A teenage catcher signed to a modest bonus out of Venezuela is now the top-rated prospect in a talented Dodgers system.

The Dodgers moved Eduardo Quintero to the outfield after signing him for $297,500 in 2023. He has emerged as someone who could find himself patrolling center field at Dodger Stadium some day.

“His ability to look over a ball, the calmness in the box coupled with his ability to drive the ball makes for a very exciting offensive profile,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.

“And as soon as we moved him to the outfield, he displayed a real nose for the ball and instincts that made it look like he’d been playing there his whole life.”

Quintero shined in the Arizona Complex League in 2024 and took another step forward at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2025. He hit .306/.426/.533 with 14 home runs and 35 stolen bases in 83 games.

Despite being promoted to High-A Great Lakes in late July, Quintero won the California League’s MVP award. All before turning 20.

Quintero will likely make the jump to Double-A at some point this season, the next challenge in the young outfielder’s prospect.

The Dodgers have a number of outfield prospects with bright futures. Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope and Mike Sirota are fellow Top 100 Prospects, but Quintero’s ability to play center field could set him apart.

“We have a number of very talented minor league outfield prospects. Only a few of them profile with the ability to play center field in the major leagues,” Friedman said.

“We feel like what (Quintero) does in the box, on the bases and on defense gives him every chance as a young prospect to feature prominently in the middle of the field for us.”

L.A. CONFIDENTIAL

— Righthander Ryder Ryan signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers in advance of spring training. Ryan, 30, is the older brother of Dodgers prospect River Ryan, who is returning from Tommy John surgery this spring. Ryder made 15 appearances out of the bullpen for the Pirates last season with a 5.66 ERA.

— Cole Roberts, the son of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, has ended his playing career after three seasons in the farm systems of the Diamondbacks and Phillies and will start coaching. The 25-year-old has been named a bench coach for High-A West Michigan in the Tigers’ system. After playing at Loyola Marymount, Roberts hit .222 in 97 minor league games, primarily in Class A.