Some days are like that. You just can’t think of anything to write. The minor league rosters have been announced, preliminary at least, and games are two days away.
Much has been written about top prospects and Top 30 lists and those are the players that garner most of the attention. There can be no question that they have done what it takes to get onto those lists, although they still become a bit subjective.
I decided I would pick a lineup of young Dodgers who are not on the current Top 30 list. Admittedly, that list recently took away three of my original picks – shortstop Leonel Valera, RHP Braydon Fisher and RHP Zach Willeman. In any event, here goes with a lineup with names that are not so familiar to many of us.
Catcher – Trea Todd was selected by the Dodgers in the 21st round of the 2018 June Draft out of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. The 22-year-old left-handed hitter posted a .315/.479/.553 triple slash at Liberty. He struck out 61 times and walked 60. He did show some power with 10 home runs at Liberty and 20 the previous year at Hartford Community College and also stole 40 bases at Hartford. During the 2018 season with the Raptors he hit .227 with 13 runs batted in over 22 games. He struck out 19 times while walking 18 times.
First base – Dillon Paulson was drafted in the 13th round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the University of Southern California. He served as USC’s top power bat and run producer in 2018, finishing with a team-high 41 RBI and 10 home runs. He slugged an even .500 and walked 35 times, also scoring a team-high 35 runs on the year. In his first professional season with the Ogden Raptors the 22-year-old Paulson had a slash line of .272/.385/.522 along with 10 home runs and a league leading 61 runs batted in.
Second base – Kenneth Betancourt was signed by the Dodgers in as an international free agent in 2016. He played in the DSL in 2017 before moving to the Arizona League Dodgers in 2018. The right- handed hitting native of San Carlos, Venezuela hit .313 with the Dodgers and later hit .279 in 29 games with the Ogden Raptors. Betancourt, age 19, actually split his time between second and third base.
Third base – Luke Heyer, 22, was selected by the Dodgers in the 8th round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the University of Kentucky in Lexington. In his senior year at Kentucky he posted a triple slash of .348/.449/.691 with 18 home runs and 57 runs batted in. After five games with the Ogden Raptors to begin his professional career he was advanced to the Loons. As a Loon he posted a slash line of .263/.333/.335. He should move on to the Quakes during the 2019 season if his power stroke returns.
Shortstop – This is a bit of a stretch as Leonel Valera showed up in the Top 30 Dodger prospects. Twenty-year-old Jeremy Arocho has played some shortstop but does seem more suited to second base. He was selected by the Dodgers in the 27th round of the 2017 First- Year Player Draft out of Old Mill High School in Millersville, MD. A switch-hitter, he posted a slash line of .313/.401/.380 during the 2018 season. He struck out 31 times while drawing 29 walks. It was a bit surprising to not seem him on the Loons preliminary roster for 2019. Arocho was a mid-season all-star in the Pioneer League.
Outfield – Josh McLain, 22, was picked by the Dodgers in the ninth round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of North Carolina State University. In three years of college ball he hit .313 with an OBP of .355. He was the first member of the Dodgers June Draft class to reach the Loons where he posted a triple slash of .313/.355/.450. The right-handed hitting center fielder has been held in extended spring training to begin the 2019 season.
Outfield – James Outman was a bit of a surprise pick for the Dodgers with their 7th round selection in the 2018 Amateur Entry Draft. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter posted a triple slash of .249/.359/.482 in three seasons at Sacramento State University. He did display some power with 23 home runs and 99 runs batted in. With the Ogden Raptors in 2018 he hit .264 along with an OBP of .350 with 11 home runs and 33 runs batted in. He was named the Pioneer League’s Player of the Week for August 13-19, going 9-for-18 over five games with two doubles, a triple, four runs and four stolen bases during the week.
Outfield – Niko Hulsizer, 22, was selected by the Dodgers in the 18th round of the 2018 June Draft out of Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. In three years with the Eagles he slashed .337/.425/.685 with 44 home runs and 145 runs batted in 140 games. He also scored 146 runs. With the Raptors in 2018 he hit .281 with an OBP of .426 along with nine home runs and 32 runs batted in. He was named the Pioneer League’s Player of the Week for July 23-29 going 10-for-22 over six games with two doubles, three home runs and six RBI.
DH – Gersel Pitre is still only 22 and is a five-year minor league veteran. The native of Catia La Mar, Venezuela has worked primarily as a catcher but has also played all infield positions except shortstop as well all three outfield positions. He also has pitched one scoreless inning. He hasn’t progressed beyond the Loons, yet he has a .296 aggregate minor league batting average with a .278 average with RISP, .305 with two out and .450 late/close.
Pitcher – Right-hander Orlandy Navarro has been making his way through the Dodgers system since being signed as an international free agent in 2015. The 19-year-old native of Maracaibo, Venezuela had two lights out years in the DSL as a starter and moved into a relief role in 2018 before closing out the season back as a starter. With the Raptors he posted a 2.35 ERA along with a 0.87 WHIP and 24 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched. He allowed 12 hits and walked eight.
Pitcher – Right-hander Jacob Gilliland,19, was selected by the Dodgers in 32nd round of the 2018 June Draft out of Next Level Academy in Montgomery, AL. He pitched only 19.1 innings with the AZL Dodgers in 2018 posting a 4.19 ERA. His problem was control. He has a 3-pitch mix — a fastball, curveball and changeup. Like with most prep pitchers, his curveball is ahead of his changeup and his fastball is ahead of his curveball. His fastball checks in at 89-92 MPH and has touched the 93.
Pitcher – Left-hander Devin Hemmerick, 23, was selected by the Dodgers in the 26th round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA. In his four years at Norfolk he pitched almost exclusively as a starter making 43 starts. Over his four years he compiled a 2.87 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP with 315 strikeouts in 318 innings pitched. He walked 63 for a 5/1 strikeout to walk ratio. In his two years in the Dodgers minor league system, mostly with the Loons, he has pitched 63 innings over 55 relief appearances with an ERA of 2.56 and a WHIP of 1.20. He has allowed only 49 hits while striking out 41 and walking 27.
Pitcher – Right-hander Elio Serrano, 20, was signed by the Dodgers as an international free agent in 2015. A native of Los Guayos, Venezuela he has pitched strictly in relief in his three minor league seasons posting a 2.52 ERA along with a 1.07 WHIP and 100 strikeouts in 85.2 innings pitched. He has walked 26. In his last 10 appearances with the Raptors in 2018 he posted a 1.74 ERA along with 27 strikeouts and three walks over 20.2 innings pitched.
Pitcher – Twenty-year-old Guillermo Zuniga was signed by the Dodgers as free agent on December 6 ,2017. From Cartagena, Columbia, he was 18 when he signed as part of an illegal package deal with the Atlanta Braves. He’s a projectable 6-foot-3 with a fastball in the 88-93 range and a potential above-average curveball. His fluidity allows for command projection. He made 12 appearances with the AZL Dodgers in 2018 posting a 3.86 ERA along with 41 strikeouts in 37.1 innings pitched and walking 13.
DC–I like the college OFers you chose. Hope we cash a ticket.
Btw, too bad today’s game isn’t an afternoon affair.
What a $hit show last night. Muncy certainly didn’t help out the pen. Thank God they only had to pitch two innings. The pen will be a lot better once they get into rhythm. Tough to do when Doc is all over the place. Seems to me that Ferguson should be used as the long man. It will be better when we get Hill or Kersh back and send Urias and/or Strip back to the pen. Until then, it’s like Mr. Toad’s wild ride.
Curious that Freese wasn’t in the lineup yesterday 7-15 lifetime against Mad Bum. Always scratching my head with Doc moves. Wants to keep Muncy relevant I guess. Doesn’t Joc need to be relevant? Maybe he’s pulling a Pete Rose although Rose said he never bet against his team.
Two more games before we see a right hander. Corey’s on schedule to sit the first game of the Rockies series, if what Doc says is true. That he wants to play him three in a row, then rest him. Turner certainly didn’t save much for the regular season after a blazing hot Spring.
Overall, I can’t complain about a 4-2 record, even though we should be 6-0 if Doc didn’t pull his starters who were throwing shutouts after 75 pitches.
I would get Verdugo into the lineup today and sit Muncy, moving Bellinger to 1st. Is Doc gonna sit Joc for 4 straight games against a lefty? It probably doesn’t matter now that he iced him already.
AF said this year they aren’t going to be giving long leashes to players who aren’t performing, right now Muncy is not performing and Verdugo is, Verdugo is making stuff happen with every opportunity he gets, I agree, I want to see Verdugo in RF. Belly at 1st and Joc or Taylor in LF, Verdugo needs more at bats period.
I like the way you think, Bruce. Here’s another thing to think about it: Max Muncy off the bench makes a damn good pinch hitter. I know he hit a million home runs last year and was arguably our best hitter, BUT if he morphs into the main LH bat off the bench–basically a LH compliment to David Freese–he still can have huge value, especially with how much we move guys around and the inevitable injury that will open up a position spot.
Can you imagine going into the postseason with a bench of Freese, Muncy, Taylor, & Martin? That is all kinds of solid.
If Cody prefers playing the outfield it’s not bad playing him in the outfield. His bat is showing he can play wherever he is happiest. I can’t say he wouldn’t be hitting grand slams playing 1B but he might not be. When Verdugo starts hitting those it maybe time for consideration.
Cody is on record saying he prefers 1B and that it’s his natural position. He’s hit better playing 1B than OF as well. Everyone is asked to be flexible anyways. Play the hot hand and stop cooling hot players. Kike couldn’t hit righties and now he can. Joc deserves the same chance, when he’s on a hot streak. Don’t cool him off, then play him against a lefty. Roberts rides the short bus to the stadium.
Agree. I have never understood why LH hitters can’t hit LH pitchers, whereas, most RH hitters are always in the mix against both types. What happens when they are kids?? Do managers pull the kid when a lefty is pitching? Just stand there and keep hitting until you get it. It’s a handicap to sit the guy on the bench when a LHP is up.
Rightly or wrongly it seems I heard it said by Orel that Cody prefers playing outfield. If my recollection is not correct then I’d have to agree with you. Babe Ruth pitched very well but his HRs didn’t show until he was placed in the outfield. Whether the Babe was happiest playing outfield over pitching, that I can’t say. Wherever be the best results is where I want players placed.
Hey If Cody becomes The Babe playing OF I am all for it.
Well I mean Verdugo is 5-10 with a HR and 2 doubles with 4rbi in the pinch hit spot, I say he is warranting more opportunities in the starting lineup, also he hasn’t struck out yet, so I think your premise is 100% wrong
I would be remiss if I did not attempt a list as well.
Catcher – Hunter Feduccia – I am sticking with the 2018 12th round draft choice out of LSU. He had in excess of 100 PA at Great Lakes and put up a slash line of .290/.381/.350/.731. No power. 6 doubles and 0 HRs. Even though his 2018 season warranted a jump to RC, he is heading back to Great Lakes to start 2019. He is being blocked by Connor Wong, who is being blocked by Keibert Ruiz, who is being blocked by Will D. Smith.
1B – I am not budging from my Trojan brother, Dillon Paulson
2B – Aldo Espinoza – The 20-year-old free swinging 2B from Managua, Nicaragua hit .333/.340/.431/.771 at AZL in 2018. He struck out 3 times while walking once in 53 PA. He is currently assigned to AZL, but he has a good chance at being assigned to Ogden in the Pioneer League by the time the season begins in June.
3B – Sauryn Lao – 19-year-old from Barahona, Dominican Republic, who also plays 1B. In his first year in U.S. MiLB, Lao hit .262/.359/.476/.835. Of his 33 hits, 17 were extra base hits; 11 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 HRs. He also had 4 SB and 1 CS. Like Espinoza, Lao is currently assigned to AZL but could find himself in Ogden this summer.
SS – Jefrey Souffront – Like DC, finding a SS is a little difficult. Souffront who hails from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, turns 22 in May. While Souffront will ultimately be a utility player, he has played SS more than any position other than 3B. Last year at Ogden, Souffront slashed .302/.372/.396/.768. He has reverse splits, but was better than outstanding wRISP – .413/.446/.565/1.012 in 26 AB. Jefrey generally bats in the #8 or #9 position in the lineup. He has played in every position other than catcher in his brief career. He has pitched in 3 games, totaling 3.1 IP, allowing 0 runs, 3 hits, 1 BB, and 6 K. Souffront has certainly earned a promotion to Great Lakes, the infielders ahead of him (Amaya, Heyer, Valera, Vargas).
OF – Rolando Lebron – The RH hitting 20-year-old from La Victoria, Dominican Republic, slashed .286/.359/.484/.843 at AZL in his first year at U.S. MiLB. He had 6 doubles, 3 triples, and 2 HRs in 91 AB. He has good (not elite) speed and is considered an above average defender. He had 5 assists in 31 games (240 innings) in 2018.
OF – Matt Cogen – Cogen, a LH hitting 23-year-old OF, was the Dodgers 30th round draft choice (2018) out of Belmont University. At Belmont he hit .372/.418/.586/1.004 and continued to hit well once he got to Ogden. For 2018 at Ogden and Great Lakes (2 games), he hit .313/.403/.550/.953.
OF – Donovan Casey – While Casey is not a total unknown, he has slipped from the prospect lookout due to injuries incurred in 2018. Casey was the Dodgers 20th round draft choice (2017) from Boston College, who had an excellent rookie MiLB season. He hit .403/.453/.604/1.057 and played at both AZL and Ogden. The RH hitting OF is currently assigned to California League, where I expect he will have a good first half and find himself at Tulsa later this summer.
P – Melvin Jimenez – Melvin is one of two pitchers who has pitched in the US that I am showcasing. I am not ready to give up on this 19-year-old RHRP from Santiago, Dominican Republic. Jimenez made it to Great Lakes as a 17-year-old and pitched well enough to start back at Great Lakes in 2018. His first 6 games in 2018 were starts, and he did not fare well. He went to AZL to transition to a reliever with far better results. In 6 starts, Jimenez was 0-5 with a 7.85 ERA and 1.69 WHIP. As a reliever he was 3-2 with 4 saves out of 6 save opportunities with a 2.61 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP in 41.1 IP. He had 45 K and 16 BB. He is currently assigned to Ogden, but I suspect he will end up in Great Lakes before the Ogden season starts.
P – Carlos Montilla – 19-year-old from Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela. Last year at DSL, the 5’11” 165-pound RHSP pitched 53 innings in 12 games started. He had a 1.87 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. 42 K and only 5 BB.
P – Joan Valdez – 20-year-old from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Last year at DSL, the 6’4” 175-pound RHSP started 14 games with 58.1 IP. He had a 2.93 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, 59 K and 15 BB.
P – Jose Rodulfo – 18-year-old from Anaco, Venezuela. Last year at DSL, the 6’0” 165-pound RHSP started 14 games with 61.2 IP. He had a 1.61 ERA and 0.86 WHIP, 57 K and 12 BB.
P – Carlos Duran – 17-year-old from Nagua, Dominican Republic. Last year at DSL, the 6’7” 230-pound RHSP in 12 games started, pitched 42 innings. Duran had a 1.50 ERA and 0.76 WHIP, 30 K and 3 BB.
P – Jeisson Cabrera – 20-year-old from La Vega, Dominican Republic. Last year at DSL, the 6’2” 170-pound RHSP, started 14 games with 53.1 IP and accumulated 2.19 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. By his WHIP you can surmise that he is a little wild. He had 22 walks, but countered that with 62 K.
P – Jose Hernandez – I needed to add a LHP. The 21-year-old LHP is 6’3” 170 pound. Hernandez hails from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. 2018 was his first year in the U.S. and he was converted to a reliever at AZL. In 15 games, he pitched 27.1 innings and compiled a 2.96 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Hernandez has experience at both starting and relieving, and I expect he will be assigned to Ogden to start the 2019 season.
There have been no U.S. assignments for any of the pitchers who pitched in the DSL in 2018 thus far, but I am hoping that they all make it to AZL this summer. All seem worthy, but as we know, the Dodgers have a surplus of pitching.
Might Verdugo be his worst enemy? He keeps getting pinch hits.
Muncy seems to have lost one of his 2018 first half assets–only swinging at strikes. He still gets walks though. Taylor is a much more well rounded player that plays good defense.
Generally speaking it takes a player 100 regular season PAs before judgement should be made. It took Goldschmidt that many last year to get going. That is true for players that get off to a hot start as well as those getting off to cold starts.
LOL. That is funny. Verdugo is hurting his own case. Stop getting hits, damn it. You bad, bad, player.
Actually, I agree with Bum. Because Verdugo is showing he’s such a good pinch hitter, he might get pigeon-holed into becoming our pinch hitter extraordinaire, especially if nobody else is showing quality pinch hit AB’s.
Bum is right. Either way, Verdugo has looked far better in the real season than in spring!
No Bobby. We don’t need another Manny Mota right now. Verdugo is too young to be Manny Mota.
AC, regarding Dillon Paulson. The kid was a stud in HS and I think he did well at USC as well. Do you think he’ll rise the prospect charts? Is he someone to get excited about?
He is a Trojan, but if I am being unbiased, he has a long way to go to be considered a Top 30 potential prospect. He turns 22 in June and is currently assigned to Great Lakes. The Midwest League is generally considered a pitcher’s league, so if he gets off to a fast start, he could find his way back to California this summer, and then we will have a better gauge. He is a run producer with above average power. He has a good knowledge of the strike zone with 51/42 K/BB ratio. And even with decent power, he still has good bat to ball skills. 33 extra base hits in his 61 hits. I wouldn’t object to seeing him get some OF and perhaps become a LH version SVS.
Player to watch – Absolutely. Player to get excited about – TBD.
I like your list. I had a hard time not including Jefrey Souffront and I forgot Donovan Casey. Sorry Donovan.
I didn’t forget Melvin Jimenez but picked pitchers I thought were not well known. Hence, I couldn’t include personal favorites, Austin Drury, Stephen Kolek and Bryan Warzek.
I also thought of Matt Cogen who was included in my Loons roster predictions but he has not yet been assigned.
I stayed out of the DSL. If I had to select one of your five it might have been Rodulfo. I like all three Hernandez guys – Jose, Antonio and Ricardo.
I still have one eye on Riley Ottesen. He was a fifth round selection and has really not panned out at all. I’m thinking he might emerge as a relief pitcher this year. I think that is what happened when he was sent to AZL Dodgers last year after his stint with the Loons. He walked more than he struck out so the first thing is to throw strikes. He gave up less than a hit an inning but walked more than one per inning. This might be his last chance in the Dodger organization.
I know I cheated with Jimenez and Feduccia. Jimenez is just someone I think has a lot of potential and is still so very young. He is still assigned to Ogden, so he will be monitored at extended ST to conclude his transition to reliever, and I think he will get to GL before summer.
Ottesen throws very hard, and if he ever masters control, he could be a relief weapon. But that is a HUGE IF.
I like Cogen, but I probably should have gone with Drew Avans. He could be another 5’10” power hitter (another Ron Cey???).
I went with the DSL because so many of our young prospects started from there. I thought that I would include names who may find their way to AZL this summer, and new names to watch. This is where Gerardo Carrillo, Robinson Ortiz, Edwin Uceta, Melvin Jimenez, and Leo Crawford (another of my favorites) started their careers.
AC/DC.
Within the Dodgers Minor League System, where do either or both of you see positional gaps in talent that could effect the franchise both short term and long term if not corrected? How would this impact your decisions as a part of the front office as you would prepare for the draft, international signings and trades?
DD – I have thought about that and there are gaps that do need correction. It gives me a good idea for a blog post for this weekend. Let me put my thoughts together and present it. Thank you for the idea.
Well, I’ll give you my 1 cent worth. Outfielders are the weakest part of the Dodgers system. That said, I think you have to draft the best player available.
They are pretty weak at 3B too.
Vegas
Your the Muncy guru what are you seeing?
Hey MJ, I see a player who is pressing, is adjusting to a more steady diet of breaking balls, and has just missed a couple HR’s by a few feet. He could use a day off here and there to get his mojo back. Verdugo is going to take some starts in RF moving Cody to 1B but so far Freese has not gotten going either. Max has a start at 3B and an appearance at 2B so he won’t just play 1st. He will get hot before too long. My other 2 players I’m rooting for this season are Urias and Verdugo.
Vegas
Thanks!
Good article on John Shoemaker by Eric Stephen at SB Nation
https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2019/4/3/18208885/john-shoemaker-dodgers-minor-league-coaching-legend
Wow! Do you have an easier question? lol.
Just got a few minutes before I am off to a mid-week Lenten service so a quick response.
The strength that we all talk about is the starting pitching and catching in the pipeline. There are definitely also me good arms in the minor league relief corps.
Beyond that, I think the middle infield depth is quite good – Lux, Downs, Estevez, Liput, Robinson, Valera, Amaya.
First base is definitely not deep with Matt Beaty most ready for MLB. Jared Walker has moved up to Tulsa. With Cody Bellinger the team is not in any immediate need for a first baseman.
Third base is a question for we are not sure about Rios. There is also Christian Santana with the Drillers and then Miguel Vargas with the Loons.
The outfield depth is not as strong as we might like. We seem to have a lot of outfielders who fit the same mold. DJ Peters has yet to show the bat to ball skills that we would like to see.
I am not sure you can go into a draft with a specific goal in mind unless drafting in a much higher spot than the Dodgers get. I certainly would look for an outfielder(s) but in the final analysis would not pass a good prospect when my turn came. Internationally I could look for an outfielder(s).
if it’s easier, you can just explain women to me
This is all I have.
http://www.berro.com/joke/bridge_to_hawaii.htm
Awesome!
God created Women and even he doesn’t have an answer. It is awesome. One lane is fine though.
You can put 6 lanes on that bridge and I’ll still have to pass a women on the right for not driving fast in the fast lane.
Have you seen tonight’s lineup? A bit strange indeed. Perhaps strange is the wrong word. Creative?
Kiki
Turner
Mr. Freeze
Corey
AJ
Belli
CT3
Barnes
Strips
Wait till u see the bullpen
Honeycutt and Lasorda making a comeback?
Well, Freeze and Corey are cold, so they should bat 3 and 4. You got a problem with that?
🙂 Nope. the coldest should back cleanup. But that is what is creative about it.
If anyone should be upset it’s Joc. What more is the guy supposed to do? One of his HR’s was oppo and another off a leftie. Freeze might warm up against Holland, then again…maybe stays chilly. Puig didn’t like sitting and Joc must be thinking let me out of here!
I get it. Verdugo and Joc can do just as good as Taylor and Freeze at this time. Cody plays 1b and give the lefty’s a chance is what I say. But you know, we are just wasting our breath.
Now watch. Freeze, Corey and Taylor will all have Huge Games lol. 🙂
Vegas, perhaps Joc is not upset and not thinking let me out of here. It seems he might even be okay with how this system plays itself out. Do you have any evidence of it being otherwise and not all in your head?
Of course not but what looks like 4 straight days off? How can he ever hit LHP if they don’t let him try? Do you have to be so snarky? I left it alone when you bagged on Vin Scully.
Part of Joc being on the bench against lefties is to keep Taylor happy. He’s done enough in the last 2 years to not be benched 90% of the time. He is already sitting 70%.
Vegas, I’m only snarky when I see projections like yours without evidence. In earlier posts, I’ve also questioned the philosophy of those who sit against LHP not being able to make any improvements. We both agree on this, but perhaps Joc is understanding of why he is sitting and is a team player, not a whiner. I think Bums pov about keeping Taylor happy is also valid, although I don’t see Taylor as a complainer.
One could’ve argued that Freese should have been replaced with Muncy, a LHB, to go against Moronta with 2 men on. But, Freese came through and tied up the game. Should Muncy be pissed?
Vegas
Did you mean Verdugo hit a HR against a leftie?
Because Joc has only had one at bat against a leftie, and it was not a HR.
My bad then.
Vegas,
Joc is on the bench “Learning how to hit LHP” by watching Bellinger. At least that’s the line that Doc will use if asked. Actually let me edit that by saying he is also watching Taylor strikeout.
That’s a good one!
Thanks Vegas.
It is strange Vegas. I can never comment to you unless it is your “Main” comment. Your replies never have the “blue” reply under them.
Stewart keeps looking comparatively better and better the less he pitches.
Yep. I think Kiki is the 2nd Baseman to stay
The Gold Coast bombers Dodger new name.
Not menacing enough.
The Giant announcers just said Dodger Stadium has all of a sudden become a “Homer Friendly Ballpark”. Tell me how does that happen? The stadium just decides it is going make it easier on hitters to go deep? Laughable.
Bellinger did what we always used to complain about. 2 out RBI. Great piece of hitting and baserunning by Mr. Freeze.
The Reds as a team are batting .183.
Not too bad at all.
BlackMirror9
What are we batting as a team?
.298
I just do not like platooning. There is no way you can get into a rhythm. Joc has not been able to hit left handlers . This year he looks like a different hitter. I think he needs a chance. He was hot to start the season and he probably has cooled off. I feel the same with Muncey. Last night he hit two hard balls for outs against a left hander. Let him play and if he cannot hit then move Bellinger to first.
Verdugo looks to me the kind of ball player that Mark said he would be. He has good bat to ball skills. He has more power than we think. I can understand why Freidman would not trade him.
I hope Freidman will offer long term contracts to Bellinger, Seager, Beuhler and Urias. Also, if Ryu continues, we need to look him up. There is something different about the starting pitchers. They are attaching the strike zone this year.
Let’s just win each series.
For all you bullpen haters out there, this is a must listen. Vasseghe talks with Uncle Ned,(Yeah I know Mark and Bums, not your favorite guy) and no, I am not related to the dude and he is not paying me money to say how cool he is., but he has been in this game a long time as as a baseball guy Don’t be a keyboard critic, get yourself into what he is talking about as far as a what a GM is thinking this time of the season, Great insight related to last night and letting Yimi meltdown. He pointed out that in two weeks, Hill and Kershaw are coming back, so 2 guys have to go to OKC. Who are they going to be? Kind of funny, the same things he was talking about in the podcast is what Caleb Ferguson was saying in his pregame interview tonight. “Don’t worry about the bullpen, Kelly is going to be fine, Petey will be fine, it’s early”. Also saw Honeycutt say tonight about Kelly. ” As a group we have not yet talked to him about elevating his fastball, which is where he is effective. He has been keeping it low and that’s where the problem is”. This will all get figured out, but please, listen to this podcast and you will get some pretty cool insight.
It’s true that I wish Colletti stayed in SF but I didn’t realize I criticized him enough for anybody to remember. Oops. I generally don’t like to be negative, not that I don’t dip into it from time to time.
Hi Roger,
The question is this. Will the team be getting a healthy Kershaw? Few believe he is healthy 100%. I had 2 surgeries on my back before I was 30. I know this guy is not 100%. Every year now it’s something and they keep blaming this or that. It’s the back. It throws everything off. Hill is not the panacea that everyone thinks. Good yes, but will he weaken the SP just to make the BP stronger????
Hey also on that “Low Fastball”. What’s the take on that with the new Launch Angle swing. Doesn’t it play right into that swing? Should Pitchers be bringing their pitches UP now???
Sorry guys, my link failed. Go Dodgertalk podcast from last night and check it out.
I wonder if Stripling is tipping his pitches again?
He looked good in the 5th 🙂 good sign
Get Joe Kelly warming up.
I have a question to all who have attended Dodger Day Games.
If the wife and I were to drive to L.A. (God Forbid) and plan to attend a Day Game, which I guess would have to be a Sunday game. Which side of the field is best to keep cool, and which seating area should we seek??
We have attended two night games, as I said before, when I was younger and spryer(sp), but I don’t know about safety for the wife. So advice would be nice. Please no ill fated advice for the Ham.
I went to opening day and had seats on the third baseline on the reserved level. Thought I might be in the shade but I wasn’t. I would recommend the third base side but select a row (row r, s, t etc) under the deck above you to be in the shade for the entire game.
The first base side is in sun almost the entire game.
Thank you NCD. I will take that advice I really appreciate the kindness. Bless You. Ham 🙂
3rd base, and the higher up in the rows that you are, you’ll be under the overhang. I believe it’s Row N and higher to be sure
Bobby are you trying to trick me? NCD says 3rd was sun
He may have sat lower in the section. Best section for shade is Lodge, down the 3rd base side. After row M or so, you’re good
thank you Bobby. I am teasing you. I will check out games and tickets.
Yup, look on Stubhub. That’s where season ticket holders resell our season seats, so you should see some great deals.
Hernandez looks like an all-star this year.
He does.
Mr. Freeze comes through. Come on Corey.
Virtually 59 free for awhile… Hallelujah…
$hit show tonight !? I like that!!! Of course I’m fond of cold toilet seats…
Freese and Pollock are just plain grinders…
Were fun to watch right now despite a little heartburn in the pen…
Have a good and safe Game Ham… I always advise going to Phillipes before the game for a darn good beef dip…
Last but not least, I wish my boy Alex V. would $hit can the Machado hairdo…
thanks peterj,
I wish Alex V would find his mustache. He lost it somewhere, and I do hate the latest hairdo’s.
Love these guys going the other way today. Hits, and clutch hits, without home runs will take this team far.
For me, Krukow is the best color guy in the biz. I’ve been watching the game with he and Kuiper. What a change from Orel and Davis. Kruk seems to know the players extremely well on the Dodgers and is highly complimentary and fair in his assessments. No homerism with these guys. Taylor doubles to take the lead, 5-3 as I write this. Clutch.
For day games, (typically a Sunday) I like RS sections 1-17.
That’s below Top deck. Sun behind you, and if you sit toward the back you’ll be under the top deck overhang.
Sitting in odd numbered sections the sun is behind you. Even numbers you’ll be looking into the sun. As Bobby said.
Your wife will be safe, (unless she starts a fight).
Ticket monster another good online ticket vendor.
Usually I dont care about umps but watch the run kulpa videos from last night. “I can do whatever I want” is a bad thing to say as a response to someone on a similar power level.