Progress is Not Linear…

March 19, 2024

You’ve never heard that before! Ha, Ha! Nowhere do we see evidence of that more than with Gavin Stone. In 2022, he was the Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the year and looked ready to take the next step. Then, after looking good in Spring Training in 2023, he laid an egg and put up a 9.00 ERA in 31 IP. The opposing batters simply beat him like a rented…

Read More >>

Is Austin Barnes as Bad as You Think?

March 17, 2024

I am just going to jump right into this one: In 2023, the best Caught Stealing Rate by Catchers was +9. That means that the best catcher was good for +9 Runs Over League Average. Will Smith was -1 Run Below Average and Austin Barnes was -4 Runs Below League Average. If Austin Barnes is one of the worst throwing catchers in MLB, then Will Smith is right there with…

Read More >>

Two Conundrums: Gavin Lux and Miguel Vargas

March 16, 2024

There are perhaps no players who are are polarizing as Gavin Lux and Miguel Vargas. Everyone has an opinion it seems… and they vary wildly. Both are players who have defensive challenges and who have bats that could be special. First of all, the Dodgers value Gavin Lux’s bat. I agree with that 100%. He could be a very special player. Gavin has always seen himself as a shortstop. The…

Read More >>

Tightwads, Cheapskates, and Knuckleheads

March 15, 2024

Is everyone aware that the Angels are just one of only two MLB Teams that do not have Announcers who travel with the team? Terry Smith and Mark Langston, the announcers for the Orange County Angels, call the game from Anaheim by watching the Bally Sports West video feeds. Before this season, Angels owner Arte Moreno told reporters at spring training that Smith and Langston, who work for the team-owned…

Read More >>

Is Yamamoto All He’s Hyped Up to be?

March 14, 2024

While it is clear that Yamamoto has some very filthy stuff, he finished Spring Training with a 8.38 ERA. In 9.2 IP, he allowed 15 Hits and 9 ER. He walked 4 and struck out 14. It also has been rumored that he is tipping pitches. I heard someone say, “It doesn’t matter if he ‘s tipping pitches – they still can’t hit him!” YES THEY CAN! Now, understand that…

Read More >>

The Thot Plickens

March 12, 2024

We learned a lot about Tyler Glasnow yesterday and why he is unquestionably now the Dodgers’ Ace. Lest we forget, he has had a singular injury problem, not plural problems. He has had just one injury that was undiagnosed for four years. It was fixed and he now looks healthy as a horse! Actually, he is horse – just check out his mane. Tyler is now the Dodgers’ Ace. End…

Read More >>

The Dodgers Player Development Machine

March 12, 2024

Under Andrew Friedman’s leadership since 2015, the Dodgers have a winning percentage of . 623 (845-512), including a franchise record 111 wins in the 2022 season as well as a club-best . 717 winning percentage during the shortened 2020 season (43-17).There is a lot more to the Dodgers Player Development that just coaching and one-on-one sessions. Entering his tenth season with the club after being named to the post on October 14,…

Read More >>

It’s Only Spring Training

March 11, 2024

A lot of Dodger fans have been impressed with Chris Okey, Austin Gauthier, and Andy Pages. That’s fine. I like them too, but none will be on the team out of Spring Training… unless disaster strikes. Spring Training is just that: Training of your body and Training to play Baseball. In the scheme of things, it means very little for the immediate future, but it does mean something. One player…

Read More >>

Who is Sauryn Lao… and Other Stuff

March 9, 2024

Bear asked about this yesterday: The Dodgers signed Sauryn Lao out of the Dominican Republic in 2016 when he was 16 years old. In his seven minor league seasons, he has played every infield position. He averaged .253 with .744 OPS over those seasons. Just when it looked like he was another “flame out” as a minor leaguer, who never got past A+ Ball, the Dodgers decided to convert him…

Read More >>