5 Dodgers prospects to watch this spring

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Spring Training is designed for veteran players to get ready for the upcoming season and for fringe players to fight for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

The spring also gives organizations a chance to get extended looks at some of their top prospects, some of whom will make an impact at some point at the big league level.

Let’s take a look at five Dodgers prospects to keep an eye on this spring. For the purpose of this exercise, let’s exclude players like Miguel Vargas, James Outman and Ryan Pepiot, who have already gotten a taste of the Majors.

1. Bobby Miller, RHP
Miller is the Dodgers’ top pitching prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and it’s easy to see why. The 23-year-old right-hander is often clocked at 100 mph and has improved his breaking pitches to go along with that power.

Last season, Miller went 7-7 with a 4.25 ERA between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, striking out 145 batters in 112 1/3 innings. Miller will start in Triple-A, but he is expected to make his Major League debut at some point this season.

Miller has been throwing bullpen sessions this spring and is scheduled to get into a Cactus League game at some point this week. It’ll be interesting to see how much he has improved since last season and how he fares against Major Leaguers.

2. Gavin Stone, RHP
Though Miller is ranked as the No. 1 pitching prospect, Stone (No. 7) has been the talk of scouts around the league. The right-hander started the season with High-A Great Lakes and ended the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City after dominating in his previous two stops.

Stone, who posted a 1.48 ERA in 26 appearances (25 starts) last season, doesn’t have the overpowering stuff that has made Miller the top prospect, but he might be the most polished pitching prospect at this point. Stone will get plenty of opportunities to show what he’s capable of doing this spring.

“He’s just got really good stuff,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “He’s another guy that just has a good heartbeat, a good competitor. … It’s a three-pitch mix, all plus pitches. The changeup he has is plus-plus.”

3. Diego Cartaya, C
Cartaya is still a few years away from making an impact at the big league level, but very few prospects draw the attention the 21-year-old receives every time he steps inside the batter’s box.

Cartaya is ranked as the top prospect in the Dodgers’ organization, and it wouldn’t surprise any evaluators if the Venezuelan catcher ultimately ends up being the top overall prospect in baseball by the time he turns 23.

In order for Cartaya to take the next step, he’ll have to continue to develop as a defender and game-caller. His offense has never been in question, as he already possesses one of the best bat-to-ball tools in the Dodgers’ organization.

With Will Smith (United States) and Austin Barnes (Mexico) both playing in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Cartaya will get an extended look in Spring Training. Cartaya walked twice in the Dodgers’ 9-4 win over the Cubs on Sunday.

4. Jonny DeLuca, OF
DeLuca was a surprising addition to the 40-man roster this offseason, but the Dodgers are high on the outfielder’s ability to hit for power. Last season, DeLuca posted a .888 OPS between High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa.

The 24-year-old, ranked as L.A.’s No. 27 prospect, will likely start the season at Triple-A.

5. Michael Busch, 2B
Like DeLuca, Busch is blocked by a couple of other players on the depth chart, but he’ll get plenty of looks this spring.

Busch’s ability at the plate has never been questioned, finishing with a .881 OPS between Double-A and Triple-A last season. But in order for Busch to make an impact at some point this season, the No. 4-ranked prospect in the Dodgers’ system will have to prove he can handle second base defensively.

Busch could be the next man up this season if the Dodgers get into some injury trouble on the infield.