Keeping ‘Em Down on Farm

The Dodgers acquired starter James Baldwin and relievers Terry Mulholland and Mike Trombley before Tuesday’s nonwaiver trading deadline--but they didn’t sell the farm in the process.

Of course, there isn’t much down on the Dodger farm and hasn’t been in a long time.

Interim General Manager Dave Wallace and Dan Evans, his top assistant, were determined not to compound the problem, declining to trade the club’s talented lower-level pitchers and position players.

The Dodgers accomplished their mission, adding a veteran starter and bolstering the bullpen at an acceptable price for them.

“A lot of our better prospects are down below [triple-A Las Vegas], and those were guys that we just weren’t real comfortable talking about,” Wallace said.

With the help of a scout familiar with the farm system, here’s a look at some of the top Dodger prospects Wallace and Evans retained, with players’ position and age:

1. BEN DIGGINS, pitcher, 22--The Dodgers selected the athletic, 6-foot-7 right-hander with their top pick in the 2000 draft. Diggins, who has a 96-mph fastball, is now learning how to pitch at Class-A Wilmington. In 14 games, Diggins is 2-6 with a 4.85 earned-run average. The former University of Arizona pitcher has 43 strikeouts in 65 innings, but has also given up 62 hits and walked 28. Believing Diggins has a bright future, the Dodgers rejected numerous trade requests.

2. IRVIN JOEL GUZMAN, shortstop, 16--The Dodgers redefined the international free-agent market, giving the native of the Dominican Republic an unprecedented $2.25-million signing bonus. Scouts said Guzman is a gifted 6-foot-4, 195-pound infielder. Because Guzman is only 16, he cannot play in the minor leagues for another year.

3. JOE THURSTON, shortstop, 21--A third-round selection in ‘99, Thurston was selected the club’s top minor leaguer last season after batting .303 with four home runs, 70 runs batted in and 43 stolen bases in Class A. At double-A Jackson this season, Thurston is batting .260 with seven homers and 42 RBIs. He has 13 stolen bases in 29 attempts.

4. JASON REPKO, shortstop, 20--Repko, selected first in ‘99, has been slowed because of back and hamstring injuries. He is batting .238 with three homers, 26 RBIs and 16 stolen bases for Wilmington. The Dodgers are impressed with Repko’s athleticism.

5. WILLY AYBAR, third base, 18--Before Guzman, the Dodgers established a record with Aybar, giving the Dominican amateur a $1.4-million bonus. Aybar, who has “good tools,” is batting .245 with 36 RBIs for Wilmington.

6. JOEL HANRAHAN, pitcher 19--The right-hander, a second-round selection last season, is more polished than Diggins. Hanrahan, still growing into his 6-foot-3 frame, throws a 90-mph fastball and has advanced “mound presence.” He is 5-9 with a 3.90 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings.

7. HONG-CHIH KUO, pitcher, 20--The left-hander, a native of Taiwan, is trying to regain form after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery in 2000. The Dodgers gave Kuo a $1.25-million signing bonus because his fastball was clocked at 95-97 mph before surgery. In four starts, Kuo has a 3.07 ERA in short-season rookie ball.

8. CHIN-FENG CHEN, outfield, 23--Chen, another native of Taiwan, was the club’s top prospect after becoming the first 30-30 man--homers and stolen bases--in the history of the Class-A California League. Chen struggled last season at double-A, batting .277 with only six homers and 131 strikeouts, but in 36 games this season, he is batting .322 at double-A Jacksonville.

9. KOYIE HILL, catcher, 22--The former Wichita State third baseman is making the adjustment to catcher. Hill is batting .294 with 59 RBIs for Wilmington.

10. REGGIE ABERCROMBIE, outfield, 20--Abercrombie is raw but extremely athletic. He has big-time potential despite a .229 batting average at Wilmington.