offseason they are going with the plan of Mookie Betts at shortstop and Gavin Lux at second base.
The plan with Kim, a source said, is for him to fill a super utility role. Has played a lot up the middle in KBO.
Per Baseball America ($$$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/scouting-reports-for-roki-sasaki-top-npb-kbo-players-to-know-for-2025/
Hyeseong Kim, 2B – BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Scouting Report: Kim is a pure lefthanded hitter with a natural feel for contact. He is a twitchy athlete with a quick, compact swing and drives balls through the middle of the field with surprising strength….
The Future: Kim projects to be a solid, everyday second baseman… he’ll need time to adjust to major league velocity before reaching his potential.
Scouting Grades: HIT: 55 | POW: 30 | RUN: 70 | DEF: 55 | ARM: 40
Watched Kim’s highlights on Youtube. He has great range and can throw from any angle with accuracy; and he plays gold glove worthy defense at 2nd, SS, & 3rd. If he hits anywhere near what he did in Korea it will be hard to keep him on the bench.
gold glove and base stealer.
Dodgers DFA’d Cartaya for the Kim spot.
Keeping 4 Catchers on last year’s 40 was really constraining, I guess the team couldn’t do it again.
He was once a top prospect, now he seemingly didn’t have any trade value.
So what happens to Cartaya now?? Does he go on the waiver wire. Is he traded?
I think they can try to trade him (it’s a 7 or 10 day period I think) if anyone will be a partner, otherwise he turns into a free agent.
I believe they have 5 days to either waive him or trade him.
Think of what they could have gotten if they’d traded him after 2022 instead of holding on to him the last 2 years.
Someone will take a chance on him so we won’t just wind up releasing him.
Hindsight bias is both awesome and, usually, unfair.
My point wasn’t meant to be criticism of the front office but merely an observation.
Well the bossman of another site called him a generational talent 2 years ago. Thats why they call them prospects. More moves to come based on this signing.
Which was both awesome and unfair.
Why unfair?
As is, there’s no room at the inn for Pages and Outman. Gonna be a lot riding on spring training for several guys.
It sucks to be a “prospect” in the Dodger organization.
Yup
Because I stink, comment was just awesome
It’s sort of a criticism, no?
Out of the hospital. Now at the CLC here at the VA to monitor my antibiotics and do PT for my ankle. Surprised that Cartaya was DFAd.
Good to hear from you Bear.
Good to hear that you’re making progress, Bear.
If you can recover quickly enough, the Dodgers are looking to add a few more utility guys and I think you may be exactly what they’re looking for. You’ll just have to beat Kim in a foot race and they’ll offer you a contract.
Hey Bear. Good to see/hear you. Hang in there. You just need to be ready for Spring Training.
De Paula, Hope & Quintero are the ones.
Pages is already here and Outman could be on the way out.
Ko is super-raw and I’ll believe George when he arrives.
I’m saddened thinking adding Kim seals the deal….no KiKe. I wish it were CT3 but apparently that horrible contract is preventing such. Too bad for us. Well, I hope Kim eases my pain at losing Kike.
Lightning struck twice
This is interesting it compares the strike zone in 2008 and 2024. For as bad as strike calls are today they were a lot worse in 2008. The strike is a lot tighter today.
Who would have thought the retirement (firing) of Angel Hernandez would have such an effect on the MLB strike zone in 2024
Good one Ted.
I still see a lot of balls being called strikes there. I’m quite sure there had to be a few balls at the shins being called strikes. Don’t see that there. And what I also don’t see are strikes being called balls.
ABS. It will happen eventually.
Apparently Ohtani was giving Kim advice regarding his free agency. I wonder what language they use to communicate or if they use some type if translator.
English is widely spoken in Korea. I’ve been there a couple of times and had little problem. Out in the boonies, you never know. Surprisingly, in Japan, I found less English spoken, but the Japanese are much more insular than Koreans. Koreans can be more extroverted and warm. Both, very respectful and polite societies. It’s eye opening to travel there.