The Ogden Raptors are the Dodgers Rookie League team in the Pioneer League. They are an advanced rookie team that became affiliated with the Dodgers in 2003. Prior to that, the Ogden team was an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ogden, with a population of about 83,000, claims to be the oldest settlement in Utah dating back to 1845 and has a long history with minor league baseball of over 100 years.
The Raptors have led the Pioneer League in attendance every year since 1997 and did so again in 2018 with an average attendance of 3,402. The continued yearly attendance is due to the historically strong fan base and is buoyed by the ownership’s efforts to thank the fans in a variety of creative ways.
Ogden had not won a league championship dating way back to four consecutive league titles from 1966 through 1969, three of those championships fashioned by the legendary Tommy Lasorda with the Ogden Dodgers.
The 2017 Raptors erased all of those years by capturing a championship and the 2019 Raptors look to hold the championship trophy again.
This year’s team has started out with a big bang scoring 24 runs in their first two games, 12 in each.
The 2019 roster was announced Thursday and some familiar faces return to Ogden. Five pitchers return from the 2018 squad: Reza Aleaziz(23), Yeison Cespedes (21), Kevin Malisheski (21), Elio Serrano (20) and Hunter Speer (24). All three catchers return with twenty-year-olds Marco Hernandez and Ramon Rodriguez vying for time along with 22-year-old Tre Todd. Jeremy Orocho (20) and Kenneth Betancourt (19), both listed as second basemen, begin a second year with the Raptors. Outfielders Andrew Shaps (23)and Jon Littell (23) also return to Ogden although Shaps played in just five games in 2018.
Eight players move up from the Arizona League Dodgers, all but one signed by the Dodgers as international free agents. The seven international players include pitchers Nelfie Contreras (20), Edward Cuello (20), Antonio Hernandez (19), Ricardo Hernandez (21) as well as first baseman Sauryn Lao (19) and outfielders Rolando Lebron (21) and Andy Pages (18). Another second baseman, Sam McWilliams , moved up from the AZL Dodgers.
A number of players headed in the opposite direction coming back to Ogden from the Great Lakes Loons. Four are pitchers: Jeronimo Castro (22), Melvin Jimenez (19) who started the year with the Quakes, Darien Nunez (26) and Alfredo Tavarez (21). Shortstop Moises Perez (21) and outfielder Josh McLain (22) also returned to the Raptors.
New to the Raptors, and to the Dodgers organization are pitcher Drew Finley (22) who was acquired in a trade with the Yankees, pitcher Corey Merrill (24) who is coming off TJ surgery, and third baseman Justin Yurchak (22) who was acquired in a trade with the White Sox.
Outfielder Andy Pages is the youngest Raptor and will play the entire season as an 18-year-old. He showed good power as a 16-year-old in the Dominican Summer League.
The player with Ogden that was the highest draft selection is Drew Finley who was drafted by the Yankees in the third round in 2015. He most likely is on a rehab assignment.
A bit of a mystery is why Josh McLain is back with the Raptors. He was selected by the Dodgers in the ninth round of the 2018 June Draft and was the first 2018 draftee to reach the Great Lakes Loons. He did so on June 21 after only two games with the AZL Dodgers.
Third baseman Justin Yurchak returns to the Pioneer League. He was selected by the White Sox in the 12th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft. He played with the Great Falls Voyageurs in 2017 posting a triple slash of .345/448/520. During the current campaign he has already hit three home runs in his first two games.
Yurchak is one of many Raptors who can look to the development success of other Los Angeles Dodgers with hope for his own career. His reference point might be Max Muncy.
“They did some stuff with his swing in the minors and you saw what happened,” Yurchak said. “We’ve done a lot of work with them and so far it’s paid off and I’m really hoping to continue to develop.”
Raptors manager Austin Chubb also has his reference points, besides Cody Bellinger and his development after passing through Ogden.
“And guys like Kyle Garlick and Matt Beaty, they weren’t super highly touted guys coming out of the draft but those guys performed and were rewarded for that. That’s awesome to be able to show guys. A lot of really good players have come through Ogden, it’s part of their progression to get to Los Angeles.”
One of AC’s favorites, Jeremy Orocho, has an expressed confidence in the Dodgers player development system in which the same processes and attitudes are replicated at all levels. His insight is helped by former teammates Jacob Amaya and Dillon Paulson with whom he has talked.
“How they do minor league development here is so nice. Every level is the same thing … just a different ball field,” Arocho said. “I’m just learning from them and doing things each day to get better.”
Another mystery is the status of 19-year-old Melvin Jimenez. He started the year with the Quakes and pitched quite well in relief posting a 3.65 ERA allowing only eight hits in 12.1 innings pitched with 17 strikeouts and an opponents’ batting average of .182. He did walk nine. It is not clear if the plan is to refine his skills as a reliever or to ease him back into a starting role.
MINOR LEAGUE REPORT by AC
Two of the Dodger affiliates are on AS break, Great Lakes and Rancho Cucamonga. There was also the professional debut of several 2019 Dodger draft picks, led by first round 3B Kody Hoese who had a 3-3 night at AZL. I would guess that he will not be long at AZL.
OKC Dodgers 3 – El Paso Chihuahuas 2 (Padres)
Future Dodger high leverage late inning elite relief specialist Zac Rosscup retired the side in the 9th for his first save in preserving the 3-2. Mitch White started and surrendered a single and 2 doubles for 2 runs in the 2nd inning but did not allow anything else. He finished with 5.0 IP giving up the 2 runs on 5 hits. He did not issue a walk but did register 6 Ks.
Down 2-0 in the top of the 7th, Angelo Mora led off with a double (5). Errol Robinson singled to put runners on 1st and 3rd. Josh Sborz sacrificed Robinson to 2nd, and with 2 outs, Connor Joe doubled home 2 to knot the score at 2 apiece. In the top of the 8th Will Smith homered (13) to put the Dodgers up 3-2.
Josh Sborz followed White and pitched 2 scoreless innings and got the win (2-3), and Kevin Quackenbush pitched a scoreless 8th.
In addition to the HR, Smith also hit a double (10). Smith and Connor Joe had 2 hits each.
Tulsa 5 – Frisco RoughRiders 3 (Rangers)
Dustin May drew the start and pitched an efficient 7.0 innings (97 pitches). May allowed 3 runs on 7 hits. He did not issue a walk and had 5 strikeouts. Two of the 3 runs were scored in the 1st, while the 3rd run came across in the 2nd. inning. That was three runs on 5 hits. After the 2nd, May settled down and was magnificent in innings 3-7, allowing two meaningless singles.
Keibert Ruiz led off the 2nd with his 4th HR, cutting the lead to 3-1. In the 4th, after a fly out, Cody Thomas hit his 12th HR to bring the Drillers within 1 run. Cristian Santana followed with a double (10). After a second out, DJ Peters hit a 2 out single to score Santana and tie the score. The score remained 3-3 going into the bottom of the 8th. After a lead off strikeout, Chris Parmalee singled. Peters followed with a walk. Now with 2 outs, Carlos Rincon singled to score Parmalee with Peters taking 3rd. Gavin Lux followed with his 2nd hit and scored Peters. Rincon was out trying to go to 3rd.
Andre Scrubb pitched a scoreless 8th relieving May and got the win (4-0). Jordan Sheffield followed with a scoreless 9th to register his 3rd save.
Ogden Raptors 0 – Grand Junction Rockies 9
The Raptors lost for the first time in 2019. Three 2019 draftees made their professional debuts tonight. RF Ryan Ward (8th round), SS Zac Ching (10th round), and DH Joe Vranesh (15th round) each started. Vranesh was the only draftee to get a hit. Jon Littell replaced Ward and got 2 hits, and Jeremy Arocho also had 2 hits.
Alfredo Tavarez started and went the first 4.1 IP. He left with a runner on 1B. Neifri Contreras followed and not only allowed the inherited runner to score, and 6 other unearned runs. The score remained 7-0 until the 9th when Edward Cuello surrendered a 2 run HR for the final runs in the 9-0 loss to the Rockies.
DSL Dodgers Bautista 0 – DSL Red Sox 9
The Bautistas hit 4 harmless singles in their shutout loss.
Duany Gomez (1.0 IP), Denverick Martines (2.0 IP), and Axel Acevedo (.2 IP) were the three effective relief pitchers (of six) who pitched well in their shutout innings.
DSL Dodgers Shoemaker 1 – DSL Rangers (1) 6
Another rough game for a DSL Dodger team. The Shoemakers scored 1 run on 5 hits. 4 of the hits were XBH led by 2 doubles by LF Marlon Cairo (6). DH Bladimir De La Rosa hit his fifth double, while SS Alex De Jesus slugged his first HR. Marlon Cairo is now batting .395 (33 AB) and De La Rosa is batting .429 (28 AB). 17-year-old SS Alex De Jesus is batting .327 in 40 AB.
4 pitchers took to the bump with only 18-year-old LHP, Jose Mendez, having a scoreless outing. Mendez went 1.1 IP allowing no baserunners with 1 strikeout. Harold Galindo started and pitched 4.0 innings. He did give up 2 runs on 5 hits with zero walks or strikeouts. Juan De La Cruz and Samuel Ruben pitched a combined 3.1 innings, surrendering 4 runs on 7 hits 2 walks and 2 HBP.
AZL Dodgers (1) 12 – AZL Brewers Blue 6
The AZL Dodgers scored 12 runs on 18 hits in Game 1 of the 2019 season. It did not take long for #1 draft pick 3B Kody Hoese to make an impression going 3-3 with 3 doubles, scoring 3 runs. The other 2019 draft pick making his professional debut was RF Danny Sinatro (32nd round) who had a 2-4 night. Other big nights came from 20-year-old CF Ismael Alcantara (DR) going 4-5, 19-year-old Venezuelan LF, Luis Carlos Diaz went 3-4 with a double and 3 RBIs, and 20-year-old 1B Imanol Vargas (DR) who hit 2-5 with a double, triple and 2 RBIs. 19-year-old 3B/DH Luis Yanel Diaz also had a double on the night.
Four pitchers pitched last night with 19-year-old RHP South Korean Hyun-il Choi started going 2.1 innings. He did surrender 4 runs on 7 hits. He did not give up a walk and had 4 strikeouts. 19-year-old RHP Puerto Rican RHP, Michael Martinez, pitched 2.0 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits, 1 walk, and 3 Ks. 21-year-old RHP Daniel Cruz (DR), and 19-year-old RHP Carlos Alejo (DR), pitched the final 4.2 scoreless innings. They combined to allow 3 hits with no walks, and 8 strikeouts.
AZL Dodgers (2) 1 – AZL Indians Blue 4
The second AZL team did not fare quite as well. The Dodgers scored 1 run on 6 hits. 2019 4th round draft pick 3B Brandon Lewis made his professional debut. Brandon’s debut was not quite as successful as Hoese or Sinatro, but he is someone I will watch. He plays 3B and is a HS graduate from Bishop Alemany (Mission Hills). 26 years ago my son was a 3B from Bishop Alemany. How can I not pull for this young man?
20-year-old CF Edwin Mateo (DR) had a 3-4 night, while 18-year-old SS Eddys Leonard (DR) hit a triple with a walk.
20-year-old Orlandy Navarro is a pitcher I followed extensively last year when he made his US debut with 4 teams (AZL, Ogden, Great Lakes, and RC) started and pitched 2 innings. Navarro allowed 1 run on 3 hits. One of those three hits was a HR. I also followed extensively the three pitchers that followed Navarro, who all pitched in the DSL last season. 18-year-old RHP Israiky Berroa (DR), went 4.0 innings allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and 2 walks, while punching out 5 batters. 20-year-old LHP Franklin De La Paz pitched 1.0 scoreless inning, striking out the side around 1 hit. 18-year-old Venezuelan RHP Jose Rodulfo finished the game with 2.0 scoreless innings.
Update – Raptors Roster. Yesterday the following roster changes were made with the Raptors.
Added:
SS Zac Ching 10th round 2019
SS Jimmy Titus 22nd round 2019
RF Joe Vranesh 15th round 2019
LF Ryan Ward 8th round 2019
Removed:
CF Rolando Lebron returned to AZL Dodgers 2
Not what we want to hear: RHP Morgan Cooper assigned to the Raptors but on the 60-day IL
Ching, Vranesh, and Ward had their professional debuts with Vranesh getting his first professional hit. I am guessing that Jimmy Titus will get his debut today. Playing time for the middle infielders may get tough with three 2B (Jeremy Arocho, Kenneth Betancourt, and Sam McWilliams and three SS (Zac Ching, Moises Perez, and Jimmy Titus).
Watching last nights game it appeared as if Martin hurt something when he swung and missed a pitch in the ninth inning. Not sure and the TV commenters (ESPN) didn’t mention anything, , but if my observations are correct I wouldn’t at all be surprised if we see a Will Smith call up and another IL stint for Martin today.
The Dodger offense needs an infusion of some semblance of ML offensive talent given the relative black hole that is CT3, Keekay, Martin/Barnes offensive game currently. Look for Smith to be called up and inserted more regularly into the starting line-up
The Dodgers TV broadcast mentioned that Martin looked like he was in pain after that swing. He looked fine on his next swing though. Sorry you had to listen to A-roid. I find it unbearable. Especially when he’s continuously guessing the wrong pitched the pitcher is going to throw like he did at the end of the Dodgers-Cubs game on Sunday night.
Future Dodger high leverage late inning elite relief specialist Zac Rosscu
It is strictly prohibited to use these words together with his name.
But why???
How about Zac Hiccup?
AC/DC, what do gents think about the new 21 year old Taiwanese pitcher we just signed?
I believe you are referring to Lin-Huei Sheng. I have not really had any time to look at him too much. I have not seen him pitch or seen any videos. He has been assigned to AZL Dodgers 1, so he is not close just yet. I understand he has a good live arm. Just like any prospect, we are going to need to wait and see.
Sheng has been assigned to AZL 1.
He has a filthy curve. They say he touches 95, but none of his fastballs were over 91 in the video.
Or were you speaking of 21-year-old Hao-Chun Cheng? Again, I have not followed him or seen any of his videos.
Nope , I was speaking of Sheng. Thank you!
Bobby I think AC is correct
Below are parts of a couple of reports on him.
Originally, Lin was expected to sign with an MLB organisation after finishing high school in 2017, as he was clocked 152kph (94mph) at the age of 17.
Unfortunately, he was on and off in his final year of high school and the first year of university off due to waist injury. Lin lost his control, and his velocity dropped significantly which led to limited game time.
in 2018, now as a sophomore in the NTSU, Lin seemed to recover from his previous issues. He regained his control and more importantly his fastball velocity.
In November 2018, Lin was clocked 153kph (95mph) at a university tournament. In a way, he proved to the MLB scouts that he is now completely healthy and ready for professional baseball.
To provide a basic scouting report on what I have seen in video of Huei-Sheng is that he has a very live arm with great arm-side run on his fastball. That heater will play up at 90-93 with such effective movement. When watching Huei-Sheng, he reminds me a lot of a bulkier Kenta Maeda, especially with his repertoire. Outside of the great fastball, Lin Huei-Sheng boasts a forkball, slider, and a curve. Huei-Sheng definitely has the look and feel of a successful big-league starter as he was last measured at 6’1 and 195 pounds.
Huei-Sheng most notably worked with Hideo Nomo in 2015. To see arguably the Dodgers’ best Asian player in their history work with Huei-Sheng is something exciting to see.
As far as Huei-Sheng’s performance at the National Taiwan Sport University goes, he has been largely successful outside of his control. Across 32 2/3 frames, Huei-Sheng has posted a solid 3.30 ERA to go along with some below average marks (6.9 K/9, 1.50 WHIP, 5.5 BB/9) for the Silver Spring-Takoma T-Bolts of the Cal Ripken Collegiate League.
Although the
AC or DC. Would love to get a mid season report on our prospects. Risers and fallers. Maybe around the all star break. Thanks
I think we can do that. I will get with DC (and Mark) to work on a plan.
Great suggestion
“I love it when a plan comes together”
I recognize that the Dodgers are 10 games up in a rather weak NL West and 5.0 games better than the 2nd best record in the NL (Atlanta), but this roster will have issues in the playoffs. As many have stated, it is tough to drive in runs and win games when your 6-9 batters are hitting .210/.276/.376/.651 (Kike’), .218/.288/.383/.671 (CT3), and .206/.314/.346/.660 (Barnes), pitcher. The pitchers are already pitching around Belli and will soon be pitching around Max. Belli is more selective as he has more walks than strikeouts (46 to 45), but Max has 40 walks. Yes, JT, Verdugo, and Freese have all had their moments, but Freese is no longer a regular.
We all recognize that Joc is streaky, and right now he is in one of his funks. For the month of June Joc is 3 for 40 with 1 HR and 2 RBI, 3 walks, and 9 strikeouts. With Corey and Pollock out, it sure would be beneficial if Joc had a replicate of his 2018 June, .283/.358/.867/1.225, 5 doubles, 10 HRs, 14 RBIs, 7 BB, and 9 K.
I believe someone mentioned that Garlick or Beaty are not the answer. They were never intended to be. They are good role players with Beaty the better of the two. Zach Reks is another at that level who is more of an AAAA OF than a future AS. That is what happens when your top OF draft picks since 2015 have not materialized. Mitch Hansen, DJ Peters, and Jeren Kendall have not been successful with Hansen apparently done. The team is chock-full of Donovan Casey/Logan Landon/Drew Avans/Carlos Rincon/Starling Heredia/Brayan Morales, all #4/#5 OF at best. That is not a criticism of those players as every team needs a #4 and #5 OF, but the Dodgers need future stars to push the current regulars.
Compare the Dodgers lineup with the soon to be NYY lineup:
DJ LeMahieu (3B)
Aaron Judge (RF)
Giancarlo Stanton (LF) (back today)
Edwin Encarnacion (DH/1B)
Luke Voit (1B/DH)
Gary Sanchez (C)
Aaron Hicks (CF)
Didi Gregorius (SS)
Gleyber Torres (2B)
Gio Urshela and Cameron Maybin having a career year both on the bench with Brett Gardner and Austin Romine. While 24-year-old Clint Frazier slashing .283/.330/.513/.843 was optioned.
Or with a Houston lineup of:
George Springer (CF)
Jose Altuve (2B)
Alex Bregman (3B)
Carlos Correa (SS)
Michael Brantley (LF)
Yuli Gurriel (1B/DH)
Yordan Alvarez (DH/1B)
Josh Reddick (RF)
Robinson Chirinos (C)
With a bench of Tony Kemp, Jake Marisnick, Tyler White, and Max Stassi.
I do not know what the answer is, but at some point, instead of putting 6 middle infielders on one squad that will not get enough playing time to get better, it might be time to package some of the better ones for an OF prospect or two or three. Especially when your ML team already has a weak hitting utility duo in Kike’ and CT3. It has been said by fans smarter than me that we need to trust the process, and I do not disagree. AF does not operate within a vacuum. He sees what is not working and will need to make some changes, especially in the bullpen. But what offense may be out there for an NL team without a DH will be difficult to find. Speculation is fun, so we will be reading about 107,344 different trade scenarios that will guarantee a WS championship.
There’s a lot of truth in your comment AC, but it becomes much less bleak once Pollock and Seager are back as long as Doc isn’t constantly playing guys in slumps to stay relevant. Kike and CT3 were nice finds, but their warts are back and bigger than ever. It’s crazy to think that one of the two would step up and be a regular second baseman with good to great defense at the position, now barely looking like an acceptable utility role much less a “Super Utility” player.
Less Bleak Lineup
Verdugo
Seager
Turner
Belli
Pollock
Muncy
Joc/Kike Platoon
Smith
– looks fine to me. Smith looks ready and he’s on a tear after going back to the farm. Like I mentioned the last couple of days, you can still add a hitter if the opportunity arises at 2B, 1B, or in LF.
59. Your lineup would assume that Belli is returning to first base which he is not.
Or will he?
Cassidy, what do you know? Do you have inside info? Or, are you going by what Mark says?
Without making any trades, the alternative is to have Muncy at 1B and CT3/Kike at second Verdugo in left with Joc on the bench. Or, CT3 at 2B with Kike/Joc in left and Verdugo on the bench. So, you think they’re gonna sit a guy with a 900+ OPS or a guy with a 300 batting average in favor of a guy hovering around the Mendoza line?
Don’t believe Mark, he’s wrong as much as he’s right. Like Verdugo 20 HR’s this year, maybe 30! lol
Roberts has said Belli is staying in right field. Maybe he knows something you don’t!
He did NOT say that.
THIS is what he said…
“We just tried to be really cautious with him, especially when you have a recurring shoulder issue (with it) coming out of the socket; it’s happened a couple times. But right now, from the training staff and Cody, he feels good. I do think going forward, him being in the outfield makes the most sense instead of having him be at first base. The potential dive, [throw] over his head, getting it from the infielder. We’ll see how that goes as time goes on. … In talking to the training staff, the likelihood that he potenitally could dive for a ball to his right, which could increase the chance (of re-injury), versus diving for a ball in the outfield, which is less likely. To say he’s not going to play [first base] is probably a little too aggressive. I think ideally we’ll try to keep him in the outfield.”
Let me break out the important part for you to be more clear…
“To say he’s not going to play [first base] is probably a little too aggressive. I think ideally we’ll try to keep him in the outfield.”
Now, when it come down to having Verdugo or Joc in the lineup as opposed to the stike-out king or cant hit righties, what do you think is gonna happen?
Well 59 look who’s working out at first base today. Hint. It’s not Belli!
Joc also has the highest slugging percentage against righties in both leagues since the beginning of the 2018 season.
Looking at Statcast it would appear that Joc’s average launch angle is 12.6 degrees which is abojut 3 degrees less than Turner, Bellinger, and Muncy. Given his very high average exit velocity of 93 mph and maybe it isn’t so much him hitting into the shift and more that he is not getting as many balls above it as are those three. Raise his launch angle and up goes his BABIP which raises his AVE.
btw, Pederson has 11 bases empty home runs this year, same as Muncy which means he has 7 home runs with runners on while Muncy has 6. Bellinger has 12 bases empty home runs. Pederson hits lead off; Muncy and Bellinger do not.
And no, I am not saying Pederson is better than Muncy or Bellinger. Just that too many perceive weaknesses in Joc that are not any worse than others.
What are his splits vs LHP compared to Muncy and Belli?
The Dodgers have signed 21 draftees, 11 pitchers and 10 position players. True to form, none of the pitchers have been assigned. The Dodgers like to scale back the young arms after a season where some may been thrown too much. They are very careful. They will eventually get assigned and we can start to follow them.
Of the 10 position players signed, all have been assigned:
Ogden – Ryan Ward OF (8), Zac Ching SS (10), Joe Vranesh OF (15), Jimmy Titus SS (22)
AZL 1 – Kody Hoese 3B (1), Danny Sinatro OF (32), Justin Washington OF (35)
AZL 2 – Brandon Lewis 3B (4), Julio Carrion 3B (33), Tyler Ryan C (38)
As we did last year, we will try to focus our Minor League Reports on the exploits of these draft picks.
Very excited for this draft class. Thanks guys. I owe AC/DC drinks if/when I meet them at the Stadium.
JJ Cooper chat @Baseball America:
Nathan (Indiana): Who are your favorites (not named Wander Franco) playing in the Midwest League All Star game tonight?
J.J. Cooper: Several things stood out yesterday. One-Brice Turang has gotten physically bigger/stronger than the last time I saw him in person. Two. Nico Hulsizer looks like a gem of an 18th round pick. Three. Alek Thomas generates very impressive power from a smaller frame. Four. That was just a HR derby/autograph session. Whole lot more to see with an actual game tonight.
Ray (KC): Oneil Cruz doesn’t seem to be showing much thus far. Is his prospect shine fading?
J.J. Cooper: He’s just been hurt a lot this year. He’s not fading as much as not playing because of injuries which means in many cases out of sight, out of mind.
Andy J (Los Angeles): I’m starting to be very very happy with the Puig trade. What are Gray and Downs’ ceilings? Gray is starting to look awfully good.
J.J. Cooper: Hey everyone. Thanks for coming out. I’m in South Bend for the Midwest League ASG so I am going to have to keep this to a productive 30 minutes. I’ll try to get to a ton of questions in that time. Gray was viewed as an extremely high upside prospect because he was so new to pitching. His athleticism has helped him make a very nice adjustment to a much heavier pitching workload and his stuff has gotten better and better. He’s one of the prospects who has done a lot to help himself this year.
I don’t understand what people don’t get when they see these stats.
312/419/624/1042 overall.
370/442/739/1181 vs right handed pitching.
270/403/540/942 vs left handed pitching.
Those are Freese stats. So why does Dave Roberts have a strict platoon at 1B of Freese/Beaty and sometimes Muncy at 1B? Freese should have MOST NOT ALL of the playing time at 1B, problem solved at 1B.
Muncy looks fine at 2B, problem solved at 2B.
When Seager is back problem solved at SS.
Turner solves 3B.
Bellinger solves RF.
Verdugo solves CF.
When Pollock is back, Peterson/Pollock platoon solves LF.
Catcher is a complicated position, Will Smith is tearing it up in AAA. A combination of Smith/Martin/Barnes is fine.
We don’t need to add any offense, we need to add 1 or 2 reliable proven relief pitchers.
The problem with the offense is that Dave Roberts isn’t playing the right guys. There is no reason why Taylor and Hernandez should be starting in the same game. Also for the time being whoever is playing SS between Taylor and Hernandez neither one should be hitting 7th in the lineup because at this point that’s 3 automatic outs in a row.
Hasn’t anybody noticed since Verdugo has been batting 2nd he has cooled off.
Batting 7th in the lineup worked for him 320/419/580/999. Why fix it if it aint broke.
I believe you are right about the lineup. I just don’t think freese is starting everyday due to health concerns. At the end of the year he could become the regular. Taylor and kike have just become huge disappointments at this point. But as long as they are Dodgers They will continue to get playing time. But, with those 2 plus the catcher, pitcher positions we have 4 automatic outs. With bellinger and joc so hot early it wasn’t as noticeable. In house we have smith who could potentially help the offense he certainly can’t be any worse than the 2 we have.
I believe AF said our offense was not up to par last year. He probably thinks seager and pollock will solve that. Both are injury risks. I think bullpen first but a solid hitter couldn’t hurt. Other than smith it doesn’t look like we can look inside for help.
Freese can’t play everyday, just like Justin Turner can’t play everyday.
True
How do you know that, do you have inside sources?
Do you actually believe Dave Roberts?
I’m mostly talking about come playoff time. But I am also talking about the regular season, starting the right guys offensively, get the upper hand and then late in the game with a lead substitute for guys that are not “injury prone or can’t start everyday”.
I gave in to those who say Freese can’t play everyday by saying Freese should have MOST NOT ALL of the playing time at 1B.
I don’t understand how people can say a guy can’t do this or that unless you are a doctor.
I have an inside source. Freese himself says he can’t play every day. He just said it again the other other day on SNLA pre-game while he was talking about his knee tendinitis that he’s currently dealing with.
The Athletic recommends the Dodgers make this trade:
Los Angeles Dodgers
Trade Partner: Kansas City Royals
The Dodgers are always prepared to deal with injuries without making a trade, as was the case when Corey Seager went down last week with a Grade 1 1/2 hamstring strain. At the major-league level, they had Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernández capable of filling in, and they have top shortstop prospect Gavin Lux waiting in Double A. However, there is one player who would really add to the Dodgers’ pool of position players who could be a potential difference-maker, and that’s Whit Merrifield of the Royals. Merrifield fits the Dodgers’ mold of being able to play multiple positions, including second base, third base and either corner outfield position. I think he would win the everyday job at second base (with Max Muncy moving to first base most of the time) because he’s a definite upgrade offensively over both Taylor and Hernández. Merrifield, 30, is slashing .302/.351/.492 with 18 doubles, seven triples, eight home runs and stolen 10 bases. He would give the Dodgers even more flexibility than they already have, and he’s signed to a club-friendly contract pays him $1 million this year, $5 million in 2020, $6.75 million in 2021 and $2.75 million in 2022 with a club option for 2023. There are some escalators and incentives in the contract. Merrifield has great makeup and character, and his positive energy would fit in great with the Dodgers’ clubhouse.
In return, the Royals would be thrilled if they could get a package of second baseman Jeter Downs and right-handed pitching prospect Josiah Gray, even though they are both a few years away from the majors. Downs, 20, was acquired by the Dodgers from the Reds the last offseason in the Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood trade. He’s slashing .249/.315/.469 with 12 doubles, 12 home runs, 45 runs batted in and 17 stolen bases in 21 attempts at Rancho Cucamonga in the California League. He profiles as an everyday second baseman with a special speed-and-power combination for the position. Gray, 21, is dominating in Class A, where he’s 4-0 with a 2.64 ERA, punching out 69 batters in 58 innings. Both prospects have high upside but both also have some risk.
That could change the entire complexion of the team:
1. Merrifield 2B
2. Muncy 1B
3. Turner 3B
4. Bellinger RF
5. Seager SS
6. Verdugo CF
7. Pederson/Pollock LF
8. Smith C
It’s time to see what Will the Thrill can do. That’s a potent lineup. Taylor and Kike are just subs, Garlick and Beaty back to AAA. Essentially, Friedman would have traded Kemp, Wood, Farmer, and Puig for Merrifield. Downs and Gray could be great, but this is how to build a team for KC.
I like your lineup. I just wonder if merrifield could stand the bright lights. It would be worth considering with his manageable contract. I also would be so happy to see what smith could do. Il Martin and give him an extended look. You could always move Barnes back.
Why would you trade for a 789 career OPS guy when you have Muncy fitting in perfectly at 2B hitting 872 OPS career?
Doesn’t make sense to me.
Because it keeps Muncy in the line-up, removes Beaty and adds a 2B with the talent of Merrifield. Make that move in a heartbeat. More importantly it puts Keekay and CT3 on the bench where they belong.
It doesn’t keep Muncy in the lineup because he can play multiple positions. It doesn’t remove Beaty because if you didn’t notice I already removed Beaty mostly from the lineup.
It does not keep Taylor or Hernandez from being in the lineup while Seager is out.
You are 0 for 3.
Talent? you consider a career OPS of 789 talent that you would trade for?
I’m glad you are not in control.
Knowing AF and Doc will put Pollock back in CF and Pederson in LF against righties and that Verdugo will get more bench time, do you still make that trade?
There seems to always be an adjustment when a player is traded mid-season to another League. And, I think Verdugo will continue to slide and Pollock will take awhile to get back to his best which we haven’t seen from him as a Dodger yet.
I would like to have Verdugo play left against lefties and play 20 to 30 percent of the time in center field when Pollock returns. If they get Merryfield (M) then keep Muncy at first and make Merryfield the second baseman until Lux is ready. Then M can share third with Turner and second with Lux.
I hate to send a player away mid-season but maybe one of Taylor or Kike’ could be included in the M trade.
I really like the idea of having Whit as a leadoff hitter. He’d be like having CT3 at his best without all the srikeouts. Well, at least less strikeouts! 😉
Farmer was basically unloaded because they didn’t think of him as a viable catching option. He was roster clutter on this team. Kemp was a dump. Puig and Wood for Merrifield is a good deal, unloading Kemp’s contracts makes it a great deal.
MLB.com posted an article “Dodgers committed to trying Pederson at 1st”. Says that Joc is really excited about playing 1B. Looks like this is going to happen, we’ll see how it works out.
You may be on to something, Mark. Looks good on the computer screen.
I’d make that trade! In a heartbeat!
I would make that trade. I would make one change to your line up. Put Pollock in left full time. Then I would trade Joc and a one other maybe Wong or Barnes. for a relief pitcher. I believe Smith needs to come up. There is just no offense at the catcher position.
100% agree.
Get over the 789 OPS argument! Check out his numbers last year and this year. That’s who he is right now! He’s an all star and a huge improvement over our two Mendoza 2nd baseman. We don’t need to be better than Colorado. We need to be better than Houston and the Yankees and check out their lineups! We can’t have Barnes, Taylor or Kiki in our post season lineup!
Merrifield may have a lifetime OPS of .789 but it’s gotten higher in each of the 4 years he’s played: .716, .784, .806, .835. You wouldn’t get him to replace Muncy at second, but to replace Kike.
His WAR this year is more than Kike, CT3 and Barnes combined. Only problem I have with what I’ve seen above is including Gray in the trade. I’m OK with sending Downs, but I would rather include Santana or White than Gray. If that isn’t enough, I would include Rios also, since he’s never going to have a spot with the Dodgers. Gray is looking better and better and has had relatively little experience as a pitcher. I think he could become one of our top two or three pitching prospects by next year.
All of that said, the Royals might want a lot more than what I’ve detailed since Merrifield is now basically the face of that franchise.
I wanted Merrifield before this season started. He would play second and bat first, solving two problems. As for not doing well in the bright lights, he got the walk off hit in the College World Series a few years ago with the South Carolina Gamecocks. (Just another reason why I like him. 🙂 The SC in my handle stands for South Carolina.
Witt Merryfield isn’t just valuable because of his game. He’s also extremely valuable because of the ridiculously team friendly contract he has. And because of that, there is no reason for KC to trade an all star 2b, face of the franchise type player who basically makes peanuts for 2 single A players, unless those players are both Top 10 MLB prospects. That’d be like us trading Muncy for a couple of nice A ball players. No chance.
If we were to acquire Merryfield, expect to say goodbye to May, Ruiz, and Lux, not Downs and Gray (and I”m a HUGE Jeter Downs fan). Or we’d acquire him because KC also unloads 2 gigantic bloated horrible contracts on us, and thus lowers the asking price.
From David Vasseigh: Roberts said #Dodgers told Pederson to work at first base more after Verdugo excelled in AJ Pollock’s absence. Pederson could be used to have all three in the lineup on certain days when Pollock returns.
That’s one way to take advantage of Joc’s ability to go back on fly balls.
:0)
A Joc / Freese platoon at 1B makes a lot more sense than Joc and Pollock splitting time. For those of you who actually think Pollock is going to be the small half of a platoon, I’ve got some beach front property in Kansas I’d like to sell you.
I think Pederson will be our DH when the DH is installed in the NL
And my final post for now. Today’s lineup:
Joc
Verdugo
JT
Belly
Muncy
Beaty
CT3
Barnes
Kersh
Man, they should keep Kike on the bench or let him share shortstop until one of those two start hitting again. I’d rather see more Beaty and Garlick.
What absolutely horrible at bats by CT3 and Barnes. Why even walk up there with a bat if that’s what you’re going to do??
What is AF waiting for? Get Barnes out of here! It’s bordering on pathetic! Why doesn’t the obviously better player not playing!!!!!!!!! Bring up Smith!!!!!!!!
What absolutely great at bats by CT3 and Barnes (and now Kike).!!!!
Thow in Joc’s hr today, and hopefully some of these guys are waking up (especially Joc who can carry us for a while)
Hoese’s first 6 professional plate appearances have gone pretty well:
2B
2B
2B
HR
1B
BB
Send him to Ogden tomorrow he’s a man among boys there in the AZL League.
The often criticized guys came through big in the 7th inning. Kike did not get cheated on a center cut fastball for a granny! Joc with another leadoff HR, Kelly retiring the side despite a walk and a single in the 9th. I think the loss last night might have fired this team up a bit. With Houston losing the Dodgers have the best record in MLB again. That Doc guy might know what he’s doing, despite what us armchair QB’s say.
I love watching Joe Kelly pitch.
If we could get some consistent outings from him, it would be like having a new BP piece.