My 2023 preseason Top 45 Dodgers prospects

Heading into the new season, it is time to update my list.

Diego Cartaya (Image by: Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

1. C Diego Cartaya, 21

Cartaya is the obvious number one prospect in the system. As a top 10 prospect in the sport, much of the Dodgers’ future aspirations ride on the Venezuelan backstop. He was signed for $2.5 million at the age of 16 and has lived up to his high expectations so far, homering 22 times with an .892 OPS last season. A stocky 6-foot-3 frame presents huge power potential for Cartaya, and although he’s struggled blocking low pitches, he projects as an average or better defender due to his deceptive agility and cannon arm. He was named the Dodgers' minor league player of the year for 2022 and will look to carry his success into his first Double-A action this year.

2. RHP Bobby Miller, 23

With stuff that rivals anyone in the minors, Miller has a ceiling as high as anyone in the Dodgers’ farm. His four-pitch arsenal includes a fastball that’s touched 102 mph and three sharp off-speed options. Some inconsistency at times have inflated his ERA and presented some risk, but now that Miller has made it to Triple-A while working through it, he is a good bet to be a mid-rotation starter soon. Miller’s pitches are nasty enough to miss barrels or bats altogether even when his command isn’t pinpointed, leading to his great 25% K-BB%. His velocity is sustained deep into games, as he was touching 99 mph into the eighth inning of his 7 1/3 inning, scoreless masterclass on August 14. Miller’s stuff will play in the majors, and he will likely debut this season.

3. RHP Gavin Stone, 24

The emergence of Gavin Stone was the defining story of the Dodgers’ farm system in 2022. Entering the season ranked No. 18 in the system by MLB Pipeline, he worked his way up to the No. 7 spot by the end of the year with one of the best minor league pitching campaigns in recent history. As is common in this system, his changeup is elite, and his fastball and slider both play well off of it. Stone is an advanced strike-thrower, and his 1.48 ERA and 33.7 CSW% across an organization leading 121 2/3 innings last year is proof that he will contribute in the majors in 2023.

4. 3B/LF Miguel Vargas, 23

An Opening Day roster lock, Vargas will soon graduate from prospect status. He is a bat-first prospect who doesn’t have a concrete home defensively, but he will likely spend time at third base, second base and left field this year. He was Baseball America’s Triple-A Player of the Year in 2022 with a highly impressive .304/.404/.511 slash line. Although he didn’t carry that success into his first 47 big league at-bats, he will improve at the level this year and is viewed as a near lock to be an everyday player for years in Los Angeles.

5. 2B Michael Busch, 25

Another highly likely everyday player, Busch turned 25 this offseason and will be making his MLB debut in 2023. Similar to Vargas, his defensive future is murky, with conflicting opinions from many on whether he’s capable of handling second base. Even if he winds up at DH long term, Busch has a quality left-handed stroke and approach that is comparable to Max Muncy, with a solid profile of hit, power and discipline tools. He led the organization in hits (151), doubles (38), RBI (108), and tied for the lead in homers (32) in 2022. His numbers against lefties drastically improved last year to solidify his everyday future.

6. OF Andy Pages, 22

After suffering a drop off in production in his first Double-A action, Pages had a great Arizona Fall League to remind everyone of his abilities. He has huge thump in his right handed power stroke that elevates effectively, and could be a 30 homer player in the majors at his ceiling. He is also a good defensive corner outfielder with an absolute cannon arm, racking up 14 outfield assists in 2022. He can stick in right field, but might have to move to the other corner in MLB because of Mookie Betts. His power and discipline combo kept his OPS above .800 last year despite hitting just .236 with Tulsa.

7. RHP Nick Nastrini, 22

The more innings Nastrini gets under his belt, the more it appears that his problems with the yips are in the past. His stuff is superb, showing through with his 35.1% strikeout rate and 33.1 CSW% despite an 11.4% walk rate. He also dealt with injuries prior to 2022, but was healthy enough to throw 116 2/3 impressive innings last year while reaching Double-A. He’ll continue to refine his strike throwing, and if it can improve some more, he can be a really quality MLB starter.

8. RHP Nick Frasso, 24

Stuff and athleticism are what the Dodgers target in pitching prospects, and no one exemplifies this more than Frasso. Acquired for Mitch White at the deadline last year, his fastball (13.3 inches of horizontal break) and changeup (18.3 inches of HB) both profile among the best in the minors, with a gyro slider that is nothing to sneeze at. His changeup-slider combo and fantastic fastball make him effective against both right and left handed batters, with his numbers against lefties actually being the better of the two. His arsenal can keep him as a starter, with durability being the main concern for reliever risk. He had Tommy John Surgery in 2021 and has only thrown 59 professional innings despite his age. Either way, Frasso’s overpowering stuff will likely reach the majors in 2024.

9. C/1B Dalton Rushing, 21

It was a historic beginning to Rushing’s pro career last season after he was drafted by the Dodgers in June. After just two rookie games in Arizona, Rushing played out the rest of the regular season in Single-A. There, his .424/.539/.778 slash line was something out of a video game as he homered eight times and walked just as much as he struck out in 28 games. It was a dominant enough introduction to pro ball that Rushing was called up to High-A for the Loons’ playoff series. He drives fly balls to all fields well, and the Dodgers feel he can remain as a catcher long term. Watch for Rushing as a candidate to break into the top 100 in 2023.

10. RHP Ryan Pepiot, 25

Pepiot performed well in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League in 2022, posting a 2.56 ERA. His FIP and xFIP at the level, however, came in at 4.29 and 4.51 respectively, suggesting he overperformed. The same was true at the major league level, with his FIP and xFIP over 5 despite a 3.47 ERA. Pepiot struggled with a 16.9% walk rate in the bigs, not generating the same amount of chases when he missed the zone as he got in Triple-A. His slider didn’t have enough depth and got hit hard, with a .300 average and .533 slugging against the pitch in the majors. Pepiot’s fastball and changeup are both great pitches, but if he can’t improve his command and slider, he may end up in the bullpen long term, where he would be a good late inning option.

11. OF Josue De Paula, 17

A huge 2022 emergence, De Paula tore through the Dominican Summer League despite his young age. He posted a .349/.448/.522 slash line while walking more than he struck out in 53 games. Then, he heavily impressed scouts at Dodgers instructs, boosting his stock above other big DSL performers who may cool off stateside. Already listed at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, De Paula will continue to grow until he might be a permanent left fielder or DH, but his bat projections are very exciting, albeit distant.

12. LHP Maddux Bruns, 20

Coming out of high school, the raw but talented Bruns was the Dodgers’ first round pick in 2021. He showed that rawness in his first full year as a pro, walking more than a batter per inning, which led to a 5.68 ERA in Single-A. However, he also had a great 31.0% strikeout rate and allowed just one homer in his 44 1/3 innings, showcasing how difficult his super stuff is to hit. Bruns is a long way from the majors, and has a lot of development left to throw consistent strikes, but the upside is huge.

13. RHP Emmet Sheehan, 23

Sheehan’s electric fastball-changeup combination tore through High-A batters in 2022. He threw his firm fastball in over 70% of his pitches, generating a whiff rate and CSW% that both neared 35% on the heater. His changeup gets over 17 inches of horizontal run, diving away from lefties and making him a reverse splits pitcher. Sheehan had a 38.0% strikeout rate in the regular season, and even made two Double-A starts before continuing to pitch well in the Arizona Fall League. Sheehan has some developing to do with his slider to remain a starter long term, but his upside is impressive.

14. SS Joendry Vargas, 17

Just officially signed on January 15th at the beginning of MLB’s international signing period, Vargas is the top rated Dodgers signee in this year’s class. He’s lean but still has good size, coming in at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds before his 18th birthday. He has the potential to not only stick at shortstop, but also be above-average in all five tools. But, if he does end up having to move positions like many shortstops with his size do, his arm strength would make him a capable defender at third base. His power may be more projectable than his hit tool, as he could grow into a valuable power-hitting shortstop if his development goes well. Especially after the Dodgers flipped Jacob Amaya, Vargas is arguably the best shortstop prospect in the system already.

15. RHP River Ryan, 24

Having only hit in 2021 with the Padres, Ryan switched to a full-time pitcher when the Dodgers acquired him for Matt Beaty. It appears to have been a great move for LA, as Ryan posted a 2.45 ERA and 34.8% strikeout rate in his first year on the mound. His fastball sits around 95-96 mph and had a great 33.7 CSW%. Ryan’s hard slider averaged 88.9 mph and is a nasty primary breaking ball, while his changeup was also very effective against lefties. Despite already being 24 years old, he is younger in his pitching development and has time to develop before reaching the majors, even if he is 26 or 27 by the time he gets there.

16. OF Jose Ramos, 22

Raw power and arm strength are Ramos’ big tools. He has posted .227 or better ISO at every level since reaching Arizona rookie ball, which is great, but concerns have started to show in his high strikeout rates. In 95 games at High-A in 2022, Ramos had a 32.7% strikeout rate, while his walk rate dropped below 10%. Both those figures will look to improve for Ramos in 2023 as he tastes his first Double-A action at some point in the year. He played about even time at center field and right field in 2022, but projects to likely move to the corners through the rest of his career.

17. OF James Outman, 25

A huge breakout season at the plate in 2022 quickly made Outman a fan-favorite prospect. He had as good of a four-game major league debut as possible, homering in his first MLB at-bat and tallying a 288 wRC+ before he was sent back down. He continued to make headlines in Triple-A, hitting for the cycle two times in four games in August. A bit lost in the hype, however, were Outman’s high whiff and strikeout rates, which are typically not a great indicator of MLB stardom. Either way, Outman has good speed and positive defensive tools that make him a valuable bench or platoon player. He’ll be in the majors this season.

18. SS/2B Rayne Doncon, 19

A talented bat, Rayne Doncon has hit well at every level of the minors he’s played in so far. Even listed at just 176 pounds, Doncon packs a punch, homering three times in his first 11 Single-A games as an 18 year old. He isn’t a patient hitter, leading to some Javier Báez comparisons, but he also isn’t fantastic defensively. He might have to move to the outfield eventually, which doesn’t mesh great with his low walk rate, but for now he is a gifted hitter who will attempt to prove himself by mashing through the lower minors.

19. 2B Jorbit Vivas, 21

Bat-to-ball skills are Vivas’ calling card. He was one of just four hitters in the system last year to walk more than he struck out, and he had the most plate appearances among that group. His hit tool is Vivas’ only really good asset; his small size limits his power, he is around average as a runner, and he is probably limited to playing an average second base defensively. His ability to make contact at great rates is what makes Vivas an interesting prospect.

20. RHP Kyle Hurt, 24

Despite a 17.7% walk rate that was the result of many far misses of the zone, Hurt still managed a 32.7% strikeout rate and 33.0 CSW% in 2022. In High-A, where the hitters are less patient, Hurt had a 2.21 ERA across 40 2/3 innings. Once he got promoted to Double-A, he lost his command and walked nearly 22% of the hitters he faced. Even with the wildness, Hurt’s four pitch arsenal is elite, with all four offerings projecting above-average potential if he can reel them in. His extreme command volatility and older age are huge red flags, but if he manages to find some control, he has a good starter or long reliever repertoire.

21. RHP Michael Grove, 26

A solid repertoire of a fastball, slider, curveball and sparsely used changeup makes Grove a decent option to start in the bottom of a rotation. He was used as a spot starter for the Dodgers in 2022, a role he will likely carry into this season. In other organizations that aren’t as deep as Los Angeles, Grove would probably be a full time starter in the majors, so he provides solid depth in 2023. His 90 innings in 2022 were a career high, so if that becomes a concern down the stretch, Grove could shift to a bullpen role to limit innings.

22. C/2B Yeiner Fernandez, 20

Listed at 5-foot-9, Fernandez compares to Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes in many ways. He has more quickness than most catchers, making him capable of holding down second base as well, and he played over 20% of his defensive innings in the infield last year. He played infield and pitched for Venezuela in the 2015 Little League World Series, so that is where he has the most experience. However, he is developing behind the plate and projects to be average eventually other than marginal arm strength. Fernandez has good bat-to-ball skills, striking out less than 15% of the time in Single-A last year as a 19-year-old. His power is below average but he has a decent hit tool and could grow into a valuable bench catcher role.

23. RHP Carlos Duran, 21

Duran’s slider is raved about by scouts and widely regarded as one of the best in the minor leagues. It features fantastic spin rates and makes him a weapon against right handed batters. Injuries have been a problem for Duran, with the most recent one being Tommy John Surgery that will sideline him for most if not all of 2023. Once he returns, he’ll likely be a reliever, but his slider paired with a sinker, curveball and changeup gives him a chance to be dominant out of the bullpen.

24. RHP Edgardo Henriquez, 20

An explosive right handed arm who hasn’t been stretched out much yet, Henriquez only threw 35 2/3 innings in 2022 before needing Tommy John Surgery in August. This means he’ll more than likely miss all of 2023, but he will still only be 21 years old entering 2024. His fastball has touched 100 mph, and he pairs that with a good slider, a curveball that has shown promise, and a changeup for good measure. He has a starter’s arsenal and talent if he can sustain his stuff deep into starts once he’s healthy.

25. RHP Landon Knack, 25

Ranked at No. 7 by MLB Pipeline coming into 2022, Knack had a year that was filled with injuries and struggles in his first full Double-A campaign. Because of his age, a quick rising season would’ve been huge for him. Knack’s walk rate, which was exceptional in 2021, took a large jump last year to 9.6%, a rise of over 6%. He still has four above-average pitches and an arsenal that could start, but his age and uncertain durability going forward may mean the Dodgers accelerate him in a swingman role instead of a rotation spot.

26. LHP Ronan Kopp, 20

Probably a reliever long term, Kopp’s value is brought down, but he could still be a weapon if that is his future. Kopp’s 6-foot-7 frame makes him extra difficult to hit, and his fastball that has touched 99 mph plus a quality slider make him dominant at times. He’s struggled with command going back even before he was drafted, but his exceptional 39.7% strikeout rate in Single-A last year shows how good he could be if his control can be refined.

27. OF Jonny DeLuca, 24

The most surprising candidate added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster this offseason, DeLuca is probably still a year away from the majors. He had a great season last year, getting even better after his Double-A promotion, where he posted a .965 OPS. DeLuca has good tools that make him valuable even if he’s a bench player long term. His plus speed shows in his 46 career stolen bases while only being caught stealing four times. DeLuca has homered more than 20 times each of the last two seasons, and while that pace will likely slow down in the higher levels, he should still remain with above-average power.

28. LHP Luis Valdez, 19

A new riser last season, Valdez dominated the Arizona Complex League with a 34.0% K-BB%, walking less than 1% of the batters he faced. He has frame to grow into, still only in the 160 pound range, and some extra velocity could come with that growth. He commands his changeup and curveball into above-average pitches and could have a future in a major league rotation.

29. C/1B Thayron Liranzo, 19

Fourth in the organization with a .250 ISO in Arizona rookie ball, the switch-hitting Liranzo has impressive power for a current catcher. He played about a quarter of his defensive innings at first base and DH’d a bit too last year. He may end up at first base long term if he can’t improve defensively, but his bat is the main selling point. At 19, Liranzo is physical, weighing 220 pounds and measuring at 6-foot-3. He is one of a few intriguing switch-hitting prospects in the system.

30. OF Damon Keith, 22

Following his 18th round selection in 2021, a breakout season last year exploded Keith onto the radar. Big raw power, good discipline and solid speed make Keith a well-rounded corner outfield prospect going forward. He also has plus arm strength that helps his defensive outlook. He hit only .204 in his first 30 High-A games at the end of the year, but a .246 BABIP suggests some bad luck was involved. Even though he’s only 22, Keith’s three years of college ball give him a veteran-like presence.

31. LHP Justin Wrobleski, 22

An 11th round selection in 2021 who had Tommy John near the time of the draft, Wrobelski made his pro debut with 13 games later in the 2022 season. In that limited action, he showed a good curveball and changeup as well as command, not walking a single batter in his 15 Complex League innings. He also sprinkles in a cutter that could help his rotation outlook with a fourth pitch. His stuff is good and he could become a starter in the future if he stays healthy and his command holds up.

32. 3B/SS Oswaldo Osorio, 17

Osorio got on base well and had great contact quality in the Dominican Summer League last season. His 20.9% walk rate and .232 ISO are a great discipline-power combination for a 17-year-old shortstop. Additionally, he stole 11 bases and has good defensive tools that could keep him at shortstop long-term. He’s a very long way away, and he will have to eliminate some of the swing and miss that currently sticks out in his profile, but his ability to drive the ball is exciting.

33. C Jesus Galiz, 19

Another Dodgers catching prospect with good power, Galiz also has a good chance to stick as a backstop. After a sluggish DSL debut in 2021, he hit much better last year with an .814 OPS and .235 ISO in Arizona. He’s a good athlete and has potential to grow into one of the best catching prospects in the system over next few years.

34. RHP Joel Ibarra, 20

Still raw as a pitcher after he was signed as an infielder, Ibarra has explosive stuff. His fastball sits in the mid-upper 90s, and his high-spin slider is a good strikeout pitch. He’s also flashed a changeup and cutter that are a little behind the other pitches. He’s only 20 and reached Single-A last year, where he’ll most likely open the 2023 season.

35. RHP Peter Heubeck, 20

Another young arm that has a bit to go until the majors, Heubeck has the potential for three above-average pitches in his fastball, curveball and changeup. His command was behind where it was expected to be last year, walking 17.6% of batters in Single-A. That many baserunners led to an ugly 7.39 ERA in his 31 2/3 innings. Similar to fellow 2021 high school draftee Maddux Bruns, Heubeck will look to take a step forward in both command and results in 2023.

36. 3B/SS Mairoshendrick Martinus, 17

Martinus has a ton of power potential. Despite not even reaching the 180 pound mark yet, he had 18 extra-base hits in 211 DSL plate appearances last year. He also has above-average speed, as 5 of those XBH went for triples and he stole 10 bases. He’s aggressive and only walked 9.0% of the time, but that can be improved as he gets older. He also has a strong arm and could be a decent third baseman in the future.

37. RHP Maximo Martinez, 18

Martinez barely pitched in 2022 due to an elbow injury, but his stuff is nonetheless intriguing. His fastball has topped out at nearly 100 mph, and his arsenal is deep with a slider, curveball and changeup also added. His command is fringy, but his repertoire reads starter, so that could be in his future once he’s healthy.

38. IF/OF Eddys Leonard, 22

A significant step backwards in power and walk rate last season tanked Leonard’s stock. His ISO was only .171 and he hit just 15 homers in his career-high 566 PA. Then, his walk rate was only 8.0% with a .348 OBP that was dramatically boosted by 21 HBP. A lot of his value now stands in his utility profile defensively, as he played four defensive positions last year. On the 40-man roster, Leonard may be a DFA candidate during the season if he doesn’t bounce back and the Dodgers need a spot.

39. 3B/2B Logan Wagner, 18

The Dodgers drafted Wagner in the sixth round last year and were able to sign him away from his Louisville commitment. He’s a switch-hitter with a physical presence and good bat speed. He projects to hit for both average and power, with a defensive position being the biggest question, between third base, second base or corner outfield. Wagner is a bat first prospect that is young and intriguing, although he also has solid arm strength.

40. RHP Ben Casparius, 23

A super slider is the most attractive pitch in Casparius’ arsenal. Another pitcher who formerly played the infield, he transitioned to only pitching before his final college season. He ended up being a fifth round pick in 2021, and he flashed impressive stuff in his first full pro season, particularly before his High-A promotion. With Rancho Cucamonga, Casparius had a 35.5% strikeout rate and 2.73 ERA. His fastball plays well off his slider and he also has a changeup that’s about average.

41. OF Samuel Munoz, 18

Munoz posted great results in the DSL last year, hitting .347 with a 12.4% walk rate in 47 games. His power wasn’t great, but it should get better once he plays stateside in 2023. His feel for contact makes Munoz an intriguing bat-first prospect.

42. SS Alex Freeland, 21

The Dodgers’ third round pick in 2022, Freeland comes out of Central Florida as an advanced and older player. He went straight to Single-A for his pro debut, where he homered three times in 36 PA for a 1.014 OPS. A switch-hitting middle infielder, Freeland projects well as a utility player, and his defense may be good enough to still play shortstop as he progresses.

43. RHP Carlos De Los Santos, 22

De Los Santos is an electric arm. His two pitches are both high velocity in his fastball and slider, and both look like really good offerings out of the bullpen. He struggles with command and doesn’t have a third pitch, making him a relief-only prospect, but he could be a really good reliever if his control can improve.

44. RHP Nick Robertson, 24

Robertson was widely speculated to be selected in the Rule 5 draft this offseason but wound up making it through untaken. At 24, he is essentially major league ready as a middle reliever. He struck out 11.69 batters per nine between Double-A and Triple-A last season and will open 2023 in Oklahoma City again. If the Dodgers bullpen sustains injuries and needs extra reinforcements, Robertson could find himself in Los Angeles this season.

45. SS/2B Wilman Diaz, 19

Highly regarded when he was signed for nearly $2.7 million, Diaz has struggled intensely at the plate so far as a pro. His stateside debut last year came in the Arizona Complex League, where he posted an ugly .168/.218/.223 slash line. Big swing overhauls are needed, but Diaz remains a talented athlete, with above-average speed and defense. He at least has those tools to lean on as he works to salvage his bat.

HM: OF Ryan Ward, RHP Reynaldo Yean, OF Nick Biddison, RHP Payton Martin, OF Arnaldo Lantigua