Dodgers hopefuls blow out Angels

TEMPE, ARIZ. » The Dodgers, who have boasted a more highly regarded farm system than the Angels for more than a decade, have bragging rights after the inaugural Spring Breakout matchup.

A team of Dodgers prospects beat a team of Angels prospects 8-1 on Saturday at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Thayron Liranzo, a 20-year-old catcher who was playing first base, belted a two-run homer as part of a four-run second inning. Liranzo is ranked as the Dodgers' 12th-best prospect by Baseball America. A switch-hitter, Liranzo was hitting from the left side when he blasted the homer to right.

The game was part of a series in which MLB pitted prospect teams against one another.

Players who are already on 40-man rosters could opt out of playing in the game. Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel, for example, is technically their top prospect because he maintains rookie eligibility. He's been playing in big league spring training games because he's slated to be the Angels everyday first baseman.

Dodgers catcher Daulton Rushing, who is rated by Baseball America as their No. 1 prospect, played in the game, batting third. Rushing singled, walked and struck out in three trips to the plate.

The Dodgers used two other players ranked by Baseball America in the organization's top 10: outfielder Josue De Paula (No. 5) and left-hander Jackson Ferris (No. 9). De Paula had two hits and two RBIs.

Center fielder Kendall George (No. 14) had a double and a triple.

As for the Angels, even though Schanuel didn't play, they still used five of their top 10 prospects: outfielder Nelson Rada (No. 2), right-hander Caden Dana (No. 3), infielder Kyren Paris (No. 5), right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (No. 9) and shortstop Denzer Guzman (No. 10).