Scouting executive is pleased

Arriving Monday morning in Vero Beach, Fla., after four days of scouting in the Dominican Republic, Logan White was bursting with pride in talking by phone about the group of 20-something players that has invigorated the Dodgers’ lineup in the first half of the season.

“It’s unbelievable,” said White, an assistant general manager who in 2002 took over responsibility for a Dodgers farm system that was referred to as “depleted” and is now called “talent-laden.” “It’s like a parent watching their kid graduate from college. You’re happy for the player fulfilling his dream.”

White’s first pick in the June 2002 amateur draft was first baseman James Loney. That same year, the Dodgers selected pitcher Jonathan Broxton in the second round and catcher Russell Martin in the 17th round, and signed infielder Tony Abreu as a non-drafted free agent.

In 2003, pitcher Chad Billingsley was taken in the first round and outfielder Matt Kemp in the sixth round.

They’re all 22, 23 or 24 and making big-time contributions this season.

And there are more on the way.

White said Jonathan Meloan, a 22-year-old right-hander with 16 saves for double-A Jacksonville, is putting himself in position for a possible September call-up. And the best pitching prospect of all, 19-year-old left-hander Clayton Kershaw, is dominating at Class-A Great Lakes while moving up the farm ladder.

The big question is how to decide when a player is ready to make the jump to the major leagues.

“You have to know if the player is mentally ready to handle all the stuff ... the road trips, the night life, what to do if you get booed,” White said.

White is in Vero Beach to watch the latest group of Dodgers draft picks start their professional careers, including last month’s first-round pick, pitcher Chris Withrow.

He said pitcher Bryan Morris, the 31st player selected in last year’s draft, is making good progress after having Tommy John surgery.

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Bill Mueller, the interim hitting coach since the firing of Eddie Murray on June 14, will stay in the position for the remainder of the season, Manager Grady Little said.

Little and General Manager Ned Colletti had approached Mueller in recent days seeking his commitment, and he finally agreed.

“We like the way the hitters have responded,” Little said.

Mueller, who was working as a special assistant to Colletti, still has front-office ambitions.

“That doesn’t end,” he said. “It’s just an opportunity right now to help this organization for this time period.”

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Mark Hendrickson, who acknowledged disappointment at not being selected to join the starting rotation when Jason Schmidt was lost for the season last month, said he’s looking forward to Wednesday’s start against the Atlanta Braves.

“I’m happy the way I’m pitching,” he said.

Hendrickson is 2-3 with a 4.81 earned-run average in eight starts this season.

“He’s been throwing the ball well, being more aggressive,” pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said.

Times staff writer Dylan Hernandez contributed to this report.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com