January 25th, 2016 at 11:54 am 
by Ron Cervenka The Dodgers have officially announced their non-roster invitees for spring training 2016 major league camp. And while there are several guys who were no-brains such as pitchers Julio Urias and Jose De Leon and catcher Kyle Farmer, there are also a couple of surprises – most notably 20-year-old first base prospect Cody Bellinger.
Just last week Bellinger was named by MLB.com as the sixth-best first base prospect in the minor leagues and was named as the Dodgers’ fifth-best overall prospect by Baseball America last month. And although Farmer didn’t crack BA’s top-10, he is among the top catching prospects within the Dodgers minor league system.
Although it is unlikely that Dodgers top catching prospect Kyle Farmer will make the Dodgers Opening Day roster, he could very well start the 2016 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Here is a complete list of the invitees to the Dodgers big league camp thus far:
Pitchers:
- Chris Anderson, RHP
- Lisalverto Bonilla, RHP
- Brooks Brown, RHP
- Jose De Leon, RHP
- Julio Urias, LHP
- Matt West, RHP
Catchers:
- Kyle Farmer
- Jack Murphy
- Shawn Zarraga
Infielders:
- Charlie Culberson
- Rob Segedin
Infielder/Outfielders:
- Cody Bellinger
- Elian Herrera
Outfielders:
- Corey Brown
- Alex Hassan
- Rico Noel
Posted in 
I am so disappointed — my name is missing again. This is 65 years in a row I have been waiting, since I was 10 I have been waiting.
You’ve always been a roster non-invitee, Roger. I’ve seen pictures.
Micah Johnson is ranked 7th on the MLB minors top 2nd baseman list. Moncada is 1st, Peraza is 2nd . Even Willie Calhoun received some honorable mention.
Can’t wait till spring!
My thoughts are the Dodgers are loaded with young left side hitters and a trade might be needed to get a young right side hitter. Maybe Verdugo and Johnson for the Cubs’ Baez. Baez could wind up in either left field or second base.
Before trading a young prospect like Verdugo for Baez let’s see how Kike Hernandez does this year; just 1 year older than Baez I like Kike a great deal and Verdugo has shown signs of being a very good hitter with good speed and a terrific arm. Young RH bats: Puig, Kike Hernandez, Trayce Thompson, and Austin Barnes. On the way, Kyle Farmer and Jacob Scavuzzo. Next group Julian Leon, Johan Mieses, Starling Heredia, Yusniel Diaz, Omar Estevez, and Brendon Davis.
I don’t want to see Urias in #84 either. Give the young kid #34 & get it out of the way. Not only does he seem the type to like pressure, it appears he might thrive under it.
#34?? For Lee Lacy, of course…..
Urias won’t be wearing number 34. This from July 16, 2015:
The Dodgers ‘unofficial’ retired number
I still like Micah Johnson as a LFer. He has this spring training to convince me.
That is what ST is for Gonzo. I am hoping Johnson makes it at 2nd. That will give us our lead off batter. This will allow Hernandez to be the super utility infielder. I am also hoping Thompson does well this ST. That will make our outfield a lot stronger.
I think the one interesting invitee is Cody Bellinger. De Leon is a first time invitee, but he is projected at least to be a September call up, and a fixture in the 2017 rotation. If he does well, he could get the call earlier. But Bellinger will probably not get that September call up because the arbitration and FA clock starts ticking when he gets added to the 40 man. He is obviously being looked at as the 1B replacement for AGon when it’s time (2 to 3 years). He is rated as a plus defender, and he gets the opportunity to learn from a GG 1B, and gets the feel for the ML life at 20. I assume that Verdugo does not get the invite because of the number of OFs on the 40 man roster, and the AAA OFs also invited.
Zarraga and Farmer will get a lot of early ST innings as Grandal works to build his shoulder strength. Ellis will catch Kershaw, but Barnes should get a lot of innings to prove his ability as a catcher.
Another player I am very interested in watching is Chris Anderson. I think he is being looked at as a potential late inning relief. I am sure he is also going to get a good look as a possible late ST trade.
I just don’t think johnsons glove will play well in the long run.
I had the pleasure of watching Micah Johnson all through High School and College in Indiana, and while I have no illusions that he is a Gold Glover, he is a stone-cold hitter and I believe he will play a solid 2B. Besides, last time we won a World Series we had a second baseman with a few deficiencies. I had no clue he might become a Dodger! Peraza is an ace defender, but Johnson is an ace hitter!
I watched Johnson play several times in Charlotte. He is not going to win a gold glove, but he is not horrible as some would have us to believe. Dodgers fans will enjoy watching Johnson play the game, good hitter with some pop in his bat and gives 100% effort.
I didn’t know Bellinger played outfield. He has a great swing. Hopefully he does well this spring.
He is actually a very good outfielder – excellent range. But the Dodgers would be foolish not to develop him as a pure first baseman. This from last month:
Dodgers future looking bright at first base
I’ve got another article on him scheduled for Tuesday morning.
I think Bellinger will stay at 1B.
Exactly. Dodgers have many OF prospects but only 1 legit 1st base prospect at this time unless Scavuzzo is moved to 1st base. Scouting reports that Bellinger’s glove at 1b is gold glove quality. Does not hurt to give Bellinger some time in the OF, but 1st base is the best spot.
I hear you mark, but I’ll believe it when I see it. If he has Dee’s work ethic he’s got a believer in me.
My eyes have been on Bellinger for a couple of years now. I am a fan.
I think Seager will be a very good shortstop and will stay there until he either gains maybe 20 pounds or the Dodgers have a chance to put a super quick player there.But I have to admit that Bellinger and Seager at the corner infield positions intrigues me.
I can vision three young lefty hitters playing together for a long time in Seager, Pederson, and Bellinger.
I wish Verdugo swung from the right side because I like Puig and Verdugo playing in the outfield corners. Maybe Verdugo plus X could be traded for Javier Baez to get that right handed bat that could play either left or second base.
Kike Hernandez and Micah Johnson; one plays LF the other at 2b. Do not trade Verdugo for Baez, he does not turn 20 until May but has shown terrific bat to ball skill and has the arm to play RF.
At $7 million, I believe that Chase Utley will be the Dodgers so-called everyday second baseman and will see the bulk of the time there – at least until he’s DFA’d.
Spot on. I was caught up in the Verdugo for Baez trade proposal and failed to think about the here and now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFr1dvv8gso
I’ve got a really good feeling about this kid.