“Just To Get Him Here And Take Some At-Bats Versus Clayton” | Dodgers 19-Year-Old Prospect Kendall George Spends Day With Club At Dodger Stadium

“Just To Get Him Here And Take Some At-Bats Versus Clayton” | Dodgers 19-Year-Old Prospect Kendall George Spends Day With Club At Dodger Stadium

by | Jun 18, 2024 | THE THREE SPOT

The grind of the minor leagues can be rough, and most young players often hit that proverbial wall at some point early in their pro development process. In an effort to give them a bit of a glimpse into the future, clubs let their minor league players spend some time with the major league club if they’re in close proximity.

 

For years the Los Angeles Dodgers have brought their minor league prospects that play for their Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga down to Dodger Stadium to get the feel of being in the majors.

Kendall George, 2023 2nd-Round Pick Comes to Bigs For The Day

The latest player to do so was Kendall George the club’s 2023 second-round pick (36th overall). With a scheduled day off recently, George made the trip to Dodger Stadium to be around the Dodgers for a full day. There he was able to see how the big dogs prepare and how they go about their daily business.

 

George was able to take part in some pregame batting practice, as well as chat with his future manager Dave Roberts, general manager Brandon Gomes and President of basketball operations Andrew Friedman. In all it was a great experience for the speedster who’s been tearing it up in the minors since being drafted.

 

Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Speaks On Kendall George

For Roberts this is something he enjoys as it pertains to the minor league players. When he was drafted, he was a low round pick who was looked upon as a long shot to ever make it in the Big Leagues. Because of that, the Detroit Tigers didn’t keep tabs on him, but Roberts faired pretty well, even winning a World Series title with the Boston Red Sox in 2004.

Following George’s visit, Roberts detailed how his day with the club went.

“Just to get him here and have him take some at-bats versus Clayton, to talk to some of our guys, myself, front office, and just check in on him,” Roberts told reporters. “We’ve done that with players in the past. So just being that the geography is so close, it was good to kinda put eyes on him.”

“Yeah it’s good,” Roberts said. “I think we do as good a job as anyone with that. Just kind of seeing how his first full season has gone and what the effects it has on his body, playing every day, the grind of it, because at that age he should be in college right now. So it’s a big adjustment, not being home. And so for him to be able to come here, have conversations and know that he’s not on an island, I think that’s a good thing.”

Kendall George Is Choosing MLB Grind Over College 

As Roberts stated George should be in college, so having them check on him and see where he is from not just a baseball standpoint, is something that all MLB teams should practice. The daily of grind of baseball is hard enough, and just knowing someone cares about your well-being what you can do for them on the diamond has to help young players. In George’s case it can only enhance what has already been a really good minor league career.

 

George Proving He’s Not Just Speed

Being drafted 36th overall was based heavily on George’s elite speed on the base paths and in the outfield. But George has proven he’s got much more in his bag than that, having batted posted a .362/.451/.414 slash line in 16 games last season with the rookie club. That play got George promoted to Single-A Rancho Cucomanga where he performed well for 12 games, and even exceeded his rookie putout.

To begin the 2024 season George was assigned back to the club. He’s once again been good, hitting .273/.380/.303 in 44 games. With an expected arrival to the majors in 2027 the Dodgers will take their time with George who team brass views as a key piece of their future.

The 19-year-old definitely has all the tools, just needs time to fully develop, and the Dodgers franchise seem like the perfect spot for him to do so.