There are Dodger fans and then there are Dodger enthusiasts. If you are among the former, you know all about Kershaw, AGon, Puig, Crawford, Ellis and newcomers Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick. If you are among the latter, you know about De Leon, Verdugo, Holmes and Leon – to name only a few.

But whether you are a Dodger fan or a Dodger enthusiast, you have got to be feeling good right about now after Baseball America released their annual list of the Top-10 prospects in the Dodgers organization on Thursday.

BA’s Top-10 Dodger prospects.

Although it certainly came as no surprise that Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Julio Urias topped BA’s list, it is a bit surprising that they ranked Seager ahead of Pederson – especially when they go on to say that Pederson is a viable candidate for the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year. One can only speculate that this was the result of Pederson’s struggles during his brief showing in the big leagues after his September 1 call-up last season. And while there is no arguing that Pederson’s .143 batting average in his 38 plate appearances was not what Dodger fans had hoped to see, his .351 on-base percentage should give fans and enthusiasts reason to smile.

Although Baseball America ranked Corey Seager ahead of Joc Pederson on their 2015 Dodgers Top-10 Prospects list, Pederson will probably be the Dodgers everyday center fielder in 2015.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Noticeably missing from Baseball America’s Top-10 list is 2010 first-round draft pick Zach Lee. The once highly-touted 23-year-old Plano, Texas native struggled considerably in 2014 while with the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque Isotopes. Lee posted a rather unattractive 7-13 record and 5.39 ERA with the Isotopes. He did, however, strike out 97 in his 150.1 innings of work. Unfortunately, he also walked 54 batters for a rather dismal K/BB ratio of 1.80. That being said, the Dodgers moving their Triple-A affiliate from mile-high Albuquerque to Oklahoma City will undoubtedly help Lee in 2015. The Dodgers were forced to add Lee to their 40-man roster this past December to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft and a strong showing this spring is imperative if the hard-throwing right-hander has any hopes of making it to the big leagues anytime soon.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on BA’s Top-10 list is the inclusion of catching prospect Julian Leon, who turns 19 years old tomorrow (January 24). Although the Hermosillo, Mexico native’s numbers justify him being in the Top-10, many undoubtedly felt older catching prospects Chris O’Brien, Kyle Farmer, Tyler Ogle and Spencer Navin would come in higher than Leon. That being said, Leon has put up some remarkable offensive numbers during his brief two seasons in the low minors with a triple-slash of .309/.394/.526 and 15 home runs.

Although Baseball America is recognized as one of the best prospect rankings systems out there, being in their Top-10 is certainly no guarantee that all these young men will make it to the big leagues. But when you consider that there are roughly 6,000 minor leaguers in professional baseball (not counting the independent leagues), it’s probably safe to say that these guys have a better shot than most. It also gives Dodger enthusiasts a very respectable group to keep an eye on during the 2015 season.