The 2017 First-Year Player draft came and went with the Dodger front office expressing satisfaction with the draft, which would not be unexpected. However, they did not stop drafting after their 40th and last selection. Since that final selection was made they have signed at least five undrafted free agents. That is definitely a low risk, potentially high reward move. Perhaps there is another Shea Spitzbarth out there or a Jose Quintana who was twice-discarded as a minor league free agent having reached only high Class A and was snapped up by the Chicago White Sox in 2011.

This year’s undrafted free agent class for the Dodgers includes three pitchers, one infielder and one catcher. That is, to date. Four of the signings came on June 19 which was five days after the 2017 drafting period. The sixth came on July 15.

Amaury Telemaco Jr.
(Photo credit – Otto Greule Jr.)

Amaury Telemaco Jr.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing signings was that of 18-year-old right-hander Amaury Telemaco Jr. whose father had a nine-year MLB career pitching with the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies.

The younger Telemaco played his senior year and only year of baseball in the United States during the 2017 season. A native of the Dominican Republic, the 6’5”/255-pound right-hander came stateside when his father moved the family to Sarasota, Florida which houses the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training facility. The senior Telemaco is a Latin American pitching coordinator in the Pirates minor league system. Telemaco Jr. proceeded to play for Glenwood School in Smiths Station, Alabama and for coach Tim Fanning during the 2017 high school season.

Telemaco pitched in seven games for the Gators logging 13.1 innings and posting a 1-1 record with 25 strikeouts and a 4.73 ERA. He got a taste of winning as Glenwood won its second consecutive AISA Class 3A state title.

According to coach Fanning, the Dodgers had considered selecting Telemaco in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, in the later rounds, but decided to wait and sign him as a free agent.

Coach Fanning in an interview with Jordan Hill of the Ledger Enquirer in Alabama described Telemaco as a fastball and curveball pitcher and further described his curveball as a “big-boy breaking ball,” explaining it has depth in its drop.

“He definitely has professional stuff,” Fanning said. “When he first came (to Glenwood), you saw the way his arm worked, and it’s live. He has things you can’t teach. He has size and he has the arm strength. When he dedicates himself to professional baseball and gets in the kind of shape they want him in, that should translate to even more velocity.”

His 2017 coach was delighted his young minion was signed by the Dodgers and feels what happens next is up to Telemaco as he has a chance to make it to the major leagues as his father did. However, he noted, in the end it all comes down to what Telemaco makes of the moment.

Jason Bruihl
(Photo credit – Crista Jeremiason)

Justin Bruihl

Left-hander Justin Bruihl was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dodgers on July 15. Born in Petaluma, California, Bruihl attended Casa Grande High school in his home town where he hit .302 as a senior. On the mound in seven appearances with the Gauchos he did not allow an earned run in 17.1 innings.

Following graduation from high school, he checked out California State University, Northridge and the University of California before deciding on California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. At Cal Poly, the 6’2”/215-pound Bruihl posted a 4.88 ERA in 31.1 innings pitched while striking out 27 and walking 10. His season with the Broncos might not have been enough to catch the eyes of MLB scouts but his summer league play may well have done just that for a Dodger scout.

With the Walla Walla Sweets of the West Coast Summer League in 12 appearances over 15 innings he produced pretty much a clean slate. He gave up no earned runs, struck out 21 and issued only two walks while posting a 0.67 WHIP.

Bruihl, who turned 20 in June, was assigned to the Arizona League Dodgers on July 19 and now awaits his professional debut. However, his real odyssey started just over three years ago in March, 2014.

As a junior in high school the unthinkable happened to Justin Bruihl. What started out as a twinge in his left arm soon became a full-fledged pain with accompanying weakness and he quickly went under the knife for TJ surgery and the reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm. Fifteen months of rehab followed the surgery.

One can only imagine the surprise and disappointment for the young pitcher who in his own mind was invincible. That would not be unusual as no doubt most young players also feel they are invincible and perhaps do not tend to their body’s needs as well as they should.

Bruihl admits that, “I did feel invincible.” and that he did not take care of his arm as he could have and should have but that has definitely changed.

“I should have taken better care of my arm,” Bruihl said. “Then I was pitching 10-11 months a year. I wasn’t big on icing my arm. I am very cautious right now.”

His next test will be in live action with the Ogden Raptors to whom he was assigned on Sunday, July 23.

Austin Hamilton
(Photo courtesy of Valdosta State University)

Austin Hamilton

Pitcher Austin Hamilton was signed by the Dodgers on June 16 as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. He was born and raised in Okeechobee, Florida and attended Okeechobee High School graduating in 2012.

Following his graduation from high school, Hamilton pursued an education and played baseball with the Blazers at Valdosta State University for four years.

During his senior year the 6’0”/185-pound left-hander appeared in 17 games for the Blazers averaging about five innings pitched per appearance and posting five complete games during the season. Along with a 4.08 ERA, he had a team leading 103 strikeouts in 90.1 innings while walking 27. His strikeout total, in fact, led the entire Division II Gulf South Conference.

The highlight of his senior year for the 23-year-old Hamilton came on April 30 as he capped off his season with a 10-strikeout performance against the University of North Alabama Lions. He allowed but two runs through seven innings pitched.

Hamilton may his debut with the Ogden Raptors of the rookie level Pioneer League on July 1 pitching 1.1 innings against the Idaho Falls Chukars. He gave up two earned runs and struck out two. In five subsequent appearances over 6.2 innings he has given up only one additional earned run while striking out 12 and walking three.