James

Loney

Loney, the Dodgers’ first-round pick last year, has already emerged as the team’s top prospect. He’s three or four years away from the majors, though.

Loney, 19, was the Dodgers’ No. 1 draft pick in 2002. He won’t be ready for another couple years but he’s the future at first base for LA.

Loney had been with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League as he tried to make it as a two-way player, but it was a short-lived experiment. The 35-year-old had a solid career, batting .284/.336/.410 with 108 homers over 11 seasons for the Dodgers, Red Sox, Rays and Mets.

That’s not the headline. The headline is that he will be a two-way player for the Skeeters, both as a hitter and a pitcher. Loney has never pitched professionally, but he was highly-regarded by scouts in high school. It’s worth a shot for the 34-year-old, who hasn’t played in a major league organization since 2017. He was out of organized ball last year.

The Dodgers plan to be extremely careful with Garciaparra and his sore knee and will use Loney to rest him. Loney has also been working on playing the outfield and could see limited duty there.

Loney still isn’t showing a lot of power, especially after taking into account the hitter friendly environment he’s playing in, but the Dodgers have to be pleased with his .368/.414/.526 line and his continued good health. He could be the club’s regular first baseman next season.

The Dodgers want to go with 12 pitchers and with Julio Lugo taking on a utility role with the team Loney’s playing time has diminished. He will be recalled when the rosters expand on September 1.

Loney was hitting .313/.389/.625 in 32 at-bats since being recalled on July 29. He’ll be back in September.

Loney batted .380/.426/.546 in 366 at-bats for Las Vegas. He’s up to serve mostly as a pinch-hitter for now, but he could become the Dodgers’ first baseman next year.

Juan Rivera will start at first base against the southpaw Cory Luebke while Jerry Hairston, Jr. plays left field. Loney owns a .677 career OPS against left-handed pitching, so this is an arrangement we should probably get used to.