Mike Salas
With half the season in the minors coming to a close, there are a few player’s Dodger fans should get to know. Even though the offseason signings greatly improved the Dodgers line-up, there are few players in the minors that could fill some of the immediate needs for the Dodgers now and in 2025.
Let’s start off with Oklahoma: James Outman is no longer a prospect and with being optioned by the Dodgers, Outman seems to have figured out his swing and is on the right track to possibly being called back up. Outman is hitting .339 / 4HR / 13RBI / 4SB / .494OBP / .627SLG / 1.121OPS. Outman has been playing mostly in centerfield, but OKC has put James in Leftfield the last three games.
With Max Muncy on the IL and no reports of him coming back soon, OKC’s 3BAndre Lipcius could fill the hot corner role now while Muncy is out. Lipcius is a natural third baseman who has a strong arm with above average foot movement. Lipcius was traded to the Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers where he got some major league experience at third base. Lipcius has been a big addition for OKC with 17HR / 50RBI / 6SB / .326AVG / .396OBP / .627SLG / 1.023OPS.
Another position the Dodgers will be in need of is shortstop. There are two prospects that could possibly make a case to be looked at in 2025. The first is SS Trey Sweeney who was part of a trade between the Yankees and Dodgers. Sweeney was a first-round draft picked 20th overall by the Yankees. Sweeney has really turned it on in the past few 6-game series against Round Rock and Albuquerque. Sweeney has speed, excellent side to side movement, and a strong arm. Sweeney’s bat has really come alive and has 10HR / 41RBI / 10SB / .254AVG / .346OBP / .453SLG / .799OPS.
Now we move to Tulsa and Great Lakes: As I mentioned, the Dodgers have two possible options at the short stop position in 2025. The second player who could be looked at is Tulsa’s SS Alex Freeland. Freeland has flown under the radar in the rankings of top prospects. Freeland is a disciplined switch-hitter, since being brought up to Tulsa from Great Lakes this year, Freeland has 46 walks so far this season. While attending the University of Central Florida, Freeland was looked at by many MLB scouts that rated him a top MLB prospect for his abilities at the short stop position. Freeland was drafted by the Dodgers in the third round and was assigned to High-A Dodgers Affiliate Great Lake Loons. Freeland was promoted to Tulsa in May of this year, since coming up to Tulsa Freeland’s bat has come a live and is sure to land him a high ranking of MLB prospects. Freeland has 17 doubles / 2 triples / 7HR / 38RBI / 46BB / 15SB / .317AVG / .474OBP / .550SLg / 1.024OPS
The outfield for Dodgers has a lot of questions. With Chris Taylor struggling with his bat the past 2 seasons, Kiki Hernandez inconsistency, Jason Heyward uncertainty at the end of season, and the question of Teoscar Hernandez signing an extension at the end of the season. There are two players that should be looked at for the outfield.
The first is Tulsa’s OF Austin Beck. Beck was signed by the Oakland Athletics and played mainly with the Midland RockHounds. In 2023 Beck elected for free agency and was signed by the Dodgers on a minor league contract and was assigned to Tulsa in December of 2023. Beck is a reliable outfielder with a strong arm and speed. Beck had one of his best games since coming to the Dodgers and has not slowed down. In his game against the Sod Poodles, Beck had a double, 2 homeruns, and 7 RBI’s that led Tulsa to 12-0 win. Since coming to the Dodgers, Beck has 8 doubles / 9HR / 36RBI / 13BB / .276AVG / .347OBP / .552SLG / .899OPS.
Now, let’s talk about Great Lakes LF Chris Newell. Newell was signed by the Dodgers in August of 2022. Newell is a solid leftfielder who will be promoted to the Dodgers Double-A Affiliate Tulsa Drillers or go straight Triple-A OKC this year. Newell has the speed, height, and very strong arm for a leftfielder. If Newell stays with the Loons through the 2024 season, he is on pace to break the Loons homerun record. Newell leads the Mid East League with 18 homeruns in the first half of the 2024 season. Newell has 11 doubles / 18HR / 47RBI / 37BB / 14SB / .250AVG / .364OBP / .571SLG / .935OPS. If Newell keeps performing the way he has all through 2024, he will make a case for the Dodgers to take a good look at him in 2025.
The Dodgers ability to recognize talent and a minor league coaching staff that brining’s out the best of their players abilities, makes the organization a hot bed of talent for trade pieces and/or promote home grown talent. The players highlighted are position players that the Dodgers are in need of now and in 2025. Those of us who follow Dodgers prospects have the mentality of “play them or trade them”. The player field in the minors is getting older and the Dodgers need to take a good look at who they are going to give a chance or trade for players who are going to help the team be contenders for World Series run.
Check out my articles on Andre Licius, Trey Sweeney, and Chris Newell for more in-depth information.
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