These Dodgers prospects can make an impact in September
This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat e-newsletter. To learn the total e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it repeatedly in your inbox.
The Dodgers are taking good care of business on the Major League degree, profitable 17 of the 19 video games they’ve performed in August. Because of this scorching month, they’re properly on their option to win a tenth National League West title in 11 years.
As the Dodgers play out the common season with their eyes set on October, they’ll additionally profit from expanded rosters, which can happen on Sept. 1. The Dodgers — and each crew — can add one place participant and one pitcher to the energetic roster.
Los Angeles is in a greater place than most groups for numerous causes. The membership can afford to offer its younger gamers a runway to develop due to their giant division lead. The Dodgers even have among the finest farm techniques, which, in idea, will make the large league membership far more dominant.
As we stay up for roster enlargement, let’s have a look at some gamers the Dodgers might flip to and what their roles could possibly be in September.
The 25-year-old has been among the finest hitters within the Minors this season, completely crushing Triple-A pitching. In 88 video games with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, Busch has hit 24 homers and has pushed in 82 runs en path to posting a 1.047 OPS.
Busch’s knock has at all times been his protection. He doesn’t have a pure place and has been blocked for a couple of years. But if Busch retains hitting like this, the previous first-round choose will certainly get extra alternatives. With J.D. Martinez happening the injured checklist with groin tightness on Tuesday, the membership recalled Busch for his third stint of the season.
2) RHP Ryan Pepiot (No. 10)
As Pepiot mentioned, a couple of weeks changed into a couple of months for the younger right-hander. Pepiot had received a job within the beginning rotation out of Spring Training however strained his left indirect in his final begin throughout the Freeway Series. He was activated from the injured checklist on Aug. 2 and returned to the large leagues this weekend.
To Pepiot’s credit score, nonetheless, the right-hander confirmed precisely why he was a extremely touted prospect presently final yr. Pepiot allowed one run over 5 innings towards the Marlins, impressing nearly everybody within the group.
The present downside is the Dodgers have already got a number of bulk choices following the additions of Lance Lynn and Ryan Yarbrough. Pepiot may get some run earlier than September, but when not, anticipate him to play a job down the stretch.
3) INF Miguel Vargas
Vargas’ first prolonged keep within the massive leagues didn’t go as deliberate. The 23-year-old Cuban infielder was given the second-base job out of Spring Training, however he struggled to regulate to massive league pitching. Toward the tip, Vargas was misplaced mechanically and wanted a reset.
His first stint wasn’t fruitful, however that doesn’t imply the Dodgers stopped considering extremely of him. Vargas ought to be a part of the longer term. It simply stays to be seen if he may gain advantage from staying down in Triple-A for the rest of the season and resetting earlier than the beginning of the 2024 season.
4) RHP Gavin Stone (No. 5)
Like Vargas, Stone got here into this season as a extremely touted prospect. Stone’s first style of the large leagues lasted simply 4 tough appearances (three begins) earlier than he was despatched again to the Minors. But once more, the Dodgers nonetheless view Stone as an vital piece of the puzzle sooner or later. If the Dodgers want some bulk innings at any level, you may anticipate them to take a look at deploying Stone. With a lead this massive within the division, the Dodgers might virtually use the final month as a mini tryout for a few of these prospects.
5) RHP Emmet Sheehan
Sheehan made fairly the soar this season, touchdown within the Majors straight from Double-A Tulsa. After a powerful begin to his massive league profession, Sheehan struggled. What he did present, nonetheless, is how a lot his fastball performs at this degree, and that his future is brilliant. With Pepiot and Stone probably forward of him, although, it’s unclear if Sheehan will get one other callup this season.
