Dodgers: Latest prospect update sees multiple Dodgers climb the ranks

The Dodgers decided to repeat history for the third consecutive year by drafting a Vanderbilt alumni in the first round of the MLB Draft. Los Angeles first drafted Walker Buehler with the 24th pick in 2015, drafted Jordan Sheffield with the 36th pick in 2016 and then finally drafted Jeren Kendall with the 23rd pick in this year’s draft.

Despite just getting drafted, Kendall ranks ahead of some familiar names in the Dodgers system that did not crack the top 100. Kendall sits ahead of 2016 first round pick Gavin Lux (who fell from sixth to 11th), former teammate Sheffield and a man already in the majors Brock Stewart.

This is setting up Kendall to have some pretty big shoes to fit into heading into his professional baseball career. Coming out of college as a junior, We likely will see Kendall progress through the minor league ranks quicker than other prospects. MLB Pipeline has 2020 as their estimated arrival year, I would say 2019.

Kendall is getting all of this high praise because of what he has accomplished at the collegiate level. In three seasons of college baseball, Kendall batted .309 with 67 stolen bases. The Dodgers went with something they desperately lack, speed, which MLB Pipeline ranks at a 70/80.

Kendall’s biggest asset is something you can’t teach; speed. As he moves his way through the ranks, that speed will allow him to thrive.