More Suspects, er' Prospects

Spring Training will be upon us soon enough. I had started by covering a couple of new and upcoming prospects, namely, Wyatt Crowell and Luke Fox. But, there are a lot more to cover and I had better get busy. Today, we are going to discuss some players taken in the 2024 Amateur Draft, namely Kellon Lindsey and Elijah Hanaline as well as other players who played at Rancho Cucamonga last season who are all in varying stages of their development.

There are lots of blogs, websites and other services who have in-depth articles and rankings on these players. Just realize that the vast majority of these players will never see the show, so I am not going to go on ad nauseum about these guys… a paragraph will suffice. I sometimes feel that talent evaluators like to “hedge their bets” by using a lot of words to describe a prospect… so as to not look to be wrong. I am just going to give you want I think their ceiling might be… knowing full well most will never reach it. That is understood. Here we go…

• Sean McLain – RH 2B – I believe that he can play SS and possibly other positions. I see him in a “superutility role.” He could be a solid back up player. That’s his ceiling! Nearest Comparison: Ivan DeJesus, Jr.
• Jesus Galiz – RH C – He is a top defensive catcher and a surprisingly reliable hitter. He moves well behind the plate and has good receiving skills and am above average arm. I see him as a backup catcher. Nearest Comparison: Pat Borders
• Jake Gelof – RH 3B – Jake has tremendous power… maybe the most in the organization. Burley and thick, he kills baseballs… when he hits them. He hasn’t shown a good eye and his swing is long. He’s one of these guys who doesn’t look like an athlete, but is a guy who has immense athletic ability and he has the arm and glove to stay at 3B. Will he hit? Nearest Comparison: A RH Max Muncy
• Kendall George – LH CF – Offering speed and more speed, but little else, George is an intriguing talent. He shows little power and hits the ball on the ground. He can beat out a ball to SS if the throw is not perfect. Of course, he covers CF like a blanket, but his arm is below average. I wonder if the Dodgers will ever try a player like this in CF again? Nearest Comparison: Juan Pierre
• Samuel Munoz – LH CF/LF – Just 20 years old. Munoz is 6′ 3″ Outfielder who is not bad in CF, but due to his below average speed and weak arm, is best suited for LF. He has very good pitch selection and should mature into a power hitter. Watch him grow. Nearest Comparison: Lars Nootbaar
• Zyhir Hope – Another Speed Merchant, Hope is a LH batter with a good arm. He can play CF, but also has the arm to play RF. He has a chance of being a big star. He has power to burn on the bases and at bat. Enjoy watching him. Nearest Comparison: Roberto Clemente (I can’t believe I just said that!)
• Josue DePaula –  LH DH/LF/1B This guy has the ability to be an absolute stud in LF! His baserunning and defense have been suspect, but has showing a wilingness to work and improve and his baserunning is near average. His arm is average, at best… probably below average. I think he can improve his defense and baserunning to became at least average in those respects. His ticket to the Show, it his LH hit tool and this guy is an All-Star waiting to happen. Expect him in 2027… or sooner. Nearest Comparison: Yordan Alvarez
• Elijah Hanaline – Drafted in 2024, Elijah has excellent bat-to-ball skills and great plate discipline. He is a RH utilityman who can play all over the infield. I am certain he can also play the outfield. He has a lot of growing to do, but the power could come. Nearest Comparison: Some say Ian Kinsler, but I say Kike Hernandez!
• Eduardo Quintero – RH OF – Still just 19, he started as a Catcher and could always revert to that, but he has plus speed and is one of the best defensive outfielders in the system and has the tools to play CF. blazing fast, he has 20+ HR power and could win a batting title. Nearest Comparison: Willie Davis
• Wilman Diaz – RH 2B/SS – He has the tools to be a top utilityman, and his bat is the final piece. Can he hit on a consistent basis? That is the question… Nearest Comparison: Mike Sharperson
• Joe Vetrano – LH 1B – A big 6′ 3/230 pound 1B who immense power, who loves to chase and strikes out a lot. Nearest Comparison: Rowdy Tellez
• Cameron Decker – SH SS – He has tremendous power and a great eye. His strong hands and great bat speed are special and his strong lower body may make him a hitter to watch. SS may not be his final destination. I have no idea of a comparison.
• Jordon Thompson – RH IF – Light hitting, defensive player who is likely organizational depth. No comparisons.
• Chase Harlan – RH 3B – He has the hands and arm to stick at 3B. Still just 18, he could blossom into a slugger at 3B. Nearest Comparison: Austin Riley
• Ching-Hsien Ko – LH OF – Still 18, he has the arm to play RF and could be a 30+ HR hitter. He has a buggy-whip fast swing and has a good knowledge of the strike zone. Nearest comparison: Dwight Evans.
• Kellon Lindsay – RH SS – He has blazing speed and is a 6′ 2″/175 scrawney kid who plays SS with incredible range and an average arm. His range can keep him at SS, but he could be a plus defender at 2B or CF. His power will come. He is RH. Nearest comparison: Trey Turner.

I’ll cover more suspects next week. Spring Training is likely only about 5 weeks away. I think the Dodgers will report early due to the game in Japan.