After deciding on 8 place gamers and 9 pitchers in the primary 15 rounds, the Dodgers closed out their 2023 MLB Draft by deciding on 4 pitchers and a triple menace — a quarterback/righthanded pitcher/outfielder.

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Spherical 16, No. 490 total, LHP Javen Coleman, Louisiana State College (LA)

The Dodgers went to the LSU nicely on again to again picks, following up the fifteenth spherical Jordan Thompson choice by nabbing one other probably overslot collegiate participant in 21-year-old southpaw Javen Coleman. Listed at 6’2, 205 lbs, Coleman’s junior yr was marked by a little bit of triumph, as he made it again to the mound after present process Tommy John surgical procedure in Spring of 2022. Sadly, command is often the very last thing to return after the process, and that was the case with the Sherman, TX native, as he issued 16 walks in his 14.0 IP in his redshirt sophomore marketing campaign. That, nonetheless, was additionally accompanied by 21 strikeouts, which leads us to what the Dodgers within the first place.

Coleman operates on the prime of the zone with a 4 seam fastball that sits within the low 90s (although he was reportedly as much as 96 in bullpen work), and it’s a pitch that exhibits some vital carry/trip to it. He’ll complement the heater with a giant mid-70s curve, and a stable changeup, so he is ready to assault each lefties and righties.

Welcome again, J-Roc@JavenColeman1 | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/DZDQcQyplP

— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) April 18, 2023

Only a guess on my half, however because of Coleman’s fast post-op return to motion (simply 16 months), ought to he signal, I think about the Dodgers can be somewhat cautious together with his workload for the remainder of the Summer season, even perhaps opting to simply add power in preparation for some Fall Instructs work. However, the Dodger entrance workplace is about as watertight as a bullfrog’s ass, so solely time will inform.

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Spherical 17, No. 520 total, LHP Luke Fox, Duke College (NC)

The Dodgers chosen one other Tommy John recipient within the seventeenth spherical in 21-year-old Luke Fox. A local of Milwaukee, WI, Fox underwent the process within the Fall of 2022. Throughout his sophomore marketing campaign with the Blue Devils, the southpaw was somewhat wild and dinger-prone, as he allowed 7 longballs in 52.1 IP, with 5.5 walks per 9, although he struck out 11.4 per 9. He acquired his whiffs with a high quality three pitch combine that was trending upwards on the time of his damage:

Although he’s out for the ‘23 season, Luke Fox (@DukeBASE) may very well be a steal come draft time. Actually impressed this fall; FB as much as 95 together with his CH and SL every profiling as pot. plus pitches. Throws from low 3/4 slot and ball explodes out of the hand.

Starter profile on the professional stage pic.twitter.com/qL9LWdMEH6

— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) February 8, 2023

It seems there may be extra velo within the tank as nicely, as his decrease half utilization may very well be ramped up a bit — there’s room for extra depth within the hip hinge, resulting in a extra aggressive drive down the hill. That’s for somewhat bit farther sooner or later, nonetheless, as Fox will certainly proceed to rehab with a goal of taking the mound within the 2024 season.

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Spherical 18, No. 550 total, LHP Sterling Patick, South Hills Excessive Faculty (CA)

With their 18th spherical choose the Dodger tabbed one other native product in Sterling Patick, who attended the identical West Covina highschool as former Dodger prospect Jacob Amaya. The UC Santa Barbara commit put collectively a monster senior season for the Huskies, posting a ridiculous ERA of 0.37 in 76.2 IP, with a Okay/BB of 113/21.

Patick, who turned 18 nearly a month in the past, is a giant time projection man, as he’s listed at 6’1, and a rail skinny 155 lbs. He assaults hitters out of his crossfire supply with a 4 seam fastball within the low 90s, a giant curve, and a changeup that exhibits a little bit of fade and sink:

There’s loads to dream on right here, and as was the case with final yr’s seventeenth rounder, Payton Martin, if the golf equipment indicators Patick, and will get him choose so as to add 20-30 lbs by subsequent Spring, an entire lot of parents can be scratching their heads, questioning how a child like this slipped all the best way to the again finish of the draft.

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Spherical 19, No. 580 total, RHP Spencer Inexperienced, Richland Excessive Faculty (WA)

The Dodgers focused one other loud highschool arm with their nineteenth rounder in Oregon State commit Spencer Inexperienced. Standing 6’4, 190 lbs, Inexperienced encompasses a fastball that has reached the mid-90s, and an influence slider with huge time downward motion:

Inexperienced will probably require a major overslot bonus to forgo his dedication to the Beavers, however that’s the secret within the draft when you find yourself concentrating on probably troublesome indicators — oftentimes one is an insurance coverage coverage for an additional, to make sure that the entire bonus pool cash will get used, and that the membership inks at the very least a few of their projectable athletes. The Dodgers touchdown each their 18th and nineteenth spherical picks can be a coup, however this seems like extra of an both/or proposition.

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Spherical 20, No. 610 total, TWP D.J. Uiagalelei, Oregon State College (OR)

With their final choose of the draft, the Dodgers tossed a Hail Mary in deciding on former Clemson and present Oregon State quarterback, D.J. Uiagalelei, and itemizing him as a two-way participant, besides(leg). A local of Riverside, California, the 22-year-old hasn’t performed since his junior yr of highschool, throughout which he confirmed a fastball within the low to mid 90s, together with a slider and a curve:

Coloration me loopy, however there seems to be to be somewhat Kenley Jansen in that excessive arm motion.

He additionally confirmed great come out of a comparatively quick stroke from somebody so big:

Presently listed at 6’5, 250 lbs (and completely jacked), there’s zero bodily projection left, however that’s apart from the purpose. Uiagalelei is an unbelievable athlete, and it is a just-in-case choose; if for no matter cause soccer finally ends up not understanding, and he opts for a sport change, the Dodgers have his rights reserved. Moreover, the truth that the Dodgers selected to take a position a choose on this explicit method is an indicator that their bonus pool is all however spoken for, and all that’s left is seeing who’s getting what.

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Now that the draft is full, golf equipment have a scant two weeks to signal their gamers, with the deadline being 2:00 PM Pacific on July twenty fifth, and the commerce deadline is only a week later, on August 1st. So saddle up, boys women, as a result of it’s going to be a busy few weeks.

Get pleasure from your Wednesday, of us.