Pick 11 – Los Angeles Dodgers
Selection: RF Richard Hidalgo
How do you follow up drafting Bartolo “Big Sexy” Colón at No. 4? By doubling down on impact talent—and this time, doing it on the offensive side of the ledger. The Los Angeles Dodgers step up at Pick 11 and land one of the most polished bats still on the board: Richard Hidalgo.
This is the kind of selection that instantly stabilizes a position of chaos. Last year’s left field situation was a full-blown revolving door—Jeffrey Hammonds, Matt Luke, and a cast of others auditioning for the role, none of them sticking. The Dodgers needed a real solution, not another patch, and Hidalgo provides exactly that.
At nearly full development with 15 contact and 16 power, Hidalgo offers immediate production. He isn’t the type of corner outfielder who forces you to hide him defensively, either. His arm plays. His glove plays. And with 13 range, there’s even a nonzero chance the Dodgers experiment with him in center field if the roster shakes out that way. But realistically, he steps into a corner and locks it down from day one.
Best of all? He doesn’t need to be the savior.
With Shawn Green, Rafael Palmeiro, and Ryan Klesko occupying the heart of the order, Hidalgo can slide into the sixth spot and mash without pressure. He strengthens the bottom half of the lineup. He lengthens innings. He forces opposing pitchers to grind through every plate appearance. Suddenly, the Dodgers—who, let’s be honest, still need several bats—start to look like a team with far more credibility and offensive depth than the standings suggested last season.
Hidalgo may not carry the raw upside of some lottery-ticket sluggers, but he’s the perfect blend of readiness and projection. And following the Colon pick, he makes Los Angeles one of the most improved teams coming out of the first round.
This is where smart drafting meets smart team-building.
The Dodgers needed a bat. Hidalgo is a very good place to start.