Right-hander Logan Boyer was selected by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of San Diego State University. He was an interesting selection but fit the Dodgers pattern of trying to get what we might call a steal in the 11th round having signed the 10th rounder for a small signing bonus. He, in fact, signed for $297,500 which was $172,500 above the slot, and was the 6th highest signing bonus among the 30 draft selections signed by the Dodgers. It was only minimally below the signing bonus for 5th round selection right-hander Jack Little.
Boyer was born in Chandler, Arizona and attended Hamilton High School in his home town. At Chandler, he spent his time behind the plate actually pitching only 10 innings in his high school career. Perfect Game posted the following report on Boyer in 2016.
“Logan Boyer is a 2016 C/RHP with a 6-3 205 lb. frame from Chandler, AZ who attends Hamilton HS. Large well-proportioned build, very good present strength. Surprisingly quick action defensively for his size, has a quick transfer throwing and gains ground well with his feet, compact arm action with lots of arm strength, strong hands, and receives the ball well, will get out front receiving at times, 1.84 best pop time. The two-way prospect gets a big downhill angle on an upper 80’s fastball, topped out at 90 mph, works to the bottom of the zone well, showed good feel for his secondary pitches, both change up and curveball flashed potential. Good student, verbal commitment to San Diego State.”
San Diego State assistant coach Joe Oliveira saw pitching potential, however, when he watched Boyer throw one of those innings when his team was short-handed at a showcase event so he signed on as a pitcher for his college debut.
In his freshman year, he excelled in relief, although in a limited sample, posting a 1.46 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP over 12.1 innings in 10 appearances. He struck out 12 and walked 6. His next two seasons were not highly successful as he made just seven starts in 13 appearances. However, his innings pitched with the Aztecs were limited to just 45 over his three seasons due to injury. His arm is a fresh arm that the Dodgers seem to target regardless of any issues it might have had.
On a rather cold night in February 2018 something just started tightening up in his forearm and then in his words, “it balled up”. Naturally, he feared the worst from his doctor’s report. That is TJ surgery. He was fortunate when the phrase did not come from the lips of his physician who made a diagnosis of “cubital tunnel syndrome”. The good news was that it did not require surgery. The other news was that the nerve through the elbow was inflamed and although it didn’t require surgery, it did require a long period of rest. It was about a year before Boyer got back into action.
His 2019 season also came to a quick ending as after four starts he was shut down due to a shoulder strain. Boyer was naturally upset by the recurrence of an arm issue but throughout his ordeal, he tried to stay positive while missing valued time with his teammates.
“It wasn’t so much frustrating as upsetting,” Boyer said. “You put so much hard work in that when something goes wrong with your shoulder or arm, it’s almost like, ‘Why does it have to do this again?’ But, like I say, you’ve just got to accept it.”
The 6’3”/215-lb. a former teammate of Cody Bellinger at Hamilton High school in Chandler might be that steal that has been mentioned. He has a fastball that can reach 94-96 mph and has what one scout termed “electric” stuff. Before his 2019 season was cut short by a shoulder strain he was regarded as a top-five round talent had he remained healthy. Perfect Game suggests as he gains arm strength he may touch triple digits. His future development does depend on the health of his arm and his ability to better master the strike zone. Boyer’s longer-term goal would be to reunite with Bellinger in Dodger Blue.
“It’s hard to get a comfortable at-bat against him,” SDSU head coach Mark Martinez said. “What Logan has to do is manage his pitch count, pitch to contact. You hear that about power pitchers all the time. If he could be more efficient about what he’s doing, he’s going to extend his outing.”
In January 2019 Baseball America selected Logan Boyer as the Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Year. That was before his strained shoulder in 2019.
“The top arm on a deep San Diego State pitching staff, Boyer works off of a fastball in the 91-94 mph range and gets up to 95 mph with life. He compliments the pitch with a hard slider and changeup that helped him rack up 27 strikeouts in just 19 innings last season. He has the stuff to miss bats, but the biggest question will be how regularly he can run out to the mound after dealing with injuries in 2018. Boyer also thrived as a freshman, posting a 1.46 ERA, but that still came in just a 12-inning sample. With no track record of holding innings over a season in the Mountain West, picking Boyer here is risky. But he’s always been effective when he’s taken the mound, including a 2017 stint in the Alaska Summer League as a 19-year-old when he posted a 1.44 ERA over 31.1 innings, striking out 13.79 batters per nine innings. “
Back in 2017 Baseball America also posted: ”Logan Boyer, RHP, Anchorage Bucs (So., San Diego State) Boyer had arguably the most impressive numbers of any pitcher in the league this summer, striking out 48 hitters in just 31.1 innings…” He was selected to the First All Team in the Alaska League that summer.
There was little doubt he would sign after being selected by the Dodgers although he could have returned to San Diego State for his senior year.
“It was a day for dreams,” said Boyer, who was listening to an online stream of the draft when he heard his name. “It was awesome. I loved it.
“I’m going to sign,” he said. “Ever since I was a little boy and started playing baseball it has been a dream of mine to sign a pro contract. Now that it’s happened, I’m ready to get started.”
Boyer, now 23, made his professional debut with the Great Lakes Loons on Saturday night against the Dayton Dragons waiting since June 2019 to do so. He pitched the first inning and it was not a totally smooth flight for his first professional appearance. He gave up a lead-off home run followed by a single but then calmed his nerves retiring the next three batters on a ground out, a fly ball, and a strikeout.
The Loons dropped a 6-5 decision to the Dragons for their fourth loss in five contests with Dayton.
Dodger Minor League Report by MT
- OKC is off to a 0-4 start after losing to Round Rock 6-3 today. There was not much to talk about with any real prospects doing anything noteworthy. This team will struggle to win 30% of their games with this bunch. Of course, the Dodger’s injuries have contributed mightily to their demise.
- The Tulsa Drillers are now 2-4 after a 5-4 loss to the stupid Sod Poodles. The Drillers lead 4-1 after seven innings only to see Justin Hagenmen cough up four runs in the top of the 8th. That was it. Gerardo Carillo pitched 4 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 run while striking out 8. Jeren Kendall looks better and is OPS’ing 1.188. Amaya was 2-5.
- The Great Lakes Loons were severely beaten 12-1 by the Dayton Dragons. Vargas had two hits as did Outman. Never speak of this again.
- Rancho Cucamonga is now 3-2 after a 6-5 loss to IE. It was just an all-around bad day.
- The LA Dodgers, Lower B Affiliate of Rancho, were beaten 2-1 and Trevor Bauer is pissed! Four hits and 9 walks and you can only score 1 run?
You can’t help but root for guys like this. Hopefully his first appearance was a blip!
Shane Greene signs (re-signs?) with the Braves
Dont worry Joe Kelly and his 54,00 Era is back. 95 plus heater with no movement and overpaid contract. Another Friedman gem.
Any word from Jeff (AC) Mark? How is he doing?
Trevor Bauer is pissed? Maybe they’d win more games if they were all pissed. Bring back Gibby!
I talk to Jeff sometimes. He is doing ok.
Thanks Bear. I hope he’ll feel up to commenting here again before too long. I used to enjoy his posts about various players we might be able to get in trades. We could definitely use a couple of bullpen pieces and a utility player right now. Unfortunately, our AAA guys just don’t seem up to the task.
He was heading out when he messaged me today. He is going to get back to me later,,,
Nice to read about the kids. I know there is some talent down there I am looking forward to seeing play.
Enjoy these reports, DC.
DODGERS OPTION CATCHER KEIBERT RUIZ
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned catcher Keibert Ruiz to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Ruiz, 22, appeared in five games, batting .167 (1-for-6) with one homer and one RBI. He clubbed a solo homer in his first at-bat of the season against the Cubs on Tuesday and has two homers in his Major League career. The Valencia, Venezuela native has been with the Dodgers since signing on July 20, 2014, as an international free agent. In 387 minor league games in the Dodger organization, he is a .299 (430-for-1439) hitter with 29 homers and 199 RBI.
It really makes no sense to carry 3 catchers if all they do is catch.
Comes right after he expressed his desire to work on 1B and Outfield. Everyone sucks at AAA, so there should be plenty of playing time for him.
It doesn’t make any sense to bring up a top prospect to sit on the bench and pinch hit.
I’m really glad to be able to watch baseball again and see fans in the stands. Ranger games with a full house is awesome. That said, I have empathy for Jayne Cobb and his negative MLB experience that he mentioned in his post yesterday. I too won’t be visiting any stadiums until all the restrictions go bye-bye.
Spring training at Camelback was a joke. Again, it was nice to watch baseball but “being led around like prisoners” by the Gestapo was ridiculous. I heard one guy get bitched out for not replacing his mask fast enough for the usher liking after he took a sip of his beer while walking through the concourse. I was reprimanded by an usher who rushed me from 25 feet because I took a bite of my hotdog and I wasn’t in my seat. You can only eat in your seat. I’m sure these folks were coached up on all the bullshit protocols but everybody forgot to be nice. There were many, many examples of staff given a little power, and they ran with it. I didn’t enjoy being treated like a misbehaving child by the Brown Shirts. I used to love ST but I too won’t be back for this treatment.
The country and MLB have lost their collective minds.
You are probably more likely to get struck by lightning than get COVID-19 outdoors (I only exaggerate slightly).
I get my first shot tomorrow (I wasted 7 months after having COVID-19) because I have heard of adverse reactions when your antibodies are high.
Indiana is almost fully open – some areas are 100% and others are 75%.
I have tickets to the Indy 500 and I plan to be there on Memorial Day.
I will be in Fargo, ND on July 26 -27. Las Vegas July 28-31 and in LA sometime in June or August (TBD). I might take in a Quakes game but not the Dodgers.
It may not be surprising to anyone, but therapists are busier than they have ever been. So many people are struggling… especially children who are having their childhood stolen.
Let’s please call it like it is, Friedman’s bullpen construction is average at best. And his methodical and calculated approach, which often is okay, must be abandoned this year. He needs to be proactive and start now or we are going to find ourselves in a huge hole by the all star break. The injured players are not close except for TG and he will be a starter anyway. Scrap heap relievers are better then the bullpen arms we are running out there now. And bring in a scrap heap offensive player too, cannot be worse then Peter’s, or Nuese, or Rios.
And I hope your right Mark, and there is some pressure on Robert’s but I think his chip bought him at least two years of losing baseball. I still believe he is one of the worst tacticians in baseball and has no feel for anything. The Series win was mostly about talent and hitting with two outs in my mind, not anything he did. He is a ra ra guy, but he is AF and Stan’s ra ra guy, so we are stuck with him, and dumb quotes like I love the compete. I understand he has to be TV Dave with the press and not throw anyone under the bus, however I doubt he confronts his players privately either. At least Bauer did, love that guy already, need more of that ASAP.
Wow. That was some post.
Just think Adam, you will never get back the time it took to “compose” it, and sadly I’ll never recapture the time it took in reading it.
And sadly you will not get the time back for your post either, hang in there Bluto.
I am willing to wager a large sum of money that the Dodgers will not lose tonight.
getting bad when the only days to look forward to are the days we DO NOT PLAY.
SHEESH!
PAPA CANTELLA’S NAMED PROUD PARTNER OF LOS ANGELES DODGERS
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced a multi-year partnership with Vernon-based Papa Cantella’s to supply Dodger Stadium with Dodger Dogs and its premium sausages. Papa Cantella’s products, including Dodger Dogs, have been sold at Dodger Stadium since Opening Day and packaged Dodger Dogs will also be available at retail grocery locations throughout Southern California.
“Like the Dodgers, our history and community ties run deep in Los Angeles. We could not be more proud to be partnering with this iconic brand and product,” said Tony Cantella, President of Papa Cantella’s.
“The Dodger Dog is synonymous with Dodger baseball, and a ballpark tradition that has been enjoyed by generations of fans,” said Lon Rosen, Dodger Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “It has and always will be an iconic part of the Dodger Stadium experience and we’re proud to entrust the legacy of the Dodger Dog to Papa Cantella’s, a family-owned, local manufacturer with a reputation for superior quality products.”
Dodger Dogs continue to be one of the best-selling concession items in professional sports and over 100,000 have been sold through the club’s first 13 home games.
About the Dodgers:
The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with seven World Series championships and 24 National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in 1890, is committed to a tradition of pride and excellence. The Dodgers, baseball’s 2020 World Champions, were recognized as ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year and 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 Papa Cantella’s:
Founded in 1980, and located in Vernon, CA, Papa Cantella’s is a family owned and operated manufacturer specializing in premium sausages and prepared foods. Our current portfolio includes over 150 formulas of sausages & hot dogs, specialty meats, prepared entrees & side dishes. Papa Cantella’s and the Cantella’s brand can be found throughout Southern California and across the country in leading retail grocers & wholesale clubs, as well as through food service distributors. Visit Papa Cantella’s online at http://www.papacantella.com. For media information, contact info@papacantella.com
Good writeup.
CA League is already feeling the effects of the the minor league realignment. Now that the league is low A I’m seeing a lot of good prospects jumping directly to high A (which wasn’t unusual in the past. But seems to be more common this year). It was always fun to know that any top Dodger prospect would spend at least some time on the Quakes. That’s no longer the case. The best players who would have played for the Quakes in 2020 are now in AA. The group that would have been in Rancho in 2021 are now on the Loons.
None of this will effect the Dodgers of course But my son is a minor league fanatic and he’s pretty bummed. Good thing for Loons fans, however.
My son and I used to get out to RC a couple times a year but he’s moved out of state so I’m depending on you to be my eyes and ears JC. They have some exciting young guys there including Vogel, DeJesus, Williams and both Lewises. I’ll be anxious to hear what you think of them
The Quakes do have some good players. But we missed quite a few of their top 30 between 2020 and realignment. It will still be fun. It’s still the best bang for your buck in sports.
On another note:
How many of you have been to an MLB game this year?
We’ve gone to two games in Anaheim (most recently Saturday’s Angels v Dodgers).
I’m not a radical on any covid issue. Generally have little problem wearing a mask or following some rules. However, our experience in Anaheim has been pretty bad. The attitude of security and ushers has been almost oppressive. New rules about bringing in bags are nonsensical. My son had his glove, a couple balls, a sweatshirt, a bobblehead he wanted to give to a players family and a bottle of water in a grocery bag. They made him throw the bag out before he could enter. His arms were full with all his stuff and a security guard proceeded to yell at him to pull his mask over his nose. When he walked over to set his stuff down so he could free his hands she started barking at him “do it now!”. I didn’t take to that very well. Mind you we were outside, back entrance with only a handful of people around 1 1/2 hours before opening pitch.
A little while later my son wanted to give the bobblehead to the players family who were sitting right behind the visiting dugout. No usher would even let him in the seating area. This was during BP. This has never been the case before. Even when we explained why they refused.
Later in the game my son wanted to get a good vantage point to record a players at bat. Anytime he stopped and started recording he was told “you can’t stand here. Keep moving”. He wasn’t in anybody’s way or within 6 feet of anyone. Other than the ushers who would walk over to tell him he can’t stand there.
Additionally, they’ve eliminated re-entry. If you leave the stadium, you cannot return. My buddy wanted to go back to the car to get his sweatshirt and was told he would not be let back in. Apparently quite rudely.
This is all new to us. I’ve never seen an MLB park enforce rules like this. And I don’t know how most of these new rules have anything to do with Covid.
We won’t be going back to an MLB game as long as they are forcing employees to act like a despotic State’s security service. It takes the fun out of it.
Is this how all ballparks are being run this year?
I’m not planning on going to games while restrictions are in place. I don’t want to pay more for a worse experience and it sounds like getting bossed around by staff would cause more grief than joy for me, so no big deal. If things change, I will reevaluate.
Fortunately we’ve had the opposite experience at minor league games. We all took off our masks after entering the park and nobody said a word. We hung around with a large group one of the beer patios and nobody said a word. My son ran around and had several balls thrown to him by players. Nobody said a word.
Still no autographs. But I doubt that will last long.
I’m fully vaccinated and covid levels are incredibly low in Southern CA. So I don’t feel like being forced to mask up out doors.
For now we are only going to minor league games.
I’m in Huntington Beach. No one wears masks outdoors here.
Masks are not your enemy. A deadly virus is the enemy. Masks are a defensive weapon that suppresses the enemy.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, let me share the perspective from Hong Kong, my home for last six years. HK is only 570 miles from Wuhan, and news of the “mysterious outbreak” there was reported in the South China Morning Post in the last days of 2019. HK and all of Asia was quickly on high alert because people remembered the deadly SARS outbreak from 2002-03. (SARS was deadlier but didn’t transmit nearly as easily.)
By the end of January, Hong Kongers were masking up. It started before official edicts. One day in late Jan or early Feb I stepped on a crowded subway car and realized I was the only person without a mask. The citizenry was united. A job action by a nurses’ union prompted the government to tighten border controls–since nurses and doctors, after all, were facing the great peril.
Now, masks aren’t the only reason why HK and Asia in general have managed the covid crisis far, far, FAR better than the West, but it’s a big factor and the most easily copied.
Hong Kong is a pretty big, crowded metropolis–about 90% of NYC, and more than double the size of Orange County.
What’s the covid death toll in OC now? Google tells me it’s 5,008–one of whom was my wife’s kind Uncle Jack, survived by a wife and two young sons.
Here in Hong Kong, the covid body count now stands at 210.
So yeah… My family and I are much, much, much safer here than back in USA, where it seems that millions of people would rather live in denial–or die in denial–than accept the reality.
HK wasn’t the only place that coped with COVID well. Taiwan demonstrably did better than even HK. The total body count now stands at 44 through the beginning of May in a population that is three times bigger than HK.
Taiwan’s mask usage is not that different from the U.S. They peaked at 80%. The U.S. peaked at 76% – both examples happening in the early Winter. In July, Taiwan’s mask usage % dipped to 46% vs. 70% for the U.S. for the same time period.
No one is saying masks are the enemy. It’s the ever-present risk of authoritarian overreach and the mixed messages and lack of honesty that are the problem. If I’ve received two vaccines and I’m with a client who’s had two vaccines, why are we both wearing masks? Why isn’t there an endgame?
The problem in the US is that both parties politicized and weaponized masks.
That did not happen in HK or Taiwan.
Too bad Robert’s can’t go on the IL. Just 10 days
Are you cancelling Doc?
Wish he could go to IL all year. 60 day IL for Doc
He is terribly overrated.