Great Lakes Loons – 2019 Version

Posted By on March 31, 2019

The Loons kick off their 2019 season on Thursday, April 4 away from home against the Lake County Captains. They play the Captains again on Friday before returning to Midland for a six-game home stand, two against Lake County and four against the South Bend Cubs.

It should not be too difficult to get a better start to the season after the 2018 season in which they went 7-13 in April with six postponements due to inclement weather.

John Shoemaker returns as Loons manager while pitching coach Luis Meza, hitting coach Justin Viele and fourth coach Jason Bourgeois are new to the Loons although Meza and Viele are in their third year as coaches in the Dodgers minor League system.

The Loons continue to play at Dow Diamond which is rated as providing one on the best minor league experiences for fans.

Stadium Journey Review: Dow Diamond is a great minor league ballpark. Everything is set up for fans to have a wonderful time at the game. This is both a large park, and a cozy park. The concourses are wide, and the leg room in the seats is a little better than average. There are two fireplaces found behind the home plate area and two fire pits in the outfield concourse. Both are fantastic for cool summer nights, or downright cold spring night games.

The 2019 roster has not yet been released by the Dodgers, so it is probably folly to try to produce one in advance of the official announcement. One thing we do know is that the Dodgers tend to push their young players along as quickly as possible. It is not unusual for teenagers to play as regulars with the Loons. Secondly, the early spring weather in Midland causes the Dodgers to hold some of their young pitchers back in spring training until the weather warms up. Let’s hope for a warm spring, unlike 2018. Thirdly, with an emphasis on players being versatile and not stuck to one position it is difficult to know who might unexpectedly emerge in a new position to start the upcoming season.

Ten players from last year’s draft class played with the Loons in 2018. – LHP John Rooney (22), 2B Devin Mann (22), LHP Bryan Warzek (22), 3B Luke Heyer (22), OF Josh McLain (22), SS Deacon Liput (22), RHP Stephen Kolek (21), C Hunter Feduccia (21), LHP Austin Drury (21), OF Matt Cogen (23). Josh McLain was the first to arrive in Midland having done so on June 18 following the draft in early June. Do those players move up or remain with the Loons to begin their second year of professional ball? Is the move age dependent, perceived skill dependent, or performance solely dependent? Or, are any of them simply required to fill spots with the Quakes?

Not knowing the answer to those questions it is almost like throwing darts at the dart board covered with names. So, here goes as I see it and for some to be as I hope it to be. That is, what I would do for the opening day roster.

Starting Pitching:


This is not as easy as it seemed yesterday. My personal preferences do get in the way. I agree with AC that Michael Grove, Braydon Fisher and Robinson Ortiz will remain in Phoenix in extended spring training. The weather in Midland may be a factor plus the Dodgers are being careful with these arms. I would put Julian Smith in that class also. I expect at the minor league level there is not as much attention given to a right-left pitching staff balance. However, at some point Grove and Ortiz will join the Loons as left handers.

RHP Zach Willeman (23)
RHP Jose Chacin (22)
RHP Alfredo Tavarez (21)
RHP Jesus Vargas (20)
RHP Orlandy Navarro (19)
RHP Andre Jackson (23)

Relief Pitching:


I am promoting left-handers Bryan Warzek and Austin Drury to the Quakes and I think Warzek will be moved into a starting role. I am also moving right-hander Stephen Kolek to the Quakes as well as underappreciated left-hander Devin Hemmerich. I thought seriously about holding Melvin Jimenez with the Loons as a closer, but he was so lights out once he moved to relief with the Loons that I moved him to Rancho Cucamonga. Plus, he really minded pitching in the cold spring weather in Midland.

RHP Josiah Gray (21)
RHP Drew Finley (22)
RHP Elio Serrano (20)
LHP Justin Bruihl (21)
LHP Jose Hernandez (21)
RHP Nathan Witt (22)

Catchers:


Marco Hernandez and Jair Camargo are not ready yet, so the question is if 21st round 2018 selection Trea Todd is. He had only 68 at bats in 2018 with the Raptors. Hunter Feduccia should move to Rancho Cucamonga as either Steve Berman or Connor Wong should move up to Tulsa. I think that Jordan Procyshen was signed to team up with a young catcher with the Loons. However, maybe that role will once again fall to Garrett Hope.

Ramon Rodriguez (20)
Jordan Procyshen (26)

Infield:


I can see Deacon Liput, Brock Carpenter, Jeter Downs, Luke Heyer headed for the Quakes. I am not so sure about Moises Perez or Devin Mann. I reluctantly kept Mann with the Loons instead of Kenneth Betancourt of Jefrey Souffront, both of whom should join the Loons at some point in the season.

1B Dillon Paulson (21)
3B Miguel Vargas (19)
SS Jacob Amaya (20)
2B Jeremy Arocho (20)
2B/3B Marcus Chiu (22)
2B Devin Mann (22)
3B/1B Justin Yurchak (22)

Outfield:


At age-23 Matt Cogen needs to make a quick impression with the Loons. Starling Heredia remains a mystery.

Matt Cogen (23)
Daniel Robinson (22)
Niko Hulsizer (22)
Starling Heredia (20)

This article has 56 Comments

  2. Actually I probably should not have included him there, just yet. He played as an infielder for his first two years at Le Moyne College and transitioned to pitching. If he is placed with the Loons to start the season I could see him in limited innings for a period of time. If he is assigned to the Raptors in short season, he definitely would start. He seems like he can be overpowering in short bursts but it may well be too soon to go that route.

    “Some scouts have speculated that Gray might eventually transition to the bullpen, especially if his changeup doesn’t develop as a useful third pitch to go with the touted fastball and slider combo.”

    “Gray doesn’t have ideal size or a third pitch at the moment, so a reliever profile is safe. However, given how new he is to pitching full time, as well as his athleticism and arm strength, he’ll be given plenty of opportunities to start.”

    “Gray does show a promising change up on film, but his two primary pitches will carry him and might make him a better candidate for a future relief role.”

    “Gray will likely head to Great Lakes in 2019 but could move fairly quickly. He’s likely to stay in his starting role, but given his lower ¾ slot and two pitch mix, Gray has the upside of a punchout relief specialist. ”

    I am looking at the opening day 25-man roster and not as much at the 35 players under control on the team roster.

    1. I am far from certain, but I think they will stretch Gray out as a starter first! They will try that and if he can’t develop a third pitch, he will go to the pen.

  3. Thanks DC for our first look at the LAD minor lg.’s.
    I’ll likely print and see what it looks like as the season progresses. I’m looking forward to my monthly jaunts to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes games… Nice park, good prices, good food and players that are hungry…

    1. Yeah, I’ve never been to a Rancho game. I’d like to check it this year , especially if Michael Grove will be starting!

    1. I think that would be a fair comparison for Kendall on the upside. Corey was a ML player very early (20). He showed decent bat to ball skills early in MiLB, and had good power. Corey was a more accomplished hitter than Jeren. While Corey was a good base stealer, I think Jeren could become elite. Jeren is already the best CF the Dodgers have in the system. If he learns to make contact he could be special. But that is a BIG IF. The problem as I see it is that Jeren has been told all along that he has plus power and he sees what HRs do at the ML level. How can he not with the Dodgers? If Jeren has a ML career similar to Corey, he could be a Dodger CF for awhile.

  5. Grove, Fisher, Ortiz, Smith is a tantalizing foursome.

    We are slowly building depth in the lower levels.

    1. There have been a few times at Chavez Ravine that I wished my Indiana License to Carry a Handgun was valid in LA. Sometimes it’s tense out there!

      1. Has it become that bad out there?? I never go to see the Dodgers here in the Bay Area anymore, unless they play the A’s. It just isn’t fun to go into S.F. and have to put up with the BS.

    1. CT3 at SS and Martin at C was pretty much already a given from Docs earlier statements. Muncy at 3B is a little surprising to me (but more cause I didn’t think of it). Belli to 1B with Verdugo in RF is more what I thought things would look like in January.

      Hope the bats stay hot.

    1. Dugo as in Dress Up Go Out
      He does wear the big necklaces and bright red sliding gloves. Sometimes brightens up his shoes as well. Good name?

    2. That was a great swing for the situation especially. I didn’t see that one in Spring Training. He could push Belli to first and Muncy to the bench if Muncy doesn’t heat up.

      1. That’s one of many options, yes. We all wanted big names, what we got was good players with great interchangeability. Great seeing Verdugo rope that double.

  10. Note to self. We have 12 almost full-time players on the roster. Get used to it. Some will play more than others, but everyone is going to play a lot. As a result, the lineup will seldom be the same. After all, the computer is going to make daily adjustments according to its algorithm.

    I’m developing a computer chip with micro-sensors to insert into the Dodger’s players skin. It will measure blood pressure, oxygen and nutrients in the blood stream, hydration levels, heartbeat, blood pressure and sleeping habits. All of this will interface with their computer system to construct an optimized lineup each day taking rest, health and historical performance against their opponent into consideration.

    Why is it okay that Maeda had to throw 106 pitches and Stripling only 76? I wonder how many pitches are in Bueller’s magazine today?

    Nice start today. I’m pleasantly surprised that the offense was able to urn the switch on so quickly. AJ Pollock is just the type of player these Dodgers needed. He just seems to make solid contact when the team needs it. He’s not swinging for the fences and trying to do too much. Bellinger and Pederson get it. Both have started going with the pitch and lining balls to the opposite field instead of trying to yank everything out of the park. Everyone is turning into Justin Turner type hitters.

    Puig who? Farmer, Kemp and Puig are all in the game together today for the fist time. They combined to go 0 for 8 4 Ks 1BB against Trevor Williams and the Pirates. If you want, you can add Peraza and Schebler in there for an additional 0 for 6 with 4 Ks. Thanks Andrew!

  12. Agree Bum. If Verdugo hits and Muncey does not, Bellinger could be at first. Bellinger looks good. He uses all the field. Muncey and Taylor need to filnd their rhythm . I have a feeling they are going to be ok.

    The starting pitching staff is looking like I thought . The bull pen needs to have some success.

  13. Cody’s on pace to surpass 100 hr for his career in 2019. He has that 500+ career home run type power. Gona be fun to watch

    1. Four games does not make a season but early signs have me very concerned about the Dodger BP.

  15. You sir are at dumbass pointing to Roberts is hilarious but an understatement. Whether we get beat today or not we should of already won 3. This is what frustrates me with Roberts. He has stripling cruising but takes him out so the bullpen melts down and we lose in 13. He creates a crisis for the next game and then whines how he needs length from maeda. So he throws maeda 106 pitches. So we have scored roughly 3 times the runs in a series we dominated but will probably split. Moreover, against a weak team. If there was ever a guy not ready it was buehler.

    So he has a worn out bullpen due to his mismanagement. I would say this also was a result of mismanagement of buehler in spring training and the lack of preparation for the bullpen overall. Of course the dbacks are not any better. Their pitching has been awful except ray. We have hit well and seemingly dominated but will probably split.

  16. Yeah your probably right. It is just frustrating to dominate but probably split. I was just agreeing with you that Roberts is a dumbass. I know you said on the one move and I think in general lol

  17. Well now if Kenley does his job, we take one right back from the one we gave away Friday.

  18. You turn off the lights and they scurry about…
    A.J.P. is and will make LAD fans happy this year…
    This is fun… Not great for the heart, but fun nonetheless…
    Fingers crossed for Jansen…

    1. Small sample size but I am much more confident with AJP at the plate than either Kemp or Puig. Especially with RISP. I think the FO made the right choice.

  19. It took Kershaw longer than one would guess to become the ace of this generation. Russel Martin accomplished a 1-2-3 inning his first inning as a ML pitcher. It took Kershaw about a decade to have a 1-2-3 first inning- well not a decade, but quite a while. Kershaw will be in the HOF first round. So the forth inning today goes for those who dethroned Kershaw to quickly. Buehler will reach greatness but the ace on this team is still Clayton Kershaw. I wouldn’t be a bit shocked if another Cy Young is under the belt for Kershaw.

  21. Keep it Cody. Sad day for Walker. But 3-1
    why does this keep double posting??? Makes it look like I have a split personality.

  22. 3-1 and all I can think about is how it should have been a sweep. At least Roberts wasn’t too stupid the next couple of games. The pen is going to be fine, I think. No mid-inning changes today except for Baez who was rushed into action after a quick meltdown by a pitcher that didn’t have a Spring Training. The bats are hot, but the Giants stacked their rotation with lefties for the next three days. Our only loss came against a lefty. I’m sure Pederson will become familiar with the bench.

    Pollock is just awesome in the early going. Great approach with runners on. I love that this lineup is not trying to do too much with two strikes. It seems to be working. Overall, a great way to start the year.

    1. 59

      We were very lucky to win today, thanks to 3 Dback errors, especially the last one by their defense first shortstop.

      Cody is looking like the Cody of old, and AJ is doing great job too.

      Muncy made sure he made contact and hit the go ahead run in, on a sac fly.

      And Verdugo had a nice two out hit also.

      About Buehler, I believe they were taking it slow with him, at the beginning of spring training, because he just didn’t feel right, when he was throwing.

      That Stripling game definitely was a downer, and we definitely are lucky we came home with this series, thanks to the Dbacks falling a part on defense today.

    2. We are facing lefties in the next four games because the Rockies are starting Anderson in the opening game, of that series.

  23. Yes, the patient 2 strike approach is a pleasant change – put the bat on the ball. Bring on the Giants.

  24. Soooo, how is that bitchfest about Freidman going cheap and “settling” for Pollock over Harper? If we can keep this dude on the field and not let him run into fences and get hurt, he will be one of Freidmans best signings. Yeah, love how Joc is lighting it up, Cody is flat out raking, and Seager and Turner are starting to roll, but Pollock is a “glue guy”, just like Turner. Loved Puig and I will miss him, but Pollock is a damn Silent Assasin, he just get’s it done, always with the key hit when you need it. All of us for months have talked about THE GUY who can get us over the hump, and how Freidman wiffed on this , that guy, blah blah blah. Pollock , by being just who he is, can be That Guy. No fanfare, no cool ass hair, no licking the bat, just flat out results. This cat is the real deal, and it looks like to me he is one of the few players who can come into a big city market with at least 40 to 50 thousand fans a night and not freak out like Reddick did. Love this guy, just keep him on the field. What a clutch hit today, didn’t try to do too much, just got it done.

  25. Old friends
    Puig and Yaz are hitless
    Willie Calhoun did not break camp with the Rangers
    Frankie Montas had a solid 1st start today – 6IP, 1ER, 6Ks. As mentioned previously, he developed a new pitch and had a really strong spring.

    New friend speculation:
    Lux, May, Ruiz, and Gonsolin will be in AAA. Downs and Gray in A+. Kendall repeats A+, but a good eight weeks sees him jump to Tulsa. Estevez in AA. Ditto Rincon. Parker Curry in AA, underrated reliever, he misses bats. Kasowski in AAA. Michael Grove mimics the Beuhler path and starts off in extended ST a bit, then starts off in RC, pitching a few innings at a time. Zach W. in either Camelback as starter or Rancho as Reliever.

    1. Full disclosure:

      That was info and opinion found elsewhere, not my own.

      I’m not nearly that smart nor informed.

      1. Don’t sell yourself short. You do a lot of reading and listening to a lot of informed talent evaluators. Your viewpoint is as good as anyone else’s because none of us have AF’s ear.

    1. For those who do not know. Lars Anderson was a lot like my son…the perennial AAAA guy. Lars spent his last two years in US Baseball with the Dodgers (216 and 2017). His experiences outlined in the article were exactly as my son explained it to us. For every Bryce Harper there are countless Lars Anderson’s. If there are any changes in the economics of baseball they should start in the minor leagues.

      2. Totally agree on changing the pay scale for the minor league players. It is long overdue.

        Off topic a little, but Ross Stripling has a podcast “The Big Swing”. Not everything has to do with baseball, but, the baseball related interviews are very insightful.

        Spent the long weekend recovering from a kidney stone procedure and watched every inning of the Dodger games. Lots of observations, but for now I’ll just say I’m happy we have Pollack.

  27. I definitely think the players that are taxi players in AAA should make more, as well, as the other minor league players in baseball too.

    And now that steroids are strictly enforced, the players union should find a way to get the younger players good money sooner, because not many players will be making that much after their prime years.

    2Demeter2 although I know kidney stones can be very painful as it is, I hope your procedure has put that pain in check for good.

    1. Thank you MJ, that’s very kind of you. I’m recovering, but the pain and nausea have determined to hang around a little longer than normal.

  28. So, I don’t think we’ve really learned anything substantial after the first series. You could say we learned our offense has amazing potential but I think you need to take their [admittedly impressive] performance with a grain of salt. Arizona might have a terrible pitching staff this year and if they end up with 100 losses, celebrating one dominating series against them early in the season might seem foolish in retrospect.

    Similarly, reaching any conclusions about our bullpen after four games is premature. Sure, we gave up a ton of runs and our shiniest acquisition [Kelly] didn’t shine in his debut. But, again, give these guys some time to adjust to their roles, process all the information that they are no doubt given by the management; and, understand that with our starters going so few innings, the bullpen will always strained to a degree. That’s why we’ll do so much “load management” and rotating throughout the year.

    Much has written about the early performances of Joc and Bellinger and nothing can be taken away from what they did. But what if they go stone cold next series and Chris Taylor goes off? It’s best not to form too strong of impressions if they can change 180 within the week. However, a couple performances in the first weekend do provide real hope for 2019: Austin Barnes looks vastly improved at the plate and A.J. looks like a legitimate addition to the lineup.

    On the down side, we can already worry about Robert’s short leash on starters, the ever-present risk of injury, and the inconsistency of our daily lineups. I haven’t watched them that closely to speak on their defense or intensity, but I have to think they are highly motivated and play with a serious “Eff You” attitude toward the rest of the league. They know they are best and they don’t have to concede anything because of their overall talent and depth.

    Now let’s smack the Giants around a bit. They truly do suck so why even play with them. Unless is Bumgardner, nobody should be dominating us. They just don’t have the horses to hang with us.

  30. I’ll pose the question. Who feels Joc needs to get an opportunity tonight against a lefty knowing that Taylor is still hitless and we’re going to see 3 lefties in a row? I want Joc in there. Taylor can play against MadBum tomorrow.

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