Dodgers 2014 Minor League Awards

The Los Angeles Dodgers did not make a splash at the trade deadline two months ago, instead preferring to hold onto their prized assortment of minor-league commodities.

Several of these young players are still years away from arriving at Dodger Stadium, while one of them is currently getting a taste of big-league action this month.

It remains to be seen whether this farm talent will pan out in the long run and help bring a future championship to Los Angeles. If one thing is for sure, the Dodgers want to exercise patience in that process. 

General manager Ned Colletti is set on replenishing his minor-league system, and he has reason to believe in the potential of some of his farm hands—especially considering what they have brought to the table so far in their young careers.

The following slides showcase the best of what the Dodgers' minor-league system had to offer in 2014.

Newcomer of the Year: Alex Verdugo

The Dodgers' second-round pick this past June found immediate success upon turning professional, hitting .353 with three home runs, 41 RBI and accumulating more walks than strikeouts in the Arizona Rookie League (AZL).

Alex Verdugo showcased his versatility on the basepaths as well, swiping 11 bags without being nabbed during the 54 games he played this summer.

Originally a pitcher at Arizona's Sahuaro High School, Verdugo passed up a scholarship from Arizona State University and opted to turn professional instead. The Dodgers drafted him as an outfielder, so his days on the mound are likely behind him. Verdugo spent the majority of his AZL service time in center field, where he compiled three assists and two errors in 76 total chances.

Verdugo is already Los Angeles’ third-best outfield prospect and No. 10 overall in the organization, according to MLB.com's rankings.

Top Reliever: Jose Dominguez

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After getting a taste of the big leagues in 2013, Jose Dominguez spent the majority of this past year at Triple-A Albuquerque. 

The hard-throwing right-hander made the Dodgers roster out of spring training, but suffered some early hiccups and was sent back to the minors. There, he put together a 3.24 ERA with 39 strikeouts and 18 walks in 33 innings pitched. While these numbers may not be spectacular, it must be noted that his team competed in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Dominguez recorded 10 saves while at Triple-A, but missed all of August with shoulder inflammation and was not called up to the Dodgers when rosters expanded on September 1 because he was rehabbing the injury. Still, his numbers this past season were good enough to earn the honor of the Dodgers' top minor-league relief pitcher in 2014.

It's a matter of "when," not "if" Dominguez will be back at Dodger Stadium. A safe estimate would be Opening Day in 2015.

Breakout Star: Corey Seager

Danny Moloshok/Associated Press

It's safe to say Corey Seager atoned for his atrocious 2013 campaign.

The younger brother of Seattle Mariners All-Star Kyle Seager hit .352 with 18 home runs and 70 RBI in 80 games at High-A Rancho Cucamonga—this just one year removed from hitting .160 with 31 strikeouts in 27 games there at the end of last season.

His gaudy 2014 numbers not only earned him the California League MVP award, but also a July promotion to Double-A Chattanooga, where he continued to tear the cover off the ball to the tune of a .345 batting average in 38 games.

Seager was also recently selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the second straight year, per the Los Angeles Times' Steve Dilbeck. The AFL is designed for high-end prospects at the Double-A or Triple-A level, with teams permitted to send two Class-A players (Seager last season).

The Dodgers currently view Seager as a shortstop, but he may eventually end up at third base due to his 6'4'' frame.

Cy Young: Julio Urias

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Julio Urias has been a professional for less than two seasons, but the young left-hander is already the Dodgers' top pitching prospect.

Urias just completed a season at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga that saw him turn in a 2.36 ERA over 20 starts. The Dodgers wisely implemented a five-inning limit on Urias for most of the season, but he still managed to mow down 109 opposing batters during his time on the mound.

His control was above average as well, walking just 37 batters in 87 innings. Besides his 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings, the most impressive number attached to Urias is his age: 18.

The comparisons between Urias and another Dodgers' left-handed sensation from Mexico are already pouring in.

“I’m getting goosebumps,” longtime big-league infielder and current Dodgers minor-league coach Juan Castro told Pedro Moura of the Orange County Register. “You know he’s a Dodger. You know he’s a lefty. You know he’s from Mexico. And I bet you a lot of the Mexican people are waiting for another Fernando.”

Castro is of course talking about Fernando Valenzuela, who burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old and helped Los Angeles capture the 1981 World Series title two years later.

While it may be too early to make bold, championship predictions like that for Urias, it's probably a safe bet that—if he continues progressing at his current pace—he will become the first teenage pitcher to appear in a major-league game since Felix Hernandez in 2005.

MVP: Joc Pederson

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If you're a general manager for a baseball team and one of your players accomplishes something that hasn't been done in 80 years, you know you have a pretty special player on your hands.

For the Dodgers organization in 2014, Joc Pederson was that player.

And it's why Los Angeles refused to part with its top outfield prospect at the trade deadline two months ago.

Pederson's 30 home runs and 33 stolen bases at Triple-A Albuquerque marked the Pacific Coast League's first 30-30 season since 1934, according to Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com. Overall, Pederson slashed .303/.435/.582 with 135 hits and 78 RBI in 121 games.

Considering the level of competition and the 22-year-old's production at the plate, Pederson was easily the Dodgers' minor-league MVP this season. Management liked enough of what they saw throughout the summer to call Pederson up to the big club when rosters expanded earlier this month. So far, he has three singles in 18 big-league at-bats with eight strikeouts and five walks.

Whether or not the Dodgers can find a spot for the former 2010 draft pick is a different story. With five capable outfielders on the books for next season, Pederson may have to bide his time in the minors for another year unless Los Angeles can pull off the difficult task of unloading one or more of those unattractive contracts.

All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.

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