The Dodgers recently dealt outfielder Luke Raley to Tampa Bay for Tanner Dodson, a Minor League prospect that has had a world of success at every turn in his baseball career. Dodson has spent his entire baseball career, both amateur and professional, as a 2-way player, but only had 25 at-bats total last year and his fastball was hitting 98-100, so I think it could be assumed that the Dodgers are picking him up as a pitcher more than they are a position player. But, that’s just my opinion which is based off of 0 inside information on the situation, so take that with several grains of salt. The former Tampa Bay farmhand fits the Dodgers formula with a pitch mix of the big fastball, ++slider, and changeup, but he also has the trait that all scouts and organizations love and that is that baseball is in his family genes. Dodson’s dad, Bo Dodson, was also a professional baseball player and was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1989 Draft, so he gets his baseball acumen honestly.
Cal
Dodson graduated from Jesuit High School and went to Cal where he had a remarkable career on the Berkeley campus. As a Golden Bear, the 2-way standout was one of 3 finalists for the John Olerud National Two-Way Player of the Year award, was first-team All-Pac-12, was on the watch list for the Golden Spikes Award, and also became an All-American after his Junior year. The California native then got drafted in 2018 by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the Round B of the Competitive Balance Draft and has been a lifetime .247 hitter with an OPS of .655 as a position player, while posting an ERA of 3.11 in his 98.1 professional innings as a pitcher.
Feature Cut
Dodson features a fastball that was hitting 98-100 at the end of the year so he has the Velo that the Dodgers organization loves with its relievers, but, it’s not just his Velo that makes him such an exciting prospect. The movement he is able to get at such high velocities gives his stuff the potential to be really “dirty” and I mean that in the most complimentary of ways. Here is a video that shows just how much “arm-side” movement he gets on the 2 pitches in the video that were thrown at 98 and 100 mph respectfully.
Dodson’s changeup has great tumble and his slider is a ++ pitch that has great depth and is used effectively against both Right-Handers and Left-Handers.
Finishing Up
Although on the surface, it may seem odd that an organization would trade for a AA prospect straight up for a guy that will spend time in the MLB in 2022, it makes a lot of sense when a guy is as talented and unique as Dodson and becomes available. Let me preface this entire narrative by saying, if you follow anything at Dodger Poke, you would know that I have had Raley on for an interview, and I am a huge Luke Raley fan as a result. Huge! Maybe the biggest one out there! The guy is totally first class, has beaten the odds on several occasions, is insanely driven, and has a world of talent. But, the Dodgers are deep in the outfield, as evidenced by the AJ Pollock trade, so picking up a guy that is as unique and talented as Dodson makes total sense, even if it is at the expense of one of my favorites in Raley. Although I was sad to see him leave the Dodgers, I am very excited that he will get many more chances with the Rays to show the world what he is capable of, and I have no doubt he will do it. So, now that I’ve made my feelings on Raley very clear, let me welcome aboard Tanner Dodson, and say that we are happy to have you as a Dodger and are looking forward to watching your 100 mph fastball and competitive spirit.
