Some Dodger fans are up in arms that the Dodgers have moved Joc Pederson to 1B… in the middle of the season, of all things! He has had flashes of good, but mostly he looks like he has never played there before (he hasn’t). The early results have not been great. The Dodgers knew that and were/are prepared to ride through the storm. It makes sense to me for several reasons:
- David Freese’s leg injury may take longer to heal than expected;
- With Joc platooning at 1B and Corey Seager and AJ Pollock returning, it allows the Dodgers to get Joc’s bat in the lineup against LHP and keep Muncy at one position (2B) where I believe he will be solid;
- It allows the Dodgers to field what may arguably be the best defensive outfield in baseball;
- It allows AJ Pollock to be an everyday player, which was why he was brought in; and
- You have to find a way to play players who have OPS of near .900 and above.
Now, I have already said that I am not a big Pollock fan and that I would leave Verdugo in CF, but Friedman, Roberts and the coaches know a heck of a lot more than I do, so I will defer to what they do. That’s exactly why I think the Joc Pederson to 1B move will work. The good news is that Joc wants to play there and has been working at 1B for a few weeks, however lately, he is taking hundreds of reps there. Practice is different from “game speed” so the ramp-up will be slow. There will be some pain, like yesterday (no pain, no gain), but the Dodgers have that luxury.
I suggested yesterday that we could evaluate the move after 30 games to which someone said we don’t have 30 games. They are right: we’ve probably got 45 or 50 games! The key words are “Don’t Panic!” Joc will get better every game incrementally. Yesterday was just “one of those games.” Not very many played well. It happens a few times a year.
The Dodgers infield was recently rated the Best in Defensive Infield in Baseball. Of course, that was with Corey Seager at SS, Kike Hernandez, and CT3 at 2B and Max Muncy at 1B. I happen to believe that Max Muncy can be a pretty good second-baseman… IF YOU JUST LET HIM PLAY THERE. Max is not a “super-utility guy.” He is solid and will work at getting better wherever you leave him. His bat plays well at 2B. Give him the stability of knowing where he will play every day and he might shock you as to how well he might do.
Joc is the “work in progress” and he drives some fans crazy, because as Rudy Byrd said: “Joc is a one-dimensional player. He can’t hit for average, he can’t run, he can’t throw, and he can’t catch. Plus, his baseball mentality is minimal, at best.” Probably all true… to an extent which may mean that 1B is his best position. David Freese is an average defender at 1B and I hope Joc can rise to that. However, he has the “want to” mentality that can result in some very good things happening… on both sides of the ball.
I don’t know how long the Joc Movement will last, but warts and all, the dude puts up close to .900 OPS. His struggles have been monumental, but his career OPS is .805. He should only play against RHP and Kike should play 1B until Mr. Freese returns. I am a progressive, outta-the-box thinker, so this stuff is right up my alley. That’s what I love about Andrew Friedman… and it’s what some of you hate. Many people hate change. I embrace it. The running joke at US Water Systems is “Don’t worry about it – it will change.” Change is life and growth. Getting stuck is death and dying. We shall see what happens.
The Bullpen Progress
- If you look at the box score, you might think that Gonsolin and Ferguson need to pack their bags for OKC. In my opinion, just the opposite is true: both are very close to the execution of their pitches. Patience Grasshoppers. Gonsolin is going to be very useful. He is an MLB pitcher and so is Caleb Ferguson.
- The Dodgers are still #11 in bullpen ERA at 4.09, right behind the “awesome, legendary” Yankee Bullpen (4.01 ERA). Before the season, just about everyone picked the Yankees to have the #1 bullpen. They had Chapman, Green, and Betances and added Britton and Ottavino and still have a 4.01 bullpen ERA.
- The Red Sox whose World Series bullpen was ranked #17 last year in ERA were roundly criticized for letting Kimbrel and Kelly walk and essentially standing pat (they signed Eovaldi to be a starter, but he has been injured most of the season), have the #8 ERA in baseball as a result. You just never know with bullpens.
- Stop with the trade talk for Brad Hand already! It ain’t happening. The Indians are #1 in bullpen ERA, thanks to Hand, Tyler Clippard and a bung of “guys.” They didn’t go out and spend what the Yankees did. They grew their own. Kluber is due back, the team is starting to hit and they will likely be “buyers” at the trade deadline.
- Yimi Garcia has his ERA down to 3.90 and if you look at his WHIP (0.80) there is a lot to be optimistic about him). In his last 7 games, he has a 1.23 ERA with an otherworldly 0.14 WHIP. He is suddenly relevant again.
- In his last 15 games, Joe Kelly has a 3.77 ERA and in the past 7 games, it is 1.13 with a 1.00 WHIP. He also is gaining relevance, to say nothing of confidence.
- Pedro Baez has a 2.57 ERA in his last 15 games and a 1.29 ERA in his last 7 games with a 0.86 WHIP.
- Kenley Jansen has stumbled (a little) in his last 7 games, but overall, in his last 15 games, he has a 1.76 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP.
- Those 4 bullpen arms, I just mentioned above are solid ones, in my opinion. Ferguson will come around – he’s close. I wonder when Hill comes back if he won’t go to the pen (voluntarily) to reduce stress on his arm? Floro has been a trainwreck the last 15 games after being outstanding before that, Will the “real” Dylan Floro stand up, please?
- Sometime in mid-to-late July, Julio Urias will return to the rotation. You can bet on it. They are only using him in relief right now to limit his innings. He is part of their playoff rotation, which will be Kershaw, Buehler, Ryu, and Urias.
- The Dodgers won’t trade Rich Hill – he’s part of their heart and soul, but Ross Stripling and/or Kenta Maeda could be trade candidates. Ross really is best suited to starting, but he won’t start with the Dodgers. Maeda wants to start too, so if Tony Gonsolin shows he is ready, which will take a few more starts, then both Ross and Kenta could be trade bait. Two starters could yield a few solid pieces, including a lockdown reliever.
- There are still too many teams on the “cusp” of making the playoffs, that I do not see a trade being made until late July. Just my opinion.
- This bullpen is not far from being much better… internally. Add in some external options and they might become elite.
Minor League Report
The OKC Dodgers were beaten 3-1 by the New Orleans Baby Cakes. How embarrassing is it to be beaten by a baby? Logan Bawcom pitched well enough to win, giving up 2 runs in 6 innings pitched (both on HR). Jake Peter hit his 5th HR for the Dodgers only score. Lewis Brinson hit one of the HR’s – He’s the Marlins Top Prospect (.953 OPS).
Tulsa did not play and as Gavin Lux and Dustin are headed to OKC.
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes were smoked 5 to Zip, as they only managed 4 hits. Move along folks, there’s nothing to see here.
The Great Lakes Loons game with Bowling Green was suspended tied 2-2 in the 5th inning. No need to report what happened until it’s over.
The Ogden Raptors topped the Rocky Mountain Vibes 12-5 as the Wulff was at the door… well actually the plate. Brandon Wulff hit a Grand Slam for the Raptors, while Jordan Yurchak was 2-3 with 3 BB. He is OPS’ing 1.263. Wulff is OPS’ing 1.400. 18-year-old Andy Pages was 4-6 with 2 HR and 4 runs scored.
The AZL Dodgers Mota beat the AZL Athletics 20-5 as they scored 11 runs in the 5th inning. Gold Diego Cartaya had back-to-back two-hit games and is off to a fast start and hitting .375 through four games in the Rookie-level AZL. The 17-year-old makes hard contact and has a good feel for the bat, especially for a player yet to turn 18. He could make Kaybear expendable, but the Dodgers would have to get a “haul.” Rehabbing Omar Estevez played SS and had two hits as did just about everyone else (23 total hits for the Motas).
The DSL Shoemakers beat the DSL Cubs 5-3 as Luis Izturis had a HR and went 3-5. Brayan Rodriguez was 2-5 as Carlos Duran went 5 innings allowing 2 unearned runs and striking out 5.
The DSL Bautistas beat the DSL Rays 9-8. Going into the bottom of the 9th inning, they were behind 8-2 and scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win it in walk-off fashion. 18-year-old Axel Acevedo pitched the final 3 innings, allowing no hits to get the win, his 3rd! They did it with just 5 hits in the game to go with 7 walks and 3 errors on the Rays. There were no HR’s in the 9th.
Baseball rumors say the Dodgers are interested in Felipe Vazquez of the Pirates. That lefty would be awesome but it will cost. Ruiz and Stripling should more than get the conversation started.
I’m enjoying the Joc experiment at first base. He would be one of the faster first basemen as opposed to being perhaps the slowest center fielder. He is having trouble getting used to a first baseman’s glove. One of the errors he made yesterday was a ground ball that hit the heel of his glove. Keeping the glove down is always the challenge of infielders and he is doing that.
Joc has always had a low BABIP. He hits the ball hard and doesn’t strike out at a high rate so it is a launch angle issue or he is plagued by hitting the ball at fielders. Yesterday added to his unlucky BABIP with the catch that took a home run away from him.
If Joc went the other way more his .BABIP would be higher. He hits it hard right at the 2B who is playing on the outfield grass A LOT.
i watched a Dodgers/Giants game on a Nor Cal station recently. Duane Kuiper, a gold glove caliber 2B in his day, commented that Muncy was unable to turn a pivot because he’s not a 2B. He doesn’t look like a 2B to me either. Kike plays top defense there – Muncy plays 2B like a guy who can hit and needs to find a place to play.
Given your comments about the bullpen (the Red Sox were 17th last year), and using your logic, the Dodgers should be trying to be worse than they are in the ‘pen – after all, 17th won the World Series! Sorry – every baseball publication has commented on the weakness of the ‘pen. Even Dodgers.com had an article entitled “Dodgers’ lead masking significant weak spot”. It’s not all better. As of 2 days ago, the ‘pen was 24th out of 30th in Win Probability Added.
I understand the Joc Pederson experiment. It’s not something that should be done in real MLB games in the middle of the season though. I wonder how many games it’s gonna cost them? The games count in June too, you know. In 2017 they were on a pace to win over 115 games but famously lost 11 straight in September. You can take any game too lightly. I don’t think that you can risk losing games over the next 30.
I would agree with you about Muncy pre Utley rule but turning the double play no longer requires a ballerina to avoid a player trying to knock you into the outfield.
The Dodgers would have lost yesterday regardless of any errors any one player made.
Tony Gonsolin looks like Frank Zappa with a better fastball. We may want to think about trying him at 1B because he can rake. To me it looked like Dave Roberts and the Dodger front office had no desire in winning the series in Arizona. We would have gotten swept but we stumbled onto a win in game 2 with a Joe Torre Sunday lineup. I hope we are able to beat the Rockies or at least split the series. I was just getting used to winning all the time and don’t take kindly to giving away games. Just my morning rant…………….
-49 is an ugly number. That’s Joc’s DRS projected over a year at first base.
8 is his projected DRS in Left Field
Let’s move on to Cody
42 in RF
17 at 1B
Let’s do some math
Joc in LF 8 + Cody at 1B 17 = 25
Joc at 1B -49 + Cody in RF 42 = -7
Seems to me that we are better off with Joc in LF and Cody at 1B
The shoulder – He can’t possibly play 1B anymore because he might injure his shoulder diving for a ball?
Knee Tendinitis – Running in the outfield is less strenuous on the knee than playing 1B?
Sure, with a 12 game lead you can afford to experiment? Or, you can field the best lineup and crush your competition.
Sure, Joc is going to get better at 1B in time. But, is he really going to be good enough to play there in the post-season?
Sure, Belly looks like a great defensive RF right now, but are his numbers inflated because people are testing his arm and losing?
The eye test. Belli is an awesome first baseman. He does everything well over there. And he should, he’s a great athlete and he’s played 1B his entire career. Joc is horrible in the early going. You see Freese move from 3rd to 1st, Kike play 1B, Muncy 1B and none of them came up as a 1B and all of them look acceptable. Joc looks horrible and I haven’t even seen him have to dig one out yet.
This experiment is worse than the Democratic Presidential Debates!
Put Belli back at first base or trade Joc! Sadly, I’d rather have Kike / CT3 at 2B than Joc at 1B.
I’m a bit perplexed by the determination to get Joc and his .125 BA since 1st June in the Lineup at all costs.
Joc was a good defensive center fielder until he wasn’t.
Pollock was a good defensive center fielder and he still may be.
Verdugo has surprised most with his ability to play good center field.
An outfield of Pederson, Pollock, and Verdugo would be a good one.
Bellinger at first base would be premium.
Muncy can play second base.
I’m all for Joc playing first base for now but if it doesn’t progress fast enough the Dodgers should put Bellinger at first base and Joc back in LF.
Exactly my sentiments. Even if it starts going better, I would hate for his inexperience at the position cost us in the post season. Sure, a 12 game lead looks fine right now. But, if you keep giving games away that lead will drop faster than ___ on prom night.
MT the eternal optimist. Let’s see if you still have that optimism when Joc’s 1B experiment directly results in a loss or two. A dropped pop-up, the inability to pick a ball out of the dirt, a dropped perfectly good throw from the SS. Lousy footwork, the inability to react quickly to a ball hit sharply right or left of him are all on full display.
Is this a short term plan to deal with the loss of Freese to the IL, to keep Muncy’s bat in the game while making up for the offensive deficiency that is Keekay right now?……….Yes! is it a viable longterm plan?…………I don’t think so!
In regards to Mark’s comments about thinking outside the box and receptiveness to change, newer research that includes brain maps, gene pool analysis, and unconscious attitudes shows the following generalizations that describe the two groups people fall:
Group 1 includes people who prefer a simple vision of good and evil, are cognitively inflexible, are fond of hierarchy, are inordinately afraid of uncertainty, change, and death, and are unaware of their unconscious fears.
Group 2 includes people who are more open to reason and nuance and complex policy.
Mark did you say get jocks bat in the lineup vs. lefthanders? That has to be a typo or maybe I read it wrong. This reminds of doc or whoever deciding to take the foot off the pedal in September and losing 11 straight. For me, it’s just the attitude that we will just experiment during the major league season. It just seems like an arrogant attitude. Joc is an all or nothing hitter. It might be time to see what his trade value is.
Typos remind me of waterfalls and rainbows. I don’t get the connection of typos and September losses.
The typo is not the connection the experimenting is.
Oh 🙂
If I said Joc should play against lefties, I should have said Joc should never play against lefties.
lol – or you were having a brain aneurysm. I mean, how many ways have you said Joc should never play against lefties? I think you’ve even posted that in multiple languages just in case there was any confusion.
As Bumsrap talked about the glove Joc is using at first base, I assume that the first base glove is bigger and maybe wider? It may be that getting to pick up a ground ball and pop up and hold on to it needs some practice. I think and hope Joc will get better.
Maybe he just needs a smaller 1B glove… slightly smaller.
I could lend him my Rawlings Steve Garvey 1st baseman’s mit. It’s actually bigger than what Joc is using, there is very little padding left so it will hurt like hell when he takes a throw from Kike, but it was a hell of a glove.
Not sure I’d want to see him throw the ball around the infield right-handed. :0)
That’s funny.
You’re very kind in your evaluation of Freese defensively at 1st. His bat makes him passable, but I would rank him below average.
~
I also liked what I saw out of Gonsolin yesterday. He could be a bullpen piece down the stretch. It’s good to see a starting pitcher who can swing the bat too. However, Hand and Clippard weren’t exactly Indian farmhands. I don’t see Hand getting dealt. If Urias returns to the rotation it definitely means they need another lefty in the pen.
Edwin Rios recalled.
End of Joc Experiment? Beginning of Rios experiment. Sure, why not?
Joc Pederson flat out can’t play first base. Two errors yesterday, pop-ups are an adventure. He’s been shaky on a lot of ground balls. Yah, he has big time power and pretty much can take anybody deep, but the reality is that you’re weakening your defense at a position that handles more balls than any other. It’s obvious he lacks confidence at first. Just because you’re up by 12 games doesn’t mean you start doing a lot of stupid things. When Seager and Pollock return, it would make more sense to slide Muncy back to first, Taylor to second. Or Bellinger to first, Verdugo to right with Taylor and Pederson sharing left. Plus Freeze will be back at some point. For Joc to get playing time, if Bellinger remains in right, he needs to outhit Verdugo, which is unlikely to happen. Maybe it’s time to package Pederson in a trade.
If Joc does not hit lefties, do you put Keekay at first against lefties and not Beaty who is a decent First Baseman? And he hits better than Hernandez. Just an observation.
DodgerMom – Bum, sbuffalo and others have presented a solid case against the “experiment”… It’s as MT would say Felony Stupid…
One morning I hope to wake up to Belli at first while reading the boxscore realizing it was all just a bad dream…
But alas, as I’ve said before, I have no control over the situation…
Lets at least split in Co. and get on home…
I have no idea why the Dodgers are playing Pederson at 1B, they think this is a way to keep Pederson in the lineup when Pollock returns?, if that is the case what happens with Taylor when Seager returns? The Dodgers with an outfield of Verdugo, Pollock, and Bellinger defensibly as Mark points out will be one of the best but Taylor is starting to hit, so be moves to the bench,so Muncy plays 2B and they move Pederson to 1B.
I would like to see Taylor at 2B who is hitting .290 with 5 homers and 20 RBIs in his last 30 games and Muncy who is hitting .282 with 7 homers and 19 RBIs in his last 30 games to Pederson´s .247 with 6 homers and 13 RBIs. The defense with Taylor at 2B will be much stronger and Muncy at 1B is much better then Pederson, offensively and defensively.
It is time the Dodgers stop their love for Pederson and his power and trade him. The Dodgers have better options then Pederson.
Edwin Rios is being called up by the Dodgers. Hmm….
Not for his defense.
Can’t be worse than Joc’s at 1st. With Belli dealing with knee tendinitis the Dodgers may just be adding another bat to a short bench for a day or two. Rios has been hitting about .320 for the month of June with power. He’s already on the 40-man so no one has to be released. AL teams take notice.
I think (hope) that Joc at 1st is a move designed to boost his trade value and it is part of a plan to get his bat out of our lineup altogether. Leave Bellinger in right field for the rest of his career — the way he’s playing why would anyone consider a change a good idea. Muncy may or may not realize a similar benefit being the everyday 2nd basement, but that is at least an experiment worth continuing. I felt that too much platooning last year was a part of the horrible RISP production. Let’s have a more settled lineup and see if that results in a World Series win.
Yup. Players frequency like the stability of know when and where they are going to play. Baseball guys like predictable routines. Even scheduled days off allow utility guys to prepare. Despite that message from players the Dodgers have a new line up every day. And I agree that has been a part problem post season.
I think the Dodgers have won three out of 4 games Joc has started at first base.
Joccis due for another hot streak. I’m predicting 4 hr’s in the Colorado series! And zero errors!
I’m sure Cody is working with Joc because he loves RF and doesn’t want to go back to 1B. Doc says he’s not going back. That’s all folks!
First the requisite disclaimer before any comments –
* “Yes, I’m aware that the Dodgers have a ____ game lead and can afford to piss away ____ games while trying an experiment by putting players out of position and having try-outs at mid season.”
* I am not impatient.
* I do not “hate” change. I am always interested in making players and games better. I am, however, opposed to stubborn, unnecessary and stupid change just for the sake of it. which I think this Joc experiment is.
* It’s always some mystery thinking with Bellinger. Last year he “couldn’t hit left handed pitching despite the fact he did the year before. So he didn’t play against lefties. Yes he has improved his swing some but It’s hard to hit em when you don’t face em. This year, he can’t dive at first. Last time I checked right fielders dive for balls too. Tell him not to.
* Why all this fuss over Joc getting in the line up? Is he that much of a factor? Maybe the suits need to package him up in a deal for some relief pitching and hope Pollack is the guy you traded for when he comes off the IL?
Mark great intro today summarizing all the thoughts on Joc at first. I think folks here, especially 59inarow and Bumsrap are spot on and made great points. The “metrics crowd” may have numbers to support Belli in right improving the defense but my eye test says we are not better with Joc kicking it around the yard at first base. Will that improve enough so we are all confident come play off time (and there is no big cushion)? I don’t think so. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It ain’t broke. Belli at first when Joc plays. Right or center when he doesn’t. Pitching and defense wins playoff games and I’m not confident right now in Joc at first or Muncy at second for that matter, and very likely won’t be in October either. This is just unnecessary.
Zaiti and the Giants can’t compete with the Dodgers now and can’t in the future either unless the future is changed.
Giving up Bumgardner and Smith won’t hurt the Giants but if Zaiti can extract some of the Dodgers future and get it for himself, he should do it.
Who can the Giants extract from the Dodgers for Bumgardner and Smith? I am sure it would have to be future players.
Hawkeye, where did you see/hear that Rios was coming? Haven’t seen it anywhere online since you posted.
Thinkbluela.com. They were the first to announce Gonsolin about two days prior to his start.
Rios is a guy to give a shot. He can play first and third and has had some experience there. He may or may not be ready but we need to find out what we have. He has power and maybe better defense at first than joc or freese or maybe not. He may be better at third than muncy as a backup or maybe not. I’m happy they are giving him a chance. He is not known for his glove but maybe he is a better option than we currently have. Time will tell but I agree with AF that it is time to find out.
Speaking of “suits,” will look for Mr. Suit behind home plate in the stands when Dodgers return to LA. If he is not there, I am going to worry he is ok. Miss his presence.
.
DBM,
I heard that he had triple bypass surgery and will hopefully be back soon.
Thanks for the update.
Oh no. Will keep him in my prayers for a successful recovery. Thanks Mark for finding out.
I am happy with the big lead the Dodgers have in the West, but in the back of my mind I still remember 1951 and Bobby Thompson! Don’t think anything like that will happen this year, but I didn’t think it would hap[pen that year either. Probably most of you are too young to remember 1951, but for those of you who were Dodger Fans then will never forget!
How far were the Dodgers back last year?
Joe Kelly has been looking better. I think he actually had a clean inning the other night. Like Mark said, Yimi has been quietly improving in low leverage situations. I’ve always liked Yimi, but when he misses he tends to be prone to dingers. Baez has been solid for the most part. I believe in Ferguson bouncing back. Floro is a ROOGY im my opinion. Urias may or may not be heading to the rotation at some point this year. Alexander and Chargois throw the ball and hope. Kenley isn’t the old Kenley but better than most. It was good to see his velocity tick up, but I do wonder how much of that was Arizona. It seemed like Broxton always hit 100 MPH in that park. Seems like everyone’s velo was up a tick. Under the best of circumstances with Maeda and either Urias or Hill in the pen come post-season, it still appears to me the Dodgers still need an arm. So, would people on here deal Ruiz for Vasquez considering his team friendly and controllable contract? We’ve only seen a bit of Smith. AC loves him. Cartaya is supposed to be the best of the bunch, but is only 17 years old.
Not only is Rios coming but also Rosscup. Fergie to OKC.
Friedman announces that he now has his lefty and no longer has need for Vazquez (yes, I’m kidding, but Rosscup is coming).
Yippie!
DODGERS RECALL INF RÍOS AND SELECT LHP ROSSCUP
GONSOLIN, FERGUSON OPTIONED TO TRIPLE-A, POLLOCK TRANSFERRED TO 60-DAY IL
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled infielder Edwin Ríos and selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Zac Rosscup. To make room on the 25-man roster, the Dodgers optioned pitchers Tony Gonsolin and Caleb Ferguson, while transferring A.J. Pollock to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.
Ríos, 25, earns his first assignment with the Dodgers and his next game will be his Major League debut. In 70 games with Oklahoma City, he slashed .249/.308/.475 with 14 homers and 48 RBI. In five minor league seasons, he has hit .293 (452-for-1542) with 78 homers and 283 RBI. The Puerto Rican native was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of Florida International.
Rosscup, 31, is selected after signing a minor league contract with the Dodgers on June 12. The southpaw made seven appearances for Oklahoma City, tossing 6.0 innings, allowing six runs and striking out ten. He started the season with the Seattle Mariners, going 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA (5 ER/14.0 IP) in 19 games before being designated for assignment on May 17. This will be his second stint with the Dodgers organization after going 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA (6 ER/11.1 IP) and 20 strikeouts in 17 games for the Dodgers in 2018.
Gonsolin, 25, made his Major League debut yesterday, suffering the loss, allowing six runs, four earned in 4.0 innings of work. He recorded his first Major League hit in the third inning off Taylor Clarke. The former Gael is a combined 19-11 with a 3.11 ERA (88 ER/255.0 IP) and 296 strikeouts in four minor league seasons.
Ferguson, 22, has appeared in 22 games for the Dodgers this season, going 0-1 with a 5.48 ERA (14 ER/23.0 IP) and 28 strikeouts. In two seasons with the Dodgers, the Ohio native is a combined 7-3 with a 4.13 ERA (33 ER/72.0 IP) and 87 strikeouts.
Pollock, 31, was originally placed on the injured list on April 30 with left elbow inflammation. Prior to going on the injured list, the outfielder batted .223 (23-for-103) with two homers and 14 RBI. In his eight Major League seasons, he has slashed .279/336/.461 with 76 homers and 278 RBI.
OK, Rios is cool…
But Rosscup? I threw up in my mouth.
Doe he have pictures of Farhan and Andrew?
Vision Mark, Vision.
Showcasing?
What better place to showcase a young guy with power than in Colorado. If we manage to include Rios in a trade for a reliever he’d better not be the main piece or we won’t be too happy with what we get back.
Today’s lineup
Joc (1b)
Verdugo
JT
Belly
Muncy
Beaty
CT3
Barnes
Buehler
And just like that the Rosscup legacy takes on its second tour with the Dodgers. While I like Caleb Ferguson a whole lot more, I think for the time beginning ZR might (fingers crossed) give us some better results.
I’m also okay with Rios. I think he provides a much more serviceable bat than Mark does. He started off the year very slowly. But in an interview yesterday, he acknowledged his disappointment in being so close to the majors, only to be sent down again and how that affected his swing and mental outlook. I think that explanation is valid. Moreover, recently he has definitely been on the upswing (no pun intended). I look forward to him joining the fun our other band of rookies have provided.
To join the ongoing discussion, it’s not my call, but I just don’t get the Joc at 1b experiment at this time of the year (or at any time for that matter).
It looks like Hunter Pence is going to be the AL DH All Star beating out JDM. It will be interesting to see if it holds. Great story.
Rosscup is probably a temporary move until the Dodgers can do something else. They probably thought Ferguson was better off at OKC for now, and didn’t have another lefthander at this time to replace him. Guaranteed there are perfectly logical reasons for doing this. We’re just unaware of what those reasons are. Other player moves and/or trades are probably being contemplated. Rosscup is probably just a placeholder for now. If anyone is a closet Rosscup fan, don’t get too excited. He may hang around for a while, or he could just as easily be gone as quick as he got here.
I suspect part of the motivation on the Ferguson move is to spare him from having to pitch at Coors during his rough stretch.
I get the rationale for trying Joc at first, but I agree with those who argue that overall the defense is stronger with Bellinger at first and Joc in left. Bellinger is the team’s best right fielder and probably its best center fielder as well, but he clearly is the best first baseman too, and I’d argue that the gap between him and others at first is greater than the gap between him and Verdugo, for example, in the outfield positions. Admittedly that is based on the eye test rather than analytics.
But it appears that Bellinger prefers to be in right. (That makes him more accessible to his phone-wielding hug-seekers.) Ultimately that preference is probably what really matters in this case, and I suspect it explains Doc’s odd argument that playing right is better for his shoulder.
Gotta love Joe Davis after Mad Max goes deep in the 7th. “Arena baseball continues!!”. This ballpark is a friggin graveyard for pitchers. Him and Orel said it best, the most uncomfortable place in Coors Field is the bullpen, hoping you aren’t called in. Damn, so true.
Ok Mark, as head of this site, I have a request . For the next four games, including tonights, you need to declare a ban on Bitchin about the Dodgers Pitchin’. With the warmest weekend in Coors field this year, this is survival for everybody on the pitching staff. No way anybody on this site can make a fair judgement on our pitchers with the way I’m watching Bueller strugglebusing with his pitches. It’s all about our offense outhitting the Rockies. If we get a split in this series, I will be doing cartwheels down my street. This series is going to be a tough one.
Taylor is playing well. When Pollock comes back, you have to consider playing Taylor at second and Muncy at first. Joc does not play first well. It is time to trade Joc for a reliever.
Totally agree.
And a big Up Yours to all the Kike and CT3 haters! BooYah!
In a few words, I HATE when the Dodgers play at Coors.
Sorry Mark, but this is one time I cannot avoid the forbidden “H” word.