Dodgers Kick Off Development Program for Major League Prospects

By City News Service

The Los Angeles Dodgers began their seventh annual Winter Development Program on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, an event designed to help prepare the organization's top prospects for the major leagues, both on and off the field.

The five-day program combines workouts focusing on fundamentals, strength training and conditioning and events helping 15 of the organization's top prospects familiarize themselves with the Los Angeles area, including a community service visit to A Place Called Home, a youth center in South Los Angeles.

The program will include sessions with Hall of Fame manger Tommy Lasorda, now a special advisor to the chairman, Don Newcombe, the standout Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher of the 1950s, now also a special advisor to the chairman, team president Stan Kasten, general manager Ned Colletti, 1962 National League MVP Maury Wills, now a team instructor, and former Dodgers Eric Karros and Shawn Green.

The prospects will also attend the annual legends dinner with Dodger alumni.

The prospects participating in the program include the organization's 2013 Minor League Pitcher of the Year Zach Lee, Minor League Player of the Year outfielder Scott Schebler, Baseball America's top-rated Dodger prospect, outfielder Joc Pederson, and three players with major league experience, pitchers Jose Dominguez and Matt Magill and outfielder Nick Buss.