LOS ANGELES -- Pitcher Walker Buehler, whose promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier this month signaled his fast track to the Major Leagues, also proved to be on the fastest track in MLBPipeline.com's update of the Top 100 Prospects.
Buehler, now the top prospect in the Dodgers' system after ranking third in the preseason Top 30, also made the highest leap on the Top 100 Prospects list, shooting from No. 80 in the preseason rankings to No. 13. Cody Bellinger, who was No. 13 coming into the season, has graduated from the list.
The ranking of baseball's top prospects is done by MLBPipeline.com Draft and prospect experts Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Mike Rosenbaum, who compile input from industry sources, including scouts and scouting directors. It is based on analysis of players' skill sets, upsides, proximity to the Majors and potential immediate impact to their teams. Only players with rookie status are eligible for the list. Players who were at least 23 years old when they signed and played in leagues deemed to be professional (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cuba) are not eligible.
Jeren Kendall, the Dodgers' first-round Draft selection last month with the 23rd overall pick, debuted on the Top 100 at No. 86. Kendall also debuted on the Dodgers' Top 30 at No. 5, behind Buehler, Alex Verdugo, Yadier Alvarez and Willie Calhoun. The top four have been mentioned prominently in rumors as players other clubs seek in trades with Monday's Trade Deadline approaching.
In addition to Buehler and Kendall, Dodgers on the Top 100 list are Verdugo (No. 28), Alvarez (No. 51), Calhoun (No. 71) and Yusniel Diaz (No. 89). Only three teams placed more players in the Top 100 than the Dodgers' six.
The Dodgers totaled 268 Prospect Points to finish sixth of the 30 Major League teams. Prospect Point totals give a sense of which team has the potential to have the most impact talent.