Ask anybody in a Main League entrance workplace and so they’ll readily admit that it’s very tough to win on the large league degree and keep a repeatedly robust farm system. Prospects are both wanted to assist compete on the highest degree or are used as commerce items to enhance that Main League roster. There are invariable cycles when the cabinets are extra naked.
There are exceptions, and none greater than the Dodgers. Say what you need concerning the staff’s skill to spend on Main League gamers, however successful consecutive World Collection whereas nonetheless having the No. 1 farm system in baseball is a formidable feat.
The Dodgers handle to do it by using each avenue of participant procurement, and it’s not simply blockbuster trades or large free agent signings. They use the Draft and worldwide beginner market effectively and, maybe most surprisingly, they bring about in gifted prospects by way of trades.
Which may sound like one thing solely a rebuilding staff that’s promoting on the Commerce Deadline will do. However the Dodgers usually handle to get prospects included in these greater trades to maintain their farm system wealthy with expertise. 5 of the highest 10 prospects within the system have been acquired by way of commerce.
“It begins with the group’s objective to maintain success and compete for a championship yearly,” Dodgers vp of participant growth Will Rhymes mentioned. “With that objective in thoughts, it’s important to stability bettering the present Main League roster with constructing for the longer term and including again nice prospects every time we will.
“I feel again to the Matt Beaty DFA commerce for River Ryan and among the different current offers from the previous 12 months — these moments fireplace us up in participant growth and inspire us immensely. Over time, we’ve traded away numerous actually good gamers to enhance the Main League staff, so it’s all the time thrilling so as to add gamers who assist stability the system.”
In these offers from this previous 12 months, Los Angeles introduced in 4 ranked prospects by way of commerce. Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at these acquisitions and what sort of gamers the Dodgers have on their palms.
Mike Sirota, OF (No. 5/MLB No. 64): A possible first-rounder who slid to the Reds within the third spherical of the 2024 Draft when he had a subpar spring at Northeastern, Sirota by no means formally performed for the Reds. The Dodgers acquired him in January in return for Gavin Lux, and he climbed onto the Prime 100 by hitting .333/.452/.616 over 59 video games throughout two ranges of A ball. A knee harm ended his season in early July, however he’s anticipated to be full power for Spring Coaching. His pace and protection in middle area are as precious as his bat.
“We knew he was extraordinarily gifted and tooled out earlier than buying him, however what we didn’t know was simply how aggressive and centered he’s,” Rhymes mentioned. “He impacts the sport in each side, and his work ethic and depth towards his craft give us super confidence that he’ll proceed to dominate on his strategy to Los Angeles.”
James Tibbs III, OF/1B (No. 8): The No. 13 general choose in 2024, Tibbs has already been traded twice in his profession, each inside six weeks of one another. He went from the Giants to the Crimson Sox in June within the large Rafael Devers deal, however spent simply 30 video games in Boston’s system earlier than he was on the transfer once more to the Dodgers within the Dustin Could Deadline deal. He posted a .900 OPS with Double-A Tulsa after that commerce and completed the 12 months with 20 mixed homers.
“It’s onerous to recollect one other participant who went by way of extra in a primary full season — being traded twice and nonetheless navigating his method as much as Double-A efficiently,” Rhymes mentioned. “It speaks to his resiliency, which is such a precious trait. Everybody is aware of concerning the hitting skill, however I used to be additionally impressed together with his protection within the outfield and at first base.”
Adam Serwinowski, LHP (No. 13): The Reds did an excellent job scouting Serwinowski, taking him within the fifteenth spherical of the 2022 Draft out of highschool and signing him. He was the epitome of a uncooked, high-ceiling prep arm, and he was making good strides when he joined the Dodgers by way of the three-team commerce that despatched Hunter Feduccia to the Rays. The 6-foot-5 southpaw retains including power and is already touching triple digits at occasions. The Dodgers are incredible at serving to pitching prospects like this take off, so 2026 could possibly be large for a man who has already been placing out 11.6 per 9 in his profession.
“The phrase I heard most from our workers when describing Adam was ‘dawg,’’ Rhymes mentioned. “He needs the ball and has zero worry. We love his skill to get deep into video games by attacking hitters. As he continues to refine his arsenal, that mentality will take him a good distance as a beginning pitcher.”
Zach Ehrhard, OF (No. 27): The opposite prospect coming in that Dustin Could commerce, Ehrhard is an on-base machine who can steal baggage (37 in 2025). The Crimson Sox had drafted him out of Oklahoma State within the fourth spherical of the 2024 Draft and he reached Double-A in his first full season. He profiles greatest as a fourth outfielder sort, although if he retains driving the ball extra (14 homers, 30 doubles for the 12 months; .857 OPS with Tulsa post-trade), maybe he might be extra.
“He by no means takes a pitch off on both aspect of the ball; he’s grinding and competing with the very best of them,” Rhymes mentioned. “We love the way in which he impacts the sport together with his pace on the bases and within the outfield along with being a well-balanced hitter.”
