We often take a look at minor league players who have never been considered as can’t miss players. Some are very late round draft picks that creep up on the minor league ranks. DC and I have mentioned Zach McKinstry quite a bit this season. Zach was a 33rd round draft Pick (2016) out of that baseball hotbed Central Michigan University. He has continually charged up the organizational ladder and is currently playing well at AAA. I would bet against Zach being a member of the LAD 25-man roster at any time, but that does not mean that he cannot make it with another team. If you perform well at AAA, somebody is going to stand up and notice. Every MiLB game has some level of scout watching the talent, and all it takes is one team. Right Justin Turner? CT3? Max Muncy? Somebody is going to take a chance on Zach, and be glad that they did.
MLB.com took a look at some of the underrated (underappreciated) prospects that seem to be thriving at the ML level.
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/mlb-players-who-were-underrated-as-prospects
Perhaps 2019 4th round draft pick, Brandon Lewis, will get added to that list in the future. Admittedly, I am partial to Lewis because he is from Granada Hills and attended Bishop Alemany High School. My home town, and my kids’ high school. Lewis went undrafted after high school. His 285 pounds may have had something to do with that. He did get an offer to play at California State University, Northridge, but chose to attend LA Pierce College. My second son was an All-Conference player at Pierce, so my kinship continues. Next, he landed at UC Irvine, and while he was not coached by Trojan Mike Gillespie, he still had a remarkable season and was drafted by the Dodgers. What’s not to love about this kid.
Brandon started out slowly with AZL Lasorda, putting up .220/.327/.244/.570 numbers. Somebody saw something, and Brandon was promoted to Ogden. At Ogden, he has slashed .359/.409/.726/1.136 in 117 AB. With far fewer ABs than the leaders, Lewis’ 11 HRs rank him tied for 4th on the Pioneer League HR list.
Brandon is another of those hit first and hope to find a place defensively for. He currently plays 3B, but some believe that he is destined to 1B because of his arm and athleticism around 3B. Lewis has already proven naysayers wrong, so maybe he will work his tail off to make himself a projectable defensive 3B. His bat will push him up the ladder, but he is going to need to improve defensively if he wants to stick at the ML level. I would not bet against him.
However, the Dodgers have multiple players like him at 3B, perhaps blocking his path. One level up, Great Lakes, 1st round pick, Kody Hoese, is having a good inaugural professional baseball season of his own. Miguel Vargas and Devin Mann are at Rancho. Cristian Santana is at Tulsa. All four of those 3B are included on the Dodgers Top 30.
When Brandon gets to the ML, he will become only the third player from Bishop Alemany High School to make it to The Show. Joey Roselli, and Andy Dominique will have preceded him. Hopefully Brandon will have a longer tenure in the ML than the other two.
Bluto – Comparison Alert: Brandon has been compared to Rhys Hoskins.
I have a bunch of these types of young players that I follow. And I am sure that DC (2D2, MT, and others) have as well. Undoubtedly, you will be reading about them in the offseason.
Odds and Ends
• Is there an awakening at Rancho? Is Jeren Kendall starting to stir? In his last 9 games (Before Friday’s game), Jeren is batting .424/.513/.970/1.483 in 39 PA. He has 5 HRs, 12 RBIs, 1 double, and 1 triple in those nine games. Even his strikeouts are down. In a season where his K rate is 36.8%, over his last nine games, that rate has dropped down to 28.2%. That is progress. His SBs are down, but he has not GDP all year. I have been critical of Jeren, but nothing would please me more if Jeren suddenly started to hit consistently. I am a strong advocate for defense, and Kendall is a potential GG CF.
• For those DJ Peters fans (I count myself), he has not been good at all in the month of August. In 11 games (before Friday’s game), 49 PA, Peters is slashing .132/.327/.158/.484, no HRs, 1 double, 4 RBIs, and a 32.7% K rate. DJ did go 1-3 in Friday’s game with a double, a walk, and a strikeout.
• I have my disagreements with Mark on relievers. However, I find myself agreeing with him on Yimi Garcia. I think Garcia is a tweak away from being potentially dominant. I am not talking about this year, but 2020.
• I am as anxious to see Gavin Lux in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform as anyone else. But seeing how well the Dodgers prospects have done when called up this year, it seems that AF knows the best time to call these kids up. And often, that time does not coincide with what the fans want. I can be patient and wait for when AF thinks he is ready. The final game for OKC will be September 2, so September 1, 2, or 3 seem likely dates.
• Lux had his consecutive game streak of reaching base end at 50. There are 19 AAA games remaining (18 scheduled plus 1 completion game), with no open dates. Does he finish the season with a batting average north of .400?
• My winter target…Pirates LF, Bryan Reynolds. He is as untouchable as Cody Bellinger is, but the Pirates are going nowhere, and they can turn Reynolds into a Christian Yelich type return if they want to get better. There is little hope that this can happen, but I thought the same thing with Christian Yelich when I started my quest to pry him away from the Fish. Because it is unlikely, I do not need to worry about the crowded OF.
AC’s MINOR LEAGUE REPORT
OKC Dodgers 3 – Round Rock Express (Astros) 13
Tulsa Drillers 2 – NW Arkansas Naturals (Royals) 3 – 10 innings
RC Quakes 6– Visalia Rawhide (DBacks) 7
Great Lakes Loons 3 – West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) 6
Ogden Raptors had the night off
AZL Dodgers Lasorda 2 – AZL Reds 5
AZL Dodgers Mota 3 – AZL Brewers Blue 4
DSL Dodgers Bautista 5 – DSL Athletics 6
DSL Dodgers Bautista 3 – DSL Athletics 2
DSL Dodgers Shoemaker 6 – DSL Rays (2) 4
OKC Dodgers:
Logan Bawcom and Tyler Thornburg were tattooed with 11 runs, all earned. Dennis Santana did pitch 1.0 clean inning in relief. But some things just do not change. Dylan Floro came in with an inherited runner and 2 outs, and gave up a single and the run scored. He allowed another single but had the batter/runner thrown out at 2B. Offensively, the Dodgers had six hits, including HRs by Austin Barnes (6) and Cameron Perkins (8). DJ Peters had a double, while Gavin Lux failed to reach base after doing so in 50 consecutive games.
Tulsa Drillers:
Leo Crawford had another quality start going 6.o innings and allowing 2 runs. But he left the game down 2-0. In the 8th, Connor Wong tied things up with a PH 2 run HR (4). NW Arkansas scored with the first batter in the 10th. Marshall Kasowski returned after 2 months on the IL and pitched a perfect inning. Nolan Long followed with 2.0 scoreless innings before Yordy Cabrera gave up the winning single. The Drillers had a total of 4 hits.
RC Quakes:
The Quakes had a 3-2 lead going into the 6th, but Austin Drury allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks to tie the score at 5-5. Drury left with 2 out and 2 runners on, and Brett de Geus got the Andrew Miller call (any high leverage situation, any time of the game), and with 2 pitches got out of the inning with no further damage. de Geus ended with 3.0 scoreless innings and allowed ZERO walks, as did the Sven Schuller, the other pitcher that did not give up any runs. I hate walks. Those that generally stay away from them are more successful. Something Kenta Maeda should already know. Visalia scored two in the 10th, but the Quakes could only counter with 1.
Offensively, Jeren Kendall went 1-3 with 2 walks, but also 2 strikeouts. Hunter Feduccia had a 3 hit night, and Jacob Amaya had a 2 hit night.
Great Lakes:
Stephen Kolek started for the Loons and surrendered 4 runs (2 earned) in 3.0 innings. Justin Hagenman followed and had a good outing with 3.2 innings, allowing 1 run. Jasiel Alvino finished and allowed 1 run in his 1.1 IP. Offensively Kody Hoese did most of the damage with a 2 run HR (2). Justin Yurchak and James Outman each had 2 hits. Yurchak had a double (6) while Outman had a triple (4).
AZL Dodgers:
Recently signed Luke McKenzie went 2-4 with 2 doubles, and Devin Mann on a rehab assignment also went 2-4 with a double. None of the 3 Lasorda pitchers distinguished themselves. For the Motas, Kike’ Hernandez accounted for all three runs with a 3-run HR in his first rehab assignment. Jonny Deluca and Danny Sinatro each had 2-4 nights. Jose Rodulfo was the AZL pitching star with 6.1 scoreless IP with 8 strikeouts and ZERO walks. Igor Avila and Daniel Cruz allowed a 3 run lead to evaporate with 4 in the 8th to give the game to the Brewers. Axel Acevedo pitched the final 1.1 innings, but it was a case of too little too late.
DSL:
Julio Enrique (Shoemaker) had 3 hits including a double (14) and HR (2). 3 Bautista Dodgers had 2 hits in the second game; Harold Restituyo, Luis Yan, and Jose Ramos. The relievers were the pitching stars for the Dodgers in Friday’s games. Edgardo Henriquez (Bautista) pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in game 2 to get the win. For the Shoemakers, Jeremi Rodriguez, Frankelyn Feliz, and Raidel Chacon pitched 6 scoreless innings to preserve the victory.
What happen to Guillermo Zuniga?
He’s at Rancho and is 0-2 there with a 6.48 ERA. He was the losing pitcher in last nights game as he had 3 BB and a WP. He’s having difficulty at RC.
He just came of the IL too
Pirates Reynolds line against lefties: .283 .343 .446 .789 and against righties: .353 .432 .566 .998
He is a switch hitter and hits much better as a lefty hitter. He is awesome but maybe not the player that would best serve the Dodgers.
This is his first year. I saw him in Indy and AC nailed it – He’s a switch-hitting Yelich.
It would take a haul but the Dodgers have the pieces to do it, including trading Barnes, Pederson, Taylor, Kike, and prospects. He’s a guy that would hit #2 or #3 on any team. That said, it’s unlikely.
I do think Yimi will be a big part of the pen… next year!
The Dodger Bullpen is now #7 in team ERA as the Yankees blew up and dropped to #9.
There was a comment on another site that said wait till the Dodgers get caught cheating nothing could be further from the truth I asked this commenter to show some proof he could not respond
Some people need to stop looking for Mike Trout to show up at the Dodgers clubhouse. Even then to some he would not be good enough. How many other 24 year old switch hitting LF are leading the NL in batting average as a rookie. He is batting .334/.408/.534/.942 and he isn’t a player that would best serve the Dodgers? How many times have you pointed out when defending Joc as to how many more RHP there are than LHP? He was drafted in 2016 out of Vandy, one year before Kendall was. Just how good does the player have to be to best serve the Dodgers.
That being said, and I tried to say it as forcefully as I could, and Mark said the same…the Pirates are not going to trade him. But if they thought about it…I never thought Yelich would be traded, so I can at least have a sliver of hope.
What ever happened to Mitch Hanniger? You couldn’t go a day without someone suggesting a trade for him, now you don’t see his name mentioned for months.
Batting average is the next thing that’s going to be chic as it’s completely undervalued. I’ll say it again. A walk is not as good as a hit, as a walk never scored a runner from second base. With that said, I would be extremely excited to have a switch hitter with a 334 BA in this day and age when 280 is the new 300.
Same as Mitch Hanniger, teams don’t trade guys with 5 years of control coming off breakout years. They build around them, as AC pointed out. Teams don’t trade Hall of Famers to cross town rivals whom they compete with ticket sales either. Trout will never be a Dodger.
With all the lefty bats in the Dodgers system, and with their 3 right handed bats in Turner (old), Pollock (injured), and Smith (Catcher), I would hope for a trade package for a right handed thumper. I certainly wouldn’t mind them picking up a free agent Ozuna, Castellanos, Abreu or Rendon and using spare parts for another pitcher/SP/Closer.
Since we’re talking trades and next year’s team. My obvious prediction is that this is Joc’s last year.
Lux would already be on the team if he were right handed.
Verdugo, Lux, Bellinger, Seager, Muncy are all left handed. I don’t think it unreasonable that one of them is traded as early as this offseason.
What are you talking about?
We have the best offense in the league and if it weren’t for the DH we would be right up their with the American League. Trade Joc and 1 of Muncy, Lux, Bellinger, Seager, Verdugo in the off season, again what are you talking about?
The only thing Friedman needs to do in the off season is improve the pitching.
What is it with people, trade some of our amazing offense for a position player on the Pirates team. Trade 2 of our left handed hitters because we have too many.
AC – you’ve been able to identify talented players before they break out and it’s obvious to everyone. I remember you asking for the Dodgers to trade for Yelich before he went to the Brewers and became a perennial MVP candidate. Most of us can’t identify a Mike Trout until he becomes the $300M+ version of Mike Trout. I will keep an eye on Reynolds – sounds like he’s going to be a fun one to watch. Thanks for the heads up.
The Dodgers are fun to watch except when Maeda pitches. When he has runners on, he slows the game down to a crawl.
The line up 1 through 8 is very good. You just never know who is going to be the star. They all battle on every at bat. The hitting coaches need a raise.
The rookies just amaze me. Pollock, not a rookie, is a pinch hitter and gets a base hit. Garlick, a pinch hitter, battles and got on with a walk before Muncy’s HR. Then Smith hits 2 run HR. Rios looked good defensively at first base. Beaty, Garlick and Rios are good players and may not make the play off roster. It is going to be an interesting off season. These guys all deserve a shot at playing full time somewhere.
I couldn’t agree more. We’ve got more talent than positions. Nice place to be.
Maeda tends to struggle each year. His low salary and ability to pitch well enough for periods of time keep him in the mix. With May and Gonsolin coming, and with Urias slated to be a starter next season, I don’t see Maeda as a rotation pitcher any longer. In fact, if May continues his solid showing, he may displace Maeda even before the playoffs. Maeda is kind of heading towards the showers.
Thanks Mark, for that update on Zuniga.
Yelich was traded because the Marlins trade everyone who has a contract over $1.00. The Pirates would never get away with trading Reynolds. The fans would burn down the stadium. You can’t hold on to Vazquez and then trade Reynolds, although I’m convinced that Andrew will have another conversation about Vazquez this winter. As I recall, Reynolds was sent to the Pirates as part of the McCutchen deal with the Giants. Boy would Farhan like to have him back right about now.
Now that I’ve stated my reason why Reynolds would never be traded, I have to say that everyone has a price. It’s at least worth the phone call. I think the Pirates might make massive changes this off season, including their GM and their manager. They are an absolute mess and need to get some new management in there. That’s when we swoop in and trade for both Vazquez and Reynolds. Dream on!
That would be a blockbuster and would have to involve trading a combination of Joc, CT3, Kike, Barnes, Ruiz, Peters, and others in a 3 or 4-way deal to take back prospects like Gray and Downs to trade to the Pirates, It would take a haul. Yes, we are dreaming.
Molly Knight of The Athletic asks Could the Dodgers (eventually) have MLB’s best playoff bullpen?
https://theathletic.com/1143274/2019/08/16/could-the-dodgers-eventually-have-mlbs-best-playoff-bullpen-theyll-face-a-test-against-the-braves-this-weekend/?source=weeklyemail
I’m telling you checker-players that AF is playing chess!
Look at the Braves, who got Martin, Greene, and Melancon and the sportswriters proclaimed them trade-deadline winners. Their combined ERA’s of over 10.00 says otherwise. YIKES!!!!
Why would the Pirates trade Bryan Reynolds? They seem like a difficult front office to deal with … of course the front office could change this winter and maybe they will launch into a total rebuild, trading Vasquez, Reynolds and others. But, if I’m a Pirates fan, why would I buy a ticket?
It would have been nice to acquire Christian Yelich, a SoCal guy, BACK when the Marlins traded him. Whatever the Dodgers included in that deal would have probably ended up better than what the Marlins ended up acquiring. But on paper and according to those who rate prospects, the Brewers offered a great package. Did the Dodgers actually pursue him?
Before next year the Dodgers will need to sit down with Kenta Maeda and outline the situation moving forward. I don’t see the Dodgers walking away from Ryu. Urias will become part of the rotation with May and Gonsolin ready. That means Maeda will end up in the bullpen or on the trade block.
Not sure what the Dodgers do with Lux in September. Roberts said there will be few call-ups. Maybe they do what they did with Will Smith, bring him up to to gain the experience, but not play. They do not need another player for depth with Taylor and Hernandez due back sometime next week.
For Pirates fans, I absolutely agree they should not trade Reynolds. But he is exactly the type of player the Dodgers should target and the Pirates could get healthy. I am dreaming but if you don’t look at players like Reynolds, then who?
A pitcher? With Stripling, Kershaw, Hill, Ryu and Maeda all over 30?
This will work itself out.
Most likely:
Kershaw has two more years.
Hill retires or signs and incentive-laden 1-year deal.
Ryu signs a 2 year/$40 million deal or goes elsewhere.
Maeda is traded or accepts a swingman role.
Ross is traded.
Those are my predictions.
They will have to give Ryu more than two years. Most likely he will be the Cy Young winner. Best case scenario is 3 years with an option. It’s good to have crafty veterans in the clubhouse with so many kids coming up. I sure hope they win a championship for us fans this year, but also Rich Hill. Doc denied Hill his For the Love of the Game moment so it would be fitting for him to ride off in the sunset with a World Championship. As much as the Dodgers love to have pitching depth, if they bring back Babe Ryuth they have more than enough without Dick Mountain. The front office is smart enough to know that forearm issues usually lead to bigger problems. I could see him heading back to Boston on a 1 year deal. Hell, they though Andrew Cashner was a good idea. I agree that Kenta is traded or accepts a bullpen role. He has been passed by too many people on the depth chart to justify a rotation spot just because of his contract.
Urias, May, and Gonsolin will be ready next year. JoJo Gray the following year. I am okay with that.
Very nice 3 innings by Urias last night.
Would bringing up Lux cut into Hernandez’s playing time? Just wondering. Kike has worked hard this year.
Last night was an NLCS type matchup. We struggled early, and hit into some key double plays. Maeda manned up and kept us in the game; good for him!
But Muncy HR off a leftie reliever was a playoff type game changing home run. Series change on those clutch home runs. If that were NLCS Game 1, Atl would be crushed right now, thinking they had us and let it get away. I was very impressed by last night’s win. And JT has found his groove. Let’s hope he stays healthy the next 10 weeks, because his swing and power are back!
It’s amazing to me that we have a decent shot at getting 90 hr from Muncy/Belly at a total cost of like $1 million. Amazing!
Good point about the cost on Muncy/Belly Bobby. We like to yell about having overpaid for pitchers who never produce what we need, but we hardly ever talk about the bargains like the one you just mentioned.
Next Years Rotation:
1. Kershaw
2. Buehler
3. Ryu
4. May
5. Gonsolin
I will go with :
Buehler
Ryu
Kershaw
Urias
May
Where’s Urias Mark? I think Hawkeye’s is more likely.
Forgot….
1. Kershaw
2. Buehler
3. Ryu
4. Urias
5. May/Gonsolin
I’m so confused…. 😉
No way MT, maeda will be on next year’s team and will be needed. We need to be 7 or 8 deep in the rotation with the injury histories of all mentioned and the inning restrictions of the rookies and urias. Stripling will be traded, and Hill resigns with the Red Sox. No way Kershaw has only two years left playing. He will retire a Dodger and play at least 5 more years. Book it!!
Lux will travel with the team in September but will not play unless banana man or ct3 have a setback. In fact they may delay lux next year to manipulate one more year of service time like they did with Buehler and Belli.
I do think gopher man Garcia is a tweek away from being very good, glad though he will be locked up during this year’s playoff run. Would be nice to get him back to his 2015 late season form.
I hope Kolarek does not make our postseason roster, feel like he will though and will give up some crucial hits. We don’t need him, love for us to go circa 2017 Astros and enter the postseason with a lot of starters in the pen( maeda, hill, stripling, urias, May and gonsolin). And then filter in the three locks (Baez, Kelley and Jansen)
Having grown up and played in a completely different time in baseball, I have slowly grown more accustom to the new way to manage the game. I seldom even think of small ball anymore. But sometimes my brain does jump back with a thought of a steal or sac bunt. It happened last night in the Dodger 7th. Down 1, leadoff walk to Smith with Beaty coming up. The odd thought hits me. You need to bunt the tying run to 2nd, pinch hit for the pitcher and score the run. Instead double play so now I’m pissed when Pollock gets a pinch hit base hit that would have tied the game. So what happens next………a walk and a 3 run home. Dodgers score 6 runs on 3 homers down the stretch. I quickly abandoned my thoughts about sacrifice bunting vowing to never consider it again. Doc right again.
As a change, I listened to the Braves broadcast. I love hearing the opposition’s perspective. It’s like scouting your own team. Maeda had settled down nicely after the 2nd and was mowing them down. Tom Glavine was praising Maeda for settling down and the smart veteran move of pitching around McCann with 2 down and a runner on 2nd in the 5th. After the unintentional intentional walk out comes Doc and pulls the plug much to Maeda’s displeasure. Glavine disagreed with the hook and reported had he been on the mound and pulled in that spot, there would have been a fistfight on the mound. he felt Maeda deserved to stay in the game. In comes Kolarek who gets the last out. Doc right again.
I fully expected to see Kelly in the 8th and then the 9th. Doc stays with Urias I guess to stretch him out. He was effective. Again Doc was right.
I can only hope Doc continues to be right all the way to the WS title.
THIS IS BAD:
DODGERS’ STATEMENT ON URÍAS SUSPENSION:
DECLARACIÓN DE LOS DODGERS SOBRE LA SUSPENSIÓN DE URÍAS
“While we are disappointed in what occurred and support the decision by the Commissioner’s Office, we are also encouraged that Julio has taken responsibility for his actions and believe he will take the necessary steps to learn from this incident.”
“Mientras estamos decepcionados por lo que ha ocurrido y apoyamos la decisión de la Oficina del Comisionado, también estamos animados que Julio ha tomado responsabilidad por sus acciones y creemos que tomará los pasos necesarios para aprender de este incidente”.
Details to follow.
WTH?
20 game suspension. Surprised MLB wait3d so long.
I suspect that the Dodgers knew this was coming, and therefore allowed Urias to go 3 innings last night.
Mark, why is it bad, or did you say that before you found out it was only 20 games?
Before the rosters expand on September 1, are the Dodgers allowed to replace Urias on the 25-man during his suspension?
The Dodgers have recalled RHP Casey Sadler and placed LHP Julio Urías on the suspended list.
It’s not bad, it’s not great. 38 games left so he’ll have 18 games to prepare for post season.
He’s getting credit for 5 games served for his time on administrative leave. I find the entire thing stupid but I wasn’t there and have limited knowledge of the events. Goose is starting tomorrow.
DODGERS RECALL RHP CASEY SADLER
LHP JULIO URÍAS PLACED ON SUSPENDED LIST
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have recalled right-handed pitcher Casey Sadler and placed left-handed pitcher Julio Urías on the suspended list.
Sadler, 29, is being recalled by the Dodgers for the third time this season. The Oklahoma native has appeared in nine games for the Dodgers, allowing one earned run over 12.1 innings (0.73 ERA) with eight strikeouts. In 18 Major League games this season, he has allowed five earned runs in 31.2 innings of work for a 1.42 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays and the Dodgers. He was acquired by the Dodgers on July 3 from Tampa Bay in exchange for Nathan Witt.
Urías, 23, will serve a 20 game suspension mandated by Major League Baseball. On the season, the left-hander is 4-3 with a 2.64 ERA (19 ER/64.2 IP) and 66 strikeouts in 26 games (six starts). In his parts of four seasons with the Dodgers, Urías is 9-7 with a 3.30 ERA (62 ER/169.0 IP) and 168 strikeouts.
I was not there.
So, I have no inside knowledge.
However, law enforcement declined to file charges.
Now, Joe Torre’s henchman want more.
I do not condone any violence against women, but this smacks of politically correct chickenshit!
Convince me otherwise with evidence.
I was going to express similar thoughts.
On the bright side, with time served of 5 days it’s much like a trip to the DL to get a breather. He’s probably only missing a couple of games since they like to give him 5-6 days rest anyways.
I do think Torre screws us around whenever he can and all the BS in the media at every turn has influence on these kinds of things these days.
Like you said, law enforcement declined to file charges, there’s no video, so what the hell did MLB do to investigate and come to a conclusion to suspend him anyways?
“all the BS in the media at every turn has influence on these kinds of things these days.”
Care to expound on that ridiculous comment?
Gyorko is with the team but won’t be activated today. Same with Goose Gonsolin.