On Tuesday a question was posed regarding the Tulsa Drillers: Does Tulsa have the most talent of our affiliates? I gave a short response with…yes. I think that the question deserves a more complete response.
Looking at both the MLB.com and Baseball America top 30 prospects list, there are a total of 35 players identified. 25 players were included on both top 30 lists, so it looks to be a fair consensus on the prospect talent evaluation.
Based on that, the LAD top prospects will begin the season at the following venues:
MLB:
- Miguel Vargas – 2B
- Ryan Pepiot – RHP – 15 Day IL
- James Outman – OF
- Michael Grove – RHP
AAA (OKC Dodgers)
- Bobby Miller – RHP – Extended ST to start
- Michael Busch – 2B/1B/OF – 40 Man
- Gavin Stone – RHP
- Devin Mann – Utility
AA (Tulsa Drillers)
- Diego Cartaya – C – 40 Man
- Andy Pages – OF – 40 Man
- Nick Nastrini – RHP – Extended ST to start
- Nick Frasso – RHP
- River Ryan – RHP
- Emmet Sheehan – RHP
- Eddys Leonard – SS/2B – 40 Man
- Jorbit Vivas – 2B/3B – 40 Man
- Landon Knack – RHP
- Jonny DeLuca – OF – 40 Man
- José Ramos – OF
- Kyle Hurt – RHP
A+ (Great Lakes Loons)
- Dalton Rushing – C
- Yeiner Fernandez – C/2B/OF
- Ronan Kopp – LHP
- Damon Keith – OF
- Alex Freeland – SS
- Justin Wrobleski – LHP
A (Rancho Cucamonga Quakes) – Preliminary – Roster not finalized
- Rayne Doncon – SS/2B
- Maddux Bruns – LHP
- Jesus Galiz – C
- Peter Heubeck – RHP
Rookie ACL – Preliminary
- Josue De Paula – OF
- Logan Wagner – 3B – Could go to A
- Samuel Muñoz – OF – Could go to A
Rookie DSL
- Joendry Vargas
60 Day IL – Out for Year
- Carlos Duran – RHP – Tommy John Surgery – Would be AA
Both AA (Tulsa Drillers) and A+ (Great Lakes Loons) teams have published their initial rosters for 2023.
Tulsa Drillers AA Roster:
RHP (11)
- Trevor Bettencourt (28) – AA Reading (Philadelphia) – MiLB Free Agent
- Tanner Dodson (26) – AA Tulsa – Trade with Tampa Bay (Luke Raley)
- Nick Frasso (25) – AA Tulsa – Trade with Toronto (Mitch White and Alex De Jesus)
- Kyle Hurt (25) – AA Tulsa – Trade with Miami (with Alex Vesia for Dylan Floro)
- Landon Knack (25) – AA Tulsa – 2020 Draft (2nd Round)
- Jordan Leasure (24) – AA Tulsa – 2021 Draft (14th Round)
- Jack Little (25) – A+ Great Lakes – (2019 Draft (5th Round)
- Cole Percival (24) – AA Tulsa – Undrafted Free Agent (2020)
- Carlo Reyes (24) – AA Reading (Philadelphia) – 2022 MiLB Rule 5 Draft
- River Ryan (24) – A+ Great Lakes – Trade with San Diego (Matt Beaty)
- Emmet Sheehan (23) – AA Tulsa – 2021 Draft (6th Round)
LHP (5)
- Jake Cantleberry (25) – AA Tulsa – 2019 Draft (13th Round)
- Alec Gamboa (26) – AA Tulsa – 2019 Draft (9th Round)
- Ben Harris (23) – A+ Great Lakes – 2021 Draft (8th Round)
- Lael Lockhart (25) – AA Tulsa – 2021 Draft (9th Round)
- John Rooney (26) – AA Tulsa – 2018 Draft (3rd Round)
Catcher (2)
- Diego Cartaya (21) – A+ Great Lakes – IFA 2018
- Carson Taylor (24) – AA Tulsa – 2020 Draft (4th Round)
Infielders (5)
- Kody Hoese (25) – 3B – AA Tulsa – 2019 Draft (1st Round)
- Eddys Leonard (22) – SS/2B – A+ Great Lakes – IFA 2017
- Brandon Lewis (24) – 1B/3B – AA Tulsa – 2019 Draft (4th Round)
- Imanol Vargas (25) – 1B/DH – A+ Great Lakes – IFA 2017
- Jorbit Vivas (22) – 2B/3B – A+ Great Lakes – IFA 2017
Outfielders (5)
- Jonny DeLuca (24) – AA Tulsa – 2019 Draft (25th Round)
- Yusniel Diaz (26) – MiLB Free Agent 2023
- Andy Pages (22) – AA Tulsa – IFA 2018
- José Ramos (22) A+ Great Lakes – IFA 2018
- Josh Stowers (26) – AA Frisco (Texas) – 2022 MiLB Rule 5 Draft
NOTES:
- Landon Knack will get the opening day start for the Drillers.
- The five players who are on the Dodgers 40-man roster are a mixture of returning and new players. The list includes catcher Diego Cartaya (Dodgers #1 prospect), and infielders Eddys Leonard (#18 prospect) and Jorbit Vivas (#19 prospect). All three will be making their first appearances with the Drillers.
- The other two 40-man roster players are returning outfielders Andy Pages (#7 prospect) and Jonny DeLuca (#22 prospect). Both were in Tulsa last season.
- Roster as Published by Tulsa:
https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/milb/rlvz4sqagsxit7et1wmz.pdf
Great Lakes Loons A+ Roster
RHP (11)
- Aldry Acosta (23) – A+ Great Lakes – IFA 2016
- Ben Casparius (24) – A+ Great Lakes – 2021 Draft (5th Round)
- Yon Castro (24) – A Tampa (NYY) – Claimed off Waivers
- Reinaldo De Paula (24) – A+ Great Lakes – IFA 2016
- Braydon Fisher (22) – A+ Great Lakes – 2018 Draft (4th Round)
- Michael Hobbs (23) – A+ Great Lakes – 2021 Draft (10th Round)
- Antonio Knowles (23) – A+ Great Lakes – 2021 Draft (13th Round)
- Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (25) – A Rancho Cucamonga – 2021 UDFA
- Robbie Peto (24) – A+ Great Lakes – 2020 UDFA
- Jake Pilarski (25) – Independent League – 2022 MiLB Free Agent
- Adolfo Ramirez (24) – AA Tulsa – 2016 IFA
LHP (7)
- Jack Dreyer (24) – ACL – 2021 UDFA
- Ronan Kopp (20) – A+ Great Lakes – 2021 Draft (12th Round)
- Benony Robles (22) – A Rancho Cucamonga – 2017 IFA
- Julian Smith (26) – A+ Great Lakes – 2018 Draft (15th Round)
- Christian Suarez (22) – A+ Great Lakes – 2018 IFA
- Mitchell Tyranski (25) – Injured – 2019 Draft (12th Round)
- Justin Wrobleski (22) – A Rancho Cucamonga – 2021 Draft (11th Round)
Catchers (2)
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell (25) – A Rancho Cucamonga) – 2021 UDFA
- Dalton Rushing (22) – A+ Great Lakes – 2022 Draft (2nd Round)
Infielders (4)
- Luis Yanel Diaz – (23) – 3B/SS – A+ Great Lakes – 2016 IFA
- Alex Freeland (21) – SS – A Rancho Cucamonga – 2022 Draft (3rd Round)
- Austin Gauthier (24) – SS/2B – A+ Great Lakes – 2021 UDFA
- Taylor Young (24) – 2B – A Rancho Cucamonga – 2022 Draft (8th Round)
Outfielders (6)
- Ismael Alcantara (24) – AA Tulsa – 2016 IFA
- Chris Alleyne (24) – A Rancho Cucamonga – 2022 Draft (19th Round)
- Yeiner Fernandez (20) – A Rancho Cucamonga – 2019 IFA
- Yunior Garcia (21) – A+ Great Lakes – 2017 IFA
- Damon Keith (23) – A+ Great Lakes – 2021 Draft (18th Round)
- Jake Vogel (21) – A Rancho Cucamonga – 2020 Draft (3rd Round)
NOTES:
- Ronan Kopp will be the opening day starter. The left-hander struck out 108 batters over 62.1 innings pitched in 2022, making three appearances with the Loons last season. The six-foot-seven 20-year-old is expected to be the focal point of the Great Lakes rotation.
- Yeiner Fernandez is listed as an OF, but has never played OF. He has always been listed as C/2B. With the small number of infielders on the roster, I would expect Fernandez to play more 2B than OF.
- Great Lakes is going to need to be creative with their infielders with 4 middle infielders.
- One pitcher conspicuously missing is 22 year old RHP, Kendall Williams. I am guessing that he is in Arizona on Extended Spring Training. But I have not seen a report. Maybe someone else has and can report.
- The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes roster has not been finalized.
MiLB Game Summary – 04-05-2023
OKC Dodgers 8 vs Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland) 1
The pitching was the star on this night. Gavin Stone was roughed up in his first outing, but bounced back very well. Stone allowed just one run, but it came via a steal of home as part of a double steal. With OKC up 2-0 in the 2nd, Gavin allowed the first two batters to reach on singles. After a fly out to RF, Kyle McCann moved up to third had runners putting runners on the corners. Pablo Reyes, the runner on 1st stole 2nd while McCann stole home.
That was the sole run for the Aviators. Gavin pitched 5.0 innings, allowing 3 hits, and the one run. He did not issue a walk, and had 5 strikeouts. After 76 pitches and a 6-1 lead, OKC went to the bullpen.
The bullpen was absolutely brilliant. Victor González, Tyler Cyr, Adam Kolarek, and Nick Robertson were almost perfect. One runner reached base on an error with González pitching, and Cyr walked one batter. Combined they pitched 4.0 scoreless innings on zero hits, 1 walk, and 5 Ks.
Offensively OKC was able to put up 8 runs without the help of Jahmai Jones. In the 2nd inning, Steven Duggar singled and scored on a Ryan Ward triple. Ward scored on a Hunter Feduccia sac fly for a 2-0 lead they would never relinquish.
In the 4th, Luke Williams reached on an error, and came around to score on a Ryan Ward double. Two walks loaded the bases, and Devin Mann plated all three with a bases clearing double.
In the 7th, Devin Mann singled and moved to 2nd on a throwing error. After striking out his 1st 3 ABs, Michael Busch had an RBI single.
In the 8th, Steven Duggar led off with a double, after a strikeout, 3 consecutive OKC batters walked to score a run.
OKC scored 8 runs on 8 hits, and 5 walks. They still struck out 11 times.
Steven Duggar, Ryan Ward, and Devin Mann had 2 hits each. All three had doubles as did Luke Williams. Ryan Ward also had a triple.
The OKC offense has scored at least six runs in each of the first five games of the season for a total of 39 runs. The team has strung together a four-run inning in four of the first five games, including each of the last three games.
They have won their last four games, and now stand at 4-1.
Before the MLB season started, I thought someone had mentioned that when the MLB channel renewed that MiLB would be included. Is this true? Do you have to pay extra? I’d like to catch a Tulsa and an OKC game occasionally.
Yes, I’ve seen both Gavin Stone starts on the MLB.tv app
sorry, and yes, to confirm, I didn’t pay extra; it’s part of the MLB.tv package this year
Thank you Bobby. I’m going to have to look into that further.
There should be different criteria for international free agents and draft picks when it comes to the Rule V draft.
Interesting dilemma. I am not sure I agree, but I am not that sure that I have a closed mind to any changes. What would you suggest? Currently it is all based on age when they are signed:
Diego Cartaya, Keibert Ruiz, and Andy Pages were no-brainers. Eddys Leonard and Jorbit Vivas certainly drew raised eyebrows. I am not sure they needed to be protected when they were. The downside is that they will undoubtedly run out of options just as they hit MLB. They are using their 2nd option year this season while just starting at AA.
Maybe players signed at 17 or below should have 6 seasons before they are eligible? Would that work?
I just think you sign a 16 year old or draft a 19 year old are oceans apart.
I think it’s a major factor in why so many Latin American pitchers end up in the pen. By the time the bodies have stopped changing you are more than 1/2 through the Rule V time.
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes roster has been finalized.
Courtesy of Bruce Kuntz of “From Rancho to the Ravine” Substack
Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
· Pitchers (18): Kelvin Bautista, Maddux Bruns, Jeisson Cabrera, Chris Campos, Jonathan Edwards, Gabe Emmett, Peter Heubeck, Joel Ibarra, Madison Jeffrey, Jared Karros, Payton Martin, Juan Morillo, Darlin Pinales, Livan Reinoso, Christian Romero, Jerming Rosario, Luis Valdez, Lucas Wepf
· Catchers (3): Jesus Galiz, Thayron Liranzo, Jorge Puerta
· Infielders (5): Kenneth Betancourt, Rayne Doncon, Dayton Dooney, Jose Izarra, Kyle Nevin
· Outfielders (4): Juan Alonso, Nick Biddison, Gaige Howard, Chris Newell
Even though Payton Martin is only 18 years old, he is starting the season with Rancho Cucamonga. The 17th round pick turns 19 in May, but it is impressive that he earned the Single-A assignment instead of going to the Arizona Complex League. He did not pitch in Arizona last year after being drafted out of high school in North Carolina.
Three prospects in the Dodgers’ top 30 are on the Quakes roster. The highest rated is Rayne Doncon (#13), followed by Maddux Bruns (#17) and Jesus Galiz (#26). Both Doncon and Bruns played for Rancho last year, but Galiz will be making his Single-A debut.
Jared Karros is the son of former Dodgers infielder Eric Karros. The younger Karros stands at 6-foot-7 and was a 16th round pick last season out of UCLA.
Dayton Dooney was just signed by the Dodgers after he was released by the Royals coming out of spring training. The infielder was a sixth round pick in 2021, and posted a .538 OPS in Single-A last year in the Kansas City system.
Lastly, Wladimir Chalo is on the Quakes’ development list to open the season.
Note: The roster did not include Josue De Paula – OF, Logan Wagner – 3B, or Samuel Muñoz – OF. Thus they will at least start the season in Extended ST and probably be assigned to Arizona Complex League in June.
As of this post, no starter has been named. Maddux Bruns? Peter Heubeck? Luis Valdez? Chris Campos? Jerming Rosario?
Where is Feducia(SP)?
OKC – But he is not a Top 30 prospect with any publication.
As usual, Jeff, top notch information on Dodgers’ prospects! Where they started, where they’ve played, and where they’re playing for the 2023 season. I appreciate the time and thought you dedicate to your research. When these prospects are called up it’s nice to have some background, expectations and familiarity with them. Thanks.
Carry on.
Hey Ted, I will let you know sometime Friday, but if my friend Chris is playing at the Palace, I will be heading out there and be there by about 8 thirty.
Not going tonight. I will be going out there on the 21st.
Thanks for the update Bear.
Knack bouncing back would be a boost. He could even occupy one of the AAA SP slots midyear if Stone gets called up.
Minor leagues starting is exciting. Love to read about it. I’m an amateur but I have my favorites.
Some guys I expect to pop this year: Sheehan, Leonard, Galiz, Hurt, Ramos.
SHEEHAN
[Bruns also shoved 2nite]