DODGERS 2020 MINOR LEAGUE/PROSPECTS THREAD

Expect to see our BA top prospect list to come out some time in Dec. The East is lined up through this month and then I expect the Central.

 

BA has an update from Instructs and there is a good review for 2B, Michael Busch

Busch earned universal reviews as the top hitter in Arizona. He took high quality at-bats, turned around upper-90s velocity and showed home run power to center field and both gaps. His balance, bat speed, hand-eye coordination and strike-zone discipline all drew high praise. Evaluators were split on Busch’s defense at second base, but he earned consistent grades as a plus hitter with plus power.

This is a guy that had gotten a lot of praise during the AFL in 2019 for his obscene plate discipline. Putting that together with a plus hit tool and plus power could have the makings for a scary hitter. Defense still remains the big question for Busch.


There was also a piece from Bill Plunkett that I missed in October. Here are some highlights from it:

• Once again, Busch was talked about as a guy that really stood out this season as a guy that took a big step forward at the Alt-Site.

• Other guys that had impressive years were 1st round pick Bobby Miller and Kody Hoese, they also mentioned Andy Pages, Miguel Vargas and James Outman as guys that impressed them during instructs. Both Vargas and Pages have scouts that think they are legit stars in the making or duds. Vargas has what some view as a future 70-80 hit tool, but his power and defense were giant question marks for him. Pages has 60+ power potential and I saw a lot of scouts that felt 2020 would be a learning year for him as they felt advanced pitching would pick him apart. He is the rare player that a year like this could have actually been good for him if he was able to develop some understanding for recognizing better breaking pitches.

 

SS Leonel Valera, 21, was a Top 10 under the radar prospect from instructs

Valera filled out his frame and got increasingly physical over the past year. With the added strength has come the ability to drive the ball up the middle and to right-center with authority. Valera is a bit of a free swinger and is still learning his new body, but his growing power bodes well. He retained his fluidity and athleticism in the middle infield even with his strength gains, providing optimism he has a major league future with his power potential and ability to play multiple positions around the infield.