Org Ranking: 10
I've ranked every farm system, as well as the top 100 MLB prospects for 2015. Below, I’ve ranked at least the top Dodgers 10 prospects, with an overview of the system and any other names of note beyond the first 10. I also discuss any prospects who might help the big league club in 2015; one or two prospects whose stock has taken a big hit in the past year; and a sleeper prospect who I think can jump into the main top-100 list for 2016.
Non-Insider subscribers: Check out the free Tampa Bay Rays top-10 prospects report to see what these entail.
Top 10 prospects
1. Corey Seager, SS
2. Julio Urias, LHP
3. Joc Pederson, CF
4. Grant Holmes, RHP
5. Alex Verdugo, OF
6. Zach Lee, RHP
7. Darnell Sweeney, IF/OF
8. Chris Anderson, RHP
9. Jose De Leon, RHP
10. Zach Bird, RHP
Overview
Their top three prospects match up well with those of any club in the game, even the Cubs' big three of Bryant, Russell and Soler; the latter trio ranks higher for me, but the Dodgers have a potential top-of-the-rotation arm in Urias that the Cubs would probably give Clark the Bear to have. It's a top-heavy system now, however, after a handful of trades last July and so far this offseason. Verdugo, their second-round pick in 2014, fell some in the draft due to questions about his maturity, as well as an on-field incident involving he and his father that led to his temporary suspension from his high school team. His bat could be special, with the ideal combination of bat speed and ability to stay in the zone long enough for hard contact. He was a two-way prospect in high school, in the low 90s off the mound from the left side, so he has the plus arm he'll need for right field. Lee was a top-100 prospect last year, but constant tinkering with his delivery by the Dodgers' player development folks has dropped his fastball down to average and taken the power off his breaking ball; he's now a command/control right-hander with average stuff, maybe a 55 changeup if you like it. Anderson's year was a bit disappointing for his size and background; he has the stuff to be a No. 2 starter, but every scout I spoke to who saw him in 2014 pegged him as a future reliever. Sweeney has great feel to hit with above-average power and speed, but lacks a clear position; he can't play short and is rough at second, with his best role perhaps as a utility guy who can fill in at second or in any outfield spot as well as serving as the emergency shortstop.
De Leon can hit 94-95 but it's more about movement and deception for him, along with above-average command; his stuff isn't plus but he can show you three pitches all better than average, and he has shown he won't walk anyone through the low minors. Bird was my sleeper for the Dodgers going into 2013, and his stuff ticked up in 2014 -- he pitched at 90-94 mph and reached as high as 97, with a tighter curveball; he's a plus athlete whose delivery still needs some refinement, and if that doesn't come he might sit 96-98 in relief at some point.
Scott Schebler (11) is a big performer with plus raw power; he has closed some of the hole on the inner half that bedeviled him in 2013, but still can be beaten inside, and he's limited to left field. Cody Bellinger (13) is a potential Gold Glove defender at first but probably doesn't have the future power to be a regular there. Joe Wieland (12), just acquired in the Matt Kemp trade, and Chris Reed (14) could both appear in the Dodgers' bullpen this year as openings emerge.
2015 impact
Pederson should be their everyday center fielder from the get-go; he has always had slow adjustment periods to new levels, but he's their best defender out there and, given time, should give them a power/speed threat with some on-base ability. Lee might get a few turns as the No. 5 starter, while Reed and Wieland should also log some innings over the summer or fall.
The fallen
Lee's loss of value over the past two years has been disappointing; once an LSU quarterback recruit and a first-round pick by the Dodgers, he has gone from 90-95 to 88-93, his curveball has backed up, and he has become too angular and easy to see on the mound. It's not a lost cause, but the new regime has some work to do to restore his old promise.
Sleeper
Both Bird and De Leon are candidates for big moves up this year: Bird if the command improves, De Leon if his secondary stuff tightens up.