Anyone who has followed the Dodgers farm system closely knows first hand of the trials and tribulations of the handful of guys who were odds on favorites to make it to the Big team – guys like Jason Repko, Xavier Paul, Tony Abreu and Andy LaRoche just to name a few. And even though each one of these guys did actually play for the Dodgers, every one of them suffered some type of injury that ultimately kept them from being full-time everyday players. The most recent highly touted Dodger prospect to suffer such fate has been Ivan De Jesus Jr. – not once, but twice. In spite of the fact that Ivan De Jesus Jr. has seen some playing time with the Big club as a temporary fill-in for an injured player, he was (suspiciously) not a September call-up last season which tends to suggest that his ship may have already sailed for being the heir-apparent as the Dodgers everyday second baseman… or has it?

In spite of suffering a serious ankle injury during spring training in 2008, Ivan De Jesus Jr. still has excellent speed. (Photo by Jon SooHoo)

On Friday night, Dodger second baseman Mark Ellis was taken out by Cardinals second baseman Tyler Greene in a clean slide in an attempt to break up a double play (it worked). In doing so, Ellis, one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises on Colletti’s mix and match 2012 roster, suffered injuries to his left knee and ankle; and while the X-rays were negative, anyone who has ever had this happen to them while playing second base knows that even if nothing is broken, it take several weeks (or longer) for the knee ligaments to heal (yes, I speak from experience). As such, the Dodgers are once again faced with a very tough decision – do they run with who they have on the bench to play second base (most notably the suddenly hot hitting but aging Adam Kennedy or the weaker hitting but better defending Justin Sellers) or do they call up De Jesus from Triple-A Albuquerque as their everyday replacement for Mark Ellis until he returns from the DL? (Yes, I believe that Ellis is DL bound).

Ivan De Jesus Jr. was selected by the Dodgers in the second round (51st overall pick) of the June 2005 First-Year Player Draft. In his 13 games with the Isotopes since returning from the DL for a strained oblique which he suffered during spring training, De Jesus is hitting .275 (14 for 51) with four doubles, one triple, no home runs, seven RBIs, two stolen bases (with one CS) and three runs scored. He also has four walks and 14 strikeouts (yikes) and an OBP of .328. Although these numbers are anything but earth shattering, the speedy De Jesus is a very good defensive second baseman and he has spent quite a bit of time working the middle infield with current Dodger shortstop Dee Gordon.

Although the Dodgers have not yet formally made any announcements regarding Mark Ellis, one is expected soon.

Stay tuned…