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Why I Don't Get Excited About the Draft.

I remember back in 2001 when Baseball America came out with their first Prospect Handbook. It was the only year when it was 5.5″ wide by 8.65″ high. Since then, they have been 5.75 wide by 9″ high… FYI. The Dodgers’ #1-ranked prospect in 2001 was RHP Ben Diggins, who never…

By Mark Timmons1 min read10 comments

I remember back in 2001 when Baseball America came out with their first Prospect Handbook. It was the only year when it was 5.5″ wide by 8.65″ high. Since then, they have been 5.75 wide by 9″ high… FYI. The Dodgers’ #1-ranked prospect in 2001 was RHP Ben Diggins, who never amounted to anything. Here are the rest of the ranked players:

2. Chin-Freg Chen

3. Hong-Chih Kuo

4. Jason Repko

5. Luke Prokopec

6. Mike Judd

7. Willy Aybar

8. Hiram Bocachica

9. Joe Thurston

10. Chad Rockets

11. Brennan King

12. Carlos Garcia

13. Luke Allen

14. Joe Hanrahan

15. Adrian Burnside

16. Kris Foster

17. Shane Victorino

18. Ricardo Rodriguez

19. Jorge Nunez

20. Steve Colyer

21. Heath Totten

22. Jeff Williams

23. Tony Mota

24. Reggie Ambercrombe

25. Bubba Crosby

26. Jose Diaz

27. Marcos Castillo

28. Maximo Regalando

29. Jose Nunez

30. Koyie Hill

A few made the majors… most didn’t, and there were no stars. Here are the Dodgers’ Top Prospects for the last ten years:

Yawn! The jury is still out on some, but where the Dodgers draft, it’s hard to get a good one… especially when you draft players like Lux, Kendall, Ginn, Hoese, and George. It’s a crapshoot, but once they are drafted, I follow them and rank them. That’s just me… I don’t dig fantasy baseball!

Cal Raleigh was impressive! I’m slightly eager to see the All-Star Game.

Discussion (10)

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  1. BlutoJuly 15, 2025

    Ryan Ward dominated last week and was named the PCL Player of the Week!

    9 H

    6 RBI

    5 XBH

    .429 BA

    1.413 OPS

  2. dodgerdadJuly 15, 2025

    my bad. if you pinch hit for him he is out of the game

  3. dodgerdadJuly 15, 2025

    i mentioned that before Matt and got the “stupid “ treatment! seriously how can it work? he would be lights out at the end of a game! how does he warm up to pitch the ninth if he’s batting in the bottom of the eighth? if it’s a one run game surely you don’t pinch hit for him. or do you? intriguing idea isn’t it? … Nootbar is hitting .237 with 12 homers. really not a whole lot better than conforto. Arenado? definitely a good defender. could happen.

  4. Old Bear 48July 15, 2025

    Someone on Yahoo Sports thinks LA will trade for Arenado and Nootbaar. I do not see that happening at all.

  5. MattJuly 15, 2025

    Mark it down, in the playoffs, Ohtani will be closing games…..

  6. dodgerdadJuly 15, 2025

    i watched the whole thing! nothing else to watch. it was slightly entertaining but i could have lived without it. maybe they should just give the hitters 40 balls without the timer. tonight? yeah i’ll watch. mostly to watch Clayton. also the crowd reaction to freddie. with all the starting pitchers who backed out it takes away the sparkle of the game for me. maybe mlb should consider making the break longer to insure more of the stars show up. look at thr derby. jazz chishom? 3 homers off slow pitches right down the middle. if you can’t get the cream of the crop why bother? … And the player introductions? vomit! i remember when Espn first came on i thought it was the greatest thing on earth! Now, 75-80% of their programs are unwatchable. although i did watch the Jim Abbot story sunday. well done! same for mlb network. loved it when it first aired. i was so pissed when my cable provider dropped it. now? not so much. i can still see it on the mlb package i have. but i wouldn’t pay extra for it. Too damn silly! i guess i’m just getting old. jolly jess was on the espn 2 coverage last night! that grin just keeps getting bigger!! good for her. ….. I must say a little about the giants. if their offense was a top 5-6 in baseball, with their pitching? they would be very dangerous! that bullpen is very impressive. i could see AF improving the pen. the minnesota rumors are out there. Maybe they acquire a 8th or 9th inning guy. They should probably use Scott in 6th or 7th instead of closer. every time you think he’s figured it out he blows another. I’m curious about Diaz. He’s on the 40 man roster. can they fix him? Trienan? another year older and missed a lot of games. i agree with some other guys, Vesia should be closing. But who takes his place in other tough situations? Casparius is better when he can pitch multiple innings. Dryer? very good at times. Trevino? serviceable but not a top arm. Banda? good at times. bottom line? they probably need an upgrade in the pen. …. Is it possible if Max isn’t back in a few weeks they could be in the market for another 3rd baseman? if the d-backs. decide to sell, could or would the dodgers consider making them an offer for Suarez? just a thought!

  7. Brian PerkinsJuly 15, 2025

    Fantasy baseball is for losers. Real men play the stock msrket. Sports is alrwady a fantasy.

  8. Old Bear 48July 15, 2025

    Adrian Burnside sounds like a Civil War general. There actually was a general named Ambrose Burnside. He was named Commanding General of the Army of the Potomac after Lincoln dismissed George McClellan. He led the union forces at Fredericksburg, which was a huge defeat for the Union army, and failed to pursue Lee’s retreating forces. He decided to resign after his request to court-martial several officers who refused to obey orders was denied. He was replaced by General Hooker. Did not watch the derby. Just not as interested in the All-Star stuff as I used to be.

  9. T. RobbJuly 15, 2025

    Half of the 1st round draft picks in every draft will have very little to no impact at the major league level.

  10. HawkeyedodgerJuly 15, 2025

    Kuo was awesome. Wish he had a longer career

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