Dodgers Rumors: If Cody Bellinger stays, who is the Dodgers top prospect?

3. Yadier Alvarez – RHP

• 0-1, 14.0 IP, 6.43 ERA, 15 K’s (A+ Rancho Cucamonga)

Moving from rookie level ball to advanced class A in the California League has not necessarily been the easiest transition for Yadier Alvarez. Alvarez, who posted a combined 2.12 ERA in the Rookie League and class A has seen his ERA balloon up to 6.43. Granted, he has only thrown fourteen innings, but it is not pretty.

Alvarez is the Dodgers second-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and the logic would tell you he should then be number one after Bellinger. However, it is not that easy to make that assumption, and that is evident by his performance at Rancho Cucamonga. It is way too early to write Alvarez off, and I am not doing that, however, it is also way too early to make him the number one prospect.

Alvarez is super young, and he still has a lot to prove in the Dodgers farm system. Signed as an international free agent in 2015 at the age of 19, Alvarez is still young and must develop into the role of a top prospect. Yes, he does have nasty stuff and as his mechanics only get better his fastball may become more untouchable.

However, it is not the case that Alvarez cannot become a top prospect fairly soon, it is just that there are guys that are more deserving of the spot right now. In three or so years we may be seeing Alvarez striking out major league batters, but for now, he should be comfortable as the Dodgers third best prospect.