2018 Spring Roster re-assignments to minor league camp

Phil Gurnee ♦ March 11, 2018 ♦ Leave a comment

The fun time is over and as the Dodgers get closer to opening day it was time to move the players from major league camp to minor league camp so that players expected to have a shot at making the opening day roster could get more playing time.

All of the players in the table below have been re-assigned to minor league camp but they could still see time in spring games if they are needed.

The big surprise to me was Brock Stewart being re-assigned so early. I didn’t see a way for him to make the roster because he has options and others do not but I thought he’d last longer on the major league side. I guess this way he can start getting starts in the minor league games, something they couldn’t do with him on the major league side. Same with Dennis Santana who certainly opened some eyes this spring. I expect this will be the last minor league camp that Dennis Santana and Brock Stewart are part of.

I broke the players into three groups.

The first group are NRI players who I think could help the team this summer. Brian Moran was impressive and the independent league refugee looked like he has the repertoire to be a Loogy even though his history is spotty.  Moran struck out nine with zero walks. The other nine pitchers that were re-assigned walked 21 and struck out 20. Brock Stewart would be one of the top pitchers on the starting rotation depth chart. Henry Owens has a lot of work to do to get another chance at a major league gig.  He is being moved to the bullpen for now as he starts the transition to the next Andrew Miller.

The second group are the prospects. Keibert Ruiz looked every bit the Dodgers best position prospect banging out hit after hit. Edwin Rios has no place to play, and may end up with the Willie Calhoun path this summer. His bat looks strong but being blocked by Bellinger at his best position and probably not able to handle 3rd on a full-time basis it will be hard to picture him with a major league job on the Dodgers when the team expects to carry thirteen pitchers. Same might be said for Matt Beatty.  I would not be surprised to see Dennis Santana this summer as either a bullpen piece or emergency starter.  DJ Peters showed off his power and Diaz looks like a major league outfielder but this is just no spot for them this year and maybe not even next year. Alex Verdugo is still on the major league side but he should be joining them shortly.

The other group is called NTBHFA (Never to be heard from again) and I don’t mean to be mean, but I don’t think any of them will see the majors with the Dodgers. I wish them all the best but they have long odds to beat.