MLB Pipeline and Baseball America are the two most widely reported individual team top 30 prospects lists. MLB Pipeline (MLB) is the most visible because they are on the team’s MLB page.
Surprise, surprise, per MLB, the LAD #1 prospect is Japanese RHP Roki Sasaki.
My current dark horse candidate, Jaron Elkins, checked in at #24.
Interesting groups in the top 30. The list includes 7 teenagers, and 3 others that have only reached age 20 . The list is comprised of 13 players acquired from the draft, 13 International Free Agents, and 7 were acquired via trade.
The list includes 3 players who have not yet made their professional debuts. Two players were 2024 draft picks, SS Kellon Lindsey (#8) and 3B Chase Harlan (#20). The third player who has not yet started his professional career is OF Mike Sirota (#21), who they acquired from Cincinnati in the Gavin Lux trade.
Two RH pitchers on the list are out for the year due to TJ surgery: River Ryan (#10) and Kyle Hurt (#22), the two oldest prospects on the list.
Two of the players played in the DSL last year. Emil Morales (#7) was the DSL MVP in 2024 after batting .342/.478/.691/1.169 in 301 PA. He had 14 HR and 25 XBH with 40 BB and 45 K. He also had 12 SB with only 2 CS, and grounded into only 2 DP. He is going to be fun to watch this year.
The second player who played in the DSL last year was their 18 year old OF from Taiwan, Ching-Hsien Ko (#16). He only had 40 PA, so 2025 will be his first extended audition to professional baseball.
Besides Ryan and Hurt, three other pitchers have made their MLB debut: LHP Justin Wrobleski (#11), RHP Ben Casparius (#14), and RHP Edgardo Henriquez (#18).
Three prospects have reached AAA: C Dalton Rushing (#2), SS Alex Freeland (#5), and RHP Nick Frasso (#13). Frasso is already on the 40 man, while Rushing and Freeland are potential 40 man additions this year.
Three other prospects have reached AA: LHP Jackson Ferris (#4), SS Noah Miller (#25), and RHP Jared Karros (#30).
With 12 prospects reaching AA or higher, that leaves 18 prospects who have reached either high A (4), full season A (7), ACL (2), DSL (2), or have not played (3).
As expected 15 of the prospects were pitchers; 12 RHP and 3 LHP. 1 catcher, 7 OF, 5 SS, and 2 3B make up the other 15.
The prospects best tools per MLB.
Hit: 60 (Grade) — Josue De Paula
Power: 60 — Zyhir Hope (Josue De Paula, Emil Morales)
Run: 80 — Kendall George (Kellon Lindsey)
Arm: 60 — Eduardo Quintero (Jaron Elkins, Kyle Freeland, Zyhir Hope, Noah Miller, Joendry Vargas)
Defense: 70 — Noah Miller
Fastball: 70 — Edgardo Henriquez (Maddux Bruns, Nick Frasso, Kyle Hurt, Roki Sasaki, Eriq Swan)
Curveball: 60 — Jackson Ferris (Maddux Bruns, Peter Heubeck, River Ryan)
Slider: 60 — Ben Casparius (Maddux Bruns, Jackson Ferris, Hyun-Seok Jang, River Ryan, Eriq Swan)
Cutter: 70 — Edgardo Henriquez
Changeup: 65 — Jose Rodriguez
Splitter: 80 — Roki Sasaki
Control: 60 — Roki Sasaki
Per MLB, Maddux Bruns has the arm tools to be an Ace. Unfortunately he also has the control tool to be a bust. Hopefully this will be the year he makes the adjustment.
The Dodgers Top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline:
It’s the 7th of March and the big news is that it’s the Doyen of LADR’s birthday.
Happy Birthday Badger – can’t believe how quickly that has come round again!!
Hope you have a great day my friend.
That should read LADC’s birthday
Thank you W.
Yep, they keep coming around. I remember as a kid thinking I’d be 52 in the year 2000. Sounded old and far away. 25 years after that and it feels more like old and in the way.
That reminds me:
Yes, old and in the way, that’s what he hears them say. He used to ski like Jean-Claude Killy but that was yesterday.
Nod to Peter Rowan, Jerry Garcia and the Old & In The Way group. Great music. If you’ve never heard it you might check it out.
Anyway, when I lived in Arizona I spent this day in Glendale every year. Today? Indian buffet with the wife. That’s it.
Happy Birthday! Don’t look back, something might be catching up to you! Sage advice from Old Satchel Paige. Right behind you my friend, 77 this June.
Happy Birthday, Badger.
Thank you both.
Happy Badger Day!
Happy birthday Badger. Always enjoy reading your knowledgeable posts. You should be in the running here at LADC for MVP(oster) in 2025. I’m surprised you didn’t win it in 2024.
Who says he didn’t???
The trophy you sent says Runner-Up.
Good write-up. I really like what I see from Freeland this spring. He’s a player and will fit right in–likely next season. Rushing’s bat–and eye–is ready, but for a guy who catches I haven’t seen him catch. Ferris has huge upside. He, along with Ryan, Stone, Sheehan & Frasso, will be running for a rotation spot next year. Guessing Hurt will convert to relief.
Sheehan and Frasso should be ready to go Spring 2026 without limitations. Ryan and Stone will have their innings monitored, and with both having options, they look to bounce up and down between LAD and OKC. But neither of those guys are going anywhere. It is a team of riches in the pitching department. That being said, there has been talk Ryan could become a special closer. He will be 27 next year, and the rotation looks full. So he could have his innings monitored in the pen. Stone is a starter.
Hurt has already been transitioned to the bullpen, and he should be ready by next Spring to join the LAD staff as well. Ryan, Hurt, and Graterol could be great set up guys for Scott and Treinen. Next year the Dodgers will be without Kopech and Yates and probably May. Late inning high leverage relievers will be needed, and the Dodgers do not have to go out and buy it. They have it in-house.
Ben Casparius was being transitioned to relief last year, and it has seemingly worked out well. Casparius looks to crack the OD roster this year as a reliever, at least that is what Doc has hinted at.
The best defensive SS I have seen this Spring (other than Miggy Ro) has been Sean McLain. Now if he could only hit like his brother. Everything is right in front of Freeland to take. It is up to him now. It was up to Vargas as well, and that did not work out. Here’s hoping that Freeland takes it and runs with it.
Rushing needs a chance, and I just do not know how that happens this year. His bat is MLB ready right now. Fans say he could play 1B and LF when he isn’t catching. Dodgers do not see it that way. He has not seen any other position this Spring other than Catcher/DH. AF/BG have already told him he is going to OKC to catch. He needs work there.
Some reports have Phillips back by May.
If not sooner…
Great stuff Jefe. I really enjoyed watching Ferris pitch yesterday. Great catch to end the game by Dean. Outman looking like he will be back at OKC along with Pages. Edman or Bote can start at second and Kike can play CF for now.
I am pitcher oriented, especially with the Dodgers. Jackson Ferris is my #1 prospect. I would love to see him at AAA by June. Most prospect publications have his ceiling as a mid-rotation starter. The Dodgers do not need anything more than that.
I mentioned it the first time I saw Justin Dean this Spring. Dean is a special defensive CF. He has just never hit. If he could put bat to ball as well as Jose Siri or Michael A. Taylor, he be a MLB CF.
We have less than 2 weeks before the Dodgers have to finalize their 26-man. I honestly have no idea what AF/BG is going to do. I would not be shocked to see Pages make the roster going to Japan, as he crushes LH pitching, and the Cubs are sending out two LHSP, Imanaga and Steele. Caleb Thielbar is the only LHRP in the Cubs pen, but I would expect LHSP Matthew Boyd to be available for relief in the first two games.
Yeah, I absolutely scoff at any prospect evaluator who doesn’t have Ferris among our top five. He’s a 6′ 4″ 21 y.o. who sits 96-97 and has a wipeout slider. I’d rather have him right now that Max Fried [and his salary].
Jeff, thanks for this article today. It gives us a concise look at the insane pitching depth that the Dodgers have. One or two pitchers may find a place on the active roster. Most will be used in trades to keep the farm stock younger prospects. the use of current prospects will be determined, unfortunately, by injuries more so than performance.
I’m looking forward to an exciting and successful 2025 season.
I’m assuming Watford is correct in declaring a day of celebration for Badger’s birthday. I’m on board. Happy Birthday Badger!! Enjoy your special day.
Carry on
Thanks Ted.
Great write up Jeff. Looks like a lot of talent on that board. Who helps this year? Next year? I used to try to look down the road but in the last decade or so, outside of Kershaw and Seager, it’s been near impossible for me to pick can’t miss prospects. So, I look to Jeff and others for that. For me it’s about THIS YEAR. Who on that board will add a 1 to his career WAR totals?
Happy Birthday Badger. Cheer up, as long as we both walk this earth I’ll always be older than you.
Enjoy the buffet.
There’s old and then there’s wise.
Congratulations on your double victory. Old guy. Wise guy.
Changing my sleeper pick again.
Elias Medina!
Do me proud!
Now that is a true sleeper pick. A 19 year old utility player who spent the last two years in the DSL. I have to admit, he was never considered by me. I hope he comes through for you.
Gotta dig deep!
It appears that Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound has been temporarily stalled. He is not expected to throw any bullpens until after the team returns from Japan.
Just when he is going to ramp up to be ready to assume a SP role as well as DH? Now will the Dodgers stay with a 5-man or go with a 6-man in May leaving only 7 for the pen?
As per Vassegh:
Andrew Friedman made it clear when he joined DodgerTalk at DodgerFest Shohei Ohtani wouldn’t face hitters during spring training.
Nothing changed.
Yeah it has. He is now not throwing bullpens. Bullpen sessions do not include batters. They have changed from a May time frame to join the rotation, to not knowing when he will join. They are leaving it open and broad.
Given the number of starters the Dodgers have and their early schedule there is no reason to rush things. Right now, one can argue the Dodgers need Ohtani more as a hitter then anything else.
Interesting point.
Happy Birthday Badger. I enjoy your comments and insights. Enjoy the buffet.
Thanks Phil.
Thanks to all. I appreciate it.
Dumb question…..why isn’t Hyeseong Kim, our recent infielder we added, on this list?
Not a dumb question at all. Thought about it myself about all of the publications that included Sasaki. He certainly qualifies as a prospect as Sasaki did. Perhaps one answer is that he is 26 and is a defense first (only) prospect with the equivalent of AA experience. Although, I am just guessing.
Happy birthday Badger, I hope you get twenty or thirty more.
Thank you Keith.
I was hoping what the Dodgers saw in Kim, a 300+ hitter in Korea, equivalent to AA ball, was a player that would hit .250 and play GG defense at multiple positions. I still believe he can do it. Sure hope I’m right about this one.
I think he can and possibly will; it just might be in 2026.
His defense and speed are what could separate him.
I had the same take. That throw over the 1Baseman’s head was a laugher since we were looking at a shutout and didn’t lose us a game.
Hi Badger,
Wishing you a healthy, happy birthday. I’m a little ahead of you, and have no words of wisdom for you. I just read an article that listed mobility, balance, and hearing loss as the most common signs of the aging process. I can relate very well to these issues and the body can adapt to almost anything. Glad the Dodgers are so strong as that’s one issue less to think about. Let’s get another WS under our belt, and maybe 2 or 3 more. While we’re breathing………..
Happy Birthday to an esteemed aficionado of the Dodgers! On this extraordinary day, may your celebrations be as exhilarating and memorable as a World Series victory under the dazzling lights of Dodger Stadium. May the sun shine with relentless brilliance, echoing the glory of our beloved team and inspiring you to seize every opportunity that comes your way. As you proudly don your cherished Dodger blue Badger, may you be enveloped by the warmth and camaraderie of fellow fans who elevate your spirits to new heights, just like a soaring home run. Here’s to a year brimming with captivating moments, remarkable achievements, and the exhilarating thrill of triumph. Raise your glass to another magnificent year—where every inning is infused with the promise of greatness!
Wow Fred. That’s a lot of very nice words. Thank you. I don’t deserve them. Ok, maybe I do. No I don’t. But I’ll try to live up to them. No I won’t.
As for celebrations. Because of another birthday? Nope. I do look forward to celebrating Back to Back Championships. Been a while since anyone has done it. Time for the Dodgers to join the ranks of those who have. Heck, the A’s have done it multiple times. THE A’s!! We’re due.
Quite the wordsmith Fred, I’m impressed😀
Happy Birthday Badger.
Thanks OD.
Just some idle speculation about the Dodgers’ prospect team roster:
C–Rushing
1B–De Paula (because he should learn the position) or Jeondry Vargas (shifting from SS like Ernie Banks…or maybe he plays 3B
2B–I like Freeland here; Noah Miller as UT
3B–Emil Morales, big guy shifting from SS. (He and Vargas are similar.)
SS– Kellen Lindsay… with more athleticism and upside (including the Trea Turner comp), the ex-QB, first-round draft will push Freeland, Morales and Vargas to other roles,
OF– Zyhir Hope, Quintero, George…and I’m really intrigued by Ching-Hsien Ko, the 18-year-old slugger from Taiwan.
DH– De Paula, if he can’t play 1B… maybe Ko?
Rotation: Sasaki, Ferris, Ryan, Wrobleski, Frasso, Casparius, Jang
Any word on Gonsolin?
He last pitched the same day as May. That would have had him out there yesterday but he seems to have disappeared.
Probably starting in “B” games. Snell is only making his 2nd “A” game start this Spring on Sunday.
@Bums
lovely words above
He may not want to talk about it but I will. A while back Fred had a blog where he wrote several thoughtful columns. Simply put, the man can flat out write. I will still go back and read his articles on occasion, as I feel we think alike, he just organizes his thoughts much better than I do.
Yes, Fred is excellent at putting his thoughts into words on many topics, not just those discussed here.
Joc Pederson would be very proud of him!
Joc is planning to give him a string of pearls for his birthday.
I have also shown an ability to slaughter grammar and obfuscate readers.
Thanks for the kind support. I appreciate everyone’s wit that sneaks into our discussions here.