Who's impressing in the Dodgers' farm system?
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This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers’ talented farm system has been on display at the big league level as Bobby Miller , Gavin Stone , Michael Busch, Miguel Vargas and James Outman have all either made their Major League debuts this season or started the year with much bigger roles than they had last season.
But as good as the rookies have been this season, the organization is confident it has even more players coming down the pipeline. While all the focus is on how this 2023 team navigates through a big league season, let’s take another look at how the Minor Leagues are shaking out after two months.
TRIPLE-A OKLAHOMA CITY
Offensive standout: Jonny DeLuca tore up Double-A and earned a promotion to Triple-A a few weeks ago. Since the callup, the 24-year-old outfielder continues his rapid rise thanks to his power at the plate. DeLuca is batting .333 with three homers and 12 RBIs in his first 12 games with Triple-A OKC. Between the two levels, DeLuca now has 13 homers in 44 games. If he continues his performance, there’s a realistic chance he can make his debut later in the season. At this point, however, the Dodgers want to keep him getting regular at-bats in order to continue his development. So no, he’s not replacing Trayce Thompson on the roster or any of the other struggling outfielders.
Pitching standout: Alex Vesia as struggled to start to his season with the Dodgers, and he allowed five runs in his first Triple-A appearance after he was sent down on May 3. But the left-hander has been recalled to the Major League roster after he did not allow a run over his last nine appearances, showing signs of reverting back to the reliever who was key in the Dodgers’ bullpen.
Top prospect report: Busch showed some good things in his short time in the Majors, but going back to Triple-A has been a challenge for the infielder. Busch is batting .158 over his last 10 games and has just one homer since being sent back down on May 12.
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DOUBLE-A TULSA
Offensive standout: Jorbit Vivas has taken a solid step in the right direction this season and his .391 on-base percentage is the second-highest on the team behind Andy Pages, who has recently moved on to Triple-A OKC.
Pitching standout: Who isn’t a standout on this Tulsa team?
Basically, every pitcher in the rotation is among the leaders in the Minors. That group only got better as Nick Frasso, returned from injury and tossed three scoreless innings. Nick Nastrini, River Ryan, Emmet Sheehan, Landon Knack and Kyle Hurt are just some other names that are absolutely dominating for this squad this season.
Top prospect report: Diego Cartaya, the team’s top prospect per MLB Pipeline, is still trying to find his groove at Double-A. It’s been a struggle all season for the young catcher and he’s 5-for-29 over his last 35 plate appearances with just one homer.
HIGH-A GREAT LAKES/SINGLE-A RANCHO CUCAMONGA
Offensive standout: After a very slow start at the plate, Damon Keith has been on a tear lately, hitting four homers over his last 35 at-bats. The 23-year-old hit 17 homers last season.
Pitching standout: Maddux Bruns, the Dodgers’ first-round pick in the 2021 Draft, has always had the stuff to dominate, but command issues plagued him at the beginning of his professional career. But the left-hander might’ve found something this season and is starting to show his potential. He has allowed just one run over his last 12 innings.
Top prospect report: Dalton Rushing, the organization’s No. 7 prospect, has cooled off at the plate, posting a .635 OPS and no homers in his last 10 games. Still, Rushing has seven homers and a .910 OPS for High-A Great Lakes this season.