With a raucous sellout crowd pulsating throughout the stadium last night, Joc went head to head against Vlad Jr in a remake of the classic 2019 HR Derby. This time Joc bested the young Blue Jays slugger and won the 2020 Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium. This was on a night that followed a Josiah Gray masterpiece who went 2 innings striking out all six batters he faced in the Future’s Game as the All Star Week festivities began on Sunday.
Tonight Clayton Kershaw will start for the NL in the Mid-Summer Classic with fellow Dodgers Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, and Corey Seager joining Kershaw in the NL starting lineup.
…Wake up, Wake up!!!! Yes I still dream about the Dodgers. Tonight was supposed to be the 91ts Major League Baseball All Star Game. We still get a baseball game, but it will be another intrasquad game between the Dodgers Blue and Dodgers White. I know it is baseball, but it is just not the same. How could it be? I continue to watch highlights from last year’s games with the stands packed and fans going crazy. Now we may get piped in crowd noise. I will watch and I will cheer the Dodgers on, but my adrenaline will be held in check.
We will get to see Mookie in a Dodgers jersey in 2020, but he is not going to experience how electric a LA Dodger Stadium crowd can be. I still feel the Dodgers will sign him for 2021-???, but maybe that is where I am wasting my adrenaline.
Anthony Castrovince, MLB sportswriter, has authored an article ranking the top ten lineups. The Dodgers were his #1 lineup. He speculated the following as the Dodgers lineup:
- Mookie Betts – RF
- Max Muncy – 1B
- Justin Turner – 3B
- Cody Bellinger – CF
- Corey Seager – SS
- Joc Pederson – LF
- Matt Beaty – DH
- Will Smith – C
- Gavin Lux – 2B
That is a powerful lineup. I projected early for Edwin Rios rather than Matt Beaty as the Dodgers DH, and he has certainly done nothing to dissuade me from that prediction. His HR off Kershaw on Sunday should have shed any doubt about Rios’ swing. He turned on a Kershaw inside fastball and put it in the pavilion seats. It may not have been one of Kershaw’s best deliveries, but it was not a bad pitch, and the book on Rios is to tie him up inside because his bat his slow. Well not on that Kershaw inside fastball.
The remainder of the top ten lineups is heavy AL.
- Dodgers
- Twins
- Astros
- Yankees
- A’s
- Mets
- White Sox
- Cubs
- Red Sox
- Angels
Earlier, Castrovince projected the top ten rotations, and the Dodgers checked in as the #5 rotation.
- Nationals
- Rays
- Reds
- Indians
- Dodgers
- Yankees
- Rangers
- Mets
- Astros
- Cardinals
That would make the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, and Astros as the only teams included on both top ten lists. The Dodgers were listed above each of those teams on both lists. That is clear why the Dodgers are ranked the #1 MLB Power Rankings going into the season.
Opinions from a professional fan with limited baseball scouting capabilities:
Corey Seager is just locked in. Dustin May threw a great changeup to strike out Corey in the first inning of Saturday’s game, but other than that, Seager has barreled up almost every AB. After the K, Seager lines a pair of oppo doubles against Dustin. Mookie, JT, CT3, Joc, Kike’, Barnes, and Smith have all been hitting well at times. Joc got one of his HR against a LHP, which is news since he did not hit one all last year against a LHP. After the game, Woody told Joc that he was dead to him. Belli is working on a slight swing change.
Three pitchers have shown that they should be able to go 90-100 pitches come opening day…Kershaw, Strip, and Wood. Buehler has not pitched in an intrasquad game yet, so he is behind and Urias has gone three innings. Urias could probably get to 5 by week 1. Buehler and Dustin May could team up and be devastating duo for the first couple of outings. The Dodgers starters should be more than fine. For relievers, we have not seen KJ or Baez or Alexander, but Joe Kelly has looked like a totally different pitcher. Blake Treinen is getting closer. Caleb Ferguson is also getting close. Dylan Floro and Brusdar Graterol both had positive outings the last two games.
New pitches have been the talk of the crew thus far. Strip and May both have improved changes that look to be clear swing and miss pitches. May’s curve ball looks to have a lot more movement as well. Ferguson is working to improve his slider/cutter, and it looked good on Sunday. Kersh threw a couple of changes for affect.
- It was fun to see Diego Cartaya get into the game on Saturday. He looks good behind the plate. Now if he can continue to develop his offense.
- Max Muncy is close to getting back. He is hitting and throwing. He still needs to show he can catch. Doc said he will be the 1B come July 23 against SF.
- Joc Pederson is the consensus King of Trash. When asked by Alanna Rizzo, He sheepishly grinned and said, “I don’t know about King”, but he clearly looks to have fun.
- Joc made an interesting comment in his Zoom Press Conference. While he loves being a Dodger, he might be receptive to playing on a team where he is not platooned. He made it clear he is not happy about not hitting against lefties.
- And still another on Joc. Joc has a new trainer, Travelle Gaines, that is working with him on movement. Apparently the exercises look funky, but the idea is to make him more fluid and athletic. The word in the clubhouse is that the new training sessions were working pre-injury in ST 1.0, and now he is fully healthy.
- I have to thank 2D2 for his article on Sunday. He got it to me without a picture or music. The three of us (with Harold), are a great team and we pick up for each other. I cannot count the number of times that both 2D2 and Harold have helped me out. After reading his article, the perfect headline picture in my mind was the poster of For Love of the Game. One of my favorite baseball movies. Kevin Costner is a fantastic actor in baseball movies. He was outstanding in Bull Durham. But Bear was correct, it was the final game of the movie with Vin Scully announcing that made For Love of the Game very special. You just know that his quote, “The cathedral that is Yankee Stadium belongs to a Chapel” was one of his patented spontaneous improvisations. Or “he isn’t pitching against the Yankees. He’s pitching against time. He’s pitching against the future, against age… and, even when you think about his career, against ending. And tonight, I think he might be able to use that aching old arm one more time… to push the sun back up in the sky… and give us one more day of summer.” Nobody wrote that for Scully. Boy do we need Vin now more than ever.
- For me what was also special was that Kelly Preston’s daughter in the movie went to USC in the movie. This was my favorite movie part for Kelly Preston. Also as Bear mentioned, Kelly passed on Sunday after losing a battle to breast cancer. I will miss her. RIP Kelly.
- The other reason I wanted to thank 2D2 was as I was trying to select appropriate music for his article, I re-listened to the entire music score of the movie. I am an unabashed fan of movie scores. My wife and I wait through all of the credits so I can listen to the entire music piece after the movie. I end up buying many of them for my iPhone; like For Love of the Game. While nobody comes close to John Williams, one of my favorite composers is Basil Poledouris, who wrote the score for For Love of the Game. One of my favorite parts of Lonesome Dove was the score, which Poledouris won an Emmy for. I was reading his filmography and he has scored some great music throughout his career. But a film score just wouldn’t work. Glory Days came on to my iPhone early on Sunday AM, and it seemed the perfect choice for the music to go with 2D2’s column. Thank you Rob, it was fun for me. Now I need two more posts from you by Friday. 😊
- I have no idea whether any “regular” press sportswriters actually read any blogs much less anything I write, but my Chico IS the Man column ran on July 9, and below is a column headline by LA Times writer Jorge Castillo on July 11:
- Chico is the man in Dodger’s intrasquad game by Jorge Castillo, LA Times Staff Writer
- July 11, 2020
- 6:56 PM
Just Sayin’
No, I do not think that Jorge Castillo read my article and thought it would play in the LA Times. It was just an easy play on words that we both thought of. But…
Finally from Mookie:
“After the game, Woody told Joc that he was dead to him.”. Love it!!
Yes it is/was All Star break time. In the world that we all left in mid-March, I would be getting ready to head to Dodger Stadium later today for the All Star game. Yesterday I would’ve been there to watch Joc beat Vlad for the HR title, and Sunday, I would’ve seen JoJo Gray win his MVP. Oh well, I guess in the new world we’re all in , I can do all that (*names subject to change) in 2022.
Intrasquad game today-Friday will be back on the usual Dodger channel and Facebook at 6:30pm.
Personal opinion? Joc is in his last year as a Dodger. AF will be focused on bringing back Mookie. Joc was more consistent last year than at any other time in his career. There will be changes this winter. Kike will be gone too. Joc was unceremoniously traded this last winter, and the trade fell through. And he was basically traded with 2 others for a so so infielder and un named prospect. Also, do they bring back the aging Justin Turner? I am thinking if JT comes back, it will be a reduced role, and as a mentor, much like Chase Utley and David Freese were. Jeff, I love what you guys do. If I can ever help in anyway, let me know. I have a ton of time. Most of my Dodger knowledge is in the history of the team. And I am no sabermetric lover. Be well my friend.
I like the idea mentioned yesterday of you contributing stories as a blog topic. I think it’d be fun to read as well, so please do it!
I think Joc won’t return, but only because he’ll price himself out of our budget. He’s 40hr guy on any other team where he would be allowed to hit vs lefties. Somebody will pay well for tha production and power. Rios is showing himself to be very valuable. Beaty looks like a young veteran. Those 2 could replace Joc at a much lower cost. Joc is and will always be a Dodger fan favorite. Hopefully he can go out with a ring this year.
Thanks Bobby. It is up to Jefe. And most of mine would most likely have a historic flavor since that is where my best knowledge lies. I wrote one for another blog last year about being a Dodger fan in the Friedman era. It has taken me a lot of attitude adjustment to go with his way of doing things. And I am still not sold. And unlike many, I do not believe he is the genius most do. First off, his teams have been successful in the regular season. The Rays and the Dodgers. His teams have been to 3 World Series, and not won yet. So don’t start forging that bust at Cooperstown yet. And other than trading for Darvish and Machado at the deadline a couple of years ago, most of his additions at the deadline, have been mediocre. His manager with the Rays, Maddon, had to leave the organization to win a series with the Cubs. Now he will attempt to do the same thing with the Angels. So AF still has a lot to prove to me that he can get a team across the finish line. I have seen GM’s of the Dodgers do more with less talented teams. Maybe one of these days when I go out to visit family in LA, we could meet up. I love talking about the team and baseball.
not to be a dick or anything, but
Joc’s yearly one hot month followed by 3 months of less than mediocrity coupled with the ugliest swing followthrough made me happy that he was going to be traded. He showed up to spring training with a gut and subsequently hurt himself because of his 2nd year in a row reporting to ST with a non-effort offseason gut.
I will give him credit, though, for taking the 3 month lockdown to develop some impressive guns.
Let’s see what happens
Hey Jeff, according to IMB< Williams is the #1 composer in the movie business of all time. Elmer Bernstein is a distant 5th. What I loved about Bull Durham was the different music played throughout the movie. Some old rock, mixed with a bunch of other forms of music, and of course John Fogerty's Centerfield. The only other person, besides Vin, that I remember doing his entire character without a script was Robin Williams in Good Morning Viet Nam. All of the radio bits he did as Kronauer were off the top of his head. He did the same thing when he was doing the cartoon voice overs in Mrs Doubtfire. I used to listen to Kronauer's show when I was in Korea. Guy was classic.
You had me from the first paragraph, AC. Good article. I really looked forward to having the AllStar game at Dodger Stadium. It had been such a long time since we had one although I can not quite remember when the last one was.
I wish things were different. I miss watching my Dodger games with all the players, young and old, with Dennis Gilbert and Mary Hart sitting behind home plate. I miss hearing Dieter on the organ and Joe and Orel calling the game. But, most of all I miss Vince Scully with his calming reassuring voice making each game a special time with his stories and descriptions.
But, for now, I can watch the inter squad games without fans, music etc. It is not the same but better to me than not having any baseball at all. Going with the flow and hoping for better days and years ahead.
DBM – Your half full glass attitude gets to me me every time. The only one thing that got to me was the mention of Vin… No one, absolutely no one, told a better story than Vin when he was announcing a game… I’ve got a small library of tapes and articles on Vin and listen and read them often… I feel better now…
I didn’t know the Dodgers had an organ player!??!
I gotta go with Joc’s exit with a ring hopefully…
JT …Renewed Corona vigor and a 60 gm. thing followed by a 2021 MVP year..
I hate to see Kike go, but we got kids knocking on the door… Again hopefully with a ring…
No one mentions Taylor… A sure thing?!?!
AF in the frey… Takes a lil heat off Doc.. It’s all good…
Has Vin commented on this years season???
Thanks peterj. Glad you feel better now. Stay safe and well.
Taylor signed a 2 year deal before the start of this season. Jack, Joc actually hit way better in the 2nd half last year than he has in the past. And his Sept-Oct numbers are excellent. He hit 9 homers in that span. He also hit 9 homers in the leadoff spot. Not bad for someone as streaky as he is. He is not the only Dodger that is that kind of player. How about the epic fade of Bellinger in the second half and his disappearing act in the playoffs? Their stats were very close in the 2nd half. And Joc was the much better hitter down the stretch. Yeah, he can be frustrating at times, but he cut down his K’s and made much better contact than he has in his entire career. He is replaceable simply because he is going to get a lot more in his next contract than the Dodgers are going to be willing to give him. Because Kike and Taylor are basically the same player, Peter, Kike will be gone.
Observations and Predictions:
Corey looks much bigger and stronger than last year. If he stays healthy he will have a monster year and be in the MVP conversation.
CT3 will return to 2017 form and platoon with Joc in left field.
Joc will have his best year ever.
Yasiel Puig has signed with the Braves
FANS CAN CLAIM THEIR SEATS THROUGH DODGERS FAN CUTOUT PROGRAM
Cutouts on sale tomorrow at 10 am, net proceeds to benefit Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
LOS ANGELES – The 2020 season kicks off next week, and fans looking to have a presence at Dodger Stadium can purchase a Los Angeles Dodgers Fan Cutout. Net proceeds from the sale of cutouts will benefit the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, and cutouts in the Dugout Club or the new Pavilion Home Run Seats will cost $299, while Field and Loge locations will be $149.
Fans are encouraged to act quickly at Dodgers.com/FanCutouts to reserve their spot at Dodger Stadium, as only a limited number of locations are available. My Dodgers Members and Premium Clients have access to a presale today, and the sale will be open to the public on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. PT.
“The electrifying energy of Dodger Stadium is rooted in the passion of our fans. While we are saddened that they will not be part of the live experience, the personalized cutouts will bring a bit of color to the stadium during these challenging times,” said Nichol Whiteman, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation CEO. “Thanks to the generosity of our fans everywhere, this campaign will fund our critical work. Together we will help Angelenos when they need support the most.”
All Dodgers Fan Cutouts will be authenticated as game used through the MLB Authentication Program. The cutouts are made of Coroplast, a weatherproof material, and are 18” W x 30” H. Images are subject to Dodgers approval.
Based on the health circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic along with governmental directives prohibiting large gatherings, Dodger Stadium will be unable to host fans at the start of the season. The organization remains optimistic, and should circumstances change, the Dodgers reserve the right to relocate or remove fan cutouts in the event that tickets go on sale for the 2020 season. All sales are final.
About Los Angeles Dodgers:
The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with six World Series championships and 23 National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in 1890, is committed to a tradition of pride and excellence. The Dodgers are dedicated to supporting a culture of winning baseball, providing a first-class, fan-friendly experience at Dodger Stadium, and building a strong partnership with the community. With the highest cumulative fan attendance in Major League Baseball history, and a record of breaking barriers, the Dodgers are one of the most cherished sports franchises in the world.
Visit the Dodgers online at http://www.dodgers.com, follow them on Twitter @Dodgers and like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Dodgers. For media information, visit http://www.dodgerspressbox.com.
About Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation:
ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is bigger than baseball with ambitions to be the city’s premier charity. We envision a city where everyone regardless of zip code has the opportunity to thrive. We are tackling the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice for all Angelenos. Since 1995, we have invested more than $30 million in programs and grants to nonprofits, and fundraising has increased by 1,000% since 2012. That growth has enabled us to do more.
Visit LADF online at http://www.dodgers.com/ladf, follow them on Twitter, @DodgersFdn, Instagram, @dodgersfoundation, and like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesDodgersFoundation.
Contact: Jon Chapper | Los Angeles Dodgers | jonc@ladodgers.com
Let’s all run out and do that… or not!
Mine would take up 3 seats…
Yasiel Puig is flying into Atlanta – a Brave move!
Let’s see how long they put up with his antics
I don’t recall hearing any negative stuff during his stints with the Reds and Indians. With Markakis opting out and considering it’s only for 60 games, I think it’s a good signing for the Braves.
Puig has not been the distraction you think he has the last couple of years. He still does not take coaching very well, but i am pretty sure Yasiel knows if he wants to get a MLB job next year, he has to be a good team mate and produce. Atlanta is a band box. He should hit well there. The only problem he had last year was a huge fight he instigated when he was with the Reds
I haven’t seen anything from Carlos in ages. Did he move to Atlanta?
AJ Pollock has reported to Camp. He may get a few ABs in this week, but probably will not see the field. He will be facing live BP at the very least.
As was reported yesterday, both Scott Alexander and Pedro Baez are in Camp. Alexander threw a bullpen session yesterday and is almost ready for a game. Per Dave Roberts, he looked good. Baez threw flat ground yesterday, and will get on the bump in the next day or so. Per Dave, he will be ready to at least face three batters by July 23.
With AJ in Camp, only Keibert Ruiz is missing from the 40 man.
Didnt’ Ruiz test positive for Covid -19?
We all assumed he did, but it was never officially announced. If true, apparently he isn’t free of it yet or he’d certainly be in camp.
I thought I saw that little blurb on MLBtraderumors when they announced some Dodgers had it.
Glad to see Pollock in camp but ab’s will be hard to come by if Joc mashes in left and Rios at dh. He might not be a happy camper!
Not against lefty’s. Joc may mash, but against LHP he is pitiful. Probably one of the main reasons he will leave after this season is because he does not like being platooned.
Wow that took a lot for Pollock to join us when his newborn is a premie. That had to be a tough decision for the family, but I’ll guess Mrs. Pollock will have plenty of help while AJ is gone (God willing thru the end of October!)
JP Hoornstra reporting that Kody Hoese is being added to the 60 man pool.
Also, beginning tonight, MLB umpires will be used. Doc says Geren’s career as an ump is finished. I don’t have the heart to break the news to Dodger Blue Mom.
I was wondering when this was going to happen. It surprised me that it has taken this long. This means that it was incorrectly reported that Devin Mann was added. By my count, the 60 man pool is filled. If Terrence Gore is actually going to make the team, that will require somebody to opt out, or be DFA and go through the waiver process.
I saw that Devin Mann report again this morning. If we include Gore and Ruiz that means two guys will need to go. Say tuned, as they say in the news biz.
Shocked, I’m shocked. Oh well. Now, who was the player warming up the pitchers until the catchers came on to the field. Another thing, I can not seem to get a good picture of the Dodger game on Facebook. Only camera on pitcher and batter, for about 3 innings. Is that right?
Chico is going to get the biggest ovation from the fans whenever we’re allowed back in!!
MLB lists the top prospects still in the rosters:
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/top-prospects-at-2020-summer-camp
If the Dodgers don’t have the most, they are close:
DODGERS
Locks:
Gavin Lux, SS/2B (No. 1/MLB No. 2)
The frontrunner for National League Rookie of the Year, Lux will start for the Dodgers at second base after impressing during a September callup and hitting a pinch-hit homer in the NL Division Series last year.
Dustin May, RHP (No. 2/MLB No. 23)
May’s electric sinker helped him claim a spot on Los Angeles’ postseason roster last October, three years after he was drafted out of high school, and don’t be surprised if he becomes a rotation mainstay after opening this season in the bullpen.
Brusdar Graterol, RHP (No. 5/MLB No. 83)
Acquired from the Twins in an offshoot of the Mookie Betts trade in February, Graterol hit 102 mph during his big league debut last summer and will deliver heat out of the bullpen.
Contenders:
Tony Gonsolin, RHP (No. 6)
The Dodgers have so much pitching throughout the organization that Gonsolin gets overshadowed much more than deserved for a guy with a devastating splitter, a fastball that tickles triple digits and a pair of power breaking balls.
Edwin Rios, 3B/1B/OF (No. 18)
The universal DH rule for 2020 is tailor-made for Rios, who has well above-average power to all fields and homered 35 times in 440 at-bats last year (including four in 47 at-bats with Los Angeles).
Long shots:
Dennis Santana, RHP (No. 16), Zach McKinstry, INF/OF (No. 20)
Santana is another potential bullpen weapon with a big arm, while McKinstry’s versatility, solid raw power and speed to match could make him useful in a bench role.
Others in player pool:
Josiah Gray, RHP (No. 3), Keibert Ruiz, C (No. 4), Brusdar Graterol, RHP (No. 5), Michael Busch, 2B (No. 8), Diego Cartaya, C (No. 9), Mitchell White, RHP (No. 11), DJ Peters, OF (No. 13), Gerardo Carrillo, RHP (No. 17), Michael Grove, RHP (No. 19), Victor Gonzalez, LHP (No. 21), Omar Estevez, 2B/SS (No. 24), Edwin Uceta, RHP (No. 25), Ryan Pepiot, RHP (No. 28), Brett de Geus, RHP (No. 29), Andre Jackson, RHP (No. 30), Bobby Miller (first-round pick), Landon Knack (second-round pick), Clayton Beeter, RHP (supplemental second-round pick), Jake Vogel, OF (third-round pick), Carson Taylor (fourth-round pick)
Top 30 Prospects: https://www.mlb.com/prospects/dodgers/
Bellinger isn’t afraid to tinker with his swing – That’s what the great ones do. They are never satisfied.
A lot has been made of the fact that Bellinger slipped in the second half of last season. Yes, that’s true, but let’s put a little perspective on it:
In the first half, his OPS was an insane 1.124 and then he “slipped” to .917 in the second half. I say “slipped” because over .900 is considered a Superstar. By contrast, Mookie Betts OPS’ed .859 the first half of last year and .992 the second half.
Mike Trout OPS’ed 1.098 the first half and 1.054 the second. That’s where Belli wants to be.
Turn Chico loose! Pretty funny to listen to Roberts attempt to deflect when asked about Chico, “Chico won’t see any more at bats in order to give others those at bats”. You got to love it. Now will Roberts give any of those at bats against lefties to Joc? Hell no, done deal on Joc, it has been decided that Joc will never be able to hit lefties. I have a funny feeling that Joc just might prove AF and others wrong when he finally gets his freedom on another team.
I’ve mentioned this previously, I don’t see the state powers that be in California allowing the MLB to actually pull off having a season, even a 60 game season. They have shut things down before and each time they do it, it gets easier to do it again. Not trying to be political, it just appears pretty obvious that this whole thing is so ripe for a total shut down of the state and continuing on in the near and distant future. So much so, that I am quickly pursuing an exit from the state.
Hello Truth – good to see you back firing on all cylinders.
I really hope you’re wrong – Baseball will be a welcome distraction, and once it gets going, because of the short nature of the season, every game will be meaningful and therefore more exciting.
Anyway, thought you hang out in Daytona Beach?
So I really feel sorry for pitchers. Starting the game off facing potentially 7 all stars in a row???
Mookie
Seager
JT
Belly
Muncy
Pollock (LF or DH)
Joc (LF or DH)
Never feel sorry for the opposing pitchers. Ask and give no quarter. I would love to see them average 5 plus runs a game. And the Dodger lineup is not even considered the top power lineup in the majors. The Twins and Yanks top that list. One thing is for sure, no team is going to hit 300 homers this year.
I’m potentially gonna ask a stupid question – but I was wondering why Buehler is behind with his throwing?
All the other Pitchers continued to throw during the break, so why didn’t he?
Wasn’t he morally obligated to be ready for a season if required?
Maybe there was a good reason why not, but it’s disappointing our Ace is unable to lead the team.
Wonder if the virus was an issue.
Same thing for Ruiz. It was suggested that He contracted the virus. If he’s still out could he be having complications? Hope I’m totally off base on this.
99.9 % certain Ruiz has/had it.
We may never know – the Dodgers are close-lipped with HIPPA info.
… and may if it was on him not being ready, we know why he’s not the Ace.
As Mark mentioned, the team has definitely hinted that Ruiz tested positive at some point, but I don’t remember ever hearing anything about Buehler as relates to the virus.
I did hear on last night’s broadcast that while the other starters threw during the shutdown between Spring and Summer Training, Buehler did not. They never did explain why, though.
The fact that he wasn’t active during that period definitely put him behind all the other guys.
I read about that on the Dodger web site, and they stated he did not throw during the break but no mention why. Who knows maybe he felt tired. I just checked the Dodgers top 30 prospects list and there is a pitcher from Korea, Choi, I have never heard of. Anyone know anything about this kid?
I want to conduct a little poll. This topic was discussed on another Dodger blog and I wish to see how the enlightened fans here will respond to the question. Which is, would Kershaw consider moving to the pen? Well, one thing is certain, it won’t happen next year. No way the Dodgers are paying 50 million dollars to two relief pitchers. Jansen and Kersh will both be in their final year next season. Another question I have, does anyone think Kersh will secure a 30 million plus contract after next season??? I think his walk year is going to be a very important season for CK. And I do not think he will get more than a 2 year offer from anyone. Of course, a lot depends on how he performs next season. Does he go home to Texas to finish his career? The Rangers make a lot of sense since they are his home town team. There are Dodger fans I know who think the thought of Kersh finishing his career in anything but Dodger blue, blasphemous. But the list of career Dodgers is not all that long. Especially in the free agency era. Some have been traded, others allowed to walk. Some have even suggested that If the Dodgers are out of the race at the break in 2021, that they should put Kersh on the market. Of course, that scenario is not even thought of by the present brain trust. Just a little food for thought while we wait for actual baseball to take place. I watched Chico’s interview on IT with Ross and Millar. It was pretty interesting. They showed the throws he has made in summer training, but a catch he made down the left field line off of a foul ball was really impressive. It was nice they let the kid play a little. But, it is time to get back to the business of baseball. Old friend Willie Calhoun had an MRI. Rangers fear a flexor strain will sideline him for the opening act.Oh yeah, in the rapid fire part of the show they asked Chico who was the best tipper…his answer, Adrian Gonzalez. I thought that was pretty interesting. And his choice of the coolest celebrity was pretty cool too. Some guy named Kobe.