A look at how the Dodgers’ farm system is doing in July

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.

BALTIMORE -- With the Trade Deadline two weeks away, all the focus will be on what the Dodgers do at the big league level. But, as has always been the case, Los Angeles’ ability to build a solid farm system has been key to its success.

Prospects will surely be dangled out in trade packages over the next few weeks, but let’s look at how the Dodgers’ Minor League system is performing so far in July.

Triple-A Oklahoma City
Position player standout: Devin Mann (Dodgers' No. 30 prospect, per MLB Pipeline)

Mann has had a really solid season in 2023 and could be one name teams around the Majors inquire about. The 26-year-old infielder has a .977 OPS this season with OKC. So far in July, Mann is second on the team in batting average (.313) and has a pair of homers, including this bizarre play over the weekend.

Pitching standouts: Mike Montgomery and Gavin Stone (No. 4)

Yes, THAT Montgomery. The 34-year-old was signed to a Minor League contract earlier this season and has shown some flashes this month. In three appearances (two starts), Montgomery has a 1.72 ERA and punched out 18 over 15 2/3 innings.

As for the younger prospects, Stone had a massive start that boosted his confidence in his last outing on July 9 vs. Albuquerque. He tossed six scoreless innings and struck out eight.

Top prospect report: Michael Busch (No. 2)

Busch is still looking for an opportunity to get everyday at-bats in the Majors, but he’s definitely showing that he possesses an advanced bat down in Triple-A. In 12 games this month, Busch has five homers, a double and a triple en route to 10 RBIs and a 1.025 OPS.

Double-A Tulsa
Position player standout: Jorbit Vivas (No. 12)

Vivas has only played in seven games this month but has batted 10-for-25 (.400) to continue his strong season at the plate. The 22-year-old was added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster last season and is making quite the impression in ‘23.

Pitching standout: Nick Frasso (No. 8)

Tulsa has been a hub for great pitching this season, but the staff is having some challenges since some of the top prospects have moved up to Triple-A OKC.

Frasso, however, is one of the highly touted pitchers the Dodgers are high on, and he has carried a lot of the load this month. He is posting a 3.60 ERA in three starts, while striking out 16 over 10 innings. Ideally, Frasso should go deeper into games, but the right-hander has been really effective when he’s out there.

Top prospect report: Diego Cartaya (No. 1)

Cartaya has struggled to find consistency this season, which was bound to happen to a 21-year-old playing against tougher competition. In 36 at-bats this month, he has just one homer and has struck out 15 times en route to a .167 batting average.

High-A Great Lakes and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga
Position player standout: Josue De Paula (No. 10)

If you aren’t familiar with this name, it’s probably time to get on board the hype train. De Paula is an 18-year-old outfielder who is getting his first taste of high-level competition with the Quakes.

After a bit of a slow start since getting assigned, De Paula has shown the hit tool that has Dodgers scouts and executives extremely excited. In 11 games this month, De Paula is 17-for-43 (.395) with a 1.015 OPS.

Pitching standout: Maddux Bruns (No. 15)

Bruns has been on this list a few times this season and he’s off to another strong start in July. The Dodgers’ 2021 first-round pick has given up two runs over nine innings and has punched out 12 in two starts this month.

Top prospect report: Dalton Rushing (No. 3)

Rushing was the Dodgers’ lone representative at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Seattle. He got hit by a pitch in his only at-bat.