Imani Abdullah

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #22 prospect in 2018
  Abdullah primarily played golf before pitching for the first time as a junior at San Diego's Madison High. He took to pitching immediately, and his projectable 6-foot-4 frame and fresh arm throwing 88-90 mph fastballs convinced the Dodgers to draft him in the 11th round in 2015. Abdullah signed for a well over-slot deal of $647,500, which was the equivalent of third-round money. In addition to the large money offer, Magic Johnson was the one who made the phone call telling Addullah he was drafted in hopes of further enticing him to sign with the Dodgers. Since then, the organization has managed Abdullah carefully. The Dodgers held him back in extended spring training during the first half of the 2017 season on a strength and conditioning program, and then shut him down due to shoulder discomfort after only six starts at low Class A Great Lakes in the second half. When healthy, Abdullah features a 92-94 mph fastball and an advanced changeup that projects as a plus pitch. He is still trying to find a grip and feel for a breaking ball. Abdullah has sprouted to 6-foot-6 and is a good athlete with body control, but his lack of command due to inexperience has alternately led to too many home runs allowed and too many walks. The Dodgers believe Abdullah possesses mid-rotation upside, but patience will be needed because he is still so raw in learning how to pitch.