Some fans thought the Dodgers would miss the almost 70 HR they lost in three players… I can’t seem to remember who they were. Ha! The team is on pace to hit 696 HR. They might cool off a bit. (eyes rolling) The outlook after the first four games are promising, but we played the Little Sisters of the Poor and will continue with the Littler Sisters of the Poorer tonight.
There have been a lot of interesting things happening. Half of the bullpen looks terrible, but it’s way too early to pronounce it a failure. The offense looks very solid. They have scored a lot of runs and yesterday staged a come from behind win. We know they are versatile and while they have a knack for the long ball, they are also delivering more clutch hits. Many of the players look to be shortening their swing with two strikes.
The Athletic has a great read on the new Dodger hitting approach today. I won’t print much, but it is a good read by Pedro Moura and discusses the Dodgers increased focus on bunting, limiting player access to the batting cages and the fact that the Dodgers scored 42 runs in a four game series, an LA record!
I have been on suicide watch since Duke got beat by Michigan State, but the Dodgers success has eased the pain. We just can’t get all happy over beating like the Dirt Bags. Tonight we get look at our LH Ace-in-Waiting, Young Julio. He is ready to go 5 or 6 innings and he’s going to be hard to limit. Striker Buehler is just building innings slowly. They want him to be fresh in October. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
P.S, I am officially announcing that I am renouncing my support of Friedman and have officially become a Cincinnati Reds fan.
Looking forward to God handing the #1 pick in the nba draft to the Lakers. Zion is must see tv.
We won a series. Excellent. We blew a game and we were handed a game. Those things even out. Big picture we took a series and now we need to take this series vs another bad team.
For the record, and to answer the last post on the last thread, I start Joc today vs. the leftie. I also start Freeze
And really Looking forward to Urias start tonight !
Man, Carsen Edwards from Purdue was unconscious against Virginia. Too bad they lost. Looking forward to seeing where he goes in the draft. Dude is a pure scorer. I think the Lakers problems are deeper than one player can solve.
I swear the was the most Steph Curry-like performance ever!
“I am officially announcing that I am renouncing my support of Friedman and have officially become a Cincinnati Reds fan.”
Mark,
That’s funny!!
Pretty easy to figure batting averages when they are all 0 for everything (except for Wood who is on the IL)
What the Reds are trying to do is its own category of risky. If they are nowhere close to the playoff race come the trade deadline, it will interesting to see what they get back for some of this short-term pieces. It’s really a novelty approach to contending and like most novelties, it could wear off quickly. The rebuild that much more interesting to me is the Mariners’. They’ve used a mix of trading veterans & bringing in some post-hype players that other teams have given up on. So far the team is at least exciting so there’s that. Also, signing that Japanese pitcher [Kikuchi] was a savvy move and signalled that they weren’t doing a straight tear-down.
Reds could be a trainwreck this season. Mariners’ rebuild is more fun to follow. I really like the move for the Japanese pitcher [Kikuchi]. It signalled they weren’t doing a straight tear-down but a more creative “re-imaginating” of the roster.
April Fools
2demeter2
I am sorry to hear that, I hope things get better really soon.
Funny has fast things change. Seems like only yesterday we were hoping that Buehler could be a #2 to Kershaw’s #1. Now it seems like we’re hoping Urias can be the #2 to Buehler’s #1!
Zach McAllister returns to the Dodgers
Dodgers Rumors: Zach McAllister Signed To Minor League Contract
The Los Angeles Dodgers finalized their Opening Day bullpen by giving Brock Stewart the nod for the final spot as a long reliever, which meant the likes of Stetson Allie, Adam McCreery and Dennis Santana, among others, were bound to begin the season in the Minors.
That of course isn’t to rule out any of the pitchers from potentially joining the Dodgers at some point this year, and Stewart’s time in the bullpen could be short-lived as Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill remain on the mend from respective injuries.
A strong believer that the organization can never have too much pitching, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has remained active on the fringes of the roster. Rob Zastryzny was signed on the even of Opening Day, and now the Dodgers have reportedly signed Zach McAllister, according to Max Wildstein:
McAllister spent Spring Training with the Texas Rangers, allowing five runs (four earned) in 12 innings. He was released by the Rangers last week.
In signing a Minor League deal, the 31-year-old joins the Dodgers for a second time. He appeared in five games for Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, going 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.
McAllister also spent a portion of last season with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. He finished a combined 1-2 with a 6.20 ERA, 4.47 FIP and 1.49 WHIP in 44 games.
Loons announced their preliminary opening day roster today
PITCHERS (13):
Jasiel Alvino
Jeronimo Castro
Jose Chacin
Austin Drury
Josiah Gray
Justin Hagenman
Joel Inoa
Andre Jackson
Stephen Kolek
Alfredo Tavarez
Nathan Witt
Guillermo Zuniga
CATCHERS (2):
Hunter Feduccia
Trea Todd
INFIELDERS (5):
Jacob Amaya
Luke Heyer
Dillon Paulson
Leonel Valera
Miguel Vargas
OUTFIELDERS (5):
Drew Avans
Romer Cuadrado
Niko Hulsizer
James Outman
Daniel Robinson
https://www.milb.com/great-lakes/news/dodgers-name-loons-roster-for-2019/c-305845356
I’m batting .400. How cool is that? Not as cool as it sounds.
I had 10 out of 25 Loons picked for the preliminary roster. Certainly some surprises and a few swings and misses.
PITCHERS (13): Jasiel Alvino, Jeronimo Castro, Jose Chacin, Austin Drury, Josiah Gray, Justin Hagenman, Joel Inoa, Andre Jackson, Stephen Kolek, Alfredo Tavarez, Nathan Witt, Guillermo Zuniga
CATCHERS (2): Hunter Feduccia, Trea Todd
INFIELDERS (5): Jacob Amaya, Luke Heyer, Dillon Paulson, Leonel Valera, Miguel Vargas
OUTFIELDERS (5): Drew Avans, Romer Cuadrado, Niko Hulsizer, James Outman, Daniel Robinson
The Opening Day roster will be finalized prior to Thursday’s game against the Lake County Captains in Eastlake, Ohio. Perhaps some chance at a bit of redemption yet.
DC:
Don’t fret. you’re hitting .400 which is a much higher level than the “experts” predicted the landing spot for the top 50 FA this year. They were 8-48 hitting .167. Keuchel(Nationals) and Kimbrel(Cards) not yet signed so their average could be down to .160.
I worked on the opening day roster. Still some time to improve my average. In any event, I learned more about some of the kids.
Calling Mr Kimbrel
Not an expert but I’d say the names that stand out are: Gray, Amaya, Valera, & Vargas.
Looks like the biggest RC names are: Downs, Wong, Grove, Kendall, Carillo, & Uceta.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes have also announced their initial roster:
PITCHERS (13):
Gerardo Carrillo
Leo Crawford
Max Gamboa
Victor Gonzalez
Michael Grove
Wes Helsabeck
Ryan Moseley
Wills Montgomery
Logan Salow
Sven Scheuller
Jordan Sheffield
Edwin Uceta
Bryan Warzak
CATCHERS (3):
Steve Berman
Jordan Procyshen
Connor Wong
INFIELD (6):
Marcus Chiu
Jeter Downs
Deacon Liput
Devin Mann
Brandon Montgomery
Nick Yarnall
OUTFIELDERS (5):
Donovan Casey
Starling Heredia
Jeren Kendall
Brayan Morales
Carlos Rincon
There are currently 27 named to the roster, so 2 will need to be placed on the IL before Thursday.
What is curious is the number of players who were on the roster last year, but not on this year, and have not yet been formerly assigned:
Parker Curry (RP)
Dan Jagiello (RP)
Chris Matthewson (P)
Connor Strain (RP)
Cristian Santana (3B/1B)
Omar Estevez (SS/2B)
Cody Thomas (OF)
There are currently 22 listed on the Tulsa roster and the OKC roster is unknown. There is the likelihood that Parker Curry, Cristian Santana, Omar Estevez, and Cody Thomas find their way to Tulsa. Jagiello, Matthewson, and Strain are probably headed for extended ST, assigned to Ogden or AZL and placed on the IL, or released.
There is still 3 days before the rosters need to be finalized, so there are bound to be changes.
Lots of talent in RC. I left out Heredia, Rincon, & Liput. Bulk talent on display. Hope a few graduate to AA sooner than later.
Big year for C. Santana. His counting stats are good but he needs to prove he can put it all together. There’s a chance he’s our 3rd best offensive prospect behind Lux & Peters.
Oops. Forgot about Ruiz.
Keep going. Soon you’ll have the entire team.
Dan Jagiello, Chris Mathewson, Nick Yarnell and Jordan Procyshen have been placed on the IL.
Kyle Seager is one of the hold overs from last years team in Seattle. He is injured and may not have a position when he comes back. I am glad we have Corey.
I worked on the opening day roster. Still some time to improve my average. In any event, I learned more about some of the kids.
Garrett Hope, Gersel Pitre and Jesus Vargas are on the 7-day IL. Justin Yurchak must still be in extended ST as well as Matt Cogen. Melvin Jimenez also was not assigned.
RHP Jose Martinez has been added to the Loons roster since the preliminary roster was first announced earlier today.
Tulsa Drillers Roster
A total of 11 hurlers have previously spent time in Tulsa. In the starting rotation, Mitchell White, Yadier Alvarez, Dustin May and Justin De Fratus all pitched for the Drillers in 2018, combining for 13 wins. The lone newcomer in the rotation is expected to be J.D. Martin, a veteran right-hander who has pitched parts of two seasons in the major leagues with the Washington Nationals.
The bullpen will consist of a number of familiar faces. Returnees will include Layne Somsen, Shea Spitzbarth, Michael Boyle, Marshall Kasowski, Nolan Long, Andre Scrubb and Parker Curry. The group combined to make over 100 appearances for Tulsa last season and amassed a total of nine wins and seven saves during the regular season.
The only newcomer to the bullpen will be lefthander Adam McCreery. McCreery, who pitched in one big league game with Atlanta last season, was obtained by the Dodgers in an off-season trade.
A pair of intriguing catchers will handle the pitching staff. Keibert Ruiz, who is ranked as one of the top catching prospects in Minor League Baseball, will look to continue his strong play from the end of 2018. He was a key figure in the Drillers post-season, hitting .333 with 2 homers and 8 runs batted.
Josh Thole is the only other catcher on the roster. The 32-year-old has eight years of major league experience with the Mets and Blue Jays.
The infield will feature the return of Gavin Lux at shortstop. Lux joined the Drillers in August of last season and was the team’s top hitter in the playoffs with a .424 average.
Newcomers on the infield will include third baseman Cristian Santana, second baseman Omar Estavez and first baseman Jared Walker. The trio combined for 56 home runs and 238 runs batted in 2018 for High-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Returnee Zach McKinstry and ex-big league first baseman Chris Parmelee are also on the opening day roster. McKinstry appeared in 25 regular season games for Tulsa last year, while Parmelee has six years of major league experience with the Twins, Orioles and Yankees.
Three of the four outfielders played for the Drillers last season including D.J. Peters, Zach Reks and Logan Landon. Peters led Tulsa with 29 home runs in 2018, while Reks hit .288 in 78 games in the Texas League.
The newcomer is a familiar name for area sports fans as former University of Oklahoma quarterback Cody Thomas will open the season with the Drillers.
It appears that Gonsolin will be in the OKC rotation. Justin DeFratus starting for Tulsa is somewhat of a surprise. I thought that he would be in the OKC rotation. I am also surprised to see Alvarez still in the rotation. This is going to be a MUST year for him. I would also assume that Ben Holmes will be with OKC???
I am surprised, but totally understand why Peters is held back. The number of AAAA outfielders currently assigned to OKC made it improbable for him to make the leap, but Dodger management does like to push certain players. Peters needs to work on his bat to ball skills if he wants to succeed when the pitching gets even better.
I like Josh Thole at AA to work with Ruiz. Josh is a cerebral catcher that Keibert can learn a lot from.
No real change in the relievers. Kasowski has the highest ceiling, but Parker Curry is going to be watched.
The infield is basically the primary infield at RC for most of last year. That undoubtedly means that Errol Robinson will make the OKC roster.
I’d definitely like to catch a Rancho game this year. Looks like an interesting team.
Line up tonight
Hernandez 2B
Turner 3B
Seager SS
Pollock CF
Freese 1B
Bellinger RF
Taylor LF
Barnes C
Urias P
If Joc is not going to hit against Pomerantz, I doubt that he would hit against MadBum. Maybe he would get a start against Holland, but if not, it could be 4 days without Joc in the lineup, and as Bums mentioned last week, that has a tendency to cool Joc. He may get a couple of PH opportunities, but that is not the same.
Lets see how it goes. Cody is starting now against lefty’s so hopefully Joc will get a chance soon?
If Taylor doesn’t do something at the plate, other than SO, Joc should be in the lineup Tuesday and Wednesday. Regardless of what the spreadsheet says.
Like I already mentioned to Bum, Joc does have good numbers against Anderson, who is the fourth leftie we will face.
With what both Joc and CT3 have done so far I think the smart money is on giving Joc a chance to prove himself against LHP. If Joc struggles give CT3 a shot, but now Joc is dialed in.
CT3 flat out isn’t. Tonight is the night to see what Joc has, it’s not that night to experiment with CT3.
But hopefully we will all be pleasantly surprised and stoked.
And then again, maybe Joc would like a rest tonight and be ready to be top dog tomorrow.
Bobo
All of that is true, we will see.
Just checking the Cincinnati dodgers box score. Puig with a couple rbi. 5 of the nine in the lineup are former dodgers.
Man, Urias now has a veteran’s composure out there.
If we can get to the playoffs healthy urias and buehler are capable of dominance.
Therealten
One leftie Ace, and one rightie Ace.
We will just need to get that special arm for the pen, at the trade deadline.
Good God Farhan and Friedman are a couple of nerds. Like an SNL skit.
BlackMirror99
You called it!
That works too.
Bobo
It sure does.
Good for Verdugo! And Taylor for that matter!
Good lord we have a lot of talent. Now let’s get Urias the W
Now Verdugo hits a Home Run off of a Left Handed Pitcher. Hmm what does that say about the whole platooning thing????
Urias is something to marvel at isn’t he. checkmark green arrow
Belli got a hit against a LHP. checkmark green arrow
Should Seager get subbed for a RH hitter against LHP???
59
You know how it works, the first time we say something about a particular player they produce, and sometimes big.
I like all these guys Verdugo included. I hope he proves me wrong.
59
I know you do, I was just joking with you.
Welcome to LA again, Joe Kelly!
Doc loves his shiny new Kelly Penny
Joe Kelly so far sucks eggs
way to battle back though. The Verdugo hr was HUGE
Kelly will have to learn that you just can’t throw it down the pipe in the NL.
Verdugo is making his case to play.
Will age finally start to slow Buster Posey down this year? The Gints are banking on him to punish the Dodgers and keep them from making the WS if it’s the last thing they do
Heard on DodgerTalk this morning, Vasseghe and Colleti were talking, and Uncle Ned said that Kelly was very pedestrian with the Sahx during the regular season last year, but was unhittable in the play-offs. He mentioned that when he talked to Freidman a couple of days ago that he said they got Freese, Kelly, and Pollock for October. Kelly might drive us nuts during the season, but I am glad he’s in our bullpen come play-off time.
The next thing Colletti says or does of value will be the first.
Not so fast Bluto. The current Dodger team has Uncle Ned all over it. He drafted Joc, Belly, Seager, Verdugo, Urias, Puig,Chicken Strip, converted Kenley to a reliever, signed Ryu from the international market, and picked up Turner off the scrap heap. He did make his share of bad trades, and contracts, but one thing I give him credit for is that he would not part with all those young guys when other teams came calling during trade talks. He set the Dodgers next generation up pretty good.
Roger, I think Kelly impressed the Dodger brass because of the way he handled our team, but seriously, he didn’t really impress the rest of the league. This signing was not that exciting. The guy was not that good for the Red Sox and so far he stinks for the Boys of Summer. I am not saying he won’t get better, he is in a new league after all and needs to learn the hitters. But Geez Louise.
Kelly is currently my least favorite player
Bobby
For some reason I believe you.
Kelly is the least favorite player of LA DODGER FAN
BP fail again. Kelly and Alexander not getting it done
now I see the need to have Strip and Urias in the pen.
Calling Mr Kimbrel. Mr Kimbrel
seriously. Or at least calling Mr. Gonsolin?
LOL. or Dr. Love
Disappointing loss but I guess you have to take it on the chin.
There’s always tomorrow.
AC nailed it when he questioned the entire approach to ST and the pitching. The reluctance to “stretch” out the starting pitchers beyond 5 innings has required Doc to use the BP far too early in games #2 and 5 (Stripling and Urias) and with Buehler only pitching 4 innings Sunday, the BP usage has been woefully bad and the production by Kelly, Baez, Alexander has been equally horrible.
At this rate the BP will “gassed”by May 1st. Kelly’s early season performance has me very very concerned.
I think Joe Kelly is baseballs version of the Manchurian candidate.
Doc is in love with this POS
The hope that Joe Kelly has a repeat of his WS performance without a solid contribution during the season is far fetched and without any redeeming quality, IMO. He has looked woefully unprepared, so far. It’s a long season and it will remain to be seen if he can get it together, otherwise, our BP problems will be biting us for a while. We did see Baez have a bounce back game and the rest of the BP did quite OK.
The Dodger offense was sluggish. 2 HR’s, both solo, are not going to usually win a game. I am still waiting for meaningful contributions from Seager and Freese. Both players are not anywhere near where their potential is. It’s a shame to waste Urias’ start like this. Like Stripling, they both should have come away with the win. Joe Kelly needs to sit for a spell. BP is rested. Let’s see Ferguson get Kelly’s innings. They couldn’t be worse. Kelly, 2 games, 7 hits, 6 earned runs, ERA of 18! Keep Kelly and Stewart off the mound and use Fergie, for now. To continue early on losing games by the BP is disheartening. Maybe also time for a call up and get one of the young guns in while Strip and Urias are in the starting rotation.
Yeah, so far the LH Hitting Offense has not shown much punch. But why is it that the Dodgers always play down to the Giants level?? WE SHOULD BE KICKING THE CRAP out of the MIDGETS.
Come on Dodgers.
You Say Ham, I say Chuck, You say Sam and I say Kelly What the F@$k F@$k F@$k nrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrw
Ohhhhhh …….Noooooo. You Say Goodbye. bye bye bye and I say Hello. Hello Hello. I Don’t Know Why I say Goodbye (well it’s because Joe Kelly keeps giving up Home Runs, that’s why).