The Los Angeles Dodgers seem to be all about the youth movement and indeed, if they are going to go far in the playoffs, it will be because of vital contributions from the multiple rookies on the squad.
The Dodgers front office chose this off-season to not go after any high profile free agents, or to go for any big name trades at the deadline. They chose instead to rely on their mix of rookies and veterans to get them through the season and into the playoffs. And even with all the injuries, so far so good.
The Dodgers have won the NL West, and currently hold the number two seed for the playoffs. They are three games in the loss column behind the Atlanta Braves for the number one seed.
On Thursday, the Dodgers announced their Minor League Players of the Year. Both saw limited time with the big club this year, but will not factor into the playoffs.
Infielder Michael Busch was named the Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year.
Busch, 25, spent most of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, batting .322 with 26 doubles, four triples, 26 homers and 89 RBI in 96 games for the Dodgers. He made his Major League debut on April 25 at Pittsburgh, going 1-for-3, recording his first Major League hit off Johan Oviedo. He made 27 appearances for the Major League team, recording 12 hits, including two homers and seven RBI.
The former first round selection out of the University of North Carolina made his mark last season between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, slugging 32 homers and amassing 108 RBI in 142 minor league contests. In 355 minor league games with the Dodgers’ organization, he has hit .282 (387-for-1370) with 91 doubles, 78 homers and 266 RBI.
Kyle Hurt was named the Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Hurt, 25, made his Major League debut on September 12, retiring all six batters he faced against the Padres as well as striking out the side in the ninth inning.
The right-hander began the season with Double-A Tulsa, going 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA (30 ER/65.0 IP) and 110 strikeouts before getting promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on August 2.
In seven games for Oklahoma City, which included one start, Hurt posted a 2-1 record with a 3.33 ERA and struck out 42 against 11 walks. On the season, he has fanned a minor league best 152 batters in 92 innings while sporting a .205 batting average against.
The No. 12 prospect in the Dodgers’ organization according to MLB.com, was acquired from the Marlins on February 12, 2021 along with left-handed pitcher Alex Vesia in exchange for right-hander Dylan Floro. In three minor league seasons, he is a combined 11-13 with a 4.63 ERA with 297 strikeouts in 184.2 innings. The Southern California native was originally drafted by the Marlins in the fifth round of the 2020 First Year Player Draft out of USC.
Busch and Hurt will both be presented with their respective awards and honored in a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Sept. 22 prior to the Dodgers’ game vs. San Francisco.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
Busch has certainly earned a roster spot in 24 with the Dodgers or possibly a trade. Hurt has been coached up so as to lead the minors in strikeouts an amazing stat. I would love to see him in the playoffs as he has swing and miss stuff.
Watching the game tonight and the growth of Sheehan. He couldn’t finish the 5th but with his fastball, change and cutter he has developed a lot of swing and miss potential. The young man is growing before our eyes.
So in 24 is the pitching staff Buehler, Miller, Pepiot, Sheehan and Hurt? Or? I think Kershaw retires as the prognosis of wear in the shoulder is hard to recover from. Kasten gets his wish of a low cost rotation and will have potential trade chips if he decides to trade one of the young arms. I like this team but I think its the Braves year. We shall see…
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I’m not sure if the team views Hurt as a long range rotation piece or bullpen piece (possibly even closer material). It’s been great to see the young pitchers all get MLB exposure this year. That will certainly help all of them going into 2024.
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Interesting. I have watched Hurt on MILB and he has been impressive. Why do you think they do not believe he is an MLB candidate? Look at his pitch selection and SO rate. He misses bats. I know they were ready to bring up Knack. I am curious what they do this winter. I doubt they sign Ohtani as it sounds he wants a killer long deal for big $. If Kershaw retires which I think will happen then they will have a bunch of money available. I believe the rotation will at minimum have Buehler, Miller and Pepiot in it. I think Stone, Hurt and Knack will get a shot. I read they are looking hard at Yamamoto. If they have a rotation with 2-3 rookies that saves them a ton of money. Plus they have Lux and will need to bring up Busch and Vargas or trade them. They have DeLuca too and some of these guys are trade chips but what do they need? I am not a big Taylor or Muncy fan but they have contracts for 24 I believe.
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I just found it interesting that when they finally brought Hurt up for a quick look, they used him in late inning relief. I believe they think highly of him, it’s just a matter of what type of role they would eventually use him in.
I agree with you that, barring unforeseen circumstances, Buehler, Miller and Pepiot are locks for three of the rotation spots for 2024.
There may actually be more teams in on Yamamoto this winter than on Ohtani. He’s younger, will be able to pitch next year and will probably cost about half as much (total $). With Ohtani, teams like the Cards, Reds and Orioles probably wouldn’t get near an Ohtani sized contract but might very well put their toe in the water on Yamamoto.
With regard to CT3 and Muncy contracts, Taylor is signed for two more years and the team has a very reasonable option on Muncy which I’m sure they’ll exercise. If, for whatever reason, they don’t have room for him (Ohtani at DH or one of the youngsters at third base), his contract would be very easy to move in a trade.
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