January 19th, 2021 at 8:15 am 
by 0799291000348 Continuing with our look at Baseball America’s pre-season Top-10 Dodgers prospects, we move around the infield, reviewing number-three prospect Michael Busch, number-four Kody Hoese, number-7 Edwin Rios, and number-nine Miguel Vargas.
Flashback to June 9, 2019: Dodgers infielder Max Muncy crushes a ball off Madison Bumgarner, landing in McCovey Cove well beyond the right-field fence at San Francisco Giants Oracle Park, and you rhetorically mutter to yourself, “Where was this guy when he was 23-years old.”
Allow me to introduce a slimmer, more athletic version of Muncy – second base prospect Michael Busch – born on November 9, 1997. Like Muncy, Busch throws right-handed but hits from the left side.
Busch was the Dodgers second pick in the first round of the 2019 MLB entry draft, considered one of college baseball’s best hitters playing for the University of North Carolina Tarheels. Not only did Busch excel in college using composite bats, but he also hit .322/.450/.567 in the prestigious Cape Cod League (wood bats) following his sophomore year in college.
(Photo credit – William Howard)
While Busch was considered a plus defensive first baseman and an average defensive outfielder in college, the Dodgers are converting him to be a second baseman, where he has made significant strides but is still considered by scouts to be ‘fringe-average’ defensively.
Along with other highly regarded prospects, Busch spent the 2020 summer at the Dodgers alternate training site (University of Southern California baseball facility), where he was considered one of the best all-around hitters, then drawing rave reviews during the 2020 Fall Arizona Instructional League as the best hitter, along with plaudits for his defensive improvement at second base.
Reminiscent of Muncy, Busch is “…an exceptionally patient hitter who doesn’t chase, fights off close pitches and waits for something he can drive” (BA). With plus bat speed, extension, and exceptional bat-to-ball skills, he can drive pitches out of the park from gap to gap without sacrificing batting average. Defensively, if Gavin Lux becomes the Dodgers regular second baseman, Busch can move to first base or left field; the team will make room for his bat somewhere in the lineup – possibly as early as the 2021 season. Yes, he is that good.
The team’s first selection in the 2019 draft was 6’-4”/200-pound third baseman Kody Hoese from Tulane University, currently the Dodgers fourth-ranked prospect. Also a plus hitter, Lux said of Hoese this past September: “Kody Hoese can really, really, really hit.” Dodgers coaches considered him the best hitter at the alternate training site, but he did not perform well in the Arizona Instructional League. While the right-handed throwing and hitting Hoese currently does not have the power that Busch does, he is projected to become an average power hitter in the Majors.
BA considers Hoese “…a well-rounded hitter with a balanced approach and compact swing. He is an adept fastball hitter who frequently finds the barrel and drives the ball to all fields … he covers all pitch types and locations.” Defensively, he has good hands at third base, but his arm strength is erratic due to inconsistent throwing mechanics, which is being addressed by coaches. He has the potential to become a standout hitter, but his best defensive position might be first base or left field.
The number seven 7 prospect – Edwin Rios – is well known to Dodgers fans after hitting several tape-measure home runs in 2019 and 2020. Surprisingly, the corner infielder is still considered a rookie even though he will be 27-years old shortly after the 2021 regular season is scheduled to begin.
(Photo credit – David J. Phillip)
Rios is a 6’-3”/220-pound aggressive left-handed hitter capable of hitting home runs to any part of any ballpark. A long swing has resulted in high rates of strikeouts, and he is likely an average hitter, at best. In his short Dodgers career, he has hit left-handed pitching at a better rate (.304) than right-handers (.250); but, most impressive is his 152 wRC+ – 52% above the average ML hitter.
Rios was an average-fielding first baseman in the minors but a defensive liability at third base and outfield with well below-average running speed. His best defensive position remains first base, by a wide margin, but he has used his elite work ethic to transform himself into a fringe-average third baseman. “Rios’ defensive improvements and the expected permanent addition of the designated hitter in the NL give him a path to everyday playing time.” (BA)
The Dodgers number-nine prospect is 21-year old Miguel Vargas, a 6’-3”/205- pound corner infielder who the Dodgers signed in 2017 out of Cuba. Vargas is the son of international baseball legend Lazaro Vargas, who played 22 seasons in Cuba and led the country to Olympic gold medals in 1992 and 1996. Under his Father’s tutelage, Miguel was a mature hitter and quickly progressed through the Dodgers minor league system, making his way to High-A Rancho Cucamonga when he was only 19-years of age. Quick hands, elite eye-hand coordination, and bat to ball skills allowed him to hit line drives to all fields, but he has yet to tap into his physical strength for consistent power.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Defensively, Vargas is a baseball hitter looking for a position. He is considered below average defensively at third base and second base, and his below-average running speed may eliminate an outfield role. At this time, first base appears to be his best defensive position. He is not close to being ready for the majors, but his hitting is major-league quality. How far and how quickly he will progress will likely be determined by his commitment to improving his defense.
With help from the Dodgers developmental staff and hopefully a full minor league season, Bush, Hoese, and Vargas will soon be ready to take their place on the team’s roster, and Rios an opportunity to help bring another World Championship to Los Angeles in 2021
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Once again a very informative article for us folks who don’t put in the work to find such info. Thanks again, Jesse. Looking forward to applying this knowledge when we get a look this Spring.
Thank you. I have been following Dodgers prospects from the late 50’s, so I would call this a labor of love. Huge majority never make it for even the metaphorical cup-of-coffee, but at least they followed their dream as far as their talent would take them. Just a couple of years ago we had not even heard of these young men, now they are within grasp of being a Dodger. Appreciate you reading and commenting.
I wasn’t around until the mid-60’s. I come from a big baseball family and have a number of relatives that have played college and minor league ball. I moved around quite a bit as a kid and due to location didn’t always have access to the team and it’s happenings. We couldn’t afford a paper, so most of my engagement came through nationally televised games and maybe a trip to the library. I started getting more involved after being gifted a laptop about 13 seasons ago. At first I read everything I could find. About 4 years ago or so…I purchased Milb.tv. I have severe COPD and don’t work any longer, so I figured I’d use my time watching minor league games. I am also severely hard of hearing and that made it difficult to hear some of the broadcast and the picture was hard to follow at times too. One of the games I remember watching was one of our teams and the Memphis Red Birds. Dennis Santana was pitching at the time and was on fire as well. My thoughts after watching him that day was not all that favorable, at least compared to the big league level. He goy called up after his next start. Funny, I still don’t see anything that lives up to that hype. I watch him all the future success in the world however. I used to go watch the San Bernardino Spirit back about the time Griffey Jr. was making himself known. So I get Rons passion with Rancho. I also enjoy high school level games, and should go see the local team, since I now reside in Idaho and it’s too hot for me to sit in the sun uncovered and watch what will now be the Pioneer League Hawks.
In saying all of this. I appreciate the time put in by all. As I now work on digitally painting and that takes up my time now.
Another outstanding piece, Jesse. Thank you.
I am so very blessed to live (about) an hour and a half from Rancho Cucamonga, where I get to see these kids coming up. I was in awe of Edwin Rios and even more so of Josiah Gray, who I expect to see THIS season with the Dodgers.
That is awesome to be that close and watch these young men living their dreams.
Still no rumours on big red????
Nothing. Trying to look on the bright side, the teams that were supposedly interested in Turner have not been mentioned in rumors, apparently focusing on other players. I remain a little concerned with the Atlanta Braves as Turner would be a perfect fit there for a couple of years
Don Sutton passed away. Great great Dodger one of my favorites growing up.
Not one of my favorites, but I loved his grit on the mound. He was as tough as Drysdale and Bob Gibson, just didn’t have the fastball to back it up.
Sutton and Garvey were mine as a kid. Then Drysdale showed up at my Little League game. Drysdale will always be my fave, based on our meeting and his grit and humor within it. He sponsored the rival Giants. But told me to go out and beat them for him.
I don’t remember why Sutton had a beef with the Dodgers and chose to wear the Angels cap as he was inducted into the HOF???
Although, I never really held any bad will towards him. Folks do what they feel they need to do sometimes.
I am working on art skills and will attempt to create a likeness of Sutton soon.
Are you sure about the Angels cap for HOF induction? Cooperstown has Sutton’s primary team as Dodgers, and wearing a Dodger cap for the induction. Sutton had the famous clubhouse fight with Steve Garvey, then late in his career he had a beef with GM Fred Claire (Sutton talked with Houston Astros about a front office job while still under contract with Dodgers — Clair released Sutton a week later)
I’m never sure about anything. I thought I read that somewhere???
Thanks for the added info.
Springer and Yates to the Blue Jays.
6 yrs for Springer 1 yr for Yates.
Blue Jays are going to score a lot of runs, but their pitching staff has more holes than Swiss cheese.
How bout the Yanks and Red Sox pitching and Tampa Bay sans Snell and Morton
Great point. Yankees are in trouble, even with LeMahieu returning. Will be interesting if they go after Bauer. Rays are very deep in young pitching — I think they sold high on Snell if you look at his career stats.