It was a down week for some of the Dodgers minor league affiliates. The Chattanooga Lookouts and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes both had 2-4 weeks. The Great Lakes Loons checked in with the best record at 5-1. The Albuquerque Isotopes had an abbreviated week due to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Game.

The Loons and Ogden Raptors scored the most runs this week at 41. The ‘Topes allowed just seven, but did so in just three games.

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Albuquerque Isotopes (2-1)

Runs Scored: 16
Runs Allowed: 7

Player Of The Week

Alex Castellanos – 2B & Brian Cavazos-Galvez – OF

It was a short week for the Isotopes, hence the split award. Castellanos went 4-for-9 (.444) with four walks and two runs scored. Cavazos-Galvez went 6-for-9 (.667) with a home run, double, four RBI, and two runs scored. They’re the two most consistent hitters for the ‘Topes right now.

Pitcher Of The Week

Fernando Nieve – RHP

I don’t like giving this to a 30-year-old in Triple-A, but it was a short week. Nieve did have a solid outing: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. He hasn’t fared well on the season, though: 6.08 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, and a ridiculous 105 hits allowed in 74 innings.

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Chattanooga Lookouts (2-4)

Runs Scored: 18
Runs Allowed: 25

Player Of The Week

Gorman Erickson – C

After the season Erickson’s had, I doubted he’d ever make this list. But it was a slow week in Chattanooga and his performance takes the cake: 6-for-13 (.462) with three doubles, two RBI, and two runs scored. With the “big” week, he’s posting just a .232/.335/.316 triple slash on the season.

Pitcher Of The Week

Matt Magill – RHP

This is Magill’s third honor and also his third time being named Southern League Pitcher Of The Week. He had a great outing on Wednesday: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K. After a horrid June, it’s nice to see him getting back on track.

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Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (2-4)

Runs Scored: 24
Runs Allowed: 31

Player Of The Week

Joc Pederson – OF

Pederson finally makes his first appearance on the list, taking home this week’s award. He went 6-for-21 (.286) with a home run, a double, three RBI, four walks, and three stolen bases. It wasn’t the best week he’s had, but it was good enough this week for Rancho. His .815 OPS is impressive for a 20-year-old in A-ball, even if it’s in the California League.

Pitcher Of The Week

Andres Santiago – RHP

I wonder if it’s about time we start talking about Santiago as a legitimate prospect? Yes, he is repeating the league, but despite his unpolished ERA, he’s pitching better this time around than last. He had a good game on Saturday: 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K. On the season, he has a 10.3 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 (down from 3.5 last season), and a 3.23 FIP. This was his third award of the season.

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Great Lakes Loons (5-1)

Runs Scored: 41
Runs Allowed: 30

Player Of The Week

Darnell Sweeney – SS

Sweeney gets the nod instead of James Baldwin because he’s putting up fantastic numbers as a 2012 draftee (a college draftee, but still). The 13th-round pick went 9-for-22 (.409) with a double, triple, three RBI, six runs scored, six walks, and three stolen bases. He’s stepped right in to be the Loons’ leadoff man and sparkplug at the top of the lineup.

Pitcher Of The Week

Duke Von Schamann – RHP

Another 2012 draftee, Von Schamann made two starts this week and was effective in both: 11 2/3 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. He’s obviously not a big strikeout pitcher (11 in 24 1/3 minor league innings), but he knows how to get outs, and his 1.82 GO/AO rate is impressive. This is his second honor of the season.

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Ogden Raptors (3-3)

Runs Scored: 41
Runs Allowed: 38

Player Of The Week

Jeremy Rathjen – OF

The 2012 11th-round pick had himself quite a week and seems to be settling in nicely with the Raptors: 13-for-27 (.481) with two home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, 10 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The lanky outfielder has drawn comparisons to Corey Hart, and if he keeps hitting like this, he should see Great Lakes before the season is out.

Pitcher Of The Week

Carlos Frias – RHP

Frias, who’s a bit old for the league at 22, had the best week of any Raptors pitcher: 6 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K. On the season, Frias owns a 4.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, and a 2.67 FIP. Nice numbers, but not great for a guy repeating the level.

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Arizona League Dodgers (2-2)

Runs Scored: 21
Runs Allowed: 12

Player Of The Week

Bladimir Franco – 3B

Franco, a 21-year-old third baseman, led the charge in an abbreviated week for the AZL Dodgers by going 7-for-18 (.389) with two home runs, two doubles, four RBI, and three runs scored. This is his third stint in the AZL, and he’s struggled in his other two seasons. His six home runs lead the team and is one better than his home run total from the last two seasons … combined.

Pitcher Of The Week

Jonathan Martinez – RHP

Martinez claims his third award of the young AZL season by beating out Victor Araujo. Martinez had a nice outing on Friday: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K. The young righty has a 1.90 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, a .250 BAA, and is striking out nearly a batter per inning. He, along with Miguel Sulbaran, are quite the 1-2 punch in Arizona.

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Dominican Summer League Dodgers (4-1)

Runs Scored: 21
Runs Allowed: 14

Player Of The Week

Melvin Santana – 2B

Santana is taking after Josmar Cordero, as he won his second consecutive POTW award by edging out Geison Nunez. He went 8-for-17 (.471) with a home runs, a double, two triples, five RBI, six runs scored, and two stolen bases. The small second baseman is at .306/.386/.521 on the season.

Pitcher Of The Week

Wander Beras – LHP

I really wanted to give this to Jose Agusto Diaz (6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K), but it was hard to overlook Beras’ performance: 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K. He’s thrown well in the Dominican Summer League, but he is 23 and isn’t really a prospect to get excited about.

Do you like the picture? I hope so, because the Dominican Summer League doesn’t have a picture big enough.

Today, I will kick off the 2011 season reviews for the Dodgers minor league affiliates, and I’ll start at the bottom of the food chain with the pitchers of the Dominican Summer League Dodgers.

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It’s worth noting that I’ll be picking the prospects for the 2012 Prospective Prospect Profiles list from these reviews, so it might be worth reading. Or not.

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Victor Araujo – RHP – 21

Victor Araujo Statistics

After putting up solid numbers in 2010 over 14.2 innings in 8 relief appearances, with a 2.45 ERA/2.25 FIP and a 19/6 K/BB rate, Araujo made the transition to starting in 2011.

Over the course of the season, he started 11 games and relieved in 2, running up 60.0 innings in total. His ERA dropped to 1.80, and he sustained a solid 2.87 FIP along with a 61/13 K/BB rate.

In August, he won in the Dodger Pride Awards, so the organization is taking note of his performance, but at 22 next year, where they place him to start the season should give a clear indication on whether he’ll have even the smallest of impacts.

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Jose Agusto Diaz – RHP – 20

Jose Agusto Diaz Statistics

In his professional debut, Diaz pitched in 19 games and finished 10 of them, putting up a miniscule 0.67 ERA with a solid 3.05 FIP. In 27.0 innings, he struck out 23 and walked 11, and while he probably should be missing more bats to be a prospect, his sheer performance was notable. At the very least, it should be interesting to see where the Dodgers put him next year.

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Jonathan Martinez – RHP – 17

Jonathan Martinez Statistics

At such a young age, Martinez has a lot of time, but he hasn’t wasted any of it, getting his professional career off to a flying start. In primarily a relief role (2 GS/12 G), he pitched 32.1 innings of 1.67 ERA/2.98 FIP ball, including a 31/12 K/BB rate.

I’m guessing the Dodgers leave him in the DSL for another year unless they see him as a significant prospect, but he should be one to follow.

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Jackson Mateo – RHP – 18

Jackson Mateo Statistics

Appearing in 17 games and 22.0 innings in 2010, Mateo put up a 1.23 ERA and 3.06 FIP in his professional debut.

For 2011, he converted to a starting role and did not disappoint. In 15 games, he threw 72.1 innings of 1.62 ERA and 3.32 FIP ball with a 52/18 K/BB ratio. Furthermore, Mateo was the June recipient of the Dodger Pride Awards.

I figure the Dodgers almost have to move him to the AZL in 2012, as he has little to prove in the DSL, handling the role switch without a hitch. However, I have no idea what the developmental plan is with him, as far as adaptability and what not, so his assignment next year should say a lot.

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Miguel Sulbaran – LHP – 17

Miguel Sulbaran Statistics

Considering his age, handedness, experience, and performance, this might be the most impressive player on the list. In his professional debut, all Sulbaran did was throw 57.2 innings of 2.81 ERA/2.89 FIP ball over 13 appearances with 11 starts, and post a 52/18 K/BB rate.

Essentially, he has hit all the benchmarks that you would want to see out of a player in the DSL. The unknown factor is how ready he is for a transition to America, so a repeat isn’t out of the question. Additionally, he checks in at 5’10″ and 165 pounds, so the Dodgers might wait for him to mature further. Regardless, he’s off to a great start and should be on everybody’s radar.

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Abdiel Velasquez – RHP – 18

Abdiel Velasquez Statistics

After putting up a 2.53 ERA and 4.39 FIP in his professional debut last year, Velasquez started 6 more games and pitched 14.2 more innings in 2011.

Over 46.2 innings, he put up a 4.05 ERA and 4.08 FIP with a 38/18 K/BB rate, so despite the ERA spike, he actually took a step forward in development.

Where he lands in 2012 is anybody’s guess, but he seems like a decent candidate for the AZL.

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Luis Silverio – LHP – 20

Luis Silverio Statistics

Silverio is already 20, and in 17 relief appearances over 23 innings, he posted a terrible 7.04 ERA.

So why is he here?

Because he’s 6’3″, 190 pounds, and according to Baseball America, he throws 87-89 MPH with a curve and a cutter and has projection.

Furthermore, his 4.68 FIP reflects some bad luck, and his 24/21 K/BB ratio shows that if he can get his control down, he misses more than enough bats to qualify as a player to watch.

Granted, he’s old, so he’ll have to harness his stuff and cash in on that promise of projection soon, but if he does, there are always possibilities for big lefty pitchers.