Jon Duplantier and Drew Avans may not be considered top-tier prospects.
Duplantier, aged 30, is back with the Dodgers for the second time and has been with three different organizations in the past two seasons. Avans, aged 28, was a late-round draft pick in 2018 and has completed four full seasons with the Dodgers’ top minor league team without a call-up to the majors.
However, both players highlight a key factor in the success of the Oklahoma City team, which has not had a losing record since 2019: The player development system that consistently ranks the Dodgers’ farm system in the top 5 in MLB also benefits veteran minor leaguers.
This past week, Duplantier was named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, while Avans was named PCL Player of the Week for their outstanding performances.
Last week, Avans had a remarkable batting average of .636 with 14 hits, four walks, and seven RBIs in five games against the Salt Lake Bees.
Duplantier showcased his talent by throwing six perfect innings and striking out 12 batters in a single game against the Bees. Oklahoma City’s season concluded on Sunday.
Avans had an impressive season, slashing .272/.366/.396 with 35 stolen bases, 105 runs, 80 walks, and eight triples in 133 games for Oklahoma City. He also ranked second on the team with 147 hits and 27 doubles.
Despite being a pitcher and hitter in college, Avans has solely focused on hitting and playing outfield positions professionally. Duplantier has made 19 appearances in the majors and signed with the Dodgers after a stint with the New York Mets and Lake Country DockHounds.
Duplantier, once a Top-100 prospect, has had mixed success in the majors and minors. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay updated on all things Dodgers!
Photo Credit: Dodgers Nation
