Sorry I can’t offer much advice on what the Dodgers should do about the pen so during the past week I jotted down some minor league happenings, much of it with the Loons.
Brett de Geus
Pitcher Brett de Geus became the 7th player from the Loons to be added to the East roster for next week’s MWL All-Star Game on June 18 in South Bend, Indiana. He takes the place of left-hander Austin Drury who was promoted to the Quakes after the all-star announcements. De Geus, a 6’1” right-hander, was selected by the Dodgers in the 33rd round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Cabrillo Community College. The 21-year-old from Pleasanton, California has made a smooth transition to the bullpen after working nearly exclusively as a starter last season. He is 3-0 with a 2.88 ERA and 27 strikeouts against just six walks with no runs allowed in his last 15 innings
Niko Hulsizer (per Matt DeVries)
The Midwest League announced on Monday that Loons slugger Niko Hulsizer will be in the field of eight participants in the MWL Home Run Derby on Monday, June 17. Hulsizer, 22, currently ranks 2nd in the MWL with 13 home runs this season. He’s also no stranger to the home run derby format after winning the 2017 College Home Run Derby as a sophomore at Morehead State. That night at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska, Hulsizer crushed 52 home runs en route to the title.
Injury Free
As of Monday night no Loon has gone on the IL during the current season. Absolutely no offensive player has been shut down and no pitcher has other than perhaps to move people around.
Stolen Bases
As I have followed the Dodgers minor league system I have noticed a trend that seems to mirror the parent Dodgers. Obviously a team must have players capable of stealing bases but I am not sure the Dodgers could not have stolen more than 23 bases in 67 games. Perhaps the timing of the stolen base is more significant than the number of stolen bases. With the exception of the Quakes, the Dodgers minor league teams don’t run much, are not capable of it, or the manager is not a “running” boss.
The Loons have 47 stolen bases ranking them 14 out of 16 teams in the league. The Lansing Lugnuts lead with 96.
The Quakes do run and lead the league with 91.
Tulsa is dead last in the Texas League with 15 while Northwest Arkansas has 114.
The Oklahoma City Dodgers have stolen 31 bases, good for 12th in a 16-team league. Tacoma leads the league with 74.
On the other side of the coin, it often seems that other teams run at will in games involving the minor league affiliates. I did a quick check with the minor league catchers to find out the caught stealing percentages.
Hunter Feduccia 14%
Jair Camargo 23%
Steve Berman 15%
Connor Wong 30%
Jordan Procyshen 20%
Keibert Ruiz 19%
Josh Thole 10%
Rocky Gale 29%
Wll Smith 19%
Any guesses who had the best CS percentage in MLB history? Make a guess and then check the bottom of the article.
Quakes All-Stars
Last week I made a pitch for RP Logan Salow and 2B Devin Mann to be selected to the California League All-Star team. They were, as announced on June 7, along with SS Deter Downs, C Connor Wong and OF Donovan Casey. The Inland Empire 66ers host the game in San Bernardino on June 18.
Other Incidentals
While listening to a Loons game on Monday evening announcers Brad Tunney and Blake Froling were discussing Loons third Baseman Miguel Vargas. They did not have a totally accurate spray chart or other record but concluded that at least 40% of Vargas’s hits are to right field, his opposite field. As they spoke Vargas laced a double to right field. That certainly would help explain why he does not hit for more power. He hits right-handers well with a .300 average in 170 at bats. Will an attempt be made to make him more plus conscious to increase his power?
Second Baseman Luis Izturis of the DSL Dodgers Shoemaker is the nephew of former Dodger Cesar Izturis and his brother Maicer Izturis.
As of Tuesday the Loons magic number to capture a first-half play-off berth was two. Since they start a three-game set with the Lake County Captains on Tuesday, they might already have captured a spot before this article is posted.
Hump Day- Rall E. Camel
During a game late in the 2009 season, the team showed a video of a braying camel on its scoreboard, which led to a come-from-behind win. Subsequent showings of the video seemed to coincide on a regular basis with the Loons rallying for wins. After a few seasons, the frequent appearances of the rally camel video led to the introduction of alternate mascot Rall E. Camel in 2012.
On Wednesday, August 22, 2018 the Loons become the “Great Lakes Camels” for the day wearing a special uniform and ball cap for their game against the Fort Wayne TinCaps.
The uniforms feature a clean and classic look, mimicking the style of the Loons MLB affiliate, the Los Angeles Dodgers, while also existing on its own merit. The look leans hard on the red color to maintain the Loons palette. There is also a minimalist camel sleeve patch, echoing the sleeve of the Loons’ green jersey. The caps feature a camel with black and red outlining the brown head and neck.
Did someone say there are superstitions in baseball? You might believe that the “rally camel” has a magical potion. During the current season the Loons become Camels every Wednesday. Thus far in 2019 the Camels are 7-0 on hump day.
Best CS Percentage in MLB History If you guessed Roy Campanella you guessed right. He is absolutely my all time favorite catcher. His CS percentage was 56% with 187 stolen bases and 252 caught stealing. Other names we recognize are Yogi Berra – 49%, Ivan Rodriguez – 46%, Johnny Bench – 43%. There are about 30 names we may not recognize and mostly didn’t see play between Campy and Yogi.
Minor League Report by DC
Pitcher of the Day – Victor Gonzalez
Gonzalez pitched 5.1 innings for the Drillers on six hits, no runs, two walks and five strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 2.92
Hitter of the Day – Jose Ramos (DSL Dodgers Bautista): 1 run, 2 hits, home run, 6 RBI
DSL Dodgers Shoemaker 1 – DSL Rays2 5
Michael Martinez (19) started for the Dodgers and went four linings giving up two hits and two runs and taking the loss. Jose Mendez(18) and Juan De la Cruz(18) combined to gave up three additional runs between them with Juan De la Cruz striking out four in 1.2 innings pitched. Isaac Rodriguez (16) finished up with two innings of one-ht ball with three strikeouts.
The Dodgers out hit the Rays 9-4 but the pitchers were sabotaged a bit by four errors. Luis Izturis and Juan Diaz both had two hits
DSL Dodgers Bautista 10 – DSL Athletics 4
Harold Galino (18) started for the Dodgers and went three innings leaving the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning. Hugo Beltran came on and all three inherited runners scored. He did pitch three innings with noruns credited to him. Edgardo Henriquez (16) and Hendrick Briones (17) finished up with a combined three scoreless inning.
The Dodgers had but six hits, two by Jose Ramos(18) including a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. They did have 10 walks
Great Lakes Loons 9 – Lake County Captains 3 (Cleveland)
Jose Chacin’s struggles continued as he gave up five earned runs in 2.2 innings, all in the third inning, while Jasiel Alvino gave up another in fourth inning. At that point the Loons trailed 6-2 on a night they wanted to claim a first-half play-off spot. Guillermo Zuniga gave the Loons a chance by pitching three hitless innings with three strike outs. However, Joel Inoa surrendered two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and another in the eighth leaving the Loons down 9-3.
At the plate, the Loons scored first with two runs in the top of the third inning on a sac fly and a ground out. Unfortunately they left the bases loaded. In the top of the fifth inning they drew one closer with two singles, a walk and a wild pitch. That was all the scoring for Great Lakes. Jacob Amaya, Niko Hulsizer and Leonel Valera each had two hits. Amaya has reached base 37 times in his last 18 games.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7- Inland Empire 66ers 5 ( LAA)
The Quakes have qualified for the postseason for the fifth consecutive year, as on Tuesday night, they were crowned First Half South Division Champions with their fifth straight win over Inland Empire. They did so with the long ball. Devin Mann hit his 11th home run of the season on the first pitch of the game and was followed later on in the game by Jeren Kendall (4), Connor Wong(12) and Donovan Casey (8). Kendall’s turned out to be the game winning hit in the top of the ninth inning. Along with Kendall, Jeter Downs and Wong also had two hits. Won, with his 12th home run, is now one off the league lead.
On the mound, Geraldo Carrillo went four innings giving up two runs and striking out six. Bryan Warzek followed with a scoreless inning while Sven Schueller and Wes Helsabeck gave up three runs combined in their 2.1 innings. Max Gamboa stranded an inherited runner in the eighth with one out and pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up the win.
Tulsa Drillers 4 – Frisco RoughRiders 0 (Texas)
Victor Gonzalez made his 5th start of the season and breezed through the first four innings on three hits and three strikeouts. The fifth inning was a bit more challenging with two walks and a single with no runs scored. In the bottom of the sixth Gonzalez left with two on and one out and was replaced by Yordy Cabrera. Cabrera retired the side with no more damage and completed 1.2 clean innings. Shea Spitzbarth finished up with two innings on one hit and five strikeouts. Cabrera has thrown five-straight scoreless appearances out of the bullpen. Over his last 7.2 innings, he has allowed only two hits and has struck out nine.
Offensively the Drllers scored first with a run in the top of the fourth inning on a Christian Santana single. They tripled that output in the top of the fifth inning with three runs on four straight hits and a sac fly. Zach McKinstry, Chris Parmalee and Cody Thomas each drove in a run. McKinstry knocked in his 31st run of the season and has now hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games. During that stretch, he is batting .340 with a pair of homers and seven RBI.
OKC Dodgers
The Dodgers were not scheduled as they traveled to Albuquerque to start a three-game series there on Wednesday.
I would rather see Lux at short than Taylor for the next 4 to 6 weeks if Seager really does have a grade 2. As I remember, Steve Sax was brought up from AA ball to fill in for Lopes.
And, bring Smith back up.
The time is now to use prospects and that includes putting them in the bullpen. I like Schultz and Stewart along with Fergusson more than I like Alexander and Floro.
Stewart AAA stats – 37.2 IP, 6.45 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 24 BB, 35 K, 6 HR
Schultz AAA stats – 21.0 IP, 6.43 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 12 BB, 29, K, 0 HR
Schultz has been excellent at keeping the ball in the yard, but neither pitcher has been effective at keeping men off the bases. If you want to keep it in house, and you have no problem with bringing guys up from AA straight to the ML, try Jordan Sheffield and Marshall Kasowski.
I am good with that. I still like Schultz and Stewart and hope they make it one of these days. I could give up on Stewart though and probably prefer that at this point he gets a chance with another team.
Agree with both. Bring Smith and Lux. Enough of Taylor he is not hitting at all. Last night terrible AB with bases loaded. The guy always lets the count go 0-2 and then swings at the bad pitch which is ball most of the time. I mean it can happen to anyone but his approach is constantly like this and as he is not a good contact hitter and makes big hacks he should be more aggressive with first pitch specially with Bases Loaded and losing the game. Also Smith was playing well and Barnes and Martin are just not hitting as well.
You gotta love Brock Stewart’s AAA sub 7.00 ERA. That will play well in MLB.
I like him. At one time he had great movement on his fastball which hit 95 often. He finished strong last year.
I think you are more likely to see someone like Daniel Castro or Drew Jackson get called up and Lux move to AAA. CT3 is going to be the primary SS and there is no reason for Lux to come up and sit. Castro and Jackson are those depth pieces.
I am of the opinion that Lux will not play SS at the MLB level… maybe occasionally. His arm is the issue.
Lux can play 2B.
Agreed, and I like Lux. I think he starts the real transition in AAA. Errol Robinson will play SS if Castro moves up. Jake Peter and Angelo Mora will get their time shortened, but both have had a good shot, and maybe it’s time for someone to come up and prove themselves worthy.
Lux Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
He has a strong enough arm so if his arm isn’t good enough for shortstop then he must have issues with footwork or accuracy. I thought he was getting past those issues. Yes, he projects as a second baseman with Seager owning shortstop but as a 5 week fill in, he could be the 2019 Maldonado or the 1981 Steve Sax although Sax only saw limited action in 1981 before taking over second full time in 1982.
A couple weeks back, therealten asked who some of my dark horse candidates were. I focused primarily on relief pitchers because that is where my interests lie. I am really pleased to see how some of those guys are doing, especially Brett de Gues and Max Gamboa. Not highly championed but they are performing well, and as long as they continue to do so they have a legit shot at reaching the ML.
Urgh, 2 game sweep the wrong way and Corey out just when he was getting hot. What a bummer.
Maeda really pisses me off. It’s like Mark says, he just doesn’t have the mental fortitude to be at his best. When he attacks hitters, he’s awesome. When he nibbles, he’s gets behind and gets into trouble. A couple of more starts and he should be ready to swap roles with Urias.
CT3 / Kike are gonna have to step it up, but they’ve been horrible as of late.
Damn, I hate losing to the Angles. But, losing Corey just rubs salt into the wound.
Pollock gets his PICC out today!
Ferguson looked awesome!
Verdugo ready to go on another tear!?!?
Look at the success Maeda has had this season and you want to swap him with Urias? Maybe if you need another lefty in the lineup, but we don’t. At this point in the season, what do you think Urias has that Maeda doesn’t, beside speed? Maeda is not my favorite pitcher, but I see no advantage using Urias in his place.
Maeda is a #4 or #5… at best.
Julio is a #2… at worst!
I knew this was coming. I could see it from 2,000 miles away. While Jeff said that Kenta is not his favorite pitcher, he certainly seems to be one of them. While not my overall favorites, both Alex Wood and Caleb Ferguson have been high on my list and I would defend them ad nauseum (and have). Bums defense of Joc has been legendary at the least (some say obnoxious). Carlos’ affinity for Matt Kemp has been provocative. Mark, your defense of Yasmani Grandal and Kike’ have been constant. And I am still waiting for Russell Martin to take off to become that Comeback Player of the Year – 2019.
I doubt that any MLB GM would consider Maeda a better pitcher than Urias. But that does not mean that he is not a valued member of the LAD (and Mark I know you did not say that). But he is no better than a #5 on this Dodger team (IMO). Regardless as to what happened last night, Maeda will continue to start, and I look for him to have a much improved outing next game out. As of now it looks like that game will be the series opener against SFG at home next Monday. But he is destined for the bullpen. And if he is going to be considered a key bullpen piece in the playoffs, that transition seems to be tied to when Urias has his inning limitation curtailed and moves into the rotation, sometime around August.
In my defense for defending Joc, let me remind everybody that a defense is made against an attack so if the defense has been obnoxious, so has been the attacks. It’s not like I have predicted greatness or pimped Joc like Mark pimped Grandal and others, and instead like I am doing now, I have just counter punched.
You beat me to it, Mark. Jeff, look at the standings and click advanced and see what every team’s record is against lefties. There’s pretty much no such thing as having too many left handed pitchers. 5 out of 15 teams in the NL have a winning record against Lefties. 9 of those same teams have a winning record against righties. Urias will be in the rotation within a month. To answer your question about what Urias has besides speed. He has poise.
I guess we’ll see if that comes to pass. I agree with AC in that Maeda is a #5, but this is the Dodgers. On another team, he would probably rate higher. I have definite questions about Urias. I like him but there is something in his makeup that seems to get in his way. I don’t agree with Mark about Urias being a #2, that is on this team in the near forseeable future. I don’t see him better than Kershaw, Buehler, or Hill. Hill keeps amazing me. If he keeps pitching the way he has, why wouldn’t he stay for less money and keep that chance to go to the WS?
BTW, the BP was perfect yesterday.
Typical maeda he throws a few good games, gets your hopes up, then totally sucks. That is why I said months ago that he is too inconsistent and is not playoff caliber as a starting pitcher. Agree with you.
I’ve seen enough….CT3 and Keekay are horrible. It’s clear AF recognized he didn’t want both of them in the line-up every night and that’s why he signed Pollock. Unfortunately, with Pollock’s injury and now the injury to Seager, we are going to continue to see a lot of the strikeout tandem. Add in the very futile AB’s by Barnes and you can see the team still suffers from a lack of hitting w/ RISP.
So, if Seager is DL’ed 4-6 weeks, I would think CT3 will be the SS and Gavin Lux or Will Smith will get the call up. Since Kike can play SS too, there is no need to call up a minor league SS.
There is no chance Schultz or Stewart are called up. Gonsolin could get the call.
Just because the Dodgers did not hit the last couple of games with RISP , does not define them. They are still one of the better teams at plating runners in scoring position.
I can see Smith, but not Lux. Smith can catch while Barnes can play 2B in a pinch. Smith is RH while Lux is LH. No matter how any of us on this or any other blog site feel about CT3 or Kike’, to think that Lux is going to get called up from AA to replace either of them to play SS is not well thought out. Doc is going to play CT3 at SS and Kike’ at 2B/SS/LF/CF as needed. Lux is not going to get called up to sit, and I cannot see Doc playing Lux over CT3 or Kike’. I still think that Daniel Castro can get the call. He is a SS (a good defensive SS), and has MLB experience. He is the ultimate role-playing depth piece who can sit. Smith and Lux need to play, not be bench players.
Way back I remarked they were not going to trade Taylor or kike because Seagers health. Well here we are.
Here’s something that may give you all pause:
EARNED RUNS GIVEN UP BY A BULLPEN:
#1 – Cleveland – 73
#2 – Houston – 83
#3 – Cincinnati – 90
#4 – Dodgers – 93
#5 – Colorado – 100
#6 – St. Louis – 101
#7 – Cubs – 102
#12 – Yankees – 108
#13 – TB – 109
#18 – Boston – 120
#23 – Milwaukee and their awesome pen – 135
#28 – Angels – 157
Put that in your pipe and smoke it. It may not be as bad as you believe.
It is not the number of runs, but the timing. LAD bullpen record is 12-13 and 10 blown saves. Defend that.
I can’t, but I’m just saying what you are – TIMING is everything!
Well, do you want a mediocre to good bullpen or an elite bullpen?
Adding one elite arm will make them very good. Adding two will make them elite. Part of the reason the pen is as bad as it is, is their usage. Stripling and Urias are both long guys. You don’t need two of them and you don’t need one that pitches as seldom as Urias does. Then you have a spot wasted on “a project” in Kelly, and up until yesterday, two guys that can’t get lefties out.
Hand and Greene, problems solved!
If you do this, you can almost guarantee a ring.
Earned runs in how many innings pitched? The brewers have used their pen much more than we have. Plus, how are the bullpen innings determined? I was looking at the top relievers and their stats. Some of the relievers had 70 innings. These are part time starters who have also relieved. With openers it can be misleading.
Speaking of timing, I just got a Press Pass to the Midwest League All-Star Game in South Bend next Tuesday! Since there are 7 Loons that will be there, I thought it might be the opportune time. The Cubs agreed!
Seeing a USC vs ND game in South Bend is on my Bucket List. But if I had thought far enough ahead, I would have made this game a priority. One – 7 Loons in the Game – Two – Niko Hulsizer in the HR Derby, Three – seeing a sporting event in South Bend (although not the same as a Trojans/Irish football game. Enjoy!!!
My daughter lives up there. If you need tickets I can get them easily and one of my best friends is a ND Alumn.
The game is at 7:00 ish, so I am meeting my daughter about 3PM for an early dinner. SB is about a 2-1/2 hour drive for me.
That is not a bad drive. My understanding is that Chicago is about 1-1/2 hour drive after the football game.
Yep
After a football game, probably longer, unless you wait out the crowd and grab dinner in the South Bend area first (assuming an afternoon game). The interstate (toll roads almost the entire way) between ND and Chicago is jam packed those days.
Thank you! I do plan on making that trip at some point. Right now I am looking at 2021.
I am all for giving Lux a shot for 6 weeks. I’m quite confident his average in those 6 weeks would be better than the averages CT3 and Kike currently have. He’s dominating at AA, and he’s our #2 prospect for a reason.
As far as catcher, Barnes is back to 2018 Barnes and not reverting to 2017 Barnes. Another week or 2 of this, and it’s time to bring Will Smith up and let him take over.
Bob Nightengale is now saying Dodgers are expressing interest in Brad Hand. I’ve been harping on getting Hand or another stud for the bullpen the last month. No more crap from Big Lots for our bullpen. Go all in and get this ring in 2019.
Give me a Hand!
He is going to cost a lot…
From Nightengale’s lips to AF’s ears. But expressing interest and pulling the trigger might not be synonymous. The Dodgers will not be alone in their quest for Hand, so it will be how much is AF willing to pay.
Well, AC, I think you and I are in the same boat about acquiring an impact reliever and not some body else’s Brock Stewart.
What would YOU realistically pay, and what do you think we’d HAVE to pay?
And I said this before and I’ll say it again. I applauded AF for getting Darvish. He was dominant against AZ and Chicago, and then horrendous vs. Houston. BUT, AF went all in on a stud but he didn’t deliver. Last year AF went cheap with regards to Madson Rosscup, etc. Most of us blasted him for that, and we were right. This year, if he gets us Brad Hand, AF did his job. Now it’s on Doc and Hand to deliver. If Hand were acquired, and then Hand blew a few games in October, I won’t blast Friedman whatsoever.
One of the reasons AF settled for dumpster dive bullpen guys last year was because he spent his prospects on Machado and didn’t want to totally decimate the farm system.
This year it would definitely seem that priority #1 is a strong setup guy for the 8th inning. Hopefully that turns out to be someone who could easily slip into the closer spot if Kenley falters at some point.
Cleveland, Pittsburgh and the Nats haven’t even determined yet if they’re sellers so we’ll have to wait awhile on guys like Hand, Vazquez and Doolittle.
I’d like to see us get Will Smith (the pitcher) now, even if we have to overpay. The Giants are open for business. If we have Smith, we’ll be in a much better position to get someone else in late July, but won’t be desperate in case that doesn’t work out.
No game today
Doubt roster moves today. News today will be Seager MRI results if they talk.
Look for Matt Beatty tomorrow (went on IL retroactive to 6/3 tho 10 day not critical as would replace injured player). Beatty has been rehabbing in RC.
Beatty/Freese at 1B with some Beatty 3B. Muncy at 2B. CT3 primarily @SS but some Kiké at 2B and SS. Garlic remains 4th OF.
My call. Who knows what AF and Doc will do
Beaty is the logical choice. It just doesn’t get Lux to AAA which is what I was hoping for.
Yes
Lux needs to move to AAA. Think that will happen soon but on the Dodgers development schedule not dictated by injury.
Dodgers are very deliberate in moving MiLB players though injuries will usually dictate MLB call ups. Just mostly from AAA not AA.
The last time Hand was traded, he was just signed to a team friendly contract which now has one less year on it. He was traded along with Adam Cimber (another solid bullpen piece) for Francisco Mejia who is now the #4 prospect in the Padre’s system at 23 years old. He has questions about his defensive game at catcher and has a career .171 batting average in 123 major league ABs. Mejia was baseball’s top catching prospect and Cleveland’s No.1 prospect at the time of the trade.
Loons win! The Loons captured a first half play-off spot this afternoon with a 5-0 win over the Lake County Captains.
DC…Don’t stop there. Let’s discuss the fact that the Dodgers #23 prospect, John Rooney, went 6.2 shutout innings (86 pitches). In his last three starts, John has pitched 16.2 innings, allowed NO RUNS, 11 hits, 5 walks, and 18 strikeouts. John was followed by Nathan Witt who pitched 1.1 perfect innings with 2 K, and Brett de Geus pitched the 9th allowing a single and notching 1 K. We should also note that Niko Hulsizer slugged his 14th HR. Let Niko enjoy the AS Game and then move him to Rancho!!!
That is two 1st half champions; RC Quakes (California League) and Great Lakes Loons (Midwest League). Congratulations to both teams.
My son keeps telling me we should take in a Quakes game and I keep telling him I’ll go as soon as they move Nico and Vargas over there. I’m guessing I may be at a Quakes game by July or August.
Add Brett de Geus to that list and also maybe Dillon Paulson. John Rooney is making a case for a promotion.
I actually listened to the last few innings but figured the details would be in tomorrow’s minor league report.
Good Grief! We’ve got our new bullpen piece!
We’ve signed………………………………………are you ready………………………Zac Rosscup!
Yes, it’s true. Minor league contract – he’ll report to OKC.
Is anyone really surprised?!?!?!
Can Axford be far behind?
Well he is on the Blue Jays Minor League IL all year. He has been assigned to the AAA Buffalo affiliate and has not pitched at all.
Well i think he might be better than Alexander at this point !! Madson is still out there jajajaj !!
Ken Giles to the Injured List with elbow inflammation.
A piece off the board maybe?
I do not like elbow inflammations.
I doubt anyone would take a chance on him now, so yes, off the board.
That’s a good thing for us, as far as I’m concerned, not that I would wish an injury on to any ballplayer.
Joc not running hard on Grounders to first !! Has anyone noticed ? 2 nights ago game ending dp did not hustled down the line !! last weeks hitting like .275 now is at .240 or something. I dont like him as Leadoff does not run hard and is inconsistent. Someone needs to get on his face about this !!
Trade Taylor, lux, May, Ferguson, Peters for lindor and hand. Each team gets a ss and a left handed reliever. That could be the framework of a trade. A lot of young talent leaving but big time talent coming back. This won’t work because Lindor will be a free agent and the Dodgers won’t want to pay him.
So why suggest it?
it’s a fair and balanced argument
I can only hope. Just looking for ways to improve the Dodgers.
I’ve been saying this for awhile now. Freese needs to start everyday.
Freese OPS 1027
Freese OPS vs righties 1165
Freese OPS vs lefties 915
Freese is too old to play every day . His body won’t hold up. If he gets over 350 AB’s that would be pushing it. He’s a platoon player at best. He can hit RH and LH pitching – just pick his spots.
Voice of reason
Evidently Will Smith (catcher) coming up to replace Seager.
Bring Will Smith back up (as the primary catcher) to help with the loss of offense production from Seager being out. To me Smith is a better hitter than Barnes and Martin.
Fortunately the Dodgers are in a weak division that they should easily win, so no need for any knee jerk reactions with the offense.
10 days is not nearly enough time to evaluate if Smith can be a good hitter.
Will Smith was hitting in the .280’s at OKC. Cody, Corey, and Alex well all over .300. Most WAY over.
In his last year at OKC, Austin Barnes hit .295.
Mark Timmons
You seem to be in the old school of thought, relying on batting average and too old too young. Not a criticism.
If a batter can get on base and provide pop meaning a good OPS that’s what matters to me and that includes old guys and young guys. I don’t buy that Freese is too old to play everyday.
I like Barnes and Martin, I don’t have any problem with them, but right now we lost some offense with Seager out and I don’t want the Dodgers to panic and make a possible dumb trade for offense help.
I am of both schools, but first, tell me players older than Freese who play EVERYDAY and DH does not count!
OPS matters to me, but other stats modify it. For instance, Joc Pederson and Anthony Rizzo have a similar OPS, but JOC is only batting .242 while Rizzo is at .281. Joc simply makes more outs, which kills rallies. It’s OK to have a few high OPS players who kill rallies, but too many are a disaster. That’s what happened in the last two World Series.
Ok I see your point.
And about players as old as Freese playing everyday, I don’t know and actually don’t care because I don’t follow other teams and I’m not looking at offensive stats on other teams because I don’t think the Dodgers need to add any offense.
I’m only looking at pitching stats on other teams because I believe in the end the Dodgers will need to make a move before the trade deadline for pitching.
Mark
Wait a minute, I read your post again. It doesn’t necessarily mean Joc makes more outs, it could mean Joc walks more to get on base.
Again
Voice of reason
Muncy is about to go on one of his hot streaks and that will help a lot, and JT is swinging well, and Alex looks better too. Freese should play as often as his body will let him and get what you can from the other players. The pitching will have to hold up for 18 straight games starting with the Cubs for 4 who are heating up as well. I’m hoping Beaty and Garlic play sparingly and are mainly pinch hitters for the pitcher. Lost in Kelly’s meltdown was that he struck out the side when he wasn’t walking guys or throwing the ball away. He has all the talent in the world and will be needed. He is a sunk cost so might as well use him, not sure how to correct his yips but he may be trying too hard, just trust your stuff and throw strikes.
If Freese starts everyday, chances are that that’s when his age will show. Freese is used the way he is, in order to maintain his stamina so that he’s at full strength and sharp when it really counts, in the postseason. Chances are that the Dodgers will maintain their commanding lead (maybe even lengthen it). No need to push Freese, and risk wearing him out unnecessarily.
I have no clue exactly what the Dodgers should do to replace Seager. I suspect that they have pretty good idea if Lux is ready for a promotion or not. For now, I’ll put my trust in the people who possess a preponderance of the info required to make the decision. If it’s 6-8 weeks, I suspect the Dodgers have the wherewithal to keep on winning. After all, they did so while Corey was hutting ,220. The only thing that worries me are additional injuries that could weaken the roster, e.g., Justin Turner re- injuring his hamstring.
But injuries are always a fear, for every team.
Here’s a comment that will no doubt be unpopular. I predict that CT3 will produce substantially better offensively in the next six weeks than he has so far this season. Assuming he’s the regular shortstop while Seager is out, he knows that he’ll play every day and at shortstop.
He won’t feel he has to produce every day in order to keep his spot in the starting lineup so he’ll relax a little and that will lead to better results.
And just to give the majority opinion equal time. He could press even more than usual knowing that he’s the guy who has to make up for the lost production from Seager.
I’m betting on the first scenario but if we took a poll I know I’d be outvoted.
it’s not unpopular. We all hope it happens!
Freese will be exposed if he plays everyday and in addition will be an injury waiting to happen. He is obviously producing but overuse will ruin that. 2-3 days a week would probably keep him fresh and productive.
I am starting to be concerned about seagers health issues. He has great skills but for a guy age 25 he has a lot of setbacks. He is not a pollock for sure but he has a lot of issues at such a young age. I feel for him he must be real frustrated.
Maybe the Dodgers could make a deal for lindor. He is going to be a free agent and he has been unwilling to sign an extension with Cleveland. They should be ready to deal. Trade joc for him. You would get a rh bat and when seager comes back he could be the second basemen. Then kike and verdugo could platoon in left.
Why on earth would you want to platoon Verdugo and Kiki when Verdugo vs LHP .352BA( leads the team) Kiki .272. Verdugo vs RHP .273 and Kiki .180. What advantage would Kiki have over Verdugo to have them platoon??
Why in the world would the Indians consider trading the 25 year old Lindor for Joc Pederson? I’m not fully familiar with Lindor’s current contract status, and the chances Cleveland has to sign him to an extension, but I do know that Lindor is in a completely different stratosphere than Joc. No doubt that Joc could be part of a package going to the Indians, but it would certainly have to be a PACKAGE. As for Lindor’s and Seager’s futures with the Dodgers, I’d cross those bridges when I had to.