Rays Deal Adam Kolarek To Dodgers For Rising Prospect Niko Hulsizer

Image credit: Adam Kolarek (Photo by Cliff Welch/Getty Images)

The Rays, who already boast baseball’s best farm system, added to their cache on Wednesday when they shipped lefty specialist Adam Kolarek to the Dodgers for breakout prospect Niko Hulsizer. Kolarek gives the Dodgers a lefty specialist out of the bullpen for their potential run in October.

 

DODGERS ACQUIRE

Adam Kolarek, LHP
Age: 30

Kolarek has been exceptional against lefthanders this season, working to a .187/.238/.289 slash line in those matchups. He works primarily with a fastball that scrapes the low 90s and couples it with a slider and changeup. He’s not arbitration-eligible until 2022 and won’t be a free agent until after the 2025 season. 

RAYS ACQUIRE

Niko Hulsizer, OF
Age: 22

Hulsizer, who is on the rise in the Dodgers’ system, has what evaluators have graded as plus or better raw power. He’s turned that into 23 doubles and 20 home runs between both levels of Class A. He has extremely strong hands but there are swing-and-miss issues that may keep his power from playing at the upper levels. He’s a fringy defender in the outfield.