Spring training is well underway but another influx of players has already begun at Camelback Ranch, the Dodger-White Sox complex in Glendale Arizona. The kids are arriving. That is, the minor league players that will fill out the rosters of the teams in the Dodgers minor league system.

I expect most of the attention by the media and Dodger fans basking in the glow of Dodger Blue at Camelback Ranch will be focused on the better known players in the Dodgers farm system. More specifically, on some who are already participating in the MLB side of spring training and others who are also listed as top prospects – players such as Joc Pederson, Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Ross Stripling, Julio Urias, Chris Anderson, Tom Windle, Yimi Garcia, Onelki Garcia.

The other minor league players may garner some interest but will most likely go unnoticed as they continue to work at their trade attempting to reach the next level in the farm system in 2014. During the 2013 season I noticed that each of the Dodgers farm teams seemed to have a relief pitcher who was experiencing considerable success but not attracting much attention on blogs or on lists of top 20 prospects. Perhaps they are not top prospects compared to the absolute best players but on the other hand there are so few absolute best prospects to whom they could be compared. I’m thinking of players such as Geoff Brown of the Great Lakes Loons, Matt Shelton of the Cucamonga Quakes, Michael Thomas of the Chattanooga Lookouts and Red Patterson of the Albuquerque Isotopes.

Geoff Brown, Michael Thomas and Red Patterson have already been profiled on the ThinkBlueLA blog. Matt Shelton has not been but he is a perfect fit with this group of pitchers that some may refer to as overachievers. I refer to them as essential staples on any team regardless of the level. They simply fill in the gaps on a pitching staff – the gap between starters and later inning relievers – and do so with considerable success.

Right-hander Matt Shelton may not be getting the ink that some of the other Dodgers prospects are, but he is putting up better numbers than some of them.
(Photo courtesy of txsportsdevelopment.com).

Matt Shelton was drafted by the Dodgers in the 24th round of the 2011 First Year Player Draft. At the time of the draft he was in his fourth year at Sam Houston State University. With the Bearkats he pitched both as a starter and in relief during those four years. As a reliever in 2009 he posted an ERA of 1.99 while in 2011 as a starter his ERA was 2.87 ERA through 94 innings. Upon being drafted the 6’4”, 205 pound Shelton quickly signed with the Dodgers.

While his innings were limited to 26 with the Rookie League Ogden Raptors following his college season, he posted a 2.05 ERA and a WHIP of 1.10. He struck out 30 while walking 8. It appears he might have been willing to pitch inside as he did hit seven batters in his 19 appearances with the Raptors.

Shelton began the 2012 season as a 23 year old with the Great Lakes Loons of the Class A Midwest League. In 67 innings he posted an ERA of 2.81. His 43 appearances, all out of the bullpen, were the second most in team history. His 10 holds ranked him third in Loons history. He continued to strike out a hitter per inning and hit only one batter in 2012.

In June of 2012 Matt Shelton received the Dodger Pride Award posting a 0.54 ERA and limiting opponents to a .153 batting average with 18 strikeouts in 10 appearances during the month.

The right-handed Shelton was promoted to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2013 after one appearance with the Loons. Armed with a fastball, curveball and change up he recorded a 2.45 ERA with the High A level Quakes, continued to strike out a hitter per inning, and also continued to give up less than a hit per inning. On August 26 he made his first professional career start filling in for the injured Geison Aguasviva. In 3.2 innings he gave up one run on four hits. Despite being on the DL from April 14 to June 7 Shelton pitched 47.2 innings with the Quakes.

It might be unfair to say Shelton has gone totally unnoticed. In July of 2013 he was again selected as a Dodger pride winner for the month. Included in his July stat line of 11 appearances were 17 strikeouts and no earned runs as he limited opposing hitters to a .148 batting average.

The Dodger Pride Awards are issued on a monthly basis to the players at each level of the club’s minor league system who play the game with a hustling, smart, aggressive style. The players and staff on each respective club vote for the awards. From what I have seen that would pretty much describe Matt Shelton, a young man determined to make his way when a 24th round selection suggests he should not be as successful as he is.

Look for Matt Shelton with the Chattanooga Lookouts in 2014, a more age-appropriate league for the now 25 year old. Do not be surprised if he gets some save opportunities as the season progresses.