On February 25, 2023, I wrote a post on the next superstar for LAD…Josue De Paula. De Paula turned 18 on May 24.
As a 17 year old in the DSL last year, De Paula batted .349/.448/.522/.970. He skipped the Arizona Complex League, and moved directly to full season A Ball with Rancho Cucamonga in the California League. With 8 games to go before the California League playoffs, with 307 PA, De Paula is batting .282/.397/.380/.777. His slug is down, dragging his OPS down with it. He only has 2 HRs, but with his size (6’3” 185), it is just a matter of time before the HR power comes. In the meantime, he is showing an ability for bat to ball skills and plate discipline with 51 K (16.6%) and 41 BB (13.0%).
De Paula will make another jump next year to a tougher A+ league with Great Lakes in the Midwest League.
De Paula should be a household name amongst LAD fans. Now I want to introduce another couple of “hands off” prospects. The first one is 17 year old SS Joendry Vargas. Vargas signed for $2,077,500 out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was graded as the #3 IFA last January by MLB Pipeline.
He led DSL LAD Bautista to the Dominican Summer League with their 9-5 victory over the DSL Pirates in the final game. LAD Baustista was the home team, and in the bottom of the first, Vargas led off and slugged his 2nd HR of the playoffs for a lead they would not relinquish.
LAD Bautista put together 5 singles, and a steal of home for three runs in the 2nd. They scored 4 in the 6th to put the game away.
For the series finale, Vargas went 3-5 with a HR and double. He scored twice and had 2 RBIs. Cumulatively for the playoffs, with 31 PA, Vargas batted .310/.355/.621/.976, 2 HR, 1 double,1 triple, and 6 RBIs.
He did not just get hot for the playoffs. For the season, in 208 PA he batted .328/.423/.529/.952. He led the team with 7 HRs and was 2nd on the team with 12 doubles. He also had a triple and 31 RBIs. He struck out 31 times (14.9%) and walked 30 times (14.4%).
Joendry was a much heralded IFA, and he did not disappoint. As a 16 year old, MLB Pipeline gave him the following grades:
MLB Pipeline Before January IFA signing
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55
With Vargas’ solid season, he has moved up to LAD Top Prospect #13. In the most recent list by MLB Pipeline:
MLB Most Current Scouting Grade
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
The Dodgers pull one of the top prospects out of nearly every international signing class, with Vargas the latest example. Ranked No. 3 in the 2023 crop by MLB Pipeline, he signed for $2,077,500 out of the Dominican Republic in January. He’s just 17 years old and will need time to develop, but in a system loaded with shortstops, he has the highest ceiling of any of them.
A former switch-hitter, Vargas now bats exclusively right-handed. He has a sound swing and an advanced approach, patiently stroking line drives to all fields. With his bat speed and the oodles of projectable strength in his 6-foot-4 frame, he could grow into 25-homer power while also producing high batting averages.
Though he’s bigger than most shortstops, Vargas has good actions, range to both sides, reliable hands and plus arm strength. He’s one of the more polished hitters and defenders in his international class. An average runner who could lose some quickness as he matures physically, he’d profile well at third base if he had to move off shortstop.
I am not sure how you get an increase in one of the skills, all others stay the same, and your overall value drops from 55 to 45. Joendry has 1 average skill, 2 above average skills, and one plus skill, but a below average overall? That has to be explained to me.
Baseball America is not as impressed with their skills grades. But this was graded prior to the season. IMO, his hit skill should increase in the BA scouting report next year. He should make the LAD top 30 for preseason 2024 in Baseball America.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Field: 55. Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme
Track Record:Vargas stood out as one of the most physically imposing prospects in the 2023 international signing class and impressed while training with Raul “Banana” Valera in the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers made him their top target in the class and signed him the first day the signing period opened.
Scouting Report:Vargas is a tall, lean, athletic shortstop who moves well going to his left or right. A slightly above-average runner, Vargas has good actions, soft hands and a strong arm for the position, with some scouts considering him one of the top defensive shortstops in the class. A former switch-hitter now hitting righthanded only, Vargas drives the ball with impact too, with a chance to grow into above-average raw power. He is prone to swinging and missing and projects to hit for average over power.
The Future: Vargas will make his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2023. He is a long way away but has a chance to be a power-hitting shortstop if it all clicks.
The second DSL player who you should remember is catcher turned CF, Eduardo Quintero. Quintero is 17 years old, and will not turn 18 until September 16. He is 6’0” 175 pounds from Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela.
He was not a highly sought after IFA, but signed for $287,500. He was not in the top 50 International Players listed by MLB Pipeline.
BA had this to say about Quintero:
Eduardo Quintero, C/CF, Venezuela: Quintero’s bat stood out as an amateur, with a sound righthanded swing, good bat-to-ball skills and an impressive track record of offensive performance. Catcher/center fielder is a rare position listing for a player, but Quintero has an unusual tool set. Quintero, 17, trained as a catcher before signing for $287,500, showing good athleticism and catch-and-throw skills for his age, including a plus arm. At 6 feet, 175 pounds, Quintero has the ability to stick behind the plate, but he’s also at least a plus runner with 60-yard dash times cutting under 6.5 seconds at his best. With that speed and athleticism, he has seen time in center field too, so while he could catch, he could move through the system faster as a center fielder with fewer defensive demands.
For the season, Quintero was the LAD Bautista best hitter. In 212 PA, he batted .359/.472/.618/1.090. He had 15 doubles, 7 triples, 5 HRs, 42 RBI, 22 SB against 4 caught stealing, 34K and 32 BB.
He did not slow down for the playoffs, except for the XBH power. In 36 PA, he batted .393/.528/.429/.957. He had 1 double, 3 RBI, 4 SB, 7 BB and 4K.
Quintero led the DSL LAD Bautista in:
- Hits with 61
- Doubles with 15
- Triples with 7
- Stolen Bases with 22
- BA (1), OBP (1), SLG (1), OPS (1)
He was #2 in HR with 5 and walks with 32.
FWIW, Vargas was #2 in hits (57), #2 in doubles (12), tied for #2 in SB (19), #2 in BA, SLG, and OPS, and #3 in OBP.
There were some other good looking prospects in the DSL which I will get to in another post. But for now, remember Joendry Vargas and Eduardo Quintero as two top teenagers who should get some additional exposure in the US next year. The question will be, will they skip Arizona Complex Rookie League and move directly to Rancho Cucamonga, as did Josue De Paula?
09-02-2023 – MiLB Game Summary Report
OKC Dodgers 7 – Round Rock Express (Texas) 1
OKC put their own bullpen game together. John Rooney led off and completed 2.0 scoreless innings. Two other pitchers followed with 2.0 scoreless innings, and 3 pitchers followed with 1.0 IP. The only run scored was against Ken Giles.
The offense put together 10 hits and 9 walks to generate 7 runs. Jonny Deluca was the hitting star on the night with a HR and double.
Key Offensive Performers:
- Jonny Deluca – 2-3, 2 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (6), double (6)
- Miguel Vargas – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Yonny Hernandez – 2-4
- Tucker Barnhart – 1st hit for OKC was a double
Arkansas Travelers (Seattle) 4 – Tulsa Drillers 3
A solo home run in the seventh inning from Robert Perez Jr. proved to be the difference on Saturday night at ONEOK Field as the Tulsa Drillers fell 4-3 to the Arkansas Travelers. An unearned run was also costly as the loss dropped Tulsa’s record against the Travelers fell to 5-12 for the season and 1-4 this week.
The Drillers never led in the game as Arkansas opened by scoring its fifth first-inning run of the series. The Travelers did not earn a hit in the inning but did load the bases on two walks and an error. A wild pitch followed to score the runner from third base and give Arkansas the lead.
With two outs in the second, a single walk and a second single allowed the Travelerss to take a 2-0 lead.
José Ramos worked a leadoff walk in the fourth, leading to Tulsa scoring its first run. Following the walk, Ramos advanced to third base on a wild pitch and a groundout. Kody Hoese scored Ramos with a sacrifice fly to make the score 2-1.
Drillers starting pitcher Robbie Peto completed four innings, a season-high with the Drillers, but gave up a leadoff home run to Spencer Packard in the fifth inning, ending Peto’s night and giving Arkansas a 3-1 lead.
Tulsa scored a second run in the fifth inning when Ismael Alcantara scored Josh Stowers with a sacrifice fly.
Wladimir Chalo delivered for the Drillers in the sixth inning when he singled with the bases loaded to tie the game at 3-3.
Robert Perez Jr. broke the tie with his solo home run in the seventh inning to give Arkansas a 4-3 lead. The home run ended a 17.2 inning streak without allowing an earned run for Ricky Vanasco. across his last 15 appearances.
In the ninth, the Drillers had the tying run at second base with one out, but Chalo and Alcantara each struck out to end the threat and the game.
Aldry Acosta, Kevin Gowdy and Ryan Sublette each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
Tulsa had 3 hits with Austin Gauthier getting a double (18) for the only XBH.
Dayton Dragons (Reds) 7 – Great Lakes Loons 6 – 12 innings
Maddux Bruns started and completed 4.2 innings. He threw 72 pitches (44 strikes), leaving the game with a runner on 1st with 2 outs in a 4-4 tie. Sauryn Lao retired the final out.
Chris Alleyne and Max Hewitt doubled in the third to score a run. In the 3rd, with 2 out and nobody on, two singles by Yeiner Fernandez and Griffin Lockwood-Powell put runners on who scored on a Kenneth Betancourt double. Betancourt scored on a Yunior Garcia single.
Dayton tied it up in the 4th on a single, catchers interference, triple, and sac fly, all off Maddux Bruns.
Both teams scored a run in the 9th. Both teams failed to score in the 10th and 11th. Dayton scored a pair off Lucas Wepf in the 12th on a 2-out 2-run HR. Great Lakes got one back in the 12th, but left the tying run on 2nd to end the game.
Key Offensive Performers:
- Yeiner Fernandez – 3-5, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 3-6, 2 runs, 0 RBI, double (22)
- Kenneth Betancourt – 2-5, 1 run, 2 RBI. Double (3)
- Max Hewitt – 2-5, 1 RBI, double (6)
- Chris Alleyne – Double (15)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2 – Stockton Ports (A’s) 1
20 year old RHP Roque Gutierrez from Sinaloa, Mexico, pitched a brilliant 1-hit scoreless 5.0 innings. He faced one over the minimum batters. 0 walks against 6 K.
Brandon Neeck and Kelvin Ramirez each pitched 2.0 innings in relief. The Ports scored their only run on a HR off Neeck. The Ports had 2 hits on thee night.
The Quakes scored a run on a double by Wilman Diaz to plate Joe Vetrano in the 6th. Sam Mongelli scored the eventual winning run in the 7th with a run scoring single by Thayron Liranzo.
Key Offensive Performers:
- Joe Vetrano – 2-4, 1 run
- Simon Reid – 2-4
I will be looking forward to watching those kids next year on MLB network when they broadcast the affiliate games. Great game for USC, and the Dodger game was another let down. I never let Vesia pitch in a close game again. As a matter of fact, this winter I cut every lefty they have in the pen loose and look for some guys who can get outs.
6 for 34. 1 for 10 WRISP. 3 0fer 4’s, including Betts This Atlanta team can’t leave town soon enough.
But we got them where we want them now. They are better than us, they know it, so they will be vulnerable in October.
It’s good to know we have more athletes in the system. Hope they can learn to hit better pitching in the next 4-5 years.
I would have liked more 60 grades. Only one given and that was for arm.
55 is good. There are a lot of prospects with 45:grades.
If you are looking for 60 grades for any of the LAD prospects, you will be disappointed. There is not one in any of LAD affiliated teams that will get to 60. They have multiple 55s both with MLB Pipeline and BA. While many publications update the list, they do not update the scouting grades until the following winter. MLB Pipeline has 5 current prospects at 55. BA has 4 or 5, but that does not include their current LAD #1 Emmet Sheehan who started the season as a 45. FanGraphs had 2 in the beginning of the year. One graduated (Bobby Miller) and the other will not be a 55 next list publication (Diego Cartaya). There may be some that will grow into 55 with FanGraphs. For all publications, 55 is the mark for Top 100 prospects.
A 60 is a perennial All Star. The Dodgers do not have one of those in their system with their affiliates. Will any of the rookie league players grow into that? Maybe. Josue De Paula is currently a 50. Will he grow to 55 (Top 100) by next winter’s publications? Possibly, but not 60.
50 is an average everyday position player, which is about the best one can hope for when you draft as low as the Dodgers draft. There are no 60s at draft pick #25 and above. For pitching, 55 is a #3/#4 starter, 50 is a #4 starter, and 45 is a #4/#5 starter. The Dodgers have 10 pitchers with a 45 grade or higher.
45 grade prospects can become All Stars, and many do. Scouting grades are not exact.
Thanks Jeff. Solid information. I was thinking more about arm, speed, hit, power, field scores and not overall score.
These past three games have been highly reminiscent of the last 3 games of the 2022 NLDS against the Padres. Can’t score with RISP. And striking out at an alarming rate.
So far this series we are: 3 for 24 with RISP, 23 LOB, 36 SO.
Three losses in 2022 NLDS: 2 for 26 with RISP, 26 LOB, 34 SO.
Seems we need a different approach
“Seems we need a different approach”
I agree. But, this is who we are. And, that is who they are. Solid pitching and a lineup of scary hitters.
There is nothing wrong with being the second best team in the league. And every year a second best wins a series in the playoffs. I like our chances.
I felt like Mookie was trying too hard and didn’t let the game come to him.
Smith’s bat isn’t what it was earlier in the season.
Outman wasn’t successful but unlike Mookie he stayed within himself
I like Miller and Sheehan as one two with possibly Kershaw squeezed in between. Pepiot is also a must starter for the playoffs unless he is piggybacked with Stone/Sheehan. I don’t have confidence in Urias or Lynn.
Wait. What?
Sheehan over Urias?!?
That’s my guess for the rest of the season.
Exactly.
Well put
DePaula and Vargas top tier. Quintero super interesting. Diaz & Doncon. New guy [speedster, George?]. Young blood. How old is Liranzo?
Liranzo turned 20 last month. I’m afraid it’s time for him to retire. Way too old.
I think he will wait a year. Then he can retire with a bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Thayron Liranzo – Baseball Age – 19. He turned 20 on July 5.
Walker Buehler pitched 2 perfect innings on 24 pitches in his first rehab start at OKC with 2 K this afternoon.
Dodgers won the game, but that is by far one of the worst umpired game, both on the field and in the replay center in New York, that I have seen in a long time. The umps strike three call on Freddie was equally as bad as the call on Mookie the other night. Nice game by Miller. Buehler looked good in his two innings at OKC. Rojas, Betts and Outman clutch today.
After Buehler finished his 2 innings, Stone followed up with 6 innings of shutout ball with 1 hit and 7 k’s.
I’d really like to see Pepiot, Sheehan and Stone get some innings this month. It would prepare them for possible playoff appearances or, if nothing else, for a good solid foundation for next season.
I’d rather see them than Buehler.