3 Dodgers Prospects Who Should Be Called Up in the Second Half

The Los Angeles Dodgers traded away Matt Kemp last winter because their top outfield prospect had nothing left to prove in the minor leagues.

So far, the move has paid off.

Joc Pederson has emerged as a front-runner for National League Rookie of the Year honors, leading all first-year players with 18 home runs and patrolling center field with the ease of a 10-year veteran.

The Dodgers possess several other capable prospects at various minor-league levels. Some have toiled for multiple years without getting a call while others are ascending the team's prospect rankings at a more rapid pace.

For three in particular, their time may be coming sooner rather than later.

Chris Anderson, RHP

Currently ranked as the team's No. 6 overall prospect, Anderson is a power right-hander who has done a solid job this year in his first season at Double-A. 

The Dodgers' 2013 first-round pick out of Jacksonville University owns a 3.68 ERA in 13 starts so far. He has struck out 63 batters in 73 innings. 

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

One of the main concerns for the Dodgers is the back end of their starting rotation.

With Hyun-jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy out for the season with injuries, Mike Bolsinger and Carlos Frias have stepped into the No. 4 and No. 5 slots.

While they have performed better than most expected considering their inexperience, regression would not be surprising—and it may already be happening. Bolsinger allowed five earned runs on Friday against the San Francisco Giants and Frias surrendered six the following day. Both suffered losses.

If the trend continues, Anderson could be a prime candidate to replace either one of them on the big-league staff. He'll need to improve his command in order for Los Angeles to seriously consider him, though. Anderson has walked at least three batters in 12 of his 13 starts this year.

Zach Lee, RHP

Another option to help solidify the starting rotation is Zach Lee.

Once a promising 2010 first-round pick who earned the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year award as recently as 2013, Lee did not even crack the top 10 when this year's prospect list was released prior to the season.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The exclusion could be attributed to his dismal 2014 campaign at Triple-A, where he went 7-13 with a 5.39 ERA—his highest at any level.

It's beginning to look like Lee might never get a call. The Dodgers have had several opportunities to give him a shot for at least a spot start, but the team has opted for names like David Huff, Scott Baker and Joe Wieland instead.

Lee's numbers at Triple-A this season suggest he has turned a corner in his development after years of stagnation. The right-hander is 5-3 with a pristine 2.38 ERA in 10 starts. He is currently recovering from poor circulation in the middle finger of his throwing hand, per Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times, and he should be ready to take the mound again in two to three weeks.

Corey Seager, SS

Now that the Minnesota Twins have called up Byron Buxton, the Houston Astros have promoted Carlos Correa and the Cleveland Indians have summoned Francisco Lindor, the Dodgers suddenly have baseball's No. 1 non-pitching prospect waiting in Triple-A.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Seager opened the season at Double-A and promptly earned a trip to the next level after slashing .375/.407/.675 through his first 20 games. The shortstop has kept up a decent pace at Triple-A, slashing .293/.344/.792 with four home runs and 13 doubles—including a 6-for-6 performance last month.

The question now becomes when the Dodgers will give Seager a chance in the majors. Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com believes the younger brother of Seattle Mariners' third baseman Kyle Seager may find himself at Dodger Stadium later this season.

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Jimmy Rollins is stumbling through the worst season of his career right now, so fans are understandably calling for Seager to take over at short. I'm not sure if that will happen anytime soon, but I definitely expect Seager to make his big league debut this year, perhaps as a September call-up a la Joc Pederson last year.

"

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly seems to agree that Seager is the heir apparent at the position, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

"To me, he's next in line," Mattingly said. "I don't think they'd go out and try to find a shortstop [at the trade deadline]."

Rollins, 36, will be a free agent after the season and his .211 batting average is currently the lowest among MLB shortstops. If his struggles do not improve and Seager continues to rake, Los Angeles may be forced to make the switch and begin the Seager era in earnest.

All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.

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