Spring Training is always an exciting time of year as clubs embark on their next opportunity to win a World Series. Every club is undefeated at this point, so optimism abounds, which is right up my alley.
But, beyond just the overall excitement of a new season being born, the MOST exciting part, at least for me, is getting to see so many prospects all in one spot.Â
Today’s article begins our Series at Dodgers Daily of Prospects to Watch as you take in the sites, sounds and excitement of Spring Training.
Feduccia is a left handed hitting catcher that has just grinded his way onto the the 40 man roster. He has good size at 6’0 206, and has a very sweet left handed swing. He’s a good defensive player, with an adequate throwing arm, but is known for his very “chill” demeanor, which helps pitchers remain focused in “High Leverage” moments.
Feduccia hit .279 OPS .838 last year, had a K% of just 20.8%, and a BB% just 5 points lower than that at 15.3%. He also posted a WRC+ of 106, which meant he was 6% better than the league average of catchers in the PCL. His above league average mark, in comparison to league average, has been common for him throughout his career.
Feduccia was overlooked last year when Will Smith went down, when the Dodgers acquired Austin Wynns. But, contrary to how that may look, it was actually done out of respect for the Dodgers opinion of the Cajun Lefty. Because they knew the stay was temporary, the Dodgers knew they were going to want the 40 man spot back that whichever catcher that was brought up was going to take. So, like they did with Wynns, the Club knew they were going to DFA whoever it was they chose to take that roster spot, and, because they think so highly of Feduccia, they didn’t want that to be him.
And, that’s because of how highly they think about him.
Avans is not on the 40 man roster, and, thus, is a non-roster invitee, but he is definitely one to keep an eye on. Avans, in 2022, had a 53 game on base streak, which is the longest in the PCL in the last 4 years. He also stole 40 bases, hit .282 and had a WRC+ of 106.Â
In fact, up until last year, which was more of a down year, he had posted WRC+ numbers of 130, 115, 112 & 106 in consecutive years.
After having such an incredible 2022, and reaping basically 0 reward for his efforts, Avans, in my opinion, entered 2023 looking to add power to his game, hoping that might be the missing link. As a result, he hit.227 in April, then just .232 in May.Â
After finishing May with 31 Ks, Avans then rebounded to hit .257 with an OBP of close to .400 in June, before hitting .276 in July, .264 in August, the .289 in September.
Avans is a very good Center Fielder with +speed, jumps on the ball and instincts. What’s kept him out of the Major Leagues, in my opinion, is form factor.
He is not a Home Run hitter by any means, but has consistently posted K percentages above 20%. So, he has fallen into the tweener category, and has been jumped by either veterans like David Peralta and Jason Heyward, or Rookies like James Outman and Jonny DeLuca that have the same type of athletic ability, but hit more home runs.
I’ve seen Drew a lot in both AA Tulsa and AAA OKC, and he is one of my favorite players to watch because of all of the many different things he can do to help a team. And he’s super gritty and just an overall tough guy. So, I really hope he is given his chance at some point, and when he gets it, he shows everyone else what we have seen in him to this point.
Wardo is a fairly violent swinging left handed hitting outfielder who has a history of being able to hit for both average and power. In 2022, on August the 7th, he was hitting .272, and was towards the top in the organization with home runs just before he became injured, so he has a very good hit tool. And one that has the potential to be very complete.Â
Ward played a lot of 1st base last year, but is primarily a Left Fielder, so, he has some defensive versatility as well. He spent all of last year in AAA OKC, and isn’t on the 40 man, so will, almost assuredly repeat with AAA OKC this year, at least to start, but with a “hit tool” like his, he is one to watch.Â
Ward had a bit of a down year last year hitting .234 with a WRC+ of just 78, but still hit 21 home runs with a K% around 25%, which is a very acceptable rate for someone with power. Looking forward to Wardo having a great 2024 and eventually becoming a Major Leaguer. I hope that time is sooner rather than later.Â
Sweeney came to the Dodgers this off season in the trade that sent Jorbit Vivas and Victor Gonzalez to the Yankees. Conidering that Vivas was on the 40 Man, but had no path to MLB playing time at 2nd base or SS, and that Gonzalez had no options, the Dodgers hit a home run with the return they got in Sweeney.
Sweeney is a left handed swinging Short Stop, that some think could project as a 3rd baseman. He hasn’t hit for a crazy amount of power yet in his career, which has reached AA, but surely has much more power potential to tap in to.Â
He hit .252 last year with the AA Somerset Patriots, hit 13 Home Runs, had a K% of less than 20% and posted a wRC+ of 118, which meant he was 18% better than league average as a player.Â
But, I think it’s safe to make the comment that, while Sweeney is a good player in current carnation, the excitement around him is what he can become. Especially with the instruction inside the Dodgers system that is so elite.Â
Also, since the Dodgers DFA’d Eddys Leonard, then allowed Luis Diaz and Yonny Hernandez to become Free Agents, the organization had almost no depth at the Short Stop position. Austin Gauthier would have been the next in line, and, likely, he profiles as a utility player at the MLB level.Â
Sweeney is long, at 6’2, but runs very well as evidenced by his 20 stolen bases last year, so there is a lot to like in what Sweeney is, and what he can become.Â
Gonna simply link the last article that Austin Brubaker did on Gauthier. It is so complete, it gives you everything you need to know.Â
Here it is:
Austin Gauthier: Defying the Odds
In a nutshell, Gauthier was an undrafted Free Agent out of Hofstra who had a truly historic season last year. He was, quite possibly, the best offensive player in all of the Minor Leagues last year posting WRC+ numbers through 2 levels that suggest he has a 75% chance of eventually becoming a Major Leaguer.
Check out the article linked above for everything you could possibly want to know about Gauthier.
This is Part I of a several part series. Check back for the each new episode and all new Prospects to Watch in Spring Training.
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