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Dodgers, Rays World Series Rosters Have Strong Prospect Pedigree



The reason prospects matter is they become major leaguers. If everything goes well, they become major leaguers who help a team win a World Series.

The 2020 World Series between the Dodgers and Rays features many, many players who were once top prospects, including Game 1 starters Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, Walker Buehler, Blake Snell, Willy Adames, Austin Meadows and Brandon Lowe, all of whom ranked as a Top 100 Prospect at some point.

In all, just over 41% (23 of 56) of players on the Dodgers and Rays World Series rosters were Top 100 Prospects at one time. Overall, 48 of the 56 players on the 2020 World Series rosters ranked in at least one Baseball America Prospect Handbook.

That’s in line with recent trends. Here are the number of players on World Series rosters the last four seasons who ranked in at least one Prospect Handbook.

2017: 47 of 50

2018: 48 of 50

2019: 47 of 50

2020: 48 of 56

The Dodgers have more players with prospect pedigree on their roster than the Rays. Overall 26 of the 28 players on the Dodgers World Series roster ranked in at least one Prospect Handbook, compared to 22 of 28 players on the Rays World Series roster.

Here is a look at each player on World Series rosters this year and when they ranked in a Prospect Handbook, including what teams they ranked for.

Note that Yoshitomo Tsutsugo ranked in the 2020 Prospect Handbook as a top international prospect and signed with the Rays after the book’s publishing date.

DODGERS

PlayerTeamYears Ranked
RHP Pedro BaézDodgers2008-11, 2014-15
RHP Walker BuehlerDodgers2016-18
RHP Dylan FloroRays2016
RHP Tony GonsolinDodgers2019-20
LHP Victor GonzálezDodgers2014, 2020
RHP Brusdar GraterolTwins, Dodgers2018-20
RHP Kenley JansenDodgers2010-11
RHP Joe KellyCardinals2010-12
LHP Clayton KershawDodgers2007-08
LHP Adam KolarekN/A
RHP Dustin MayDodgers2017-20
LHP Jake McGeeRays2005-11
RHP Blake TreinenA's, Nationals2012, 2014
LHP Julio UríasDodgers2014-16
LHP Alex WoodBraves2013
C Austin BarnesMarlins, Dodgers2013-17
IF Matt Beaty (L)Dodgers2018-19
OF Cody Bellinger (L)Dodgers2014-17
OF Mookie BettsRed Sox2013-14
IF/OF Enrique HernándezN/A
IF Max Muncy (L)Athletics2013-16
OF Joc Pederson (L)Dodgers2011-15
OF AJ PollockD-backs2010-13
IF Edwin Ríos (L)Dodgers2018-20
SS Corey Seager (L)Dodgers2013-16
C Will SmithDodgers2017-19
IF/OF Chris TaylorMariners2013-14
3B Justin TurnerReds, Orioles2008, 2009
Cody Bellinger (Photo By Dylan Buell Getty Images)

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RAYS

PlayerTeamYears Ranked
RHP Nick AndersonN/A
RHP Diego CastilloRays2018
RHP John CurtissTwins2018-19
RHP Pete FairbanksRays2020
LHP Josh FlemingN/A
RHP Tyler GlasnowPirates2013-17
LHP Aaron LoupN/A
LHP Shane McClanahanRays2019-20
RHP Charlie MortonBraves2004-05
LHP Ryan SherriffN/A
LHP Blake SnellRays2012-16
RHP Ryan ThompsonN/A
LHP Ryan YarbroughRays2015-18
C Michael PerezD-backs2012-14, 2018
C Mike ZuninoMariners2013
SS Willy AdamesTigers, Rays2014-18
1B/3B Mike BrosseauN/A
1B Ji-Man ChoiMariners2014-15
1B Yandy DíazIndians2016-17
2B Brandon LoweRays2018-19
2B Joey WendleIndians, A's2014-17
OF Randy ArozarenaCardinals, Rays2017-20
OF Kevin KiermaierRays2011, 2014
OF Manuel MargotRed Sox, Padres2013-17
OF Austin MeadowsPirates2014-18
OF Brett PhillipsAstros/Brewers2013-18
OF Hunter RenfroePadres2014-17
OF Yoshi TsutsugoInt'l*2020

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