Since Andrew Friedman left the Tampa Bay Rays to become president of baseball operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2014 season, he and his staff have placed an emphasis on rebuilding the organization’s farm system.
Friedman’s front office has enjoyed plenty of success in accomplishing that, developing prospects such as Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Julio Urias into successful Major League players.
Even with the graduation of the trio from the Minors, the Dodgers farm system is still among the best in baseball. Their next wave of young talent includes the likes of Yadier Alvarez, Cody Bellinger, Jose De Leon and Alex Verdugo, among others.
Verdugo was a second round-pick in the 2014 Draft out of Sahuaro High School in Tucson, Ariz. Verdugo expressed a belief that he would quickly ascend the Minor League ranks.
The young outfielder was disappointed to learn the process doesn’t tend to unfold in such a manner, though praised the Dodgers for promoting their prospects when it’s warranted, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“So what the Dodgers are doing, as players, we love it. We know if we’re doing everything right and we’re playing our best, we’re being the best teammates and we’re doing everything to get called up, we know that we will, or that we possibly have that chance.”
Verdugo spent the 2016 season with Double-A Tulsa in what was his first experience above High-A. He appeared in 126 games and batted .273/.336/.407, setting career highs with 13 home runs, 63 RBI and 44 walks.
The 20-year-old joined Triple-A Oklahoma City for the Pacific Coast League championship, and went 4-for-12 with three RBI while appearing in four games. Verdugo was then among the crop of prospects sent to the Arizona Fall League.
He struggled some, admitting to feeling fatigued, but nonetheless was named to the Fall Stars Game. However, Verdugo did not participate as he joined the Mexican National Team for an exhibition series in Japan.
The recent success of the Dodgers farm system cannot only be attributed to how the club has drafted in the last few years, but also the attention to detail that’s gone into developing prospects.
