DODGERS 2017 MINOR LEAGUE/PROSPECTS Thread

He was really good last year and was moving up until the injury so it's great to see him back.

 

That's still a lot for a #3 starter

 

We have plenty of depth believe me and he's only 3 because of circumstance not of stuff.

 

He's a 3 because he hasn't looked any better than that in a couple years

 

Well this from BA is interesting....

Righthander Michael Kopech has been considered the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in the minors for the last two years, but the White Sox prospect has received a challenger from an unlikely source.

When he was at Vanderbilt, righthander Walker Buehler was known as a four-pitch pitcher with a good, but not great, fastball. Since returning from Tommy John surgery late in 2016, the Dodgers prospect has maintained his varied repertoire and feel for pitching, but his once straight, low- to mid-90s fastball now sits 97-98 mph.

As a result, the 22-year-old Buehler, a first-round pick in 2015, quickly has joined the conversation for best pitching prospect in the minors.

Kept on short pitch counts this season, Buehler recorded a 2.60 ERA through 13 starts with 71 strikeouts and 14 walks in 52 innings. He began the year at high Class A Rancho Cucamonga and advanced to Double-A Tulsa in May.

Kopech also reached Double-A this year. The 21-year-old came to the White Sox last December (along with Yoan Moncada and two others) in the trade that sent Chris Sale to the Red Sox. Kopech, drafted in the first round out of a Texas high school in 2014, had gone 4-5, 3.72 through his first 15 starts at Birmingham. He struck out 97 and walked 49 in 75 innings in his first year in his new organization.

A scout who has seen both Kopech and Buehler said he loved both of their arms, but it was Buehler’s stuff that left him shaking his head.

“It’s in the top group of all the arms I’ve seen,” the scout said. “He’s got No. 1-type starter stuff. He’s got four pitches that all have a chance to be average or better. Everything was electric. Everything was a swing-and-miss pitch.”

Buehler sits in the high 90s in most of his starts, but what is equally notable is how well he controls his pitches. He has present average control, according to the scout, with the chance to be a little better than that eventually.

“His arm is fast, easy and loose,” the scout said. “He’s a future No. 1.”

Not only does Kopech throw harder than Buehler, but his fastball has a little more bore and run. Kopech touches 100 mph regularly and sits 97-99 as a starter.

“His fastball is a tick better, but his other stuff isn’t ready,” the scout said.

While Kopech’s fastball gets top-of-the-scale grades, his secondary offerings have a lot farther to go.

Kopech’s biggest concern is his control. It’s below-average and has been throughout his pro career. The scout said he didn’t see any significant delivery concerns that should prevent further control refinement as Kopech matures, but he loses the strike zone at times right now.

“I’d take either one of them right now,” the scout said, “but Buehler is more refined. Even though they are at the same level Buehler is more advanced.”

 

He had a down year last year yes because he was hurt but in 2015 his war was 5.8. His career WHIP is 1.20 and ERA 3.6 for his career despite having 1.5 and 5.69 in 2016 and he's in the AL. I'm not the only guy who has said that he's a #1. It's a moot point obviously because he's not here. A person can dream.

 

I've watched 80% of Buehler's starts and he's the real deal I truly believe it. Haven't seen Kopech. Great find Colorado.

 

Have to pitch like a 1 to be a 1 and he hasn't done that in a couple years.
If you have to debate whether or not a guy can beat McCarthy out, probably means you're better off not sending Yadier Alvarez in the trade.

 

Yadier has plus stuff but a 5.6 ERA in Single A, he's not a 27 year old pitcher who has proven it in the MLB. Ask around if you think Sonny Gray is nothing but a 3. Not spending all day on this subject, carry on.

 

Ask who for what?
I've watched Gray pitch.
Alvarez, 5.6ERA and all, still sits high enough on most spec list to sit tight
Sonny Gray from 2015 is gone

 

Have to excuse me if I don't get all warm and fuzzy about another raw Cuban prospect.

Dodgers' track record in that regard has been shit (a certain RF aside).

 

..........or ever under that management.

 

Don't have to get warm and fuzzy to do a deal that makes sense.
I don't love Alvarez either.
I don't love pitchers in general ( a certain 3 time Cy winner aside).

 

Jeren Kendall our 1st rounder is making his pro debut batting 2nd for the Ogden Raptors.

 

Single in his 1st pro at-bat!

 

Now 2 - 2 with a stolen base.

 

Fastest promotion in history perhaps? Mr. Kendall now 3 - 3 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.

 

I'm interested to hear if there are any changes to his mechanics at the plate. Figure with that short turnaround from signing to today, that they're letting him do his thing and then will make changes in the offseason.

 

He was pulled for a pinch hitter so he can't be in great baseball shape yet and he does that in his debut? Only saw the raw numbers he put up so who knows if they did anything to his mechanics.