August 15th, 2016 at 6:00 am 
by Harold Uhlman Left-hander Caleb Ferguson was selected by the Dodgers in the 38th round of the 2014 MLB First Year Player Draft. He was the 1,149th overall pick meaning that only 66 players were selected after him in the 40-round draft.
In late May in 2014 Ferguson had Tommy John surgery and was not expecting to be drafted in the First-Year Player Draft in June. However, the Dodgers did select him late in the draft and he quickly signed looking forward to beginning his professional career in 2015.
He did begin his professional career as an 18-year-old, perhaps more quickly than expected, with the AZL Dodgers on June 20, 2015. As might be expected, his innings were limited to 14.2 over 14 games and he experienced control problems walking more than a batter an inning. The encouraging news was that he also struck out a hitter an inning.
Ferguson was again assigned to the AZL Dodgers to begin the 2016 season and experienced much more success than in his previous year. In six innings he posted a 1.50 ERA and a WHIP of 0.67 while striking out 11 and issuing no walks.
His time with the AZL Dodgers was short-lived as he quickly earned a promotion to the Ogden Raptors of the rookie level Pioneer League. Over two starts in which he pitched 10 innings, the 20-year-old Ferguson dominated in the rookie league posting a 0.90 ERA with a 0.60 WHIP. He struck out 11 and walked two. At this point in the season he had struck out 22 in 16 innings and walked but two. He was selected the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for the span of July 11, 2016 through July 17, 2016.
His time with his new team was once again short-lived as he was promoted to the Class-A Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League on July 16. In his first five starts with the Loons the 6’3”- 215 – pound Ferguson pitched 23 innings. He continued to be a ground ball pitcher while recording 25 strikeouts and issuing no free passes as a starter with the Loons.
Caleb Ferguson
(Photo courtesy of ibeximages.com)
Ferguson made his sixth start of the season on Sunday, August 14 against the Lake County Captains. He gained his first win in the Midwest League as the Loons downed the Captains 3-0 taking three of the four-game set with Lake County. He pitched six innings giving up four hits while striking out two and coaxing seven ground ball outs.
In the top of the second inning Ferguson gave up a five pitch walk to Captains catcher Martin Cervenka. That was the first walk he had given up in 24 innings and the only walk he has given up as a Loon over 29.1 innings in 2016. Overall on the season he has struck out 49 in 45.1 innings and walked three.
Ferguson was replaced by right-hander Tony Gonsolin in the top of the seventh inning. Gonsolin pitched two scoreless innings on one hit while striking out two and issuing no walks. Shea Spitzbarth, another right-hander, earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning on one hit.
The Loons begin an all-important four-game series on Monday in Lansing. They are chasing the Lugnuts for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Division of the Midwest League.
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A Dodger left-hander with an insane strikeout-to-walk ratio … I like that concept. ?
I am happy to see that Caleb had a good outing. He has 45 IP this year and with another potential four starts to finish 2016, he probably will get another 25, giving him 70 for the year. I hope he can get that to 100-120 next year, and start building.
Another youngster had a very good outing Saturday, 18 year old Dustin May. He pitched his best game with 5 shutout IP, 4 H, 1BB, and 8K. I will enjoy following him and his fellow AZL teammate, the other high schooler with AZL, AJ Aleksy, as they progress through the organization.
Dustin has 26 K’s in 24 innings and 4 walks with the AZl Dodgers.
Yadier Alvarez 34-4; Imani Abdullah 52-8.
The youngsters are learning that throwing strikes gives you a better chance at outs. The strikeouts are impressive, but it is the few walks that are even more impressive. Abdullah goes tonight for Great Lakes to start the series with Lansing, followed by Alveraz, Sheffield, and Crawford. This should be a good series.
I’ll be watching. 4.5 games back of the Lugnuts for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Division.
I expect Mitchell White to get in a couple of innings in one of those games. He is a pitcher.
Unfortunately Victor Gonzalez is on the 7-day DL.
Imani threw a good 5 IP and the Loons get the win. The Loons beat a good one in Angel Perdomo, Blue Jays #15. Today, Yadier Alveraz vs. Ryan Borucki (Blue Jays #17)…should be another good game.
Another good outing for both Yadier Alveraz, (5 shutout IP,0H, 3BB, 8K) and Mitchell White (2 shutout IP, 1H, 1BB, and 4K). White still has not scored on, and Alveraz’ ERA drops to 2.36. Also a big offensive day for the Loons. 2 down and 2 to go against Lansing.
Pitching was outstanding. Alvarez unhittable. White just seems to be so mature in his approach. Got two on, induced a ground ball, struck out two to close out the inning. Pleased for Shea Spitzbarth.
It seems that maybe Ibandel Isabel in clean up has helped ignite the offense, along with Omar Estevez. Ibandel a double short of the cycle last night. Once he learns to handle the breaking stuff better he could become a potent force. I think Estevez(.333 July, .350 August) is the youngest player in the league.
Twenty games left for the Loons – 13 on the road.
I read this AM that Alveraz (at 19) hit 100 MPH, and was consistently at 96. I have been glued to Estevez this summer. He is absolutely on fire. I think some look at stats and do not get overly excited but don’t bother to look at their ages. What Estevez (18) is doing at full season A Ball (all year) is worth watching. He has certainly earned that #12 Dodger prospect status.
I listened to Alvarez’s his part of the game and he hit 101 mph at least once according to announcer Chris Vosters.
6’3″, 175-lb and just learning to pitch.
Caleb Ferguson post-game interview
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Loons win 3-2 in 11 innings. Great pitching again. Leonardo Crawford tomorrow.
Three down, one to go. I was enjoying my grandson’s soccer practice so I missed the game. But it appears that Jordan Sheffield had one tough inning and then the relievers took over. 9 shutout IP, 2 H, 3 BB, and 11K. Dennis Santana was very effective again, and another of those 2016 draft picks,Dean Kremer, continued his solid beginning to his career, and got his first professional win. Congrats to the 20 year old. Okay Leonardo, you are up.
Excellent relief pitching last night.
VG three innings for Kremer. No hits, four strikeouts, no walks, only one ball left the infield. Got the win. 29 pitches, 21 strikes.
I love the Loons pitching staff with all those 20-and-under guys.