May 14th, 2023 at 9:30 am 
by 0799291000348 The Dodgers have used six rookies thus far in the 2023 season: infielder Michael Busch, pitcher Michael Grove, pitcher Andre Jackson, outfielder James Outman, pitcher Gavin Stone, and infielder Miguel Vargas. Pitcher Ryan Pepiot will be a seventh once he completes his rehabilitation and returns from the IL.
Other than Pepiot, which Dodgers’ prospect is most likely to be the next player added to the list of 2023 Dodgers rookies? Injuries, or additional paternity leaves, may influence the team’s choice, but based on team need, player talents, and minor league performance, which prospect will fans see wearing Dodger Blue in the coming weeks?
A good argument can be made for 25-year-old, Triple-A catcher Hunter Feduccia to make his ML debut this season even though he is not listed amongst the Dodgers top 30 prospects by either Baseball America or MLB Pipeline. Nonetheless, Feduccia is having a splendid offensive year for the Oklahoma City Dodgers with an OPS hovering around 1.000. But there are a couple of large obstacles in his way to joining the Dodgers: he is not currently on the 40-man roster and the team is unlikely to carry three catchers on the active roster.
Prospects who are on the 40-man roster but have not yet made their ML debut are: outfielder Jonny DeLuca, infielder Eddys Leonard, outfielder Andy Pages, and infielder Jorbit Vivas. But what about matching the skills of these young players and their respective 2023 performance to Dodgers needs?
Arguably, the Dodgers most immediate need is a right handed hitter who hits well against left handed pitching, has base stealing speed, and can play solid outfield defense. Bottom line, the team needs a replacement for Trayce Thompson, who has severe reverse splits (much better hitter against RH pitching than southpaws) and has demonstrated he is not up to the task of providing offense against other teams’ LH pitching.
(Gina Ferazzi)
Neither the RH hitting Leonard (.713 OPS for Double-A Tulsa), nor the LH hitting Vivas fills the need for Thompson’s replacement. That leaves right hand hitting OF prospects Pages and DeLuca (both also playing for Tulsa). While Pages is the higher ranked prospect, DeLuca is the player who checks all the boxes — crushing LH pitching (1.364 OPS), playing excellent defense, and is a plus runner.
DeLuca was drafted in the 25th round by the Dodgers in 2019, but Baseball America’s draft scouting report was not encouraging:
A 5-foot-11, 196-pound draft-eligible sophomore, DeLuca was drafted by the Twins in the 39th round of the 2017 draft, but instead made it to campus at Oregon where he has struggled to figure out the offensive side of his game. DeLuca is an above-average runner with above-average arm strength who was one of the best athletes in the 2017 class out of high school, where he also was a competitive long jumper and track runner, but he’s hit just .224/.293/.356 over two seasons with the Ducks and he’s striking out more in 2019. His offensive performance, combined with well below-average power might make him a tough draft, but if he can figure out his swing he could impact a team with his defense and running ability.
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Under the tutelage of Dodgers hitting coaches and his commitment to becoming the best baseball player possible, DeLuca has morphed into a legit prospect who was impressive during 2023 Spring Training. In some ways, he could be the next James Outman for the Dodgers — wouldn’t that be sweet.
Perhaps you have a favorite young player laboring in the team’s minor league system who will be the next surprise ROY candidate. Let us know who it is and why you think he should be another rookie on the 2023 Dodgers.
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Posted in 
I keep wondering how long the Dodgers keep Thompson around.
Another option is to find a team that will take David Peralta and use Thompson against all pitching. I am not a fan of Thompson, dating back to when he played here in Charlotte as White Sox minor leaguer. But, I think the Dodgers are misusing him in an infrequent platoon role. In my non-professional opinion, Thompson needs to play every day in order to keep his timing, rhythm, and swing mechanics in sync. If not the Dodgers, then another team that will use him as a regular.
Just my opinion, but, signing Peralta was not necessary. AF panicked. Heyward, Peralta, and Thompson is redundant. JDM was another bad move. I would have gone with Muncy at DH and the rookies. And, I would be under the CBT. I think we would still be a playoff team..
I’m very damn sure AF does NOT “panic”. He sees likely needs and tries to address them. In this case, having one of more of Hayward or Peralta work out to the Dodger’s advantage was a relatively cheap risk and since Thompson had already had very nice half season plus in ’22 why not keep him long enough to find out which would work best for the ’23 team?
I truly like Thompson but he’s not done enough to merit staying on the roster….yet. Unfortunately, he may not end up being a worthwhile roster spot and if AF decides to cut him loose one way or another I’d feel bad for him but it would be in the best interest of the team.
We have learned over the years that Friedman is a very sharp baseball executive, one of the best, but far from perfect. I think signing Heyward may have been out of respect for Freddie Freeman who reportedly lobbied hard for the Dodgers to sign his friend. And Heyward has not disappointed with a 120 wRC+ — Cody Bellinger is 124 but being paid $17M more this season than Heyward. Signing Peralta for $6.5M was a head scratcher for me, but signing JD Martinez was a terrific addition once the decision was made to let Justin Turner leave.
Problem with Trayce T is using him in a platoon set up with him playing against LHP. He doesn’t hit lefties at all.
Maybe swap him for a right hand hitting OFer who can hit lefties.
I believe that the “Next Rookie Up” will be (re-calling) rookie utility infielder/outfielder Michael Busch who was optioned back to Triple-A OKC on Thursday and homered & doubled for them on Sunday.
(There’s the door, Trayce).
I think you’re spot on Ron, but who will be the 8th?
We really need a right hand hitter who can play 3b and hit lefties.Ever hear of a guy named Justin Turner?.
Busch probably replaces Peralta or Heyward next yr for sure.
RF CF 1b 2b 3b C SS(lux and Rojas).locked up next yr. CT3 likely super utility.
Doesn’t leave 2 many needs good position to be in.