5 Prospects Set to Make a Name for Themselves in 2015

Joc Pederson emerged from the woodwork in 2014 to become a relatively household name among Los Angeles Dodger fans. The year before, Yasiel Puig filled that role. In a system as deep as the Dodgers’ currently is (and with a front office that clearly knows what it is doing), young or unheralded prospects emerge every year to present themselves as legitimate big leaguers.

They come with varying degrees of certainty. Elite prospects with first-round pedigrees (hello, Corey Seager) are more likely to be everyday starters than late-round prospects who toiled in obscurity for a few years. However, everyone on this list appears to have some sort of a big league future, and it is important for Dodger fans to know their names and what to expect.

Notes: All rankings referred to are courtesy of the MLB.com team rankings, and the Dodgers list can be found here. I have not seen any of these players and am not a scout; I read scouting reports and follow their in-season performances.

Jose De Leon, RHP

De Leon had an absolutely fantastic 2014. He posted a 2.22 ERA in 14 games (12 starts), and he responded positively to being moved from the rookie leagues to A-ball in midseason.

He is a tall, lanky right-hander (6’2”, 185 lbs, according to Baseball-Reference) who was drafted in the 24th round of the 2013 draft. Normally, college players selected in that area of the draft never amount to much because they are old and lack much room to improve because they have already passed their developmental years. De Leon, though, is slightly younger than many college pitchers. He is 22 now, which means he was just 20 when he was drafted, and he clearly improved.

His strikeout rate jumped tremendously: from 9.0 K/9 in 2013 to 13.9 in 2014, and he also cut a walk per inning off his walk rate. While it is unlikely he becomes a top-of-the-rotation prospect, he has turned himself into a player with a legitimate shot at the big leagues—albeit in several years.

Grant Holmes, RHP

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

One of two 2014 draftees on this list, Holmes has already started to make a name for himself. MLB.com ranked him fourth in the Dodger system heading into 2015, and that number was buoyed by his excellent 2014 performance.

As an 18-year-old high school pitcher, Holmes distinguished himself by dominating the two rookie leagues the Dodgers challenged him with last season. He threw 48.1 innings in the AZL and the Pioneer League, and his numbers speak for themselves: 10.8 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, and a 1.08 WHIP. Given those numbers, he clearly showed flashes of wipeout stuff, which is even more formidable when combined with that type of control. The 2015 season could be the year Holmes takes a step forward and puts his name alongside the elite members of the Dodger system.

Julian Leon, C

Leon represents part of the recent efforts to improve the organizational catching depth. The trade for Yasmani Grandal demonstrated the lack of internal options, but Leon appears to have a bright future.

Like fellow Mexican Julio Urias, Leon got an early start. He began his minor league career at age 17 and will probably be heading to full-season A-ball despite the fact he will be 19 on Opening Day. His most exciting tool is his bat: In 2015—even though he was over two years younger than his average competition—Leon posted a .985 OPS in the Pioneer League.

He is obviously a ways away from contributing at the big league level, but he is a name worth knowing and following for the future.

Corey Seager, SS

USA TODAY Sports

Chances are that most people reading this article already know Seager’s name, and for good reason. He was deemed untouchable at the midseason trade deadline, and he was ranked in the top 50 by each of the three major prospect rankings recorded by Baseball-Reference (Baseball America, MLB.com, and Baseball Prospectus).

The 2014 season could be the year Seager vaults himself ahead of the two names he’s been linked with in the Dodger system: Joc Pederson and Julio Urias. The Dodgers’ trade for Jimmy Rollins should have eliminated any doubts one might have had left about the young shortstop’s trajectory. By acquiring a one-year rental and not re-signing Hanley Ramirez or finding a stopgap option under contract for multiple years, the Dodgers announced they would be giving Seager every opportunity to be the 2015 shortstop.

Alex Verdugo, OF

The other member of the 2014 draft class on this list (along with Holmes), Verdugo is a bat-first outfielder. MLB.com currently has him ranked ninth in the system despite him being just 18 years old.

In 2014, he played in the AZL and the Pioneer League, and he posted a combined OPS of .932 despite being nearly two years younger than the rest of his combination. The Dodgers still have a lot of outfielders in the big leagues even after trading Matt Kemp, and the farm system is crowded as well with Joc Pederson and Scott Schebler still ahead of him in the pecking order. However, Verdugo has a chance to add his name to that list.