Baseball America released their 2020 top 100 prospects; Jo Adell 3rd, Brandon Marsh 43rd

[eaterfan]

6 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

how are they bad?  Ask the 29 other teams if they'd like to have Thaiss, Adell, Marsh and Canning instead of who they drafted in the first two round of 2016/17.  

the dogs have been very very good though.  that 2016 draft is turning out to be fairly epic actually.  Although their 2017/18 drafts are nothing to write home about so far.  

both the dogs and tampa are probably two of the most established franchises in latin america.  The Angels have been able to pull some very very good prospects from there the last couple of years after only recently re-establishing themselves.  

Also, drafting is probably only 1/2 or less of the equation. Player development matters just as much or more. The Dodgers are very good at it.

[Second Base]

43 minutes ago, eaterfan said:

Also, drafting is probably only 1/2 or less of the equation. Player development matters just as much or more. The Dodgers are very good at it.

International presence as well. The Angels are getting a lot better, but the Dodgers are pretty unrivaled in that aspect. 

[Duren, Duren]

Like them, hate them or neutral, the Dodgers have had a tradition of leaving no stone unturned looking for prospects. Started with Branch Rickey in the forties, and has remained a big part of their philosophy.

In the forties and fifties they had two elite AAA farm teams in Minnesota and Montreal providing a steady stream of talent to Brooklyn. Many of those players scooped up by Rickey where other teams didn't look.Then you had Bavasi and the O'Malley's replenishing their rosters through the sixties. And in the seventies most of their championship teams were graduates of their scouting and development programs . Their famous infield of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey were all home grown and came through their system together I seem to recall.

In 1981 Fernando entered the scene, but he was just the most prominent example coming from their focus on Latin America. 

This decade arguably may be their most productive since the seventies in terms of delivering quality prospects to the majors. 

Management changes for them, but scouting and development have always been a priority.

At this point I think Eppler has to stay the course and really prioritize scouting and development. It's tempting to look for a quick fix, and trading prospects for veterans is very common. But when you have elite prospects like Adell and Marsh you have to see things through and graduate them to the big team.

If, during the season the team looks like a serious contender then maybe you roll the dice if you are convinced a trade can be a major difference maker. But even then I'd be reluctant to trade a top prospect. Maybe a package of veterans and lower prospects. But patience is needed for the first two or so years of Marsh and Adell.

Graduating prospects can have a snowball effect for the franchise as they see the process working and therefore put more resources into scouting and development. Especially the international market. Finding the best local scouts and information pipelines would be well spent money.

[ten ocho recon scout]

1 hour ago, eaterfan said:

Also, drafting is probably only 1/2 or less of the equation. Player development matters just as much or more. The Dodgers are very good at it.

Was going to mention this earlier.

Ive always wondered what the most important aspect is. Scouting? Development? 

Obviously its a combo. But can a cant miss guy be ruined by poor coaching? And vice versa?

This is where id love to see an analysis of a team like the dodgers. What their keys are. 

[ten ocho recon scout]

36 minutes ago, Second Base said:

International presence as well. The Angels are getting a lot better, but the Dodgers are pretty unrivaled in that aspect. 

It helps when your fanbase has cartel family connects.

"Orale. You should draft this foo, ay. My primo says he runs the fastest when they raid the coca fields. Hes good with a bat, too, ay."