Ramon Troncoso

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #12 prospect in 2009
  After being added to the 40-man roster and going to big league camp for the first time, Troncoso made Los Angeles' Opening Day roster out of spring training. After six appearances in April he was sent down to Triple-A when Nomar Garciaparra came off the disabled list. Troncoso lost his mechanics and command for a while at Las Vegas but came back up in late June and stuck through the end of the season. With a funky arm action, Troncoso gets good sink on his 92-95 mph fastball (he induced six double plays in 38 big league innings) but his velocity wavers. He throws a slider that can be above-average when he doesn't get under it. Troncoso made three starts for Azucareros in his native Dominican Republic in November to work on throwing changeups to lefties and closing down his front side to get a consistent release point on his slider. He threw well, walking only one in 15 innings of those starts and limiting lefthanders to a .200 average. If he can throw his power sinker consistently for strikes he can be a very good big league reliever, and figures to be part of Los Angeles' bullpen again in 2009.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #16 prospect in 2008
  Troncoso capped 2006 with 13 consecutive scoreless innings at high Class A and was scintillating in instructional league, earning a return to the California League to begin last season. He moved up to Double-A and worked as Jonathan Meloan's setup man before inheriting the closer role when Meloan went to Triple-A. Troncoso has a repeatable delivery, loose arm and plenty of arm strength. His fastball ranges from 91-95 mph with heavy sink and late life. He tends to leave it up in the strike zone, and though he has average control, his command is slightly below-average. Troncoso made strides with his secondary stuff last season, and his slider shows occasional plus shape with late bite. He powers through it and gets around it. His changeup is no more than a show-me pitch, though he usually maintains his arm speed when throwing it. With his sinking fastball and durability, Troncoso has a chance to become a middle reliever or setup man. He was added to the 40-man roster and could open 2008 in Triple-A with a shot at a callup at any time.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #22 prospect in 2007
  Dominican scout Pablo Peguero made a name for himself by signing Joel Guzman, and when he wound up in hot water for inking at least one Latin player before he was 16. Tony Abreu, lefty Miguel Sanfler and Troncoso were a few treats Peguero left L.A. before he was hired by the Giants. Troncoso spent three seasons in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League before jumping to low Class A in 2005. He began 2006 at high Class A but was sent back to low A six weeks later and made good progress. He didn't allow an earned run in his final 13 innings of the season--six of which came in high Class A--and was lights-out during instructional league as well. He features a 91-95 mph fastball with sink and occasional bore. His secondary stuff is raw, though he added a changeup during instructional league that he showed feel for. He uses a change/splitter hybrid grip, and the pitch showed occasional plus action. His slider is hard and lacks depth. He has good control but below-average command. Troncoso's present package profiles in a middle-relief role, but he has good composure and if his secondary stuff comes around he could develop into a closer. He'll have a chance to climb to Double-A in 2007.