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1. Keibert Ruiz, C

Hit Power SB Field Overall 50/60 40/50 30 50 65+

Background: Los Angeles handed the baby-faced backstop $140,000 as a 16-year-old from Venezuela a couple years ago. And the organization has quickly watched the spry prospect develop into one of the game’s premier prospects. Ruiz made his debut in the Dominican Summer League, hitting a solid .300/.340/.387 as a precocious 16-year-old. But it was his work in the stateside rookie leagues the following year that opened eyes. Spending time between the Arizona Summer and Pioneer Leagues, Ruiz slugged an impressive .374/.412/.527 with 22 doubles, three triples, and a pair of homeruns in 56 games. The front office would push the then-18-year-old catcher up to the Midwest League and eventually to High Class A in 2017. And Ruiz continued to swing a hot stick: he batted .316/.361/.452 with 23 doubles, two triples, and eight homeruns in 101 contests. Last season he took on the most important minor league challenge, Class AA, and he came out on top. Ruiz, along with San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr., was just one of two qualified teenage hitters in the Texas League. The Venezuela-born prospect slugged a hearty .268/.328/.401 with 14 doubles and a career high 12 homeruns. His overall production, according to Weighted Runs Created Plus and Deserved Runs Created Plus, was equivalent to the league average mark and 17% better, respectively.

Analysis: Consider the following:

Between 2006 and 2016, only four 19-year-old hitters received at least 300 plate appearances in a season in the Texas League: Mike Trout, Elvis Andrus, Jurickson Profar, and Raul Mondesi. Each of the three own at least one season in which they’ve eclipsed a 107 wRC+ (min. 275 PA).

Ruiz, a switch-hitting backstop, is a little more advanced as a right-handed hitter – which isn’t shocking because it’s his natural side. The young Venezuelan has an aggressive line drive-approach at the plate with impressive bat-to-ball skills. He’s never been one to walk a whole lot and that likely won’t change any time soon either. And Ruiz is just beginning to tap into his power potential as well. Throw in some average defense and that’s making of a perennial All-Star. In terms of peak seasons, think J.T. Realmuto, circa 2018, when he slugged .277/.340/.484.

Ceiling: 4.5- to 5.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2019

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2. Alex Verdugo, CF

Hit Power SB Field Overall

Background: The oft-rumored outfielder was involved in plenty of offseason trade speculation, mainly involving the Cleveland Indians and ace Corey Kluber. Verdugo, a highly touted prep bat taken in the second round all the way back in 2014, is just biding his time until he gets an extended look at the big league level. The 6-foot, 205-pound center fielder rocketed through the low levels of the Dodgers’ minor league system and reached Class AA as a 20-year-old to start his third professional season. Since then, though, Verdugo’s spent two – successful – seasons in the Pacific Coast League and earned just 111 plate appearances with Los Angeles. Last season the Tucson, Arizona native batted an impressive .329/.391/.472 with 19 doubles and 10 homeruns in 91 games with the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Per Weighted Runs Created Plus and Deserved Runs Created Plus, his overall production topped the league average mark by 28% and 12%, respectively. He also hit a respectably league average .260/.329/.377 during his brief call-up as well.

Analysis: A long time personal favorite of mine; I’ve ranked among the game’s Top 100 prospects now for the fourth consecutive year. Verdugo’s a slashing, line-drive belting outfielder with average power in the same mold as current big league All-Star Michael Brantley. While he has above-average power potential and consistently squares up the baseball, the young outfielder – who’s is a likely front runner for the Rookie of the Year Award in 2019 – puts the ball on the ground far too frequently. Since entering the Texas League in 2016, his yearly groundball rates are 46.3%, 47.0%, and 51.9%. To put that into perspective: there were 30 qualified hitters to post a groundball rate of at least 48% in the big leagues last season, only eight of them slug 20 or more homeruns.

Ceiling: 4.0-win player

Risk: Low to Moderate

MLB ETA: Debuted in 2017

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3. Gavin Lux, SS

Hit Power SB Field Overall 50/55 50/55 50 50 65

Background: Fun Fact: Lux’s uncle, Augie Schmidt, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1982 draft; Schmidt, by the way, won the 1982 Golden Spikes Award and was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. National team that played in the World Games I. The Dodgers drafted Lux, a lefty-swinging shortstop, with the 20th overall pick in 2016. After a tremendous debut showing in the Arizona Summer and Pioneer Leagues, Lux struggled a bit as the club pushed the promising youngster into full-season action two years ago; he batted a disappointing .244/.331/.362 in 111 games with the Great Lakes Loons. Last season, though, Lux’s production came roaring back with an unparalleled ferocity. Splitting time between Rancho Cucamonga and Tulsa, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound middle infielder slugged a hearty .324/.399/.514 with career bests in doubles (27) and homeruns (15) as well as tying a previous high in triples (eight). His overall production, as measured by Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by a whopping 47%.

Analysis: I noted two things in last year’s Handbook about Lux’s weird 2017 campaign:

After a late start to the season due to injury, it took him a while to get going but he rebounded in the second half to slug .276/.357/.431 over his final 57 games. The level of ineptitude against left-handers was off the charts; he batted a puny .160/.250/.217 against them.

While Lux’s production improved – significantly – in 2018, the fact remains is that fellow lefties still give him all kinds of problems; he hit a lowly .226/.278/.298 against LHP. The good news: it’s trending in the right direction. The bad news: it’s still horrible. Lux’s approach at the plate is similar to a young Lonnie Chisenhall, who also sported some severe platoon splits as well, with a better eye. It’s a spray-it-to-all field approach with above-average power and speed combination (Chisenhall lacked the latter too). If Lux improves to at least passable production against left-handers he’s a star. If not, there’s nothing wrong – at all – with Lonnie Chisenhall 2.0.

Ceiling: 4.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2019

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4. Dustin May, RHP

FB CB CU CH Control Field 65 60 55 50 60 65

Background: A product of Northwest High School, home to big league outfielder Tyler Collins, May turned a lot of heads during his promising 2017 season in which he posted a 128-to-27 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 134.0 innings with Great Lakes and Rancho Cucamonga. Last season May, a lanky 6-foot-6, 180-pound right-hander, once again split time between two levels, appearing in a total of 23 games between the California and Texas Leagues. In 132.2 innings of work between the organization’s High Class A and Class AA affiliates, the former third round pick fanned 122 and walked just 29 en route to tallying a 3.39 ERA and a 3.65 FIP. For his career, May is averaging an impressive 8.6 strikeouts and just 1.8 walks per nine innings.

Analysis: Easily spotted from a mile or so away due to his long, luxurious flowing red locks. May is as talented as he is lanky. The big right-hander unfurls a lively, explosive fastball from a large leg-kicked windup. His heater sits comfortably in the mid-90s and can touch several ticks higher when needed. He complements the plus-offering with three strong secondary pitches: a big 12-6 bending, plus-curveball, a traditional cutter with late horizontal movement, and a solid workable changeup. His cutter has a tendency to morph into a slider-like pitch, though it’s at its best when it’s a true cut-fastball. May shows poise well beyond his years. He not only fills up the zone with a bevy of strikes, but – more importantly – they’re quality strikes. He commands all four pitches well, especially his fastball/cutter. He looks like a potential top-of-the-rotation caliber arm. Consider the following:

Between 2006 and 2016, only one 20-year-old arm posted a strikeout percentage between 22% and 24% in the California League (min. 90 IP): Colorado’s Antonio Senzatela, who’s tallied more than 2.5 wins above replacement across his first 225.0 big league innings. May’s walk percentage, 4.2%, topped Senzatela’s 5.3% mark, by the way.

Ceiling: 4.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2019/2020

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Hit Power SB Field Overall 40/45 55/60 30 55 60+

Background: Smith morphed from a nondescript prospect as a sophomore into a first round pick a year later at the University of Louisville. Of course, putting together a .382/.480/.567 triple-slash line at a premier program will do that for you. Smith, the 32nd overall player chosen in 2016, has been aggressively challenged by the organization over the past couple of years. The former Cardinal spent time with Tulsa and Oklahoma City last season, hitting an aggregate .233/.322/.455 with 18 doubles and 20 homeruns in an injury-shortened campaign. Smith hit the disabled list with an undisclosed ailment in early May, an injury that limited him to just 98 games – the 2nd consecutive time that he’s failed to reach the 100-game threshold.

Analysis: Taking a page out of Austin Barnes’ book. The organization continued to shift Smith between catcher and the hot corner last season. And his glove – or gloves – will play well at either position. Smith has the potential to be a solid Three True Outcomes-type hitter. He owns an impressive eye at the plate; gobs and gobs of in-game power; and his swing-and-miss rates have been borderline red flag territory. Consider the following:

Since 2006, only three 23-year-old hitters posted a 135 to 145 wRC+ with a double-digit walk rate in the Texas League (min. 300 PA): Nolan Fontana, Matt Chapman, and – of course – Will Smith.

Let’s take it another step further:

Player Age PA AVG OBP SLG BB% K% wRC+ DRC+ Chapman 23 504 .244 .335 .521 11.7 11.7% 141 143 Smith 23 307 .264 .358 .532 11.7% 24.4% 141 146

Chapman, of course, has been a dynamic big league hitter over two seasons. And Smith, surprisingly enough, put together an eerily similar season in the Texas League. Smith is the heir apparent to the Dodgers’ catching throne.

Ceiling: 3.5- to 4.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2019

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6. Tony Gonsolin, RHP

FB CB SL SF Control Overall 60 55 55 65 50/55 60+

Background: There are few teams that consistently, over multiple regimes, draft and develop talent as well as the Dodgers. Bar none. And Gonsolin isn’t just another example in an ever-growing list; he’s likely to become a bar that others will be measured against. Los Angeles drafted the hard-throwing right-hander in the ninth round, 281st overall, and signed him to deal worth…wait for it…a grand total of $2,500. Just three years later Gonsolin is knocking – loudly – on the club’s big league door and pushing hard to be included among the Top 100 prospects in the games. The soon-to-be 25-year-old right-hander split last season between Rancho Cucamonga and Tulsa, throwing a career-high 128.0 innings, recording a whopping 155 strikeouts against 42 walks. He finished the year with an aggregate 2.60 ERA and a 3.05 FIP.

Analysis: Mustachioed like a gnarly ‘70s movie star. Gonsolin’s repertoire and control scream quality big league starting pitcher. His age, though, is a reason for pause. Gonsolin’s fastball sits in the low- to mid-90s and touched as high as 97 mph during a game earlier in the season. A converted reliever, Gonsolin’s heater lost a little bit of zip as the season progressed, likely a result of the heavier workload. His bread-and-butter secondary offering is fantastic splitter that tunnels exceptionally well with his fastball due to his extreme over-the-top release point. He’ll also mix in a mid-80s slider, which is above-average, and a hard-biting 12-6 hammer of a curveball. Gonsolin loves to change a hitter’s eye level by bouncing between low splitters and high fastballs. The former St. Mary’s stalwart adds some additional deception by hiding the ball well; and he fields his position as well as any pitcher in the minors. There’s some solid mid-rotation caliber potential here regardless of his age.

Ceiling: 3.0- to 3.5-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2019

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7. Dennis Santana, RHP

FB SL CH Control Overall 55 60 65 55 60

Background: Originally signed as a shortstop several years back. The front office quickly – and correctly – decided that Santana, and his .198/.312/.256 triple-slash line in the Dominican Summer League, had less than a 0% chance of going anywhere. So they shifted his plus-arm strength to the mound. And, viola!, a top pitching prospect is born. Last season Santana was positioning himself as a potential cog for the Dodgers down the stretch before a serious shoulder injury curtailed his seasons at the beginning of June. The injury happened, by the way, right before the wiry right-hander was scheduled to make his first big league start. It was originally thought to be a lat tear but later diagnosed as a shoulder strain, which didn’t force the promising hurler under the knife. Santana finished the season with an impeccable 65-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 49.2 minor league innings. He also made a brief 3.2-inning appearance with the Dodgers as well, striking out four and walking one (though he did surrender five earned runs).

Analysis: The former middle-infielder owns an above-average, low-90s fastball that’s more sneaky quick than overpowering. He complements the heater with a pair of plus-secondary offerings: a smooth changeup with impressive sink-and-fade and a 12-6 breaking slider. Santana owns a unique throwing motion, almost short-arming it at times. And it looks like he’s a short-strider as well. But he’s consistently thrown strikes with all three pitches the past couple of years and should slide into the middle of a big league rotation at maturity (which is very close). Hopefully the shoulder/rotator cuff won’t be an issue moving forward.

Ceiling: 3.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: Debuted in 2018

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Hit Power SB Field Overall 40/50 50/55 65 40/45 50

Background: Naming your kid after Yankees great Derek Jeter automatically pushes him down a path as a shortstop, right? Well, that’s certainly the case with Downs, the Reds second first round pick two years ago. A product of Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Florida, Downs handled the Cincinnati’s aggressive promotion up to the Pioneer League during his debut, hitting a respectable .267/.370/.424 in the offense-inflating environment. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound middle infielder spent his sophomore professional season with the Dayton Dragons, slugging .257/.351/.402 with 23 doubles, two triples, and 13 homeruns. He also swiped 37 bags in 47 attempts. Per Weighted Runs Created Plus and Deserved Runs Created Plus, Downs production topped the league average my by 18% and 21%. The Dodgers acquired Downs in the offseason mega-swap with Cincinnati.

Analysis: Cut from a similar cloth as Reds center fielder of the future Taylor Trammell. Downs acquitted himself nicely against the older competition that the Midwest League has to offer. He shows a solid approach at the plate, making consistent contact with an average eye. The overwhelming majority of his power is of the pull-variety, so teams will likely start employing a shift to the left-side of the infield. Defensively speaking, he’s a liability – and that’s putting it nicely – so a shift to center field, forsaking his namesake, is a very distinct possibility in the coming years. Consider the following:

Between 2006 and 2016, only five 19-year-old hitters met the following criteria in the Midwest League (min. 350 PA): 115 to 125 wRC+, a sub-22% strikeout rate, and a walk rate between 8.5% and 12%. Those five hitters: Brett Lawrie, Rio Ruiz, Jason Martin, Kyle Tucker, and Daniel Robertson. All but Martin has already accrued big league time. Lawrie and Robertson have been productive hitters. Tucker is one of the game’s top prospects. Martin looks like a capable backup outfielder. And Ruiz busted.

Ceiling: 2.5-win player

Risk: Low to Moderate

MLB ETA: 2021

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9. Michael Grove, RHP

FB SL CH Control Overall N/A N/A N/A N/A 60+

Background: Like Andre Jackson, who’s ranked as the club’s #19 prospect, the Dodgers took a well-calculated risk and drafted West Virginia Mountaineer Michael Grove in the second round, 68th overall, and signed him to a deal worth $1,229,500, roughly $300,000 above the recommended bonus. The risk: Grove succumbed to Tommy John surgery and missed the entirety of the 2018 season. He left the school with a 117-to-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 3.13 ERA in 92.0 innings pitched.

Analysis: A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, Grove was flashing glimpses as a potential early round pick during his sophomore season before the elbow issues flared up. He fanned 61 against just 15 walks in only 47.0 innings of work. Prior to the injury Grove showcased an electric arsenal paced by a plus-fastball, an above-average slider with plus-potential, and a solid changeup. Hopefully his arm hasn’t slowed post-surgery. Assuming he’s healthy, Grove could see some time in the California League before year’s end.

Ceiling: 3.5-win player

Risk: High

MLB ETA: 2021/2022

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Hit Power SB Field Overall 45/55 45/55 35 50 60

Background: Just the latest hot shot prospect the club added from the international free agent market. But perhaps the best summary of Vargas’ debut comes from Ogden hitting coach Dustin Kelly (per an article on MiLB.com, 07/15/2018): “I think we always knew he was a pure hitter and an advanced hitter since day one, but I don’t think we expected him to be his good this quick up here right now.” That’s some pretty high praise for the teenage corner infielder. Signed by Los Angeles in September 2017 for $300,000, Vargas’ old man, Lazaro Vargas, won two Gold Medals over the span of a 22-year career playing in the Cuban Nation Serie. As for his on-field production, the younger Vargas came out swinging and didn’t stop the entire 2018 season. Spending time at three different levels, the 6-foot-3, 198-pound infielder batted .330/.404/.465 with 15 doubles, three triples, and a pair of homeruns in 53 games. Vargas, by the way, appeared in eight games for the Industriales when he was just 14-years-old.

Analysis: Despite the stops being relatively short, Vargas showed an advanced approach at the plate with – as Kelly indicated – strong bat-to-ball skills, as evidenced by his contact rates and line-drive numbers. Most of the damage was done in the hitter-friendly confines of the Pioneer League, which inflates offensive numbers like few other environments, but his production topped the league average mark by 41%. Vargas profiles as a potential middle-of-the-lineup thumper with above-average power and the glove to potentially stick at third base. He could be one of the bigger breakouts in 2019.

Ceiling: 3.0-win player

Risk: Moderate to High

MLB ETA: 2021

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Statistics provided by FanGraphs, BaseballReference, BaseballProspectus, ClayDavenport, and TheBaseballCube.