Alex Verdugo (23) – Happy Birthday Today
Yesterday, Alex’s brother posted on LADT. Those guys out there do pay attention. What I have really like about Alex this year is that he has demonstrated a high level of energy and enthusiasm. He is very active in the dugout, not Puig-like, and has really hustled on the field and running the bases. Who wouldn’t like his K/BB ratio which is not even 2/1 throughout his career?
Verdugo had a .355 average and 1.057 OPS against left-handers, which stands out on the platoon-happy Dodgers. Also, his numbers are .346 and 1.0141with runners in scoring position, and .438 and 1.283 with runners in scoring position and two outs.
Verdugo was a pitcher in high school, and the 98.4 mph throw from left field that gunned a runner down at home plate in Milwaukee has almost certainly been noted in opponents’ scouting reports.
“I think one of Alex’s biggest strengths is his at-bat quality and his ability to grind out an AB against any type of pitching,” former Dodgers director of player development and newly-promoted assistant general manager/vice president Brandon Gomes said. “What he did really well last year, as he continues to get more reps under him and get stronger, is play the balance of when to take a shot and try to impact the baseball and when to downshift and shoot a ball the other way, depending on count [or] situation.”
Rule 5
I am a bit slow on the uptake but enjoyed AC’s article on Rule 5. I don’t think it will present a big problem for the Dodgers with whom and how to protect the Rule 5 eligible draftees. I think the only three that would be at risk are Tony Gonsolin, Will Smith and Mitchell White and spots on the 40-man roster for them should be easy to find, especially among the pitching ranks. The players at the lower levels will be protected on the minor league reserve lists.
Save America’s Pastime Act
It appears Major and Minor League Baseball’s multi-year effort to squash a lawsuit attempting for players to be covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act is about to succeed.
Less than one week from Opening Day of the major league baseball season, Congress passed legislation that will exempt minor league baseball players from the wage protections mandated under the federal Fair Labor Standard Act (“FLSA”). This means that Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball will not be required to pay their minor league baseball players a minimum wage, any overtime pay, or any compensation for spring training or during the off season.
The new omnibus spending bill that both houses of congress were looking to sign to prevent a government shutdown contained the “Save America’s Pastime Act” which was written specifically to shut down a lawsuit that could lead to minor leaguers receiving increased wages.
It appears Major and Minor League Baseball’s multi-year effort to squash a lawsuit attempting for players to be covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act is about to succeed.
Tyler Adkison
I know that both AC and myself were following Tyler Adkison waiting for him to make it to the Loons last year. He was selected by the Dodgers in the 32nd round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of San Diego State. The right-handed hitting outfielder hit well with the Ogden Raptors in 2017 posting a triple slash of .343/.445/.500 but did not hit well with the Loons in 15 games following his promotion to Great Lakes. He has been on the restricted list since the beginning of the 2018 season. He retired at age 24 to start his own financial business.
Loons Offense Rolls
About 15 games or so the Loons were pretty much at the bottom of the heap in many hitting categories except walks and OBP. The OBP because of the walks. As of yesterday they have come a long ways in a short period of time and over the past three weeks are perhaps the most productive offense in the 16-team Midwest League. The surge cannot be attributed to one player but things did start to roll when outfielder Chris Roller came aboard.
Runs first – 171
Doubles second – 65
RBI first – 156
Walks first – 180
Strikeouts twelfth – 296
SLG third – .369
OBP first – .353
OPS second – .722
BA seventh – 242
Home runs eleventh – 20 ( 8 from the top)
High Risk – High Reward
Might the Dodgers take a chance on Jerrion Ealy in the June draft?
Jerrion Ealy is a 2019 OF with a 5-10 192 lb. frame from Carthage, MS who attends Jackson Prep. Compact very strong and very athletic build. Outstanding runner, 6.13 in the sixty, has a sub 6.0 in him, ultra-athletic and quick twitch. Dynamic raw bat speed, raw swing mechanics but unmistakable elite ability to drive the ball, big power potential from foul pole to foul pole, will benefit from more and more hitting repetitions. Very strong arm from the outfield that plays well in games, very accurate online throws, centerfield speed and range with premium right field arm strength. Has all the tools to be an All-Star type player. Also an elite level running back and 4-star prospect in football, Mississippi FB player of the year. Good student, verbal commitment to play both sports at Mississippi. Selected to play in the 2018 Perfect Game All-American Classic.
While the Dodgers don’t technically have a current GM, it’s still the Andrew Friedman show when it comes to baseball decisions. Friedman has always shown love for high end athletes and has not shied away from tough signs. If Ealy were strictly a baseball player, he would likely go much earlier. However, Ealy is a top 5 RB in the class with legitimate NFL potential in a few years and will not be a cheap sign. Luckily, the Dodgers have extra bonus pool money from comp for last years unsigned first rounder and can pay above slot value. In Ealy, they are getting a potential all-star level player! Ealy has every bit of 80 grade speed (6.13 60-yard dash), a cannon arm (96 from the outfield), the ability to play center field and tremendous bat speed that should lead to solid power. There is also upside to be unlocked if he focuses solely on baseball. He needs to add polish across the board with the bat and will likely always have some swing and miss, but he’s more polished than you’d expect from a two-sport player of his caliber. Likely the most high risk/high reward player in the draft.
Minor League Report by DC
Great Lakes Loons 3 – Dayton Dragons 4 (Cincinnati)
The Loons played from behind all during the game managing to tie at two in the bottom of the second inning, but this is as close to a win as they got. Zach Willeman started for the Loons and gave up three runs in his four innings pitched. He gave up five hits and walked four while recording no strikeouts. Jasiel Alvino surrendered a run in his inning pitched while Austin Drury and Brett de Geus held the Dragons scoreless in their four innings, 1.2 by Drury and 2.1 by de Geus.
The Loons did tie the score in the second inning when Dan Robinson scored on a Leonel Valera single and Romer Cuadrado scored on a Miguel Vargas single. Catcher Jair Camargo brought Great Lakes within one with his second home run of the season in the sixth inning.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 3 – Lancaster JetHawks 6 (Colorado)
The Quakes squandered a good start by Leo Crawford who went five innings allowing only one run on four hits, no walks and striking out six. Lancaster tacked on two more runs off Sven Schueller but were held in check by Connor Mitchell in his 1.1 innings pitched. The Quakes drew even at three in the top of the eighth inning but then lost it in the bottom of the ninth on a three-run home run by Luis Castro off Logan Salow. Salow came on with two runners on base but could not strand them for Jordan Sheffield who took the loss.
The Quakes scored all three runs on home runs with a Devin Mann solo shot in the top of the sixth inning and a two-run homer by Marcus Chiu in the top of the eighth following a Donovan Casey single.
Devin Mann had the lone multiple hit game for the Quakes with three including a double along with his home run.
Tulsa Drillers 10 – Northwest Arkansas Naturals 12 (Kansas City)
The Drillers had 17 hits, five for extra bases, on Tuesday and wound up on the short end of the score. They started early with three runs in the top of the first inning on run scoring singles by Christian Santana, Cody Thomas and Keibert Ruiz. They added two more in the fourth on a Gavin Lux triple bringing home Ruiz and DJ Peters. Ruiz drove in another run in the fifth inning giving the Drillers a 6-5 lead. The pitching was not able to hold the Naturals at bay and Tulsa needed three runs in the top of the seventh to knot the score at nine. They did so on a two-run double by DJ Peters and a Zach Reks homer, his league leading ninth. Cody Thomas drove in one more in the top of the ninth with a double as the Drillers fell two runs short. Lux, Ruiz and Peters all had three hits while Reks, Santana and Thomas each had two.
The problem was on the mound as Michael Bowden gave up 11 hits and nine runs in his 4.2 innings pitched. Shea Spitzbarth took the loss with a run in his two innings while Andre Scrub gave two more in his 1.1 innings pitched.
OKC Dodgers 15 – 6 Round Rock Express (Houston)
Some days are like that, so say the Express. Staked to 5-0 lead it was all downhill after that. Round Rock scored one more run while the Dodgers piled on 15.
Starter Rob Zastryzny gave up all six runs in his five innings of work. Relievers Louis Head, Josh Sborz, Joe Broussard and Luis Vasquez all contributed a scoreless inning on two hits and two walks.
Down 5-0 in the top of the fifth inning the Dodgers got back three on a Connor Joe HBP followed by three doubles to Matt Beaty, Kyle Garlick and Will Smith.
Trailing 6-4 going into the top of the seventh inning the Dodgers sent 15 men to the plate scoring 11 runs. Nine runs scored with two out. RBI’s were recorded on a Will Smith sacrifice fly, a Cameron Perkins single, a Matt Beaty double, a Shane Peterson single, a Will Smith single, a Drew Jackson double and a Daniel Castro double. Matt Beaty had three hits as did Shane Peterson with Beaty driving in four runs. Will Smith also had three hits with three runs batted in while Cameron Perkins and Daniel Castro both had two hits. Every Dodger, except Connor Joe had a hit with Joe scoring two runs with a HBP and two walks.
Nice information on Verdugo DC. He looks like a keeper to me. Both Verdugo and Bellinger are tough outs. In fact, I think every player battles when they bat.
I am going to disagree with some of you on Turner being hit. Yes, I do not like to see him get hit. We need him in the line up. However, he really is on top of the plate. Pitchers are going to throw inside. You miss inside by 3-4 inches and you will hit Turner. Turner does not seem to be upset with being hit by a pitch. As long as Turner is not upset the Dodger pitchers will not hit a player in retaliation. If Turner becomes upset, I think you will see some retaliation.
I don’t agree at all. You need to pay back from time to time. It’s part of the game. I’m not saying to go head hunting, but a fastball in the back is needed from time to time to keep other teams honest.
Mark commented yesterday that it’s a good thing to just do what the computer tells you to do. I guess he’s never seen The Matrix or Terminator. Even Tesla tells you to pay attention and keep your hands on the wheel when the computer is driving for you.
Mark, data is used to help you make a decision, not make a decision for you. The computer is only as good as the algorithm it uses and those algorithms are written by humans. I thought you were possessed when you complained about Doc, until I commented, then you went back to being the Doc minion that you are. I’m glad I brought you back to fantasy land where Doc always makes the right decision. You’re welcome!
The other night when Baez was replaced for Alexander and Alexander didn’t do his job, against a left hander, yet again. I said they should have just stuck with Baez. Mostly because I can SEE WITH MY EYES that these mid innings pitching changes usually don’t work out very well, without checking the stats. But, since Doc loves the platoon advantage, it blew up in his face twice. It turns out that Baez is good at stranding runners and Alexander and Floro are not. But, Mark still has to defend Doc. Alexander is also bad against left handers, but Doc loves that platoon “advantage” and Mark thinks that Doc can do no wrong.
But, the computer says that Alexander is bad against lefties and bad with inherited base runners. So what is it Mark? Should Doc listen to the computer, or keep doing what he always and predictably does? Make mid inning pitching changes when everyone on his bullpen staff is bad at keeping inherited runners from scoring.
You realize Mark was being facetious when he said to never go against a computer, right? Right? Apparently not.
Remember the Ron Hunt days with the Expos. 50 HBP in 1971 and played 152 games. At least 25 HBP six years in a row.
I remember him as a Cub, but anyway he was a gritty guy.
Ealy sounds a little like Kendall.
We are going to see another left hander tonight in Matt Strahm. In the early going, he’s a reverse splits guy so I’m curious as to what our potential lineup will be like tonight. It seems like a good time to let Joc hit against a lefty, but I’m 99% sure he won’t.
59:
You’re absolutely right. Strahm has had reverse splits the past 4 years since he’s been in the Majors. His career splits are: vs RHB( 76-413) 184 BA. vs LHB(43-147) .274BA. If there was ever a time to start Joc vs LHP tonight would be that night.
I am in agreement with ’59. The pitch that Turner got hit on last night was about a foot inside. Doc has to send a message sometime, or they will keep doing it. It’s not old school, it’s just baseball and showing your team that you will protect them. This is really getting old.
This is where Kelly can be a productive member of the team. We already know what he can do with a fastball to the ribs.
Problem with sending Kelly out to hit someone is that he would miss and put it right over the middle of the plate.
Wondering if Mitch White has now passed May (& Gonsolin) as the next prospect to make a start for us this year. Santana is still probably in front of him, but Santana in the bullpen is still very much alive. Ferguson seems exclusively like a bullpen arm this year.
Well it will be interesting if Turner gets hit tonight. Manny should wear some backnpadding. We need to spice this rivalry up a bit!
At the beginning of the year the smart money was on May or Gonsolin with Santana close behind and White pulling up the rear. Gonsolin got hurt, May has had two so-so starts in a row and Santana still needs to work on his control. White is moving up on the rail and may just pass them all.
Pending, and I emphasize pending, MLB’s investigation of the Urias incident, I suspect Urias could be part of a trade deadline deal to shore up our bullpen/right hand hitter.
Would Keuchel be a short term rental as well.
Team will not trade Urias.
You can take that to the bank!
Roberts will do nothing so I guess it´s up to the pitchers to have the players backs, but which pitcher?, there is no Drysdale in this group.
My inner being tells me it is simply wrong to deliberately throw at a hitter. And yes, I acknowledge that there may be pitchers/coaches who would encourage or at least allow that. I suppose there is a point where a team must retaliate but if it is not acceptable off the field to throw objects at others with the intent to injure, I am not sure why it is acceptable on the field. The intent may not be to injure but there is no guarantee that it will not injure. It is very difficult to tell if a pitcher is throwing at a hitter if he pitches inside and the hitter hugs the plate. The inside of the plate is part of the pitcher’s domain and he has every right to demand it. The hitter doesn’t own it and can be moved back with inside pitches. If he hangs over the plate he is putting himself at risk with legitimate pitches as every pitcher cannot pinpoint his pitch.
It seems that some feel Dave Roberts is not doing his job to protect the team by not instructing them to retaliate if a batter is hit. Intent to hit is really difficult to detect and most reasonable managers would not instruct a pitcher to deliberately throw at a hitter, at least in my opinion.
I’m with Sandy. Koufax, knowing the deadly force of his own deliveries, refrained from beanball wars and never sought to hurt a batter. According to his co-author, Ed Linn, he would not intentionally throw at a hitter and did not try to make batters look bad. Over his career, he hit just 18 batters in 2324 innings. In 1966 in 323 innings he did not hit a batter.
I would never headhunt a player, but I would drill him in the butt. Back in the day, I was known to do just that… on occasion. I had a high MPH fastball (that had no movement) and I was very accurate – I could put the ball where I wanted, so I had no problem hitting them on the butt or back and I usually did it with reduced speed. It was for effect.
Clayton drilled Parra on purpose. This is what I am talking about:
As I say, I’m just not comfortable with throwing at hitters. But, that’s just me. It may be purposeful but still wrong in my opinion. I am not big on the unwritten rules.
Clayton didn’t accomplish much. Got thrown out and didn’t hit in the butt or back. Hit his arm it looks like. That is risking an injury.
Due to this being an active investigation, you will not hear anything real until the investigation by the police is complete. I won’t even speculate because we have none of the facts, actions or context. Eyewitness testimony is frequently very unreliable. I take no side until I get the facts or at least both sides version of the facts.
Urias is not going to be traded.
If you hit Turner in the middle of the back, then I think there will be some retaliation. What has happened so far is part of the game.
This stuff galvanizes a team:
I guess you have to weight the risks and rewards. Gotta get out of this.
Dodgers-Padres fight on Thursday night that left Los Angeles pitcher Zack Greinke with a broken collarbone
After going to first base, Furillo charges the New York dugout, fights with Giants manager Leo Durocher and breaks a bone in his left hand.
Joe Ferguson of the Dodgers comes onto the field and breaks his right wrist punching Greif. Ferguson has surgery and misses the rest of the season.
There may be a time and place for a brush back pitch. However, the pitch that hit JT was not it. He crowded the plate and turned his body in such a way that his arm was virtually over the plate turning into the pitch. Clearly, the pitcher was not throwing at him and being hit was entirely on JT.
DC – I admired Sandy Koufax for his stance on not throwing at batters. Heck, if I had to get into the batters box and Sandy was pitching, that alone would cause by knees to rattle. On the other hand, Don Drysdale was more than willing to throw at a hitter and knock him on his butt.
Greinke understood
https://youtu.be/xu-O6ACpgKk
Glad we have some common sense posts in here. There’s a reason JT gets hit as much as anyone in baseball year after year, just like Chase Utley. They crowd the plate and dive in and do some funky twist when a pitch is inside. It’s conducive to getting hit. If he was hit in the head, that’s one thing. These are inside pitches that that get him in the arms, not in the back, not in the butt, and definitely not in the head.
The “eye for an eye” argument sounds moronic when you look at each instance of him getting hit, instead of just screaming “oh my god JT was hit by a pitch, it must be intentional, we must hit one of their guys to send a message, Doc is weak, yada yada yada”
Joc now has the same stance as Turner with his back foot very close to the plate and open stance and Joc has been hit 6 times this year.
I think I just got called a moron. Oh well, you better hope you don’t face me in softball. I’ll drill you with a 39 mph fastball.
haha as long as its in the butt!!
Now, if it’s that instance with the Padres or Dbacks where Greinke was hit in the head, that was all intentional, and Im’ glad we fought them like we did. I’m glad Mark McGwire was on our side as he was ready to kill the other manager and coaches, and rightfully so!
Damned if there weren’t alot of keystrokes putting blame on Doc… If that pitcher wanted to hit him with a purpose pitch he would have…
I’m a big fan of JT, but he crowds the plate… Gotta deal with it..
P.S. Baseball brawls are a bonafide joke… I can’t ever recall gurneys and paramedics showing up, only equip managers replacing jerseys, which have stretched out… If they did, you could double attendance…
There are pitchers that have a head hunter reputation and those that are not head hunters but still hit a lot of batters. Those two types need to be thrown at if they hit a teammate. That is the only thing about the DH that I don’t like–pitchers not having to step into the batter box after they hit a player. Maybe they should have to hit for the DH at first opportunity after they hit a batter if the ball is more than 6 inches inside.
I think Joc would do even better against righties if he had more at bats against lefties and that might also lead to him becoming a better hitter against lefties.
Doc and Friedman are being stubborn when they refuse to let Joc hit more against lefties.
That’s simply a theory.
Here’s another theory: He loses his confidence and hits neither North or South Paws.
Here’s another theory, he sits for too many days in a row, then he can’t hit righties. That isn’t good for the team either.
Mark, please explain why you’re in favor of Kike hitting against righties, but not Joc hitting against lefties?
All 3 are excellent theories; I actually agree with all of em
I’m glad you asked, but I am fine with platooning Kike too.
However, for his career Kike has hit .217 against RHP. In 2018, he raised that to .256.
Let’s look at Joc: For his career, he has hit .180 against LHP, In 2018, he dropped to .170.
Of course, a computer figured that, so it is very suspect.
Any other silly questions? You were joking… right? Not serious, right?
ON WHAT PLANET HAS JOC EVEN SHOWED A SLIGHT INCLINATION HE CAN HIT LEFTIES?
Cool, so 217 deserves a chance, but 180 doesn’t. Where exactly is the line? 217, or somewhere in the middle? Considering there’s many more right handed pitchers, 3.7 more hits per 100 ABs doesn’t seem that much to me, but you’re the “expert”.
1 – I believe that there are times when a pitcher needs to “protect” his teammates but it’s the exception.
2 – If a pitcher gets ejected because he throws at an opponent in retaliation it hurt his team more than it does his opponent.
3 – Some hitters get hit a lot because of where they stand or because they dive into the pitch. Turner qualifies. If that’s the case, he has to expect to get hit and doesn’t have a beef unless it’s “chin music”.
4 – Frank Robinson used to go at it the right way – he’s usually hit a HR or something else hard if you brushed him back or hit him.
Why is it taking so long for TMZ to come up with the Urias video?
Police have it.
They better start drilling people!
OK, JT was hit again. 4th game in a row. Again I think it’s just an inside pitch to a a guy who hangs over the plate.
BUT, would Maeda plunking somebody make JT happy? If so, is it worth it? Maybe it is
Now it is too often from one team. Turner was not happy.
That’s because when you let it go, they become emboldened. I know Turner crowds the plate, but those pitches are WAY inside. What? Are they going to wait until he breaks his wrist again? Then it’s too late. Would Joe Kelly have hit Hanley Ramirez is he knew retaliation was coming?
I have always believed at the first sign of bullying, you hit the bully in the mouth! They run… end of story! If I were the Dodgers manager, Turner would rarely be hit!
Dammit Mark and AC, this is total bullshit, Turner WAS NOT CROWDING THE PLATE!!! Lasorda has the next guy going down back in the day. I love Roberts, but let’s get friggin real, if Turner goes out with another forearm fracture from these jackasses throwing WAAAAAAAAAAAyyyy inside, we are totally screwed. Where the hell is Bueller, he would drill Machado in a second. Damn i’m pissed!!
Turner and even more so Rizzo are going to lead the league in HBP every year because they are on top of that plate like very few in baseball.
This game reminds me of last year. The Dodgers have had 10 baserunners. They have scored 2 runs. By the way, the only guy with an RBI is the pitcher (Maeda). 8 LOB in 4 innings, 2 for 7 RISP.
Maeda trying to be the MVP of this game. 2 rbi, 10k’s thru 5. Keep it going baby!
Trident
Going to pile on and I don’t care who calls me out. There is a big reason why Cody, Seager, Kike’, Joc, Verdugo , Muncy are thriving. Watch the dugout whenever one of those guys gets a key hit or home run. They ALWAYS seek out JT for a high five or a forearm bump. Turner is the linchpin for this team, the guiding light, even when he is not hitting well, all the young studs look to him for guidance, and he always gives it, free of charge. If he goes down by getting beaned inside by some hack, I hold (And I can’t believe I am even saying this because I like him so much) Roberts responsible for not protecting the glue of this team. Yeah, we all talk about Kershaw being a veteran presence, but Turner is invested in the young guys, day in and day out, I always see him talking to the guys in the dugout. If Turner goes down for an extended amount of time, our whole season changes. By the way, besides Bueller, I guaranfrigintee Rich Hill would send a message and brush a guy back. Hell, bring Joe Kelly to restore order, I am sure he would have no problem with that.
So, my son came up to my office and we were watching the game and he was reading the blog. So, he said “Dad, you raised me to respect everyone and treat people the way we like to be treated and I am always looking for common ground, but in this case, they should drill the bastards!”
I trained him well!
Anyone understand why Maeda was taken out?
So Doc could give everyone something to,botch about. Cmon how many of you were rootin for Alexander to walk that guy
Roberts is a moron, unless there is something I do not know.
Totally unnecessary. Now we have a runner on. Why didn’t Baez start the inning? Two unnecessary mid inning pitching changes.
Alexander can’t throw strikes, can’t catch, and can’t hit and he’s an MLB player, why?
Some very interesting interplay between Kenley & Martin, with Kenley shaking off numerous calls.
The same thing happened the night before with Kenley & Barnes, with Kenley obviously wanting to go with his own stuff, and not the Scouting. Report. Be interesting to see how this plays out.
Good win again, and we managed to achieve 4 Shutouts in our 9 game home stand, which really takes some doing.
So on to Cinncy and a reunion with Yassie, who is fresh from taking Madbum yard.
Could be fun.
Don’t forget his .212 average
So far, the road has not been kind to the Dodgers. That could change very quickly and I hope it does. Our SP have looked like monsters, lately. Maeda was in full control for this one. For a guy who doesn’t throw particularly fast, his control was immaculate and the pitch calling seemed to work very well.
As far as Doc lifting him, there is no other reason than having a LHP facing a RHB. This is Doc’s habitual stance and he usually does it with 2 outs. It’s rather stupid, but it makes him feel like he’s calling the shots. Luckily, nothing bad happened.
It’s usually people with a right wing mentality that want to retaliate against the opposing team that hits batters. Violence begets violence. In most cases, you can bet on that. In Turner’s case, like Bobby has mentioned more than once, he crowds the plate. If Turner adjusted his position, which most batters would if they were getting hit as much as he does, he would probably be doing everyone a favor including himself as last year’s wrist injury put him on the IL. I don’t see any intentionality on the part of the pitchers throwing to JT. No one is going for his head or wildly throwing at him.
As for Urias, does the guy ever smile? Isn’t he from Sinaloa? Cartel territory. Watch out! They’ll be coming out with a corrido, soon.