Tim Rogers
The Dodgers were involved in a three-team trade with the Phillie and Rays.
The Dodgers acquired LHP Garrett Cleavinger from the Phillies in a three-way deal with Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. The Dodgers are sending minor league INF Dillon Paulson and a player to be named later or cash considerations to TB. Rays will send LHP José Alvarado to PHI.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 29, 2020
This means the Dodgers lose the 2018 13th round draft pick, first baseman Dillon Paulson, to the Rays. I had the chance to watch Paulson play with the Quakes at the end of the 2019 season. He had spent a lot of his first full professional season with the Great Lakes Loons but earned a promotion to Rancho Cucamonga in mid-July. Paulson excelled with the Quakes as he slashed .293/.423/.500 (AVG/OBP/SLG). You can continue to follow Dillon Paulson on Instagram @dillydilly_24.
In return, the Dodgers got left-handed reliever Garrett Cleavinger from the Phillies. He actually made his Major League debut in 2020.
In the small sample size of his MLB debut, he threw 4-seam fastballs, sliders, and curves.
This will be Cleavinger’s third team as he was drafted by the Orioles. He was then traded to the Phillies in the Jeremy Hellickson trade in 2017.
Here's a look at Garrett Cleavinger, who goes from #Phillies to #Dodgers in the 3-team trade involving the #Rays: https://t.co/1UQsS82NKj
▪️ Obtained in Jeremy Hellickson trade in 2017
▪️ #Orioles' No. 15 prospect in '17
▪️ 2015 3rd-round pick
▪️ @OregonBaseball closer pic.twitter.com/ljPoXRIl3w— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) December 29, 2020
Scouting Report
The following scouting report came from Baseball Prospectus in 2017:
Funky lefty with a solid fastball that plays a bit above the raw material and a competent secondary. The movement in his delivery creates deception and difficult timing for hitters. It requires moderate effort, though he maintains his balance and repeats well, indicating potential for enough command and control to potentially play at higher levels. His pure stuff isn’t exceptional, but there’s enough deception that there’s potential for him to develop into a capable piece in a major league bullpen, with ability to get both LH and RH hitters out from the left side.
As with any pitcher the Dodgers acquire, it will be very interesting to see how one of the best player development departments in all of baseball can take Garrett Cleavinger to the next level.
You can follow the newest Dodger on Twitter @Cleavinger14 and Instagram @cleavinger14. All the best to fellow San Diegan, Dillon Paulson on his new venture with the Rays. Now we throw out the welcome mat for Garrett Clevenger, our newest Dodger, and member of the 40-man roster.
