During last month’s Winter Meetings in San Diego, CA, the Dodgers did not sign Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg or Anthony Rendon … or anybody else for that matter. And while Dodger fans were – and still are – disappointed or even angry that their beloved team basically did nothing at the Winter Meetings, they did make one acquisition which pretty much flew completely under the radar for many/most Dodger fans.

During the minor league portion of the annual Rule-5 Draft in San Diego, the Dodgers selected 23-year-old Monclova, Mexico native Carlos Sepulveda out from under the Chicago Cubs for a mere $24,000.

Although primarily a second baseman, Sepulveda also has some experience at shortstop during his five professional seasons, four in the MiLB while in the Cubs organization and one in the Mexican Winter League. During that combined time, he posted a slash line of .262/.344/.309/.653. On the other side of the ball, the 5′-10″ / 170-pound middle infielder posted an excellent .987 fielding percentage (14 errors in 1,068 total chances) in his combined 244 MiLB games at second base and one error in 17 total chances at shortstop for a .941 FPCT.

While in the Cubs minor league system, Sepulveda reached the Advanced Single-A level. He also appeared in one game of the prestigious Arizona Fall League this past off-season while with the Yaquis de Obregon, going 1-for-3 (a single) but was caught stealing. On defense, he was a perfect 4-for-4 as the Yaquis shortstop.

Although there has been no official word from the Dodgers, Sepulveda will more than likely begin his Dodgers career with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, but this is pure speculation. As of this writing, he currently is not on the Dodgers 40-man roster and it is unlikely that he will receive an invitation to major league spring training camp … but you just never know.

Welcome to the Dodgers family, Carlos.

Play Ball!

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