OFFSEASON Meanwhile, Down on the Farm

He's got one of those sweet lefty swings. Here's his grand slam that I mentioned the other day: https://www.milb.com/milb/video/zyhir-hope-launches-a-grand-slam?t=los-angeles-dodgers-affiliates

Not happy to read this, but Jim "Take-With-a-Grain-of-Salt" Bowden named him as the most likely Dodger prospect to be traded this month. I understand that you have to trade value to get value, but especially due to the Busch connection, I want to see this guy play for the Blue someday and keep tearing it up like he is in Rancho. But the Dodgers are absolutely loaded in OF prospects, and despite odds being that all of them won't progress all the way to the top, it makes sense that one or two are traded at some point. But man, I'll be bummed if it's Hope. Or De Paula. Or Quintero. Or Sirota.

 

Dodgers #24 prospect, Peter Heubeck, is on the mound today for Tulsa. I know I've mentioned this guy before - 2021 3rd round pick out of high school, 22 years old. Mixed results over his first three minor league seasons but generally trending positively. I may be reaching here, but I'm really hoping that guys like him and Copen keep showing success, because the farm system isn't as loaded with pitching talent as in past years, especially in the top two levels. Not that I expect them to be front-of-the-rotation aces, but fours and fives are important too. Anyhow, after a bit of a rocky start to the season, here are Heubeck's stats from June 1 to the present:

6 G
30.1 IP
14 H
18 BB
7 ER
33 K
2.07 ERA
1.06 WHIP

More importantly, he's been able to go at least 5 innings in five of the six starts, and the sixth was only 1.2 innings with no runs so I'm thinking rain delay. He went 7 in his last start, surrendering only two hits and one run. Like seemingly all the pitchers in the system, he needs to get the walks down -- hopefully that comes with time.


Not sure if I posted this before, but here's his current (2025) scouting report:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40 | Overall: 40

Gatorade's Maryland high school player of the year in 2021, Heubeck stood out with one of the best curveballs and some of the best polish in that year's prep class. Since signing for an over-slot $1,269,500 as a third-rounder, he has retained his feel for spin while adding velocity and losing control. He posted a 3.05 ERA at High-A last year with the best average-against (.181) and second-highest strikeout percentage (30 percent) among Midwest League pitchers with at least 90 innings, but he also had the worst walk percentage (17 percent).

Heubeck now operates with a 92-95 mph fastball that reaches 97 with huge induced vertical break that creates significant carry. Both his upper-70s downer curveball and his tighter mid-80s slider can be plus pitches that work against both lefties and righties when he lands them for strikes, which he hasn't done consistently in pro ball. He also has a mid-80s changeup with fade and sink that could be an average pitch if he learns to harness it.

Heubeck has a clean arm action and an athletic delivery that should be conducive to at least average control. He sometimes overspins his breaking balls and needs to find a better balance between trying to create nasty stuff and throwing strikes. The Dodgers still think he could develop into a No. 3 or 4 starter, even if takes longer than they expected.


Here's some of his arsenal in a June game where he K'd seven: https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/video/peter-heubeck-strikes-out-seven

 

Well, he gave up 4 runs in 5 innings, but 0 strikeouts vs 8 K's. Overall a plus game I'd say.

 

Just a couple of home runs from yesterday to highlight...

Quintero hit his 14th, three more than the guy who has the second most in the California League. His .966 OPS is also significantly higher than the second highest, .897. Interesting side note: Sirota is still tied for twelfth most in HRs with 7... despite leaving this league two months ago and having a third of the ABs of others.

Noah Miller, the light-hitting SS who was promoted to AAA a few days ago and only had one HR in AA already got his first for OKC.

 

Update on a real closer:

@azfreedman

Blake Treinen looked good in his first rehab game with OKC:

Strikeout-Strikeout-Groundout

12 pitches/8 strikes

 

Good start for Ferris. 6 innings, 4 hits, one run, 7/1 K/BB, which is really great to see. Two of his last three starts now have been encouraging.

Treinen: 1 inning, 12 pitches, 3 out, 2 K's.

 

I’ve written at length on the Dodgers fantastic group of OF prospects in A and high-A. We’ve also talked about some of the pitchers in the system. Today I want to make my way through the Dodgers top 25 prospects and focus on shortstops and third basemen. There’s an abundance of talent in these positions too, albeit mostly at the lower levels. Here’s hoping that if the organization has to trade prospects for rentals this month, they dip into this well and don’t touch the outfielders.

The first number refers to their ranking in the Dodgers farm system:



#3 Alex Freeland, SS/3B, AAA Oklahoma City, age 23

Drafted 2022 round 3 out of college

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

After several surgeries as an infant to correct a clubfoot, Freeland developed into one of the better prep shortstops in the 2020 class, though he went undrafted in the shortened five-round affair. He broke a hamate as a sophomore at Central Florida in 2022, but he still played well enough for the Dodgers to take him in the third round, making him the second-highest drafted position player in Knights history. After a so-so first full pro season in High-A, he batted .260/.387/.442 with 18 homers and 31 steals in 136 games while reaching Triple-A last year.

Freeland's swing decisions rank among the best in Los Angeles' system, and he ranked sixth in the Minors with 91 walks in '24. A switch-hitter, he makes more contact and has more impact from the left side of the plate, though he did improve his righty production last season. He has a quick bat and good feel for launching balls in the air to his pull side, which could translate into 20 homers per year.

While he's an average runner, Freeland's advanced instincts allow him to play quicker than that on the bases and at shortstop. He covers ground to both sides and has reliable hands and plus arm strength, ingredients that add up to solid defense at short. He also has seen action at second and third base and has a floor of a utilityman, but he definitely profiles as an everyday player at shortstop.

2025 batting average/OPS: .261/.807



#6 Emil Morales, SS, Rookie ACL Dodgers, age 18

2024 International signee

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Born in Spain, Morales trained in the Dominican Republic and established himself as having one of the highest ceilings in the 2024 international class. Signed for $1,897,500 as the top prospect in the Dodgers' crop, he broke into pro ball by winning MVP and top prospect accolades in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. He slashed .342/.478/.691 in 46 games and led the DSL in slugging, OPS (1.169), homers (14) and total bases (105).

Morales already is extremely physical for an 18-year-old and still has room to add more strength to his 6-foot-3 frame. He hits the ball exceptionally hard for his age, already shows advanced feel for driving balls in the air to his pull side and possesses the patience to work counts to find a pitch he can punish. More than just a slugger, he has a smooth right-handed swing with plenty of bat speed and understands that he doesn't have to sell out to hit home runs.

While Morales is athletic for his size and makes the most of his average speed on the bases, he could lose a step as he continues to mature physically. He has the hands and solid arm strength for shortstop but may not have the range if he can't maintain his present quickness. He may profile better at third base, where he saw brief action in his pro debut, and also may get a look at second base in the future.

2025 batting average/OPS: .315/.904


#7 Kellon Lindsey, SS, Rookie ACL Dodgers, age 19

Drafted 2024 Round 1 out of high school

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 80 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Lindsey wasn't highly touted entering 2024 after missing much of the summer showcase circuit with a leg injury, then skipping the World Wood Bat Association World Championship in October because he was busy playing quarterback for Hardee HS (Wauchula, Fla.). But his stock rose quickly during the spring, when he gave off Trea Turner vibes as one of the fastest players and best shortstop prospects in the prep class. The Dodgers signed him for $3,297,500 as the 23rd overall pick, their biggest Draft bonus since 2010 and earliest selection since 2017.

Lindsey clocked sub-6.3-second times in the 60-yard dash and has the top-of-the-scale speed to be a devastating basestealer and to cover plenty of ground in the field. Los Angeles had him focus on adding strength and tightening his right-handed swing rather than making his pro debut after he signed. While he won't be a slugger, he's barreling balls more consistently and hitting them harder, which could result in 12-to-15 home run pop.

Turner had similar power projections at the same stage of his career, and like Lindsey, came with questions about whether his average arm would allow him to remain at shortstop. Lindsey has the actions, range and quick hands to play there, and the Dodgers believe they can help him improve his arm strength and release. If not, he has the tools to become a plus defender in center field or at second base.

2025 batting average/OPS: .277/.793



#9 Joendry Vargas, SS, A Rancho Cucamonga, age 19

2023 International signee

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

MLB Pipeline's No. 3 prospect on the 2023 international market, Vargas signed for $2,077,500 out of the Dominican Republic that January. He played well in his first two seasons, hitting a combined .316/.415/.513 with 11 homers and 30 steals in 86 games. He also won a pair of championships in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer and Arizona Complex Leagues the past two years, homering three times in 10 playoff contests.

A switch-hitter early in his amateur career, Vargas now bats solely from the right side of the plate with a quick, compact stroke that produces a lot of hard contact. He has a lot of leverage and room to gain strength in his 6-foot-4 frame, and he improved his ability to drive ball in the air consistently in 2024. He could provide 25 or more homers per season, though his strikeout rate rose from 15 percent in his first pro season to 23 percent in his second, so he'll have to prove he can do damage against more advanced pitching.

Bigger than most shortstops, Vargas has average speed and good instincts on the bases, though he could slow down as he continues to add muscle. He has good actions and plenty of arm for shortstop, though his range could be an issue if he loses any quickness. If he eventually has to move, he could be a solid defender at third base and should have no problem fitting the offensive profile there.

2025 batting average/OPS: .262/.715



#16 Chase Harlan, 3B, Rookie ACL Dodgers, age 19

Drafted 2024 Round 3 out of high school

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Part of a Central Bucks East HS (Doyleston, Pa.) program that produced 2020 Rays first-round right-hander Nick Bitsko, Harlan was one of the more physical prep sluggers in the 2024 Draft. He hit the ball harder than most players who took batting practice at the Draft Combine before signing for a well-over-slot $1,747,500 in the third round. Bothered by a hip injury as a junior and a senior, he had surgery after turning pro and will make his debut in 2025.

Harlan attracted the Dodgers with his at least plus raw power, the product of a quick right-handed stroke and the strength in his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame. He has a tendency to tinker with his setup at the plate, and he fared better after raising his hands as opposed to hitting out of a crouch. He's a power-over-hit guy who will need to upgrade his pitch recognition after scuffling against non-fastballs on the showcase circuit.

Though some scouts were concerned that Harlan looked thicker and less agile last spring after adding some muscle, he moves well for his size and may be quicker with a healthy hip. He has the solid arm strength desired at third base but will have to maintain his fringy-to-average speed in order to have the range needed for the hot corner. If not, his power and arm could land him in right field.

2025 batting average/OPS: .300/.911




#22 Noah Miller, AAA Oklahoma City, SS/2B, age 22

Drafted 2021 between rounds 1-2 by Minnesota out of HS

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 70 | Overall: 40

The younger brother of Rockies infielder Owen Miller, Noah profiled as a less physical but more athletic version of his sibling when he was coming through the Wisconsin high school ranks. Since signing with the Twins for $1.7 million as a 2021 supplemental first-rounder, he has provided much more defense and less offense than expected. Traded to the Dodgers for Manuel Margot and infield prospect Rayne Doncon in February 2024, he slashed .244/.318/.315 between High-A and Double-A last season.

Some club officials believe Miller could win a Gold Glove in the big leagues this season if given the opportunity. With his slick actions, strong and accurate arm, soft hands and finely calibrated internal clock, there's not a play he can't make at shortstop. He's as reliable as he is spectacular, committing just six errors in 123 starts at short in 2024.

A switch-hitter, Miller makes consistent contact but has provided little impact from either side of the plate. The Dodgers hope they can help him develop double-digit home run pop by improving his swing and approach, but he slugged just .317 in his first four pro seasons. He has average speed with good instincts on the bases, though he was a bit slower than that last year while playing through a meniscus injury in his left knee.

2025 batting average/OPS: .303/.779



#23 Logan Wagner, High-A Great Lakes, 1B/3B, age 21

Drafted 2022 Round 6 out of HS

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

After starring at the World Wood Bat Association World Championship in October 2021, Wagner moved from suburban Chicago to the P27 Academy (Lexington, S.C.) to face better competition. He thrived and went in the sixth round, where the Dodgers paid him their second-highest bonus ($597,500) in the 2022 Draft. He has barely played as a pro, getting into just 57 games in his first three seasons because he broke his right hamate in 2023 and his left hamate last year.

A switch-hitter, Wagner has a more fluid and contact-oriented stroke from the right side and a more aggressive lefty swing that provides more damage. He arrived in pro ball with more physicality than most prep products, has bat speed to go with his strength and has shown the ability to launch balls to his pull side during his brief action. His 18 extra-base hits and 27 walks in 38 Single-A games last spring hinted at his power potential and on-base ability.

Wagner played shortstop in high school and second base briefly in his pro debut, but he's better suited for the infield corners. Though he's a fringy runner, he has worked to improve his agility and become a capable defender at third base, though he played more first base last year on a Rancho Cucamonga club with a logjam of infielders. He has the solid arm strength to handle the hot corner and conceivably could try left or right field as well.

2025 batting average/OPS: .221/.739

 

no excuse for freeland not to be up here with muncy down

 

there’s some dead weight there that could easily be jettisoned…






… and ultimately could back to haunt us.

 

Right, didn't they send some pitcher off the 40 man to Milwaukee for cash yesterday?

 

@SleeperDodgers
Zyhir Hope is making noise in the minors Last 10 games:
- .333 AVG
- .976 OPS
- 2 HR
- 13 RBI
Only 20 and already looking like a future star in L.A.

 

I hope Bowden is wrong and Dodgers don't trade him. Imagine if Busch and the guy we got for him both are tearing up the league for other teams.

 

Snell rehab today in Rancho...

2 innings, no runs, 23 of 31 pitches were strikes.

 

@BlakeHHarris
Blake Snell tonight with the Quakes:
2 IP / 0 ER / 1 H / 0 BB / 4 K
31 pitches-23 strikes


Bobby Miller does not like this.