By 3:00 PM on Tuesday, we should learn of the names of the Dodgers prospects who have been added to the 40 man roster and out of the Rule 5 draft. Players signed at age 18 or younger need to be added to their club’s 40-Man roster within five seasons or they become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. Players who signed at age 19 or older need to be protected within four seasons.
This was important last year, as 3 Dodgers were selected in the Rule 5 draft. 1B Ryan Noda was retained by Oakland for the entire year, and LHRP Jose Hernández was retained by Pittsburgh for the entire year. Gus Varland was selected by Milwaukee but returned to the Dodgers on May 22, 2023.
This year the Dodgers currently have 35 players on the 40 man roster. There can be some trades before the final selections. Maybe some anticipated non-tenders could be designated if needed.
There are 42 players in the LAD organization who are Rule 5 eligible.
- C – 4
- 1B – 3
- 2B – 0
- 3B – 2
- SS – 0
- OF – 6
- SP – 9
- RP – 18
There are two no-brainers:
- RHSP Nick Frasso
- RHSP Landon Knack
Others who might (should) be considered:
- C – Hunter Feduccia
- RHSP – Kendall Williams
- 2B/SS/C – Yeiner Fernandez
- RHP – Carlos Duran
- RHP – Edgardo Henriquez
Other notable players who will probably not be considered:
- C – Carson Taylor
- 1B – Brandon Lewis
- 3B – Kody Hoese
- OF – José Ramos
- RHSP – Jerming Rosario – Risky not to protect
- LHSP – Robinson Ortiz
- LHRP – Alec Gamboa – Possible Rule 5 Draft Pick
- RHRP – Braydon Fisher
- LHRP – John Rooney
Dodgers Final AFL stats
- 2B/SS Yeiner Fernandez: .289/.413/.526, 4 2B, HR, 3B, 17.4% BB rate, 10.9% K rate
- OF Damon Keith: .254/.329/.507, 4 HR, 4 2B, 3B, 10.1% BB rate, 31.6% K rate
- RHP Ben Casparius: 10.43 ERA, 14⅔ IP, 29% K rate, 13% BB rate, 5 HR
- RHP Kendall Williams: 5.30 ERA, 18⅔ IP, 22.2% K rate, 7.4% BB rate, 4 HR
- RHP Ryan Sublette: 1.93 ERA, 9⅓ IP, 26.2% K rate, 19% BB rate, 1 HR
- RHP Jake Pilarski: 1.00 ERA, 9 IP, 22.5% K rate, 10% BB rate, 1 HR
- LHP Ronan Kopp: 1.13 ERA, 8 IP, 46.9% K rate, 18.8% BB rate, 1 HR
A couple of key players lost as they became MiLB free agents. First baseman and sometimes corner outfielder Imanol Vargas hit .251/.357.,463 with 22 home runs, 29 doubles, a 114 wRC+, 174 strikeouts and 76 walks as a 25-year-old for Double-A.
“Vargas’ raw power is apparently in his 114 mph max exit velocity and extreme damage on contact,” Matt Eddy (Baseball America) wrote. “The issue has been making enough contact to take full advantage. Vargas doesn’t chase much out of the zone but can be beat in the zone with good stuff.”
Also noted by Eddy was outfielder Yusniel Díaz, who returned to the Dodgers as a non-roster invitee and heated up down the stretch. Díaz hit .278/.374/.484 with 16 home runs and a 125 wRC+ for Tulsa, and won Texas League player of the month in August.
Finally some offseason baseball action.
Thanks for the write-up.
A’s might field an entire team of Rule 5ers next season.
Sure hope they get rid of Barnes and give Fedducia a shot.
Yeiner Fernandez. I just read his scouting report and though it reads well, good fielder, quick behind the plate, bat to ball skills, his overall grade was 40. Would he be picked up if left off the 40? He doesn’t appear ready for the bigs.
My inclination would be to protect and develop pitchers. I don’t know who among the many outside the obvious would be selected to protect. My guess would be Duran.
If we had to dump one of our catchers 5 catchers, 6 counting Fernandez (though I think he will become a second baseman) who would it be? I think a strong argument could made that catcher would be Barnes.
I will admit this year I’m not as up to date with our minor league system. I will rely on what Jeff and others say here.
Adames and Bichette for Lux and Muncy plus others as needed to create a new left side.
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/11/14/23960112/dodgers-farm-system-pitching-ranking
Peter Seidler, Chairman and Owner of the San Diego Padres has passed away.
Seidler was the grandson of Walter O’Malley and nephew of Peter O’Malley.
RIP Peter. 👃
Word just out that Padres lead owner (and Walter O’Malley’s grandson) Peter Seidler has died.
From everything I’ve read he was a really good guy. Sad news. RIP.
Per Fabian A:
The Dodgers have added Nick Frasso, Landon Knack and Hunter Feduccia to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.
Two spots still unfilled.
Cleveland DFA’d Cal Quantrill today. Something tells me that he will not stay DFA’d for long, but if he lasts to the Dodgers, I would hope the Dodgers might take a chance on him. They still have two spots on the 40 man open. Did not pitch well last year, but has had a couple of good years.
Shock, they only protected three, Frasso, Knack and Feduccia. Hmmm