Los Angeles Dodgers: Reranking the Dodgers top ten prospects
By Jason Reed
2. 2B Willie Calhoun (MLB Pipeline: 3)
Making the case between the second and first overall prospect was very hard. Both guys deserved it, however, Willie Calhoun had to take the back seat. Still, Calhoun is a great player and will find his way to the big league club. Although he does play second, scouting reports show that he may be better suited for third base or a corner outfield position.
Calhoun is a menace at the plate. In his minor league career, Calhoun has batted to a .280 clip, slugging 52 home runs and driving in 176 RBIs in 1039 at-bats. This season alone in AAA Oklahoma City Calhoun has hit .291 with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs in 64 games played.
Calhoun has the potential to be a 25 home run guy in the big leagues, with a more realistic target being 20. With his quick bat speed and smooth hands, Calhoun is able to make up for his five-foot-eight frame. Calhoun would bring the Los Angeles Dodgers a similar dynamic that Andrew Toles does, except with more power and slightly less speed.
MLB Pipeline has Calhoun as the number three prospect, but with Yadier Alvarez sliding down ti number four Calhoun becomes a deserving number two. Although he is left-handed, Calhoun has hit .273 against southpaws this season, which could lead to his promotion when rosters expand to bring in another bat off the bench.