The Los Angeles Dodgers seem to be all about the youth movement and indeed, if they are going to go far in the playoffs, it will be because of vital contributions from the multiple rookies on the squad.
The Dodgers front office chose this off-season to not go after any high profile free agents, or to go for any big name trades at the deadline. They chose instead to rely on their mix of rookies and veterans to get them through the season and into the playoffs. And even with all the injuries, so far so good.
The Dodgers have won the NL West, and currently hold the number two seed for the playoffs. They are three games in the loss column behind the Atlanta Braves for the number one seed.
On Thursday, the Dodgers announced their Minor League Players of the Year. Both saw limited time with the big club this year, but will not factor into the playoffs.
Infielder Michael Busch was named the Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year.
Busch, 25, spent most of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, batting .322 with 26 doubles, four triples, 26 homers and 89 RBI in 96 games for the Dodgers. He made his Major League debut on April 25 at Pittsburgh, going 1-for-3, recording his first Major League hit off Johan Oviedo. He made 27 appearances for the Major League team, recording 12 hits, including two homers and seven RBI.
The former first round selection out of the University of North Carolina made his mark last season between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, slugging 32 homers and amassing 108 RBI in 142 minor league contests. In 355 minor league games with the Dodgers’ organization, he has hit .282 (387-for-1370) with 91 doubles, 78 homers and 266 RBI.
Kyle Hurt was named the Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Hurt, 25, made his Major League debut on September 12, retiring all six batters he faced against the Padres as well as striking out the side in the ninth inning.
The right-hander began the season with Double-A Tulsa, going 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA (30 ER/65.0 IP) and 110 strikeouts before getting promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on August 2.
In seven games for Oklahoma City, which included one start, Hurt posted a 2-1 record with a 3.33 ERA and struck out 42 against 11 walks. On the season, he has fanned a minor league best 152 batters in 92 innings while sporting a .205 batting average against.
The No. 12 prospect in the Dodgers’ organization according to MLB.com, was acquired from the Marlins on February 12, 2021 along with left-handed pitcher Alex Vesia in exchange for right-hander Dylan Floro. In three minor league seasons, he is a combined 11-13 with a 4.63 ERA with 297 strikeouts in 184.2 innings. The Southern California native was originally drafted by the Marlins in the fifth round of the 2020 First Year Player Draft out of USC.
Busch and Hurt will both be presented with their respective awards and honored in a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Sept. 22 prior to the Dodgers’ game vs. San Francisco.