Since I started blogging, I have used this as a forum to give my own personal views about certain prospects. I think I have an eye for talent and I have not been shy about picking out certain players and predicting greatness for them.
Right around the time I first started posting on Dodger blogs, I was in Vero Beach and became enamored with an 18-year-old prospect who played 3B. I was convinced that he was the Dodgers 3B of the future. In his rookie year at age 19, he hit .215 and committed 13 errors in 195 AB’s. I was soundly ridiculed by only EVERYONE on that LA TIMES Board. I took them all on and said that not only would that young 3B be good… he would be great and I predicted that he would be a Hall-of-Famer. See, I kind of feel like Abraham Lincoln who was as ridiculed as any US President (except maybe the current one):
“If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how – the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what’s said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”
I had watched this young player and I was convinced he was a special talent. Born in the Dominican, he was away from home as a teenager in a foreign country and seemed a little shy and timid, but his talent was undeniable. The skinny kid could swing the bat like a buggy-whip and seeing him make difficult plays at 3B was a thing of beauty. You can call it blind luck, but I just knew when I watched him that barring injury, he was a special talent and I was right!
He ended his 21-year career with the following:
- .286 BA
- .819 OPS
- 477 HR
- 3166 Hits
- 95.6 WAR (only Mike Schmidt and Eddie Matthews had more)
Maybe I have an eye for talent or maybe I was lucky when I predicted greatness for Adrian Beltre. Over the years, I have touted other players that I believed were destined for greatness. I wasn’t always right, but I have had a pretty good record. My biggest miss was Andy LaRoche and I still don’t know what happened there. He was so much better than his brother who was a solid MLB Player, but he never realized his potential. I still don’t know what happened.
There was a long dry spell with the farm system. I was never overly impressed with Kemp, Loney, and Ethier (all good players in their right), but I did predict greatness for one Russell Martin. In 2004, I watched him at Vero Beach and in 2005, I watched him for a week in Spring Training. I was convinced he was a Hall-of-Fame talent. Well, he was pretty good but fell short of the HOF. His first three years were very good and I felt that he was just warming up. It turned out he had peaked. Still, he was a solid player.
Over the years I have predicted greatness for the following four players:
- Clayton Kershaw
- Corey Seager
- Cody Bellinger
- Alex Verdugo
I think even Ray Charles can see that Kershaw is a HOF lock and that Bellinger and Seager could be on that path… with continued growth. Many of you are still unconvinced about Alex Verdugo and that’s OK. Bring on those angels. I stand by what I said… if he’s healthy! I thought many others would be solid major leaguers and I missed on a few, but I never bought into Kyle Russell, Joel Guzman, Zach Lee and many others who were poorly-drafted, under-developed and over-hyped, by the previous Dodger administrations. That is why I appreciate the Andrew Friedman Front Office. They draft and developed like no other Dodger Regime I have ever seen.
Which brings me to the subject of this piece: Keibert Ruiz or Kay Bear as I call him. He started playing for the Dodgers rookie teams at the age of 16. He is a switch-hitting catcher, who is now 21 years old and has one extra-ordinary talent. In his 5 seasons in the minor leagues and through 1580 AB’s he has only 150 strikeouts. That’s a 9.5% strikeout rate. Compare that with Joc Pederson who in his 10 seasons has 1086 Strikeouts in 4724 AB’s. When he was promoted to AAA last year he struck out once (1 TIMES) in 40 plate appearances. That is beyond amazing!
His success was stalled a little in 2018 and 2019 as the Dodgers worked to retool his swing and launch angle in order to increase his power. Through that, he continued to make contact at “otherworldly” rates. I do not know of any player who had such an extraordinary bat-to-ball ability who did not become a good or great player. That is an ability that can’t be taught. I don’t think he will ever be a big-time power hitter, but he will be an on-base machine and slot well in the Dodgers lineup.
Ruiz is better as a LH hitter, but I believe that with maturity he will also hit better than he has a RH hitter. He is very quick and moves well behind the plate, although not a fast runner. He has a good arm (not great) but that has not translated into any more than a 22% CS rate. I think he can improve his mechanics to increase that number. While he is not the equal of Will Smith defensively, his bat will get him to the majors. I could see a platoon or Ruiz and Smith as soon as the second half of 2020. Smith is RH and Ruiz best side is LH. I think they could pair together for a long time.
Kaybear has a special bond with OKC Manager Travis Barbary, whom he considers “family.” Yahoo Sports had a great article about Ruiz a couple of years ago. In part it says:
“About the job, then. Over almost a quarter century it becomes for him a calling, and so about raising ballplayers into catchers, and catchers into men, and men into good and generous human beings, and that’s when they become family too.
Not the hey-we’re-all-in-this-together noise either.
It’s a chair at the kitchen table, to his right, across from the wife who signed off on this, alongside his sons and daughter. The ballplayer becoming a catcher, a man, a good and generous human being even starts calling him “Papi” when he already has a Papi back home in Venezuela.
“I feel really fortunate I found someone like him,” the ballplayer says in careful English. “I don’t know how to repay him. They are like my family.”
Then he adds, to be sure he has it just right, “Mi familia.”
Travis Barbary is 46 years old. More than half his life he’s been a Los Angeles Dodger, including that one summer a long time ago when he was a minor-league catcher in Montana, and those four summers he managed 19- and 20-year-olds (and the occasional 31-year-old Dave Roberts) in Georgia and Utah, and those other four summers he toiled as a bullpen catcher in Los Angeles. He’s been with his wife, Raquel, for longer than he’s been a Dodger, and they have four children together near Clemson, South Carolina, along with two dogs and a cat. The cat is Lexie. The ballplayer is not too sure about Lexie.
“Weird eyes,” you see.
Barbary is the Dodgers’ catching coordinator, which means he travels the minor leagues adjusting, soothing, patching up and pointing in the right direction young men who, some days, probably wonder what they’ve gotten themselves into. One of those catchers was a delightfully skilled 16-year-old Venezuelan named Keibert Ruiz, a switch-hitter built strong and quiet and finding his way like the rest. They’d see each other in the Dominican Republic, in Ogden, Utah, in Glendale, Arizona. They’d talk, Barbary making do with the Spanish he picked up over the years, Ruiz following along best he could, sometimes nodding to be polite. Along the way they began to look for each other, and Ruiz became a prospect, and Barbary had an idea that wouldn’t just make Ruiz better, but make them both better.
“I just got a sense this is a special kid who’s got a chance to move quickly through the system,” Barbary said.
He talked to Gabe Kapler, then the club’s farm director. They spoke to Andrew Friedman.
What if Keibert, then 18 and fresh from hitting .374 in Rookie ball, came to live with him, in Clemson, during the winter? Keibert could learn English there. He could train in modern facilities. He could watch hours of “The Andy Griffith Show,” for which Barbary’s fondness is legendary. “It is the greatest show ever made for TV,” Barbary said with a laugh and absolute sincerity, having given no thought to the possibility the Dodgers’ catcher of the future might arrive at a mound not with the authority of Andy Taylor, but as a bug-eyed Barney Fife. When raising catchers, a man takes his chances.
“We thought it was a great idea,” Friedman said. “More than that, it would be interesting to see Keibert’s reaction. That would tell us something about him.”
When he was 14, Keibert left his home and school in Valencia, Venezuela, to become a baseball player. His father, Jose, played some softball, but otherwise Keibert’s obsession was his own. He attended a baseball academy in Puerto Cabello, only after promising his mother, Lady, that he would continue his education. Lady was an elementary school teacher. In the winters Keibert took online classes, and Lady would help with his homework.
At 16, Keibert signed with the Dodgers, showed up to play in the Dominican summer league, and began the not uncommon journey to discover whether he was good enough to do this. He would soon be in America, a place new to him and many of his teammates. The baseball was manageable. The culture was different, but exciting, and Keibert tried to keep up. The language barrier was real, however. By nature shy, he yearned to stand on a pitcher’s mound and hold a regular conversation, to sit on a bench between innings and rebuild a teammate’s confidence. The Dodgers preached communication between catchers and their pitchers, and Keibert, like many of the Latin players, was at a disadvantage. “
You can read the rest HERE.
I am convinced that his kid is a special talent, just like I am convinced Alex Verdugo has it too. They are different but talented. I don’t feel the same way about Gavin Lux, but I do believe he will be very good. I just don’t predict greatness for him or Will Smith. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Now bring on those angels….
Dodger Notes
- Several Players will need to be protected from the Rule 5 draft, most notably, DJ Peters, Mitch White, and Jordon Sheffield. Who gets protected and who doesn’t? Who goes? I suppose that Tyler White, Kristopher Negron, Jedd Gyorko, Adam Kolarek, Casey Sadler, and JT Chargois are on that shortlist.
- Is there a chance Muncy and Taylor flip spots if Rendon is not signed?
- Now, we find out who the Dodgers will lose from the Front Office and Coaching Ranks.
- Could Gabe Kapler return to the Dodgers if he doesn’t get the Giants managerial job?
PHOTO CREDIT: Raquel Barbary/Yahoo Sports
No question, Ruiz is part of an exciting future for the Dodgers and he is the first player other teams will ask for as part of any major trade deal. I cannot imagine any deal to acquire, for example, Francisco Lindor, that doesn’t include Ruiz. Depending on the overall cost of that kind of acquisition, I’m probably pulling the trigger on that deal, but only if I intend on keeping Lindor long term. I wouldn’t include him in a Mookie Betts deal.
I really like Alex Verdugo, lot of energy, hits the ball all over the field, great arm, has developing power, puts the ball in play and definitely a winner. There was talk of Verdugo being part of a package to acquire Christian Yelich a couple of years ago. Did the Dodgers actually pursue Yelich? No idea. But the Marlins would have been better off in a straight up trade for Verdugo, no other players included, than the package they got from the Brewers. I think Verdugo can be that good and I think the Dodgers know that.
I think your question regarding Muncy changing position is legit, but that also holds true for Gavin Lux. Either way that solves a problem should the Dodgers acquire Rendon. It’s the easiest solution to adding a right handed power bat without putting a dent in your farm system. It only costs money and the Dodgers have that and they will still be well under the cap.
Hey, I’d love to get Lindor, but these kind of trades seldom happen.
Good write-up today.
I do not have the same amount of expertise as lots of you regarding stats, background and physically seeing the youngsters at spring training or before. So, I can only depend on what I see in games on tv, video clips and reports written by you all and others. I would love to see KayBear and Smith be our primary catchers and Strasburg, Cole, Rendon, and Kluber, would look so good in DodgerBlue. One can only wish and hope AF comes through.
The Athletic on the Dodgers Needs:
National League West
Los Angeles Dodgers
2019 finish: 106-56 (.654), 1st place, lost Division Series
2019 3rd-order winning pct.: .702
Realistic 2020 objective: Their first championship since 1988
Free Agents: 1B David Freese (retired), C Russell Martin, LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu, LHP Rich Hill
Options: RHP Kenley Jansen (can opt out of remaining $38M/2yrs), IF Jedd Gyorko ($13M/$1M club)
Biggest Need: Relief pitching
The Dodgers won consecutive pennants in 2017 and ’18 and a franchise-record 106 games in 2019. The only teams to beat them in each of the last three postseasons were those seasons’ eventual champions. This October they suffered an early exit, but held a lead heading into the eighth inning of Game 5 of the Division Series before ultimately losing to the Nationals. Their only significant free agents this winter are left-handed starting pitchers Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill, but the organization keeps cranking out quality rotation prospects; the Dodgers’ projected 2020 rotation is Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and Kenta Maeda, followed by some combination of Ross Stripling, Julio Urías, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Dennis Santana, and that’s if Hill doesn’t return to Chavez Ravine for his age-40 season, which he has said he would like to do. The bullpen, however, has been a perennial source of angst, and with Kenley Jansen in an apparent decline heading into his age-32 season (and thus unlikely to opt out), the Dodgers would be wise to bring in some top-shelf talent to shore up the relief corps.
Targets: Kirby Yates, Ken Giles, Will Smith, Dellin Betances, Will Harris
Great write up MT! I’m looking forward to seeing Kay Bear perform next year after his return from his injury. I hope you’re spot on with your prediction about him, and that he turns into our catching version of Adrian Beltre. That would be sweet!
On another note, I’m very impressed by Travis Barbary. It’s men like him and so many other in the Dodger organization, that make it the special organization that it is. I hope the Dodgers hang on tight to people like him.
I’ll put up with the lack of power from Kaybear if you can guarantee he’ll be another Tony Gwynn, MT.
Hope I’m not asking for too much.
I said Verdugo was Qwynn-esque. I can’t say that about Ruiz. I would say Ruiz is Yadier Molina-esque in hitting style. Like Yadier his power is not great. Yadier has a better arm, but he might be as good defensively. Before you dispute that, Molina did not win his first Gold Glove until his 5th year.
“Strasburg, Cole, Rendon, and Kluber”… DodgerMom have you been hitting those Harvey Wallbangers???
M.T., like DodgerMom, I don’t have your otherworldly talent to pick out MVP_CY players…That being said, I saw Kaybear about 5-6 times at Rancho (A+) and the AZFL and I would be be willing to stake half the the Casa De PeterJ that he will be a star and his platooning will be short lived…
Verdugo – unreal talent – AS caliber… After saying that I pray his back problems are behind him… No pun intended…
Lux – helluva talent and too early to demote him…
I would love having a set OF… Joc must go while he’s worth something…
Member of the the Save AJP Club…
Lol, peterj. I did not mean all of them. One would be nice. Sorry.
Why settle for one . Get em all!!
I hereby appoint you the CFO of the Dodgers. Will you do that? 😉
Of course!!!
It makes too much sense to sign Castellanos and trade Joc while Joc’s value is very high. I am not convinced he will stay there. For the record, I never thought Joc would be THIS good. I said that his ceiling was that of a 4th outfielder. I guess I was wrong, but he will NEVER, EVER, NEVER, EVER, NEVER hit LHP. He has some value and would likely bring back a reliever.
Casty just makes too much sense in LF unless he gets a $100 Million deal and he doesn’t cost a pick. I would take him over Rendon EVERY DAY in the real world. In Fantasy Baseball, Rendon wins out.
Someone said that the Dodgers don’t need better L-R balance. I disagree and so do the stats. The Dodgers hit .261 against RHP. .250 against LHP. Their OB% was .343 against RHP but .329 against LHP. Castellanso would help immensely. Pollock immediately becomes the 4th outfielder and pinch hitter as he takes over the David Freese Role… maybe even tries his hand at 1B too.
I still say this is what the Dodgers should do:
1. Trade Joc, Chicken Strip, Barnes and either CT3 or Kike for relievers or prospects.
2. Re-sign Martin for 1 more year with a promise of a coaching job when he retires.
3. Re-sign Rich Hill with the same premise.
4. And, of course, sign Castellanos.
Of course, Friedman doesn’t listen to me. I told him not to sign Turner, Jansen, and Pollock. 😉
Tell me, this is not a great lineup:
1. Verdugo RF (L)
2. Bellinger CF (L) I want his to hits second to forget about HR – just hit it where it is pitched
3. Turner 1B (R)
4. Muncy 3B (L) perfect #4 hitter
5. Castellanos LF (R) perfect #5 hitter
6. Seager SS (L) Wow at #6
7. Smith C (R)
8. Lux 2B (L) Rookie hits last
Bench:
Martin (R)
Pollock (R)
Beaty (L)
Kike or CT3
Rios (L)
Garlick (R)
That’s all they need!
Your list of what the Dodger should do – I can sign on to 1-3. Still undecided about Castellanos but I wouldn’t be devastated if it happens.
Lineup – I’m never going to be happy with Muncy at 3rd. I think it’s his worst position, although I’m not saying he could never improve. I think JT has another year at 3rd in him so I’d rather switch those two
You’ve listed 14 position players – does that mean you’re going with a 12 man pitching staff? I don’t see how we can go with less than 13 pitchers.
1. Give Muncy a lot of reps at 3B and he will deliver. He has a good arm.
2. 12 Man staff. No LH Loogy!
Good point about no Loogy but I still think they’ll carry 13 pitchers.
And I’d also like to see both Muncy and Lux get some reps in LF this winter and in Spring Training. Just in case we sign Rendon. Or trade for Bryant. Or trade for Jose Ramirez. Or trade for Mookie and decide to play him at second. Or………………………all kinds of other stuff.
Having only heard of him (and not having seen him), I am still hopefulll that Keybear turns out to be the player you project. Whether he gets much, if any playing time this coming season will be determined not only by his performance, but on how well our backup catcher performs (be it Russell Martin or someone else).
As things stand now I would love to have Lindor’s speed and superior range at short, while still retaining Seager, who I believe has the tools to play gold glove caliber 3B. If anyone can get it done at a reasonable cost in talent, I believe that person is AF.
AC has me day-dreaming about Kluber. His value is depressed after last year’s lost season and is only on the hook for two more years.
According to the trade simulator, the following works:
Kluber, Lindor, Tristan McKenzie and Nolan Jones for Seager, CT3 and Keibert Ruiz.
https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trade-simulator/
Cleveland would jump. I wouldn’t!
Neither will AF.
I’d take a flyer on Kluber, but not at that cost.
Thanks for the link Bluto. I’d never seen that site before.
Great way for an old retired guy (me) to kill time between naps. 🙂
It’s a good web app. Their evaluations are pretty good and they constantly are refining the product.
@Mark, it’s a trade more for Lindor with Kluber on top.
AC, then if I were Kasten, I would fire you.
But, we can still be friends!
😉
Give up Seager? My guess is he has a great 2020. Giving up Seager, even to acquire Lindor doesn’t make the Dodgers better. They have plenty of trade assets to make that deal. Move Seager to third, Turner to first and Muncy/Lux to second and left. If you acquire Castellanos, then you have to move Pollock. Too good a player and too much contract to sit the bench. Unless they can acquire Mookie Betts, I have doubts the Dodgers pursue an outfielder. Looks more like they will pursue trading an outfielder instead.
Tweak the bullpen, of course, and look for a top flight starter, absolutely. Consider Rendon, definitely.
What is the track record for players selected as Minor League Player of the Year for all of MILB, as was Gavin Lux this year?
If you go back and look at the Minor League Players of the year by Baseball America, the odds are very good that Lux will be a star. Here’s the full list:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_America_Minor_League_Player_of_the_Year_Award
Great information MT on Kay Bear. Having only seen him on a limited basis at Spring Training. Those bat to-ball contact skills are remarkable especially in this day and age of lift and separate home run derby. Growing up, striking out was a sin. Good things can happen when the ball is in play. In 1941, we all know that Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 straight games. What is also remarkable is that in 540 at bats he struck out…………. 13 times. That’s a week for Aaron Judge. Amazing for a guy who wasn’t a little Punch and Judy Guy. Yogi Berra swung at everything yet had 414 strikeouts in 19 seasons. That’s a couple of seasons for Bryce Harper or Ronald Acuña. I completely understand that is a new day but that’s what makes Kay Bear even more remarkable. I’m looking forward to watching him more this Spring Training.
Strasburg decides to opt out
Mark has some good suggestions but I don’t agree across the board. Our #1 need is pitching, not hitting or fielding. I don’t mind a play for Castellanos or another RH hitter, but that is not a big priority. If Mark thinks the Dodgers hit well last season, they should be better in 2020. With Verdugo returning, hopefully a more focused Seager, more looks for Beaty, and more time with Van Scoyoc, the team will still be an elite hitting team. Pitching is a completely different story.
Mark is always pointing how well the stats look for the Dodgers. This is very misleading. They have blown many games they should have won due to pitching short falls, both from the SP and BP. Both need to get better, quick. Otherwise, it will be the same pattern repeated, once again.
The very real absence of two starters, assuming Ryu and Hill are no longer in the rotation, is a major wrench thrown into the rotation. While the future looks bright with Urias, May, & Gonsolin, they cannot be relied upon to fill out the rotation and play a complete year. This is baseball pitching 101. They need at least one more SP added to the rotation. Maeda, basically a bit better than .500, usually doesn’t last a full season and really should be in the BP or used as a spot starter. Who is going to be able to play a full season? No one on this roster is ready! Forget Stripling. He is a stand-in and cannot be relied on. This is a problem that needs to be addressed ASAP.
The BP? Who amonst you trusts Jansen and Kelly? Yimi? Give me a break! If you think that we will be able to have a lock down BP with this gang, disappointment will be your result. This FO has not had a solid BP in years with the degeneration of Jansen and Baez. Baez pulled himself together last year, but do I really trust him? NO!
I say focus on PITCHING. Spend a little more for that guy(s) who will make our team better. Stop acquiring the Kazmirs, Anderson’s, McCarthy’s from the bargain bin. Get the ownership to fork over the $$$. Anything short of this is the status quo, no ring(s). You’ve made one mistake already in retaining Doc. Don’t make the mistake of overestimating our pitching strength. It is not ready for a ring as constructed.
If a bear farts in the woods does anyone hear it???
“Mark has some good suggestions but I don’t agree across the board”!!!
Damn MT, might as well wrap it up and say comments closed…
Jeff, the man, the myth, the legend has spoken!!!
From 2010 on, Baseball America and USA Today have named the following as MILB Players of the Year.
2010 Jeremy Hellickson, 2011 Mike Trout and Paul Goldsmith, 2012 Wil Myers, 2013 Byron Buxton and X Bogaerts, 2014 Kris Bryant, 2015 Blake Snell, 2016 Yoan Mocada and Bregman, 2017 Ronald Acuna, 2018 Vlad Guerrero, Jr., 2019 Lux.
Of the 12 prior to Lux, at least 8 have been very good players.
Based upon those odds and at $570,000/yr salary, you have to put Lux in the lineup and see what he can do over the course of 2020.
I’ve not commented since our Game 5 loss. I’ve read the blog and every post since then, but just didn’t really have anything to input about our continued October failures, free agency, 2020 outlook, etc.
I”m happy Wash won. I was rooting for them over StL, and obviously over Houston.
It’s still fun to read these posts though, so I’m still here reading and learning! I’m not disappointed whatsoever about our year (maybe I’ve become numb to 6 months of fun and 1 month of frustration). Can’t wait till free agency rumors begin!
Go Lakers.
I mean, college and pro football for me sucks (Fresno St/ Bears). Hockey will be a long season (Kings). Soccer sucks (Man U). So yes, go Lakers!
I am saving time today. Wish we would just leave the time alone. So, I would like to take this extra time to thank Mark, AC, DC, 2D2, SoCalBum, peterj, phil and some I probably missed, for helping me understand a lot about the players, minor league situations, other teams, some rules and regs, and much more. I have learned a lot from all of you.
Good news DBM. It’s up to the individual states as to whether they want to go back and forth between daylight savings and standard time.
A number of states, including California, have proposed laws to have daylight savings all year long and there are some far east coast states that are thinking about having standard time all year long.
Of course, same as today’s politics, this will just further divide the country, but at least we’re all pulling in the same direction here on this blog. We just have different ways of getting there.
And thank you DBM for bringing such a sweet and positive spirit to this blog. Your comments and questions are always greatly appreciated!
Thank you 2D2. Appreciate that.
Thank you Singing The Blue. As a Californian, I would vote for keeping it the same time all the time whether it be standard or Daylight Savings. Hope it gets on the ballot here. Meanwhile, go Dodgers.
Right now, I’m up in the Pacific Northwest. With DST sunrise isn’t until 8am and by next month it wouldn’t be until almost 9am.
I’m OK with year around DST in SoCal but not up here.
It becomes very confusing when one state is on Standard Time and another is on Daylight Savings Time. For my old mind, probably best to just leave it as it is.
Positivity runneth amuck!! Great….
Yes thanks to all of the above that add to this blog…
DMom – I keep waiting for it to be on the ballot, so we can eliminate daylight savings time…
Got my fingers crossed on the Lakers… So far so good… Davis, can we resign and LeBron’s injury an anomaly??? Having Kuzma back is sweet…
Go 49’ers…
AC – The trojans gotta be killing you!?
Let us not forget my main man from across the pond, Watford…
Peter, I look at the Trojans this way. We are one game closer to Urban Meyer.A
As much as I am a huge Trojan fan, I’m not sure Meyer is what we need. Helton is definitely in over his head and it is time for him to go. The new AD Bohn is, from all accounts, a very ethical guy and runs a clean ship. As good as Meyer can be, I’m not sure he would want to deal with some of his past issues.
Back at you Pete.
Rugby World Cup Final didn’t go so well.
We’ll get em next time Watford… I sound like a Dodger fan now!!!
CODY BELLINGER WINS RAWLINGS GOLD GLOVE
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Cody Bellinger has been named 2019 Rawlings National League Gold Glove award winner for right field.
He is the first Dodger to win a Rawlings Gold Glove since Zack Greinke (P) in 2015 and first Dodger outfielder to win the award since Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp both won in 2011. He joins Ethier (2011), Kemp (2011), Steve Finley (2004), Raul Mondesi (1995, 1997), Dusty Baker (1981), Willie Davis (1971-1973) and Wally Moon (1960) as Dodgers’ outfielders to receive the award.
In his third season with the Dodgers, Bellinger, 24, led the National League with a .990 fielding percentage among right fielders, making two errors in 210 chances. He was among the National League right field leaders in innings played (911.1, 7th), assists (10, 2nd), Ultimate Zone Rating (9.5, 2nd), range runs or RngR (5.6, 2nd), Ultimate Zone Rating per 150 games (15.3, 1st) and Defensive Runs Saved (19, 1st).
In totality, the Arizona native appeared in 136 games in the outfield, making three errors in 253 total chances. He was among the National League outfield leaders in assists (10, T-4th), fielding percentage (.988, 11th), RngR (6.2, 5th), UZR (10.3, 2nd), UZR/150 (13.7, 2nd) and innings played (1082.0, 16th). He finished tied for second in the Majors with San Diego’s Hunter Renfroe in defensive runs saved by an outfielder (22), finishing behind Washington’s Victor Robles (24).
To determine winners of the Gold Glove award, each manager and up to six coaches on his staff vote from a pool of qualified players in their league and cannot vote for players on their own team. In 2013, Rawlings added a sabermetric component to the Rawlings Gold Glove Award selection process, as part of its collaboration with the society for American Baseball Research (SABR). The SABR Defensive Index comprises approximately 25 percent of the overall selection total, with the managers and coaches; vote to carry the majority.
Below is the complete roster of 2019 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners from each League, and the number of Rawlings Gold Glove Awards each player has won in his career:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Pos Player 2019 Team Award(s) Won
P Mike Leake Seattle Mariners 1
C Roberto Pérez Cleveland Indians 1
1B Matt Olson Oakland A’s 2 (18’)
2B Yolmer Sánchez Chicago White Sox 1
3B Matt Chapman Oakland A’s 2 (18’)
SS Francisco Lindor Cleveland Indians 2 (16’)
RF Mookie Betts Boston Red Sox 4 (16’, 17’, 18’)
CF Kevin Kiermaier Tampa Bay Rays 3 (15’, 16’)
LF Alex Gordon Kansas City Royals 7 (11’, 12’, 13’, 14’, 17’, 18’)
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pos Player 2019 Team Award(s) Won
P Zach Greinke Arizona/Houston 6 (14’, 15’, 16’, 17’, 18’)
C J.T. Realmuto Philadelphia Phillies 1
1B Anthony Rizzo Chicago Cubs 3 (16’, 18’)
2B Kolten Wong St. Louis Cardinals 1
3B Nolan Arenado Colorado Rockies 7 (13’, 14, 15, 16’, 17, 18’)
SS Nick Ahmed Arizona Diamondbacks 2 (18’)
RF Cody Bellinger Los Angeles Dodgers 1
CF Lorenzo Cain Milwaukee Brewers 1
LF David Peralta Arizona Diamondbacks
I have always liked Seager and would love for him to be with the Dodgers for the next 10 years so I am not looking forward to Boras simultaneously being both syllables of his name when Seager becomes a free agent.
I think Seager will leave the Dodgers as a free agent and because of that, I would offer him an extension and trade him if he doesn’t find a way to sign it. I don’t have to worry about having Turner and Muncy both playing first base if Seager is traded.
I would trade Verdugo for one year of Betts and hope to re-sign Betts.
Just want to reiterate that I would love to see the Dodgers acquire Lindor (w/o including Seager), and note that Lindor won the GG at short in the AL. If the Dodgers do trade Seager, that’s a different matter, and I would evaluate it after it’s completed.