 Kershaw began his career with the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Dodgers.He pitched in 37 innings in which he struck out 54 batters (walking only five), while compiling a record of 2–0 with a 1.95 ERA.He featured a fastball that topped out at  and he was rated as the top prospect in the GCL, and the Dodgers' second best prospect by "Baseball America" behind third baseman Andy LaRoche.