The Next Star in Dodger Blue

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in flux. Owner Frank McCourt went through an incredibly ugly divorce, which cost the team over $200 million. It was for this reason that the Dodgers spent little money on free agents in the off season. Come July, McCourt finds himself in even more financial trouble, and the Dodgers have neglected to seriously consider trading for an additional, expensive asset. As a result, general manger Ned Colletti looks to his farm system to bolster an already talent ball club in the hunt for first place in the National League West.

Here is a look at a few potential gems playing in the Dodgers' organization:

DEE GORDON, SS
His father is three-time All Star Tom Gordon, so he definitely has the family name to live up to, but Dee Gordon (above, right) doesn't seem to be bothered. He continues to impress since his selection in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. Ranked as the 36th best prospect in baseball, the Seminole Community College graduate can best be compared to his idol, fellow shortstop Jimmy Rollins. At 5 feet 11 inches and just 150 pounds, Gordon earned Midwest League MVP honors last year for Single-A Great Lakes, tripling 12 times and stealing 73 bases. In 2010, he has excelled in the lead off spot for Double-A Chattanooga. Gordon has already stolen 33 bases in a half season's work.

Recently, Gordon hit in the number two spot in the All- Star Futures’ Game in Anaheim. He picked up a hit and later scored for the United States' team. If all goes as planned, Gordon should find himself playing regularly in Chavez Ravine sometime next season, likely as a mid-season call-up. At such a point in time, the organization must decide on the future of current shortstop Rafael Furcal.

ETHAN MARTIN, P
Martin, who was also ranked as a top-50 prospect in baseball, has been plagued by injury in a short professional career. Drafted in the first round in 2008, he first saw action in the following season, registering a 10.8 K/9 ratio. Clearly, Martin is a power pitcher, using a mid-nineties fastball coupled with a knee-dropping curveball to dominate hitters. With Class-A Inland this season, Martin has already won nine games, in which he held opposing batters to a .240 average. As his command improves, expect Martin to help headline the Dodgers' pitching rotation. He could form an overpowering trio alongside Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley. The Toccoa, Georgia native, however, could supplement an already solid bullpen for Joe Torre's team at the earliest case scenario.

JOSH LINDBLOM, P
He was a second round draft pick by the Dodgers in the 2008 amateur draft. At 6 feet 5 inches, Lindblom scares hitters on the mound. Add in a mid-nineties fastball along with a solid splitter, and one receives the 2010 Dodgers Spring Training Player of the Year. Nevertheless, he had somewhat of a Jekyll & Hyde season in 2009. As a starter with Chattanooga, he disappointed with a 3-5 record and a 4.71 ERA. Following a mid season promotion to Triple-A Albuquerque, however, Lindbloom saw his ERA drop to 2.54, working primarily as a reliever out of the bullpen. In my opinion, a solid ending to 2010 in the minor leagues, and he will likely taste a bit of September action with the Dodgers. Lindbloom should battle for the middle reliever position next season in Los Angeles.


Other players of note:
Chris Withrow, P- Flaunting a high-nineties fastball and sharp curveball, Withrow must overcome apparent homesickness if he wants to move through the minors. Despite an ERA of 3.00 at home games this season, he has been god awful on the road with an ERA of a whopping 15.82
Scott Elbert, SP - Since being drafted in 2004, he has been a starter in the Dodgers’ farm system. Elbert boasts a filthy curveball and reliable fastball. The problem is command, which really didn’t hold up in his three stints in the majors over the past three years, leading to a 6.84 ERA. If all goes as planned, he could provide a strong arm out of the pen in the 2011 season.

-Billy Ford