{"id":127181,"date":"2025-06-24T09:29:30","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T09:29:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/127181\/"},"modified":"2025-06-24T09:29:30","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T09:29:30","slug":"kellon-lindsey-selected-no-23-overall-by-dodgers-in-mlb-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/127181\/","title":{"rendered":"Kellon Lindsey selected No. 23 overall by Dodgers in MLB draft"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FORT WORTH, Texas\u00a0\u2014\u00a0With their first pick in the 2024 draft, the Dodgers<\/a> selected the same kind of player they did with their first pick in the 2023 draft: a high school player with exceptional speed, strong defensive ability at a key position, and the promise of power to come.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s edition: shortstop Kellon Lindsey<\/a> from Hardee High School in Florida.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe excitement level our player development staff has is through the roof,\u201d said Billy Gasparino<\/a>, the Dodgers\u2019 vice president of baseball operations. \u201cWe really think we found someone who is going to be a great Dodger.\u201d<\/p>\n

That might happen, but not for a few years. The Dodgers are under .500<\/a> (23-24) over the last eight weeks, they have 12 pitchers on the injured list, and they used four pitchers Sunday acquired this year in minor league transactions or after they had been designated for assignment.<\/p>\n

With the 23rd pick in the first round in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers select Florida high school shortstop Kellon Lindsey. pic.twitter.com\/lnvWJwNr5D<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 15, 2024<\/a> <\/p>\n

Under the circumstances, did president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman<\/a> ask his scouting department to consider whether any college pitcher might be worth taking so that he could be promoted into the major league bullpen sometime this season?<\/p>\n

\u201cTrust me, we feel your pain,\u201d Gasparino said. \u201cWe know, with all the injuries going on at the big league level. I think it\u2019s tempting at times to try to think like that, but we just haven\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew and (general manager) Brandon Gomes<\/a> have been really steady on: Do what\u2019s best long-term for the organization. We\u2019ll figure out the short term. Don\u2019t let that impact the decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lindsey, 18, took a huge step forward this spring, when he completed his final high school football season and concentrated entirely on baseball for the first time. He and the Dodgers could sense strength developing, even if has not yet shown up in the statistics.<\/p>\n

He batted .403 this season, with one home run and 25 walks in 25 games.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I can pretty much put the ball in play whenever I want,\u201d Lindsey said. \u201cI think that\u2019s an important tool to have. I think the power is coming, and I have power. I\u2019m excited to finally get to focus on baseball and get into positions where I can use that power.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Dodgers\u2019 first-round pick last year, center fielder Kendall George, is batting .272 at Class A Rancho Cucamonga this season, with one home run and 24 stolen bases in 60 games.<\/p>\n

The recommended bonus for Lindsey, as the 23rd overall pick in the draft, is $3.68 million. Lindsey said he plans to sign with the Dodgers rather than play college baseball.<\/p>\n

The first two rounds of the draft were conducted Sunday; the Dodgers forfeited their second-round pick when they signed Shohei Ohtani. The draft continues Monday; the Dodgers also forfeited their fifth-round pick when they signed Ohtani.<\/p>\n