It’s Still Spring Training!

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1. Now that Trout is the biggest fish in the pond, will the Freeway Series be more interesting to watch? I think the Angels will draw added crowds wherever they play.

   Hernandez is coming back down to earth but is making believers out of decision makers.

   Since Smith and Barnes are the Dodgers’ catchers long term, maybe Ruiz will spend some time at first base this year.

   1. I think Smith has more versatility than Ruiz.

      1. I doubt the Ruiz plays anywhere but C.

         Smith will catch a lot fewer games than Ruiz.

         If the Dodgers need another bat, Smith will likely be part of the package.

         1. Agree. And if Barnes shows improvement we still control him for three years after 2019. As a back-up catcher/utility man he has good value. Then there’s Wong and Cartaya. Smith is probably one of our few “expendable” prospects.

            1. IMO, there is nothing backup about Barnes if he continues to play at the level he has been playing. People tend to over-think this position because of the Grandal affair and Barnes no-show last season. If this is the player that Barnes really is (ST Barnes), our catcher has been found. You don’t replace a guy playing like this. Of course, things could go south for him but it remains his job to lose.

   2. Interesting conclusion that the Angels will draw bigger crowds, not because they added some stars, or that they will better, but because they pay Trout more money. I’m not sure that thinking leads to a valid business plan. I think I’m gonna go to the bank and ask for a small business loan and tell them my business plan is to pay my employees more money so I can attract bigger crowds…

      So begins another year, and another pitching staff full of injuries. Lucky we have a lot of pitchers. Whoever was hoping and wishing for Brock Stewart to make the team got their wish, and the cost of a better pitcher going to the DL. Karma?

      MT, you are absolutely right in keeping us frustrated fans in check by explaining why we had a dud in the starting lineup yesterday. Spring is over. The first two freeway series games are the final tuneup. The third game is so guys that want work get it, guys that don’t get an extra day off.

      Thank God meaningful games begin soon. I’m even tired of myself questioning Doc’s Spring Training lineups. I can’t wait for the season to start so I can question his regular season lineups.

      Less platooning was the mantra for the offseason. I guess that’s entirely plausible since we now have 3 everyday players set in the lineup that includes Pollock, Turner and Seager. It’s funny that our so called “Every Day” players have such an extensive injury history. Actually, that’s not very funny at all.

      Right Handed Pitching Lineup
      Pollock – CF
      Seager – SS
      Turner – 3B
      Bellinger – RF
      Kike – 2B
      Pederson – LF
      Barnes – C
      Muncy – 1B

      Left Handed Pitching Lineup
      Pollock – CF
      Seager – SS
      Turner – 3B
      Freese – 1B
      Bellinger – RF
      Kike – 2B
      Taylor – LF
      Barnes – C

      Verdugo seems to be destined to become the 4th outfielder

      Kershaw and Hill are out and Bueller isn’t built up.
      Who thought this would be our rotation to start the year? Bad management, or bad luck?
      Hyun-Jin Ryu
      Kenta Maeda
      Ross Stripling
      Julio Urías
      Walker Buehler

      The back end of this bullpen looks great! Who’s gonna be the long reliever? I think we should go with what we have on the 40 until May, so we can get another year of control out of Gonsolin.
      Kenley Jansen
      Joe Kelly
      Pedro Báez
      Yimi Garcia
      Scott Alexander
      Caleb Ferguson
      Dylan Floro
      Stewart / Santana / ???

      The 40 man roster is set at 39. Why didn’t we keep Miller? Are we going to start the clock on Gonsolin? Will help come from the outside?

      1. Miller had an opt out and would not accept a minor league assignment. He had to be on the 25-man.

      2. I believe the smart money is on Santana but they could decide to give Stewsrt one last look. Or bring in someone from the outside. Chargois could also come back. Or Schultz.

         1. MT, Miller would have to be on the 25. You are indeed correct and that makes sense for him to give it another try. I like “Palm” Dale’s ideas for that 8th reliever. But, what about that 40th spot on the roster? Are they just hanging out, waiting to see what get’s cast off from other rosters?

            1. Could be

      3. 59

         I thought of you when I saw the line up today, because there are not many major league players in our line up today.

         That is a good point about 3 of what should be 4 of our everyday players, seeming to be our most vulnerable players in our line up, if you consider their injury histories.

         I hadn’t thought about that, but that is so true.

         It is also true that Verdugo didn’t do enough in spring, to make many take notice, in fact his numbers were quite average except for a corner outfielder, because he didn’t display much power at all, or much offense at all too, like you have mentioned more then once.

         And that is with Joc seeming to come to spring training every year, looking like he has not worked on his hitting much in the off season, and that may be true or not.

         I was hoping we would have a better line up today, because Sportsnet LA didn’t televise yesterday’s game.

         But I also can’t wait until the season begins, because I still don’t see Roberts exactly making up a line up like he will in the regular season, even in the freeway series.

         1. I fully expected to see a lineup like this on “Get Away Day”. Most of the regulars should have left to come home after yesterday’s game. We’ll see our 25 man roster guys play on Sunday and Monday.

            1. Thanks I forgot about the traveling day, probably because I couldn’t see yesterday’s game.

      4. Under ordinary circumstances, Ferguson, Floro, Stewart/Santana should not be anywhere near the 25 man roster. All have performed weakly in ST, with only Ferguson showing real promise at some point in his development. Stewart and Santana have poor showings in ST and I think pitchers like May and Gonsolin are much closer to the MLB level. Floro is on the fence. I don’t consider him a strong reliever in any way. I would rather see the Dodgers take a chance on some of the relievers we only got glimpses of like Salow and Moseley. They can’t do worse than Floro, Ferguson, and Stewart have and we may be pleasantly surprised at what they have.

2. Mark–Stults ended up to be not bad. Better than Ely. Stewart is lucky if he even sniffs the bigs again. I’d love to see it.

3. Season starting. Dodgers gonna be very competitive again. My advice is enjoy it and don’t sweat the small stuff. So much more important things to worry about then whether the Dodgers have enough right handed bats. That’s what the experts get paid for. One thing for sure when the inevitable injuries strike there isn’t a team in MLB that is deeper and more able to handle it. I predict another LA div west champ . All the other stuff kinda hard to predict but Dodger chances are as good as any team in MLB. GO DODGERS.

4. Why does everyone want Pollock as their leadoff? It is true that he would be perfect in that place, but we dont have a true fifth bat so why not leave Kike as leadoff and Pollock as fifth?

   2B – Kike & Taylor
   SS – Seager
   3B – Turner
   RF – Bellinger
   CF – Pollock
   1B – Muncy
   C – Barnes & Martin
   LF – Pederson & Verdugo
   P – Anyone

   1. Jorge

      Pollock is an experienced lead off hitter, and as much as I have liked what I saw from Kike in spring training, he has not hit as well as Pollock, in high leverage situations.

      But your right, Pollock could probably bat fifth too.

      But I am sure this line up will be adjusted as we go along, except Corey and Turner, because those two will definitely be hitting either second or third.

   2. I would rather have Pollock batting in the middle of the order separating left handed power bats, like Jorge pointed out. But, I kinda like Kike in the middle against Lefties. The problem is that we don’t have a true leadoff hitter, so something has to give.

      MJ, Pollock has more ABs in the middle of the order than he does batting leadoff.

      Muncy is a good “out of the box” choice to bat leadoff as well. Not ideal, just out of the box. Maybe “Marnes” needs to bat leadoff!

      1. 59

         Thanks I didn’t know that, but if Muncy can be close to the hitter he was last year, and have that same type of plate discipline, he might be a pretty good lead off hitter.

         But I guess it is hard to know at this point, with no ideal lead off hitter, and it would also be nice, to have a true clean up hitter too.

         Because if we did, then AJ might fit better in the lead off position.

   3. Jorge. Good Choice !

      But i am not sure about Kike and Taylor Leadoff ! Too much all or nothing guys and high K guys. But good choice I would go by

      Verdugo
      Pollock
      Seager
      Turner
      Muncy
      Bellinger
      Kike
      Martin

      1. Hi Carlos. Good to see you

   4. Jorge,
      I would swap C and LF

   5. Not everyone, Jorge. I have rooted for Kike at this position and Pollock batting 5th, but I can live with Pollock leading off because he’s a hitter and that’s what we need as a leadoff batter. He also has some speed and maybe we’ll see some more SB’s this season. Dodgers are solid from batters 1 through 5, after that, well………………………

      I think there is going to be some disappointment again with the roster and the lineups. I don’t consider the Dodgers locks for anything. They had to earn their title last season and barely made it to division leader. They could easily have missed the post season. They have also not shown a consistent hitting approach to ST and I see no evidence that the new batting coach and instructors have made any difference at all. Kike turned the corner last season in the 2nd half of the season. Pederson, Taylor, and Muncy, all have the same habits as last year. None have showed any improvement overall. Where is the guarantee that the Dodgers are a lock for anything? It is only in the pitching department that we see the potential. Pitching can be enough to make a team a winner, but a complete team is the most essential guarantee of going the distance and the Dodgers are NOT a complete team. The only other factor I can give any credence to is the LUCK factor. The Dodgers will need plenty of it and a lot less arrogance thinking they are a lock for anything. Perhaps it’s just the fans that are arrogant thinking they are a superior team. One key injury and the odds turn sour.

5. Stewart blew his chance…

   1. Already, damn! And here I am waiting for the game to start at 1. Stewart sucks, he had a little run and that’s it.

6. Verdugo Should hit Leadoff

   Verdugo
   Pollock
   Seager
   Turner
   Muncy
   Bellinger
   Kike
   Martin

   1. Verdugo is not a bad choice, but unless Joc’s back is still bothering him, I think he is going to get most of the at bats, between the two.

      Verdugo hasn’t done enough in spring training to take those at bats away from Joc, even if it was a true competition.

      1. MJ, you’re being too nice. Verdugo hasn’t done enough to prove he belongs in a Major League lineup as a bench piece, much less a lead-off hitter. He’s lucky Toles is MIA, otherwise he wouldn’t even be on the 25 man.

         1. 59

            I don’t even think if Toles came to spring training and out produced Verdugo, it would really matter.

            I just don’t think it would be a true competition.

            I wish Chase Utley could talk to Toles, because Toles has said, Chase is the player he really looks up to.

         2. 59

            I just don’t think it would be a true competition between the two, so it wouldn’t matter what Toles did.

            But I wish Chase Utley could talk to Toles, because Toles said Chase was the player he most wanted to emulate.

   2. Verdugo is a good choice to bat leadoff?

      Let’s see here.
      283 Spring OBP
      309 Lifetime MLB OBP
      100 career ABs with 0 stolen bases 1 caught stealing and 12 runs scored.
      Oh, but he doesn’t strike out alot? 18 times in 100 ABs? Still kind of alot.

      Great choice Carlos! Put a guy with little experience in the top spot so he gets the most ABs out of everyone on the team. After he has a crappy Spring and after he’s done little at the Major League level so far in his career.

      Okay, I can see a possible argument, a weak one at that to replace Pederson. A very weak argument to replace Pederson who was an All-Star, crushes righties, has had 25 HRs every season in which he’s had at least 400 ABs. But, to say he should bat leadoff? With only 100 ABs? With 0 Stolen Bases? After a bad Spring?

      Just to do a little math for you. Last year, Joc struck out 85 times in 385 ABs, so 22% of his ABs were Ks. Verdugo has 100 career ABs and 18 Ks for 18% Ks.

      Joc’s Career OBP is 339, Verdugo’s is 309.
      Joc’s career SLG 456, Verdugo is 360

      Please tell me why Verdugo should bat leadoff? You said he makes more contact? Is a ground ball to second base to start the game better than a strikeout?

      1. You cannot compare Joc and Verdugo. Verdugo has much beter skill set to be leadoff than Joc because he has more contact. He has only 100 ML AB, you need contact hitters at the top of the Lineup. Look at his minor league stats. Joc is a swing and miss guy just swinging to the fences and cant hit lefties and strikes out a bunch and is not a good runner.

      2. Joc has never hit .250 in a season. Has bad BA and his OBP was decent but lately has been bad. He is not a good choice for Leadoff Hitter.

         1. Neither of them should bat leadoff. Verdugo did nothing to take Joc’s spot. 0-3 with a lot of contact again today.

7. DC also wrote the following on Liput:

   https://ladodgertalk.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5089&action=edit

   I believe I wrote quite a bit about Liput at last year’s draft, and wrote about both last season. I would expect both will be featured in some capacity this year.

   1. AC for some reason I am not allowed to open to file and read?

8. The best game Brock Stewart ever pitched, was against the Cubs in Brocks first year up, in the majors.

   Now he seems to pitch to defensively when he gets in trouble, instead of going after hitters, and hitters, can sense that.

9. It sure looks like the Dodgers lost the better of the two 2018 OKC starting pitchers last year.

   1. AC

      It does appear that way.

10. Roberts talk: Hernandez will be full-time 2B and only strict platoon will be LF (Joc/Taylor).

    Ergo, Verdugo is 4th OF & Freese main PH. Taylor moving all around and catcher job-share.

    1. Must have taken two paragraphs for Doc to say what you said in two sentences. The other day he said Freese will be in there against lefties, so he’s continuing to contradict himself. But, what you’re saying is music to my ears if it in fact happens that way and it should until Taylor gets going. With that said, it probably makes more sense to let AJ leadoff and Kike hit in the middle.

       1. Cant believe what Doc says. Until i see no strict platoons i will believe him !

       2. I wonder how many lefties we will be facing at the beginning of the season?

          We didn’t do to much against the leftie that the DBacks threw at us yesterday.

          And then there is Ray as everyone knows.

       3. 59

          The ways things are looking, Freeze might be in there more often then we think.

          Because as you know, Freese has pretty even splits, and because of that, he might be the best bat on the bench, until Taylor gets going.

          1. Last year his OPS was close to 100 points higher against lefties. But, I agree that he’s still formidable against righties as well. Not as extreme as Joc and Kike (up until last year). I expect to see him plenty until Muncy gets going. Then, I expect to see him off the bench and 2 maybe 3 times a week as a starter. While there may not be a lot of platooning, there will be plenty and sometimes curious off days for streaking players. Freese, Verdugo and Taylor will all get plenty of starts. Turner, Pollock and Joc will get plenty of rest. Seager will be brought along, maybe not slowly, but he’ll get some off days early. The Dodgers do not use the bench in a traditional manner. They like to keep everyone involved.

       4. Whoever walks more and can steal more bases should win the leadoff role.

11. The Reds sure didn’t need this to happen, because they don’t have the same depth we do.

    Scooter Gennett will be out 2 to 3 months, from freak injury.

    1. Really too bad for Scooter going into his free agency year but I think that means Farmer will now start the year in the majors when he was originally going to be optioned. One guy’s misfortune……………………………….

       1. Singing the Blues,

          From what I read, the Reds top prospect might be called back up because he can play second.

          But if Farmer does get the call, I wish him well.

          That really sucks for Scooter.

12. Mark thank you for researching those two players and finding DC’s info. This Cody Thomas looks very interesting.

    Thank you DC also for working on these young players. I know it is a lot of work and time consuming.

    1. Try this:

       https://ladodgertalk.com/2018/12/01/deacon-liput-catalyst/

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