Los Angeles Dodgers Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 6 – 15

ALSO SEE – Dodgers Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Grades are based on a prospect’s projected value over the course of his career and how likely it is that prospect will fulfill his projected value. Various factors are accounted for including upside, red flags, actual performance, and closeness to the majors. See the 2010 Prospect Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

Hitters must have 100 or fewer Major League ABs to qualify for this list. Starting pitchers must have 50 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Relief pitchers must have 25 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Ages are listed as of May 1st, 2010. Levels are based on the highest level in which a prospect played in 2009. All grades are subject to change based on any new information I receive before the season starts.

If you need to reach me in any way, please contact me via e-mail or post a comment at the bottom of the page and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. The first two prospects are available for everybody to read.

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Player Grades
Contact – 50 Now | 55 Future
Power – 30 | 35
Discipline – 55 | 60
Speed – 50/55 | 50/55
Defense – 50 | 55
Arm – 55 | 55
Instincts – 60 | 65
ETA – 2010
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – Undersized, but an athletic build

Scouting Report

Ivan Dejesus Jr. missed the entire 2009 season after breaking his leg during a Spring Training game last year. Despite the lost development time, DeJesus is still the same player he was back then.

The son of former Major League shortstop and current coach Ivan DeJesus, the younger DeJesus is an intelligent player with a great feel for the game. He’s got a terrific approach at the plate and understands the importance of getting on base. He does a good job of spoiling good pitches and extending at bats.

DeJesus has a fundamentally sound swing, but his contact oriented approach doesn’t lend itself to much power. He could stand to let the ball travel deeper into his hitting zone, which would make it easier for him to drive the ball in the gaps and spray line drives rather than put the ball on the ground.

Defensively, DeJesus is a capable shortstop but fits better at second base. He’s a slightly better than average runner, but his speed plays up because of his instincts.

Best Case Outcome – Top of the order hitter and above average offensive middle infielder

More Likely Outcome – Average everyday middle infielder…worst case is DeJesus is a utility player

Player Grades
Fastball – 50 Now | 55 Future
Curveball – 55 | 65
Change-Up – 50 | 55
Control – 45 | 55
Command – 45 | 55
Pitchability – 40 | 55
ETA – 2014
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – A physical pitcher’s frame with room to grow…a good athlete as well

Stuff

Fastball – Sits in the 90 – 94 range with some arm-side run and sink

Curveball – A tightly spun pitch with a hard and late break…comes from the same arm slot as the fastball. You can see his curveball in action below:

*Credit to MLB Advanced Media

Change-Up – A little inconsistent, but the pitch has above average potential…it has a little late fade and sink and he maintains arm speed

Scouting Report

A three-sport athlete in high school, Garrett Gould also excelled with the bat in his hand. If I didn’t know any better, it seems the Dodgers are intent on making the No. 9 spot in their line-up a strength rather than a weakness. The team has drafted numerous pitchers who double as high level hitting prospects.

Gould has three potential above average to plus offerings, all of which he has pretty good command over.

Gould’s herky-jerky and high effort mechanics offer him some deception. He bends over at the waist as he breaks his hands and pops back up just as his front foot is about to land, creating plenty of torque between his torso and hips. Gould also uses an exaggerated dipping of the back shoulder which corresponds with his high 3/4 arm slot.

Gould has a couple attributes that help play up his secondary offerings. One is that he has an active lower body. An active lower body gears the hitters up for something hard. Also gearing up hitters for something hard is the intent to actually throw hard. When hitters are geared up for something hard, it makes it that much harder to adjust to something off-speed.

Where Gould needs some refinement is with his landing. He lands in a closed and stiff position, resulting in a major recoiling of his arm after following through. Because of his arm slot and the effort he throws with, Gould has a tendency to jerk his head at release, which is something that costs him command.

The mechanical issues are what place Gould behind some of the other top prep pitchers in last year’s draft.

Best Case Outcome – Front of the rotation starter

More Likely Outcome – Too soon to say

Brief Rundown on Prospects 8 – 15

*Scott Elbert is not considered a prospect based on the criteria for these lists

8. Trayvon Robinson | OF | Grade – B- – A really good athlete with some power potential…needs to increase his contact rate and instincts on the base paths

9. Allen Webster | RHP | Grade – B- – High expectations for what was a little known pitcher in Rookie ball last year as he’s now on basically everybody’s list of prospects to rocket up next year’s list

10. Kenley Jansen | RHP | Grade – B- – Converted catcher has an electric arm and a surprisingly good feel for pitching…mechanics and his ability to repeat them suggest his command will improve in the future. I discuss this in his report

11. Andrew Lambo | LF/1b | Grade – B-/C+ – I’m a little down on Lambo…he was young for his level, but I’m not sure his power is good enough for a corner outfield or first base spot and his plate discipline has been a disappointment thus far

12. Kyle Russell | RF | Grade – B-/C+ – A good athlete and the best power prospect in the organization…also a well above average defender in right field…contact rate must improve

13. Jonathan Garcia | RF | Grade – C+ – A sleeper prospect for next season…really like his swing, which I break down in his report…still a raw talent that needs to improve his discipline

14. Nate Eovaldi | RHP | Grade – C+ – Big time fastball, but the lack of secondary pitches keep his strikeout rate low…profiles best out of the bullpen

15. Brett Wallach | RHP | Grade – C+ – A really solid all around pitcher with an ideal pitcher’s frame…needs to shore up his command

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Other C+ Prospects

16. Xavier Paul | OF | Age – 25 – He’s produced over the past couple years though an injury cut short his 2009 season. He’s good depth for the Dodgers if an outfielder goes down to an injury

17. Pedro Baez | 3b | Age – 22 – An intriguing talent, Baez has a big body, but is a good athlete…very raw, but hinted at his abilities last season and could be in for a rise in the rankings with a solid 2010

18. Brian Cavazos-Galvez | OF | Age – 22 – Ability to play center increases his value, he’s a high contact hitter with good power, but you’d like to see him walk more

19. Jerry Sands | 1b/OF | Age – 22 – Move off of center field hurts his value, but Sands is a good athlete for his size and his plenty of raw power

You can see Sands and Cavazos-Galvez, as well as Brian Ruggiano in this write up of Royals pitching prospect John Lamb. I mention Sands as the sleeper to watch because of his ability to play center field, but it’s actually Cavazos-Galvez who is the more likely player to stick in center field as Sands is probably to big for the position. Still like Sands’ bat though…

20. Angelo Songco | OF | Age – 21 – Good tools and a solid all around player, but his plate discipline needs needs work

HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order) – Brian Ruggiano (3b) | J.T. Wise (C) | Danny Danielson (RHP) | Blake Smith (OF) | Javy Guerra (RHP) | Carlos Frias (RHP) | Cole St. Clair (LHP) | Carlos Monasteros (RHP) | John Ely (RHP) | Tim Sexton (RHP) | Rubby De La Rosa (RHP) | Steven Ames (RHP) | Austin Gallagher (3b) | Tony Delmonico (C) | Scott Van Slyke (OF) | Lucas May (C) | Jaime Pedroza (INF) | Alberto Bastardo (LHP) | Jon Link (RHP) | Robert Feliciano (LHP)

ALSO SEE – Los Angeles Dodgers Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

UP NEXT – San Diego Padres Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning and Minor League Splits