Comparing the Dodgers top five prospects to their MLB counterparts

5. RHP Yadier Alvarez

MLB Counterpart: Luis Severino

Luis Severino is an interesting comparison for the Cuban 21-year-old that the Dodgers signed in the 2015-2016 international signing period. Alvarez was the focal point of that signing piece and has been atop the Dodgers’ prospect lists since. Although his transition to pro ball hasn’t been as smooth as hoped, Alvarez still is one of the most promising prospects in all of baseball.

With a six-foot-three, lanky frame Alvarez has all the tools to deliver some scary velocity. The young right-hander consistently sits in the mid to high nineties and can flirt with triple digits when he is thriving. His slider is his most promising secondary pitch and the Dodgers are trying to develop a respectable curve and changeup.

Luis Severino is the best comparison to Alvarez due to his velocity and his early struggles of walking batters. Severino led all big league starters last season in average fastball velocity, averaging 97.7 miles per hour with each fastball.

Severino also has a pretty good slider and changeup, the two most likely pitches that Alvarez will bring with him to the majors. In Severino’s first two seasons he averaged more than three walks per game; not terrible but it was a slight issue with command. Last season, the young right-hander averaged just 2.37 per nine innings.

If Alvarez can make the same improvement, the Dodgers have the potential for a scary good rotation with their young guys.