The Great Lakes Loons continue their resurgence after a slow start to the season and continued to love day baseball. On Wednesday afternoon, playing as Camels, they took down the Dayton Dragons 8-3 continuing to jockey for first place with the Lake County Captains, Bowling Green Hot Rods and South Bend Cubs.
They played before a sellout crowd of 5,063 on School Kids Day.
The player of the day was third baseman Luke Heyer. The native of Lithia, Florida 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 in 2018 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. It appears it might be returning.
The now 22-year-old right-handed hitter did not hit quite as well as might be expected with the Loons during the 2018 season but has warmed up in 2019, especially in the last ten games having raised his batting average to .273. He has especially enjoyed day baseball and in nine games under the sun has posted a triple slash of .353/.405/.706 with three home runs and 12 runs batted in.
The 6’0”/205-pound third baseman perhaps had his crowning day of the year on Wednesday. Listed as a third baseman, he has split his 19 games almost evenly at third base, second base and first base. On Wednesday he was a power hitting third baseman registering his fourth multiple-hit games in his last ten.
Two of his three hits against the Dragons were home runs, one with one aboard and the other, as they say, with the bases juiced. Heyer has been working with his hitting coach Justin Viele and executed his plan.
“I just went up there and wanted to look for what I’m looking for and not deviate from my plan,” he said. “Hunt the pitches I want to hit and don’t miss them. Don’t fall behind, be aggressive early in the count towards pitches I can handle and try to stay out of two-strike counts.”
His first home run came in the second inning lining it over the left field fence. His grand slam came in the seventh inning and the Loons leading 3-2. It was driven a bit more to left center field. Heyer was looking for a fly ball to bring in an insurance run. He got that and more.
“I was just trying to get the ball in the air in that situation so that I could at least get one run in,” he said. “But the wind was kind of in my favor, and I barreled it up pretty good and it ended up going out. But my approach wasn’t to go yard there, I would have been glad to just bring in a run.”
In addition to his two home runs he had a single in the sixth inning on a 1-2 pitch. Look for some more fireworks from Heyer as the season progresses.
Rants & Raves by Mark Timmons
- Wow! Who thinks Maeda should go to the pen?
- The Dodgers team ERA is down to 3.51 (5th in MLB) and the Dodgers are tied with Houston with 29 wins.
- Corey Seager is starting to get some hits and some luck. He looks faster than he used to look.
- From TMZ on Julio Urias
Multiple law enforcement sources tell TMZ Sports … the domestic violence case against Dodgers star pitcher Julio Urias is “weak” based on the evidence. ”
We’re told the video of the incident does show Urias making physical contact with the woman during the March 13 altercation in the Beverly Center parking lot — but as one source puts it, “It doesn’t appear there’s criminal intent to injure her.”
One source says it appears Urias used his hands in an attempt to stop her from leaving the area during a heated argument.
In other words, it seems as though he was trying to restrain her, not strike her … though the woman DID go to the ground at some point during the argument.
Again, I am not going to jump to conclusions, but it’s starting to sound like it’s not what we thought. Stay tuned. “Intent” is the prevailing word.
Minor League Report by Mark Timmons
Great Lakes Loons – DC told you about Luke Heyer, but what he didn’t tell you is that C Hunter Feduccia was 3-5, bringing his average up to .297 (.909 OPS). Vargas also had 2 hits. Jeronimo Castro went 5 innings for the win, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits and 6 K’s. By the way, the Loons won 8-3.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – The big story of the Quakes 18-8 win over the Lancaster Batters was that Jeter Downs went 4-for-5, HR (6), 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, BB. Downs has now notched at least two hits in five of his past six games for the Quakes after his season-high four-hit performance against Lancaster. He went deep in the sixth inning, hitting a three-run shot to left-center field on a 2-0 pitch for his sixth home run of the year. Downs, who the Dodgers acquired from the Reds in the offseason trade that sent Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood to Cincinnati, is batting .247 with 15 extra-base hits and eight steals through 35 games. I see BIG things in this guys future!
Tulsa Drillers – Jared Walker went 2-3 with a HR and 2B to deliver 3 RBI, but it was not enough to overcome the Northwest Arkansas Naturals who won 6 to 5. Dustin May had his third straight bad outing (by his standards). He did go 6, but allowed 4 ER and struck out 3 on 7 hits. He did not walk anyone but he didn’t miss many bats.
Oklahoma City Dodgers – The OKC Dodgers actually won a game – 15-6 Wow! They haven’t accomplished that much. Matt Beaty was 3-5 with 4 RBI. Will Smith was 4-6 with 4 RBI (Raised his BA to .275 – get to .300 and they will call you up Will). Smith also had 2 doubles.
Kershaw/Buehler/Ryu/Maeda/Hill might just be good enough to get it done.
Stripling’s not a bad 6th starter.
Urias will pitch again.
Santana/White/May/Gonsolin/Ferguson loom in the background.
Wow, great news about Julio! Thanks for informing us Mark! Wow about Downs as well. That trade is going to look really good in a couple of years. 275 for Will Smith, I’ll take that all day long if his defense is as good as they say. I guess it doesn’t hurt to let him cook a little longer.
Those last 7 outs were really sketchy last night. That game should have been 20 minutes shorter. Damn, still don’t have the best record.
Good time to be a DODGERS fan,what the he’ll always a DODGER fan. The pitching looks strong go DODGERS ⚾️
Was anyone else a bit nervous when Jansen entered the game? He was shaking off Martin time after time and was shaking off Barnes the night before. He got the job done but something is off not being on the same page as the catchers he throws to. Baez was hitting the glove for the most part, Jansen was not last night. Stripling has not pitched in awhile-not much need for a long man lately in the Dodgers bullpen. Max Muncy shown the bench on his own bobble head night, kind of a bad look IMO.
Orel mentioned last night that it appeared Kenley was going against the scouting report as he kept throwing his cutter. It worked very well as he struck out the last 2 batters. But is it wise to go ignore the scouting report?
Well MushersPop you have nicely encapsulated the process v. results debate.
Has anyone noticed that Josh Reddick is leading the AL in batting? He’s slashing 333/.388/.444/.832 OPS.
Yes with zero power and like 10 rbi’s. You can take that guy. He was terrible for the Dodgers!!! Nancy Drew type !!! Verdugo has almost same numbers so no Thank you .
Love it
Thank u next
Reddick terrible for the Dodgers. Yes. August-161 BA; OPS.396(14-94) but that was the only month he was. Perhaps he was getting adjusted to a new league because in September/October- .382 BA; .961 OPS(26-73). Post Season- BA .286(8-28).
It seems to be someone else every day…This is a TEAM in the finest sense of the word.
Had a chance to see Jeter twice and he’s something… Baseball fans in the stands say don’t go the restroom when this kid is coming up… I got a feeling he won’t be in A ball too long!!!
Hated to see Jeff bringing up Reddick… He was a favorite of mine before the trade and I was excited when we got him… He just didn’t get it done…
Win at home-split on the road…Go Blue…
P.S. Y’all know were run into a rough stretch sooner or later!??! I have the faith we’ll come together…
After the bogus report on Puig’s altercation, why would anyone take TMZ as a credible news source?
What was bogus about TMZ’s report?
Don’t you remember the video they had of Puig and it wasn’t even Puig. There was an incident in a Miami nightclub with his sister in which he was trying to play peacemaker. TMZ misreported it then had a photo or video of Puig and it wasn’t even remotely close to someone who looks like Puig.
I was clumsy with words, I meant about their Urias coverage. They were completely correct and up front.
TMZ made the original report that there was a video to back up the witnesses account. The moment I read TMZ I had my doubts.
Extremely pleased by Jansen’s performance last night. He knew exactly what he wanted to do, he knew his cutter was overpowering and he pitched to the last two hitters like the Jansen of years past. Can only hope this trend continues.
Is Luke Heyer considered a legit 3b prospect? I know it’s early into his career, but he his 22. We’ll need a JT replacement or at least a JT understudy in 2021 or 2022.
Is he considered a better 3b prospect than Christian Santana?
Guessing no mostly because I’ve never heard of him. He might be in the Rylan Bannon mode. I wonder if Vargas can play any 3b. Will Smith might be in that discussion too.
IMO, Santana is the better prospect. With respect to age, Santana is actually 5 months younger than Heyer, and is competing 2 levels ahead of Heyer. Don’t forget that Santana led the California League in RBIs in 2018 with 109. He was 22 RBI’s better than the #2. He also was tied for the league lead in HRs with 24. His HR/AB is down a bit from last year, though he is on pace for a 20 HR season.
Santana at AA – .306/.333/.448/.781 – 141 PA
Heyer at A (Great Lakes) – .273/.360/.515/.875 – 75 PA
Santana as a 20 year old at Great Lakes hit – .322/.339/.460/.799 in 180 PA
Heyer as a 21 year old at Great Lakes hit – .262/.336/.319/.655 in 235 PA
Santana strikes out at at 24% clip (last 3 years), while Heyer is striking out 37% this year, and 24% last year.
Santana is a 3B/1B who is almost exclusively at 3B this year, while Heyer is almost equally at 3B (8), 2B (6) and 1B (5). I have read reports that Santana is playing better defense this year.
I completely agree with AC re:prospect status of Santana and Heyer. At this this point there is no question about it. Santana is ahead is basically every category. Heyer is in his second year of professional ball while Santana is in his fifth. I think the balance of this year and next year are pivotal for Heyer.
The article was not to promote Heyer as a prospect about to break into the the top 30. It was to celebrate his big night with the Loons and to introduce him to LADT posters who might not be familiar with him. Some might have noticed that I rarely write about players considered to be top prospects. Everyone seems to know about them but often the other players are not very well known.
Like
Bobby – I’ll throw Will Smith’s hat in for 3B… I wouldn’t mind seeing him sooner than later to catch a little and give JT a breather @ 3B… (He’s not on the 40 man though)
Kyle Garlick’s coming up
For?
not sure but probably gale
Oh that’s right. I totally forgot Gale was even up
Wow, really? I’m excited!
Smith’s hitting acceptable as a catcher not a third baseman
probably right. my long-term 3b of the future is . . . Corey Seager
contract willing
Great article by Tom Verducci in SI about the changes to baseball – 3 true outcomes style. Here is a bit of it:
“Here is what the first quarter of 2019 tells us about where baseball is and where it is going:
• Strikeouts, up for a 14th consecutive season, are at another all-time high.
• Walks have reached their highest rate in 19 seasons.
• Home runs are at a record level (2.6 per game). Four of the five seasons with the greatest rate of home runs have occurred in the past four years.
• Those so-called Three True Outcomes (strikeouts, walks and homers) account for 36 percent of all plate appearances, up from 31 percent in 2015.
• The rate at which hitters swing and miss is up for a seventh straight year, each year a record high.
• When hitters do put the ball in play, their chance of getting a hit is the worst in 27 years. Batting average on balls in play had been rock steady (.295-.300 for the previous 11 years) even with the rise in defensive shifts. But it is down sharply this year to .292.
• Pitches per plate appearance are up for a fourth straight season to 3.93. All four years are the highest since pitch recording began in 1988.
• Full counts are up for a fourth straight year.
• Singles are down for a fifth straight year. They are more rare than any time in baseball history.”
“The Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays play the modern boom-or-bust game as well as any team. The Dodgers ran out to the best record in the National League with the second-most home runs while letting their starting pitchers throw an average of just 85 pitches; only the Braves’ and Padres’ rotations had shorter leashes. The Brewers hit even more homers (68) and averaged the fewest innings per start in the league (4.8).”
“It’s easy to see where this style of play began. In the past decade owners turned over control of how their teams played baseball from the manager, who relied on experience and observational skills, to the chief baseball executive, who relied on analytics.”
In another SI article, Emma Baccellieri wrote this about the trend of the increasing number of Ks in MLB:
“MLB did something in 2008 that looked fairly unremarkable. The league set a new record for strikeout rate, bumping just a hair above the record of 17.3% after having spent the last decade bouncing back and forth within the boundaries of a single percentage point.
The 17.5% K-rate was not dramatically higher than the previous record from 2001. But it was the start of something big. Baseball broke this record again in 2009—and 2010, and 2011, and every year since, with no signs of stopping. It’s looked like an unrelenting march across the Land of Balls in Play to the Sea of Three True Outcomes.
The 2019 season has only offered more of the same. In fact, it’s offered dramatically more of the same. It’s not just that the game’s strikeout rate is on track to set a record for the 11th straight year; at this point, the simple existence of a new record hardly feels worth remarking on. No, it’s that the strikeout rate is on track to set a record by a margin that is nearly a record in its own right. Entering Wednesday, 23.2% of plate appearances have resulted in a K—0.9 percentage points above last season’s rate…”
“Has This Happened Before?
Kind of! From 1955 to 1967, the strikeout rate increased enough each season to set a new record for every year. Of course, the scale was different: The 1955 record was 11.4%, less than half of the current rate. (1967 finished at 15.9%.) That’s a big difference, but it wasn’t born of dramatic spikes; in that stretch, there was just one year-over-year increase as high as the one that baseball has seen this season, and in all, the difference between 1955’s and 1967’s K% is not as big as the difference between 2008’s and 2019’s.”
“But this increase in strikeouts isn’t that increase in strikeouts. Really, that increase in strikeouts hardly registered on its own; it was simply a piece of something much larger. MLB’s lowered mound and shrunken zone weren’t a response to the change in the rate of strikeouts. They were a response to an average ERA that had dropped from 4.00 to 2.98. During this increase in strikeouts? The average ERA in 2008 was 4.32. In 2019, it is 4.31.
In other words, this increase in strikeouts is not a sign of a growing fundamental imbalance, a game clearly tilted toward pitching and away from hitting. (After all, it’s been accompanied by similar increases in walks and home runs.) Instead, it’s closer to a sign of aesthetic imbalance. This is much harder to judge, let alone legislate, but it’s clear: Baseball looks different. It just has to decide if it’s comfortable with that.”
Her article discusses the fact that increased velocities, higher chase rates, increased number of breaking balls, etc., don’t seem to be behind it. As she said in the end of the article, it’s really the “aesthetic” aspect of the game – the “I’m going to try to hit a HR on every pitch”, the launch angle uppercut, all encouraged by the sabr-philes of the baseball management world that have changed this. And according to Verducci, the Dodgers are at the forefront.
If you want to know why some of us here aren’t as enamored of the Brainstrust as others, you need look no further.
It’s Evolution.
Baseball is evolving. This is not the finished prospect… just an evolutionary step.
The Astros, Yankeees and Red Sox are right there too. It’s not just the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays.
This year, I think the Dodgers are trying to take that next evolutionary step with the hiring of RVS and that appears to be gaining traction.
Even if you are not enamored of the Braintrust, the organization is in the best shape and winning more than any of us can ever remember. I’ll take it!
Rick – That did it, I’m becoming a soccer fan… Just goofing around…
If the aforementioned stats move some to the point of becoming less enamored of the Dodger Braintrust so be it… What is the point… What do you dodgerrick think must be done to right the ship??? Of course firing D.R. must be in the forefront?!?!?
I have to take a break and go to a movie with the little woman… I’m suffering from analysis paralysis…
Hey how about that game Maeda spun???
Some thoughts on Clayton Kershaw:
I’m aware of everything that’s been said about Kershaw, from the most positive–“best pitcher of his generation”–to the most negative–“can’t win the big game.”
But still there are some facts about him that are almost hard to believe. First, you have his numbers. And I don’t mean his cumulative stat line but his year-by-year totals: ERA, strikeouts, WHIP, Cy Young finishes, etc. Then you have his age, 31, which seems unbelievably young considering how much he’s been through for us.
Even though he is clearly not close to the pitcher he once was, I think the potential for redemption (though that might too strong a word for it) is huge. Wouldn’t it be something if he finally won a ring in a season when he lacked his best stuff? It would be Elway-esque (especially if he wins two!).
I’m rooting so hard for the guy. For the first time, I want the Dodgers to win more for themselves than for me. I’m fine. A championship would be cool but I don’t need it. I think Kershaw does, and Turner, and probably Jansen, definitely Hill. Bellinger most definitely needs one, though he’s got a long time to do so. I’m guessing Martin wants one pretty bad too. Ryu is pitching like he wants one.
The ultimate redemption would be for Kershaw to win one. Maybe Baez is the last guy on the mound. Maybe Taylor & Hernandez & Barnes play a big role. They seem like our “Stuntmen.”
Muncy, Freese, Buehler, Stripling. Everywhere you turn there are stories with this group. If there’s any justice in this universe, this is the year.
Very well stated.
Agree ’99, this year feels real special, alot of guys on this team who want to bury some demons. This is one of the most tight knit groups I’ve seen in the Freidman era, they just friggin grind you to death. Verdugo has been a great cheerleader, yet not a distraction like Puig could be at times. This team just has good fitting pieces. I know, there are always improvements to be made, but the last few games I have seen on TV, they grinded down two very good young Padre pitchers and made them look very normal. Gotta love the approach.
The Dodgers moved into 4th in MLB Team ERA passing the Astros staff.
While watching Kenley Jansen last night, it kept occurring to me that he wasn’t going to his slider like he has recently. This, from Pedro Moura at the Athletic might explain it.
https://theathletic.com/980924/2019/05/16/dodgers-growing-frustration-with-kenley-jansens-pitch-selection-is-visible/
Beaty, Garlick and Ferguson up. Maeda to 10 day DL. Gale and Chargois down. Seeing that Kershaw, Hill and Ryu have already spent time on the DL this year, and Bueller was brought along slowly, it was Maeda’s turn to get some rest. 4 man rotation for all these off days in the schedule, optimally crammed together.
It would appear that no corresponding roster moves need to be made for adding Garlick. The Dodgers currently sit at 37 with one tagged for Urias after his investigation is complete and he is added back on; one tagged for Toles. I am excited for Garlick.
With the roster changes, the pitchers will be at 12 and the position players will be 13, putting one extra on the bench, at least until Maeda comes back.
Garlic Stinks!
Per MLB Trade Rumors:
“The Dodgers will place right-hander Kenta Maeda on the 10-day IL before tomorrow’s game, according to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link). Maeda’s placement caps off a busy day of roster-shuffling for the Dodgers, as the team also activated lefty Caleb Ferguson from the IL and sent catcher Rocky Gale and right-hander J.T. Chargois to Triple-A. Prior to tomorrow’s game, the Dodgers will also call up utilityman Matt Beaty from Triple-A and select the contract of outfielder Kyle Garlick.”
Oh…. Garlick, not Garlic. That’s better!
Smaller move but Reks to AAA. He was leading Texas League in a couple stats: runs and home runs.
Estevez, Santana, and Lux joining him on batting average leaderboard as well.
Not just Reks, but also Jordan Sheffield was promoted to AA. He could get to AAA by Summer.
One other – Adam McCreery promoted to AAA.
Nice. Thanks
Still scratching my head about the Travis d’Arnaud and Rocky Gale roster spots. Beaty and Garlick makes more sense. Love to see Garlick in left against a lefty against Cincy
Pretty good night for a few recent promotions and a debut at Great Lakes.
Zach Reks – AAA debut – 1-3 , 3 Run HR (1st in AAA) – He is having a great year so far.
Jordan Sheffield – AA debut – 3.0 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K.
Carlos Rincon – AA debut- 0-4; 3 K’s.
John Rooney – Great Lakes debut – Game Starting Pitcher – 4.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K.
Not sure he will be making his debut tonight, but just assigned today to RC, is 20 year old Melvin Jimenez. I am really looking forward to see what he can do this year at RC. He must have shown enough at extended ST to get the A+ call.
I should have mentioned for the benefit of Mark that Keibert Ruiz had a 4 -4 night, including his 2nd HR, and has his BA up to .278.
Great night to be a prospect hound. Thanks for the updates.