We’re note quite one full month into the 2017 Minor League season and, while it’s too early to draw any concrete conclusions, there have been a number of players in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization who have gotten off to hot starts and are looking to bolster their prospect status.
Let’s take a look at the top performers for each Minor League team, as well as reviewing how top prospects handled April.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
Hitter of the Month – Cody Bellinger
The Dodgers’ top hitting prospect wasted little time kicking off his 2017 campaign, picking up right where he left off last season. Bellinger went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles on Opening Day and didn’t stop, reaching base safely in 16 of 18 games.
He was hitting .343/.429/.627 before earning a call-up to the Majors on April 25.
Pitcher of the Month – Trevor Oaks
The Dodgers’ No. 18 prospect entering the year, Oaks saw his 2016 season come to an abrupt end due to a groin injury. He’s now healthy and dominant in the Pacific Coast League, boasting a 1.89 ERA through four starts with 21 strikeouts in 19 innings.
Top 50 Update
No. 4 prospect Alex Verdugo got off to a hot start and is batting .329/.398/.438 with four doubles and two triples in 20 games. He’ll turn 21 years old on May 15.
No. 6 prospect Willie Calhoun got off to a slow start but is now heating up. Calhoun is batting .368 in his last 10 games, and overall entered play on Monday hitting .320 on the season with six doubles. Calhoun hit his first home run on April 25.
No. 39 prospect Jacob Rhame has pitched well, striking out nine batters in eight games with a 2.25 ERA and one save.
CONTINUE READING: Tulsa Drillers recap and more