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Baltimore Orioles: A Look at 5 Potential Dodgers Prospects in a Machado Trade

By Ben Palmer

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 01: Alex Verdugo #61 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 01: Alex Verdugo #61 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JULY 09: Yadier Alvarez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the World Team prepares to deliver the pitch against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JULY 09: Yadier Alvarez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the World Team prepares to deliver the pitch against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2. Yadier Alvarez —RHP

At one point, Yadier Alvarez was one of the Dodgers top-five prospects and it’s not hard to see why. With a plus-plus fastball that can hit 101 MPH with life and an upper-80s slider that looks like a total money pitch, Alvarez has all the looks of a top-level starting pitcher.

Problem is, he can’t control the ball, and as a result, he comes with a lot of risk. In 2017, between High-A and Double-A, Alvarez posted a 4.68 ERA with a 1.51 WHIP and 4.9 BB/9 (though he also had a solid 9.5 K/9).

So far this year, he hasn’t looked much better, posting a 4.43 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP, 10.9 K/9, and 8.5 BB/9. Again, great strikeouts, but terrible walks.

If he can’t fix his control and develop a solid third pitch (he’s been working on a curve and changeup, both to little success so far), Alvarez may end up as a bullpen arm, albeit likely a really good one. But he also comes with the ceiling of a top-flight starter, provided he’s able to make some significant adjustments to his control.

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