I had started a series of posts re: June is Busting Out All Over. June is still busting out but all of a sudden more difficult to follow. For whatever reason, the game logs and splits for minor league players are no longer available at MiLB.com . One day they were there, the next day gone. I have written to Jeff Lantz, Senior Director of Communications for Minor League Baseball, inquiring about what has happened. At the same time, the splits were also missing on Baseball-Reference.
Jeff Lantz quickly replied: “I actually noticed that the other day when looking up something as well. Let me check with the website team and see if they have an answer for that one. Stay tuned.”
And a few minutes later: “They are aware of the bug and have engineers on it now. Hopefully they find a solution shortly!”
So, we might be able to get back into action. In the meantime I will post a bit about another player I have been following that is inexplicably not on the Dodgers Top 30 prospect list. He is on AC’s list and has been since he was drafted.
The inexplicable part is that he was selected by the Dodgers in Round No. 4 (131 overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft. The other part is that he has been somewhat a model of consistency since he was drafted. Perhaps the consistency is not high enough to warrant more attention but it looks pretty good from here.
The 22-year-old 3B/1B player, currently with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes but looking to move up, will play the entire season as a 22-year-old. The unknown player is Brandon Lewis who currently leads the Quakes in hits (46), runs (34), 2B (14), HR (9), and is second in RBI (32). He is two runs batted behind 20-year-old second baseman Yorbit Vivas. His slash line is .293/.392/.567 with an OPS of .959 leads all of his teammates, except one. His percentage stats are behind young phenom Diego Cartaya who has played 17 games with the Quakes. Lewis has played 41 of the Quakes 42 games which also leads the team in games played.
One of the connections that Lewis has to AC is that he graduated from the same high school as all three of AC’s children. That is, from Bishop Alemany in Mission Hills, Southern California.
During his career at Bishop Alemany High, Lewis was a two-time all-league selection and hit .366 as a senior.
It was not really a surprise that he was not drafted out of high school in 2016 although he was a good hitter. The strike against him was conditioning, perhaps more accurately, a lack of conditioning. Plus it was not clear he had any place to play on the field.
He went on to Pierce College, twice earning all-conference honors while hitting above .400 in his freshman and sophomore seasons combined.
Pierce College Head Coach Bill Picketts said that he’s known Lewis since he was 14 years old and that his son played baseball with Lewis at Alemany High School. Pickings saw a firsthand transformation in Lewis over six years.
Picketts revealed that, in high school, Lewis was a big kid and weighed about 50 pounds heavier than he did at Pierce College. The 6’2” right-handed hitter now weighs 225 pounds.
Coach Pickett’s assessment of Lewis includes the following.
He said Lewis is a good leader and knows how to have fun as well as work hard.
“Not only can he can hit, but he has a ton of power, and has a good feel for the game. Lewis understands the way the game is supposed to be played,” Picketts said.
He assessed Lewis’ strongest point as the ability to work and not give up.
“His all-around game is basically his strength, he can do anything,” Picketts said.
It wasn’t until Lewis transferred to the University of California, Irvine as a junior, where he hit .315 with 14 home runs and 54 RBIs in 2019, that he caused heads to turn. Dodger heads must have turned the most as they scooped up Lewis in the fourth round of the 2019 draft.
He made his professional debut with the AZL Dodgers on June 17, 2019 and after 12 games he moved on to the Ogden Raptors where he hit 12 home runs in 32 games. That was followed with a brief stint with the great Lakes Loons for 12 games at the end of the season. In his inaugural pro season he slashed .297/.365/.534 over three levels along with 13 home runs and 46 runs batted in.
Then along came the lost season of 2020. Lewis was naturally concerned about the lost of development time but didn’t dwell on it. He felt confident he would be able to make up lost ground whenever minor league baseball returned, but also because the 2020 shortened draft would force every club to focus more on players already in their systems.
“I think the playing field will be evened out once everything comes back,” he said.
He felt fortunate that he still had signing-bonus money to lean on (Bonus -$375,500) and that he played for a Dodgers organization that had paid its minor leaguers stipends through August.
It seems you can go back again. Lewis did a lot of visiting with former teammates and coaches during the 2020 non-season.
“It was cool,” he said, going back and seeing former coaches and teammates. “We caught up a little bit. A lot of guys I played with are also trying to stay in shape, so we get together and get everyone regrouped and catch up with each other.”
He’s found other ways to challenge himself too with at-home workouts crafted by the Dodgers’ strength staff as well as a newfound infatuation with golf. He’s purchased a set of used Taylor Made irons and made nightly treks to a nearby driving range. Lewis admits he was not great at driving the golf ball but was/is determined to master the game. However, he is pretty good at driving baseballs.
Prospects 1500 posted this in January re: Brandon Lewis.
“Aside from perhaps DJ Peters, Brandon Lewis has the most power in the Dodgers’ system. Drafted in the 4th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Lewis socked 13 bombs in only 219 AB’s and through three levels in his very first taste of professional baseball.
The year prior to that, while still playing for UC Irvine, Lewis hit a whopping 14 HR’s — which at first doesn’t sound like a lot until you realize that he played his home games in the cavernous Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark where it’s 335′ down both lines, 405′ to dead center, and (here’s the kicker) a 12′ high fence.”
In his last three games, Lewis has had seven hits including three home runs and eight runs batted in. I look forward to watching him drive baseballs at Dow Diamond in Midland in the not-too-distant future.
It is thought that he will in due course transition to first base. He has played third base for 30 games with the Quakes this year along with nine appearances at first base and two as a designated hitter.
Disclaimer: DC did not write the caption under one of the photos “Fat Boy Lewis” – I did, but I think Brandon would be OK with that as he has changed his body type with great intent.
You never know about prospects, but when I see a guy like Lewis who has “light tower power” and made a conscious decision to change his body type, I get excited because determination and power are two driving forces. Time will tell – he does strike out a lot (40% this year) and he walks a lot (15% this year). He will need to cut down those strikeouts, but he seems like a person who can succeed. I do think he will move to GL soon.
Great article, DC!
I thought that was really funny. I don’t see why you can’t call a spade and spade. The dude is an absolute stud now, I can see a Subway sponsorship if he can get to the Bigs.
I enjoyed this write up DC. Fat Boy Lewis was the cherry on top. I remember when he was smashing bombs with the Anteaters. The dimensions, combined with the cool beach air and that monster fence makes it really hard to them out of there. This dude has some serious pop. I hope he moves quickly, but that’s a lot of K’s.
Great game last night. Just what the doctor ordered. It’s good to see Gonsolin stretched out to 69 pitches. It’s going to be baby steps with him for a while, but those 4 innings were pretty good even if he didn’t really throw many strikes. It was ultimately a short start and a couple innings better than a bullpen game.
Even better was the Dodgers getting after the Cubs vaunted bullpen. When was the last time Pollock came up with a big hit? There you go! Eight hits for the offense was solid for an offense that’s been struggling. I think they’ll be ready when we play the hated ones in a couple of days. Just have to get past the Cubbies tonight and tomorrow.
Joe Kelly is quickly becoming a weapon in the bullpen. He bailed out V-Gone against Kris Bryant. I was really confused as to why Doc felt it was necessary to pull him. Another boring, mid inning unnecessary pitching change against a .188 hitter? Give me a break.
Doc always has to make things more complicated than they need to be. And what was the point of having CT3 come into the game on a double-switch for McKinstry in the 9th inning with a 4 run lead and his closer coming into the game? Brilliant game changing move right there.
We’re in a pretty good spot right now for the rest of the series. A couple of mediocre right handers on deck and we already got to the bullpen. Hopefully we get to Mills early today and put pressure on that bullpen. Can Urias rebound and break that streak of first inning homers?
I actually missed Pollock’s home run; I had gotten up so early that I fell asleep in the seventh inning, which I never do. When I woke up, it was Roberts talking on the postgame show. So I have still not seen Pollock get any clutch hits lately; but of course he did, ,which is great, and i hope he gets a few more to validate him playing an outfield position. Of course, no one else is, either, which made the first part of the game so frustrating. Is this something that will just break, or is this the logical extension of the flaws of some of our hitters?
I was thinking that I would like to see more intensity in our batting innings; the occasional bunt to get on base; the more occasional hit and run; something to generate excitement on the bench and in the stands. Not the typical grind out the at bats, try to get a walk or two, and then hope for a big hit. Force the action more, even if we run ourselves out of an inning. Make the opposing team be alert for anything. If we have the better talent, exploit it; somewhat like the way a football team loaded with offensive talent, should run an offense which might score on any play, not just run it up the middle with the occasional pass. Aggressiveness wakes up the players, keeps them focused on every pitch. For most of our losing streak, we have looked lethargic, which is not the way to win a title.
I think a lot of us agree that this brand of baseball is boring AF. I loved the Bellinger play last night. It was textbook. A single, SB then a key ground ball to advance the runner. Lux hit another grounder scoring Belli and tied the game in the process, somehow the scorers managed to screw him out of an RBI. I don’t know if or why Belli wasn’t running on a ground ball with his speed.
I’m not sure if you also missed Pollock’s three hit game on Sunday, but if you check his stats, he’s solid, but unspectacular so far this year. But, after leading the team in homers last year, it’s completely unwarranted to try to replace him with anything less than another star player. But, even if you did, you would probably miss out on a big streak from Pollock who owns an 800+ OPS lifetime. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect him to get to that mark by year’s end.
That ball was hit right at Rizzo, he normally makes that play easily and Belli is a dead duck at the plate. They took the RBI away because Bellinger started to go back to third in anticipation of Rizzo making the play, when he made the misplay then he scored.
Good write up, DC.
Nice piece DC. Nice that he has the power of a Peter’s but hopefully not the same hole in his bat. Tho it’s been somewhat of a frustrating season so far, a very bright spot has been Kenley. He has looked phenomenal lately and is back to being one of the top closers in baseball again. His stuff looks great and his command is returning with his confidence. Huge for us and Kelly looks like he will be an October factor. Finally! Julio needs a bounce back. He has got to get his change up back and working. That’s the key pitch for him!
Kenley ended on a 97 MPH fastball. I wonder if the’ll eventually be able to start an inning with that kind of heat. It seems like it takes him about half an inning to get that kind of heat going.
Topsy-turvy season.
We’re not worried about KJ’s velocity.
DC, any concerns about Busch and Hoese?
Anyone want to explain why we tried trading Pages to Anaheim last year??
Thank you, Moron Moreno!
That deal would have been a disaster. Not only were Pederson, Pages and Stripling in the deal, but the main piece they were getting back was Rengifo, who the last time I checked is not exactly lighting up the league.
I find it hard to believe we weren’t getting more back. That does not look like an AF deal.
The prospects in the deal were never named, and there was a lot of speculation as to who they were. Makes no matter to me, Rengifo as the main return? Bad deal.
It was quite a leap to go from college ball to AA in your second year of professional ball. If it had not been for the pandemic year I am sure they would have had a year of A+ with the Quakes last year and earned a ticket to Tulsa. Hoese played 41 games in 2019 while Busch played only 10.
Kody turns 24 in July and hitting in AA hasn’t been a lot of fun for him. He has hit 65 points higher in his BA in June than in May but still without much power. He is hitting .146 against right-handed pitching. I am more concerned about Kody than Michael but feel he still has time to find a groove in 2021 with the Drillers. I don’t think a demotion to the Loons would help much. It would be good if he could make his way to OKC Dodgers at some point in 2022.
Michael has had some early success at the AA level and hit for some power. He will play the entire season as a 23-year-old. His June stats are not very good compared to May. He has only two hits in his last seven games in 26 AB. Since they played so little in 2019, this is their first experience with a prolonged daily grind. I expect that it still requires an adjustment for them. He has demonstrated he could hit AA pitching. in May. Maybe it has caught up to him and maybe he is just in the inevitable slump. I naturally am concerned but think we have to wait a while yet to fully understand how he will fare this year.
By the way, Mark does all the work with pictures, graphics and videos in the articles I send him.
Great article DC. Nice to learn about these kids. Good win last night. Another 1st inning dinger allowed, but the Catman’s change up was a huge difference last night. I am somewhat concerned with the lack of control from Gonzalez. He has walked a lot of guys his last few outings and the walk scored the Cubs second run. Knew it was only a matter of time before AJ had a big hit for the team. He did it a bunch last year. The guy is a pro. Betts getting a solid single just prior to Muncy’s blast was good to see too.
Last year he had only 2 walks vs 23 K’s in 20 innings. No doubt the umpires and their constantly moving strike zone has something to do with it. Can’t wait for them to be REPLACED.
I have determined that Pollock reminds me of Karros which is why perhaps I am generally underwhelmed by him.
Karros still holds the record for HR’s by a LA Dodger. 3rd on the all time list ahead of Campy, Cey, Garvey, Kemp and Piazza. You do not have to be a superstar to have value on a team. AJ brings professional at bats every time he is out there, and remember, he tied with Betts for the team lead in HR’s last season and was a huge reason for them having a lot of success during the season. No team wins without having guys like AJ on the team, same with Karros. And Karros was a ROY. Your superstars do not get it done every night. So you need other players to step up. Last night it was McKinstry and Pollock, Who knows who it will be this afternoon. 3 HR performances like the one Tatis had last night do not happen all that often.
Karros also drove in over 100 runs five times
Yes he did, and combined with Piazza and Mondesi, they had some serious power on those teams. Braves lose Soroka for the season as he has Achilles surgery. Their pitching staff has been hit really hard by injuries this year.
Those teams did nothing in the playoffs.
And Piazza was God.
No, those teams did not win anything, but they were fun to watch. Pitching was not as good as they have now, and there was a lot of turmoil because of the sale to FOX and Tommy having a heart attack and being replaced by Russell. They went through a lot of changes, and the sale messed up a lot of things including the ill advised trade of Piazza.
I like Lewis as a RH power bat able to play the corners and DH. A mirror-image Edwin Rios maybe . . .
Great win but this team is still too reliant on the HR to put runs on the board. I think we had two bases loaded situations last night and failed to get the big hit. Don’t get me wrong I will take the W any way we can get it, but the hitting w/ RISP is not so good.
Both times there were two outs. Biggest difference between this team and last years team, they were a two out scoring monster.
Hats off to pollock and Muncy for huge hits last night. Muncy u kind of expect but pollock needs to do more consistently. He used to get on streaks with Arizona where he could carry a team. It would be great to c that pollock in the playoffs.
Kelly looked awesome last night. He is dominant with that command. Mb he is over his injury. Jansen looks like a new player. He is pitching great and I am starting to have confidence when he comes in. Treinen has great stuff but I still am uneasy when he comes in. Our bullpen overall is trending up. If we make the playoffs I think the bullpen could be a strength.
Some of our pitchers giving up homers can come down to pitch selection. For example, Baez hitting a homer off buehler. 2 straight fastballs in the same location u r asking for trouble. Any breaking ball and he would have screwed himself in the ground.
The Pollock and Muncy HR’s were great and they secured the win for the Dodgers. But I was really glad to see the McKinstry HR. He had 3 HR’s in the short time he played in April before landing on the IL. If my memory is correct he was also hitting for a high average. It would be nice to see him get back in groove again.
Yes, it was great to see Mac get the dinger, but I was happier to see Mookie hit a rope single in the 8th. That is what he was doing last year. Mookie over his career has had his average over .300 in July, August and September. Not only that, it gets higher the later in the season he plays. I am not too worried about Pollock’s production. If he were healthy enough to play everyday, I think the stats would be different. What I am a little tired of the last week has been Lux’s inability to get hits. He still pulls everything instead of using his speed and trying to go the other way. Hell, with no one on, try and bunt for a hit. As fast as he is if nothing else it will make the infielder have to make a perfect play to get him. Also, this team is not using what speed they do have. They had two steals last night with the most important being Cody’s steal of second in the second inning. That allowed him to move to third on Muncy’s grounder and score when Rizzo misplayed Lux’s ground ball.
I enjoyed the 2 steals last night very much. I think Doc is back to reading our posts again.
I also like McKinstry’s hitting. He had only the HR but hit the ball on the nose. He scorched the ground out to the rover in right right before CT3 smashed one down the line. Bryant made a great play. Shows how hard it is to hit in this game.
Good game to watch. KJ looks great.
Braves Mike Soroka has torn his Achilles’ tendon again. Will be out for the year.
News from Internet ON….
On three pitchers who will probably go in the first round. At least one has been linked to the Dodgers, Hoglund:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/scouting-three-potential-first-round-arms/
From Kyle Glaser Chat:
Q: How close is Andy Pages from cracking the top 100?
Kyle Glaser: Pages is not close. There are a bunch of other guys in the Dodgers’ system who are closer (Bobby Miller, Miguel Vargas, Ryan Pepiot, to name the main ones.) There are some very real questions about contact that people have been too eager or too quick to overlook.
On the Dodgers being mentioned with Jaden Hill for the draft:
Too much talent to pass up Hill at pick 29. Mid 90s fastball with a plus changeup and above average slider, and we know the Dodgers aren’t usually concerned with taking Tommy John guys early in the draft. I’d be very pleased with this pick if the real thing turned out the same.
On the Minor Leagues, Baseball America examined how every organization has fared so far across the minors. The Yankees have the best winning percentage of all 30 systems. Dodger affiliates are 2 in runs and 4 in run diff.
https://baseballamerica.com/stories/ask-ba-which-mlb-organization-has-the-best-record-across-the-minors/
On Diego Cartaya hitting a 97 FB for a dinger:
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1408603453530656769/pu/vid/1280×720/nA_2nzBa3HoUnlow.mp4?tag=12
On Why Teams Wait to make Trades:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/why-teams-wait-to-make-trades/
On Baseball America’s latest mock draft:
Frank Mozzicato,
On Ryan Pepiot (interviewed last week @FanGraphs):
In his most recent outings he recorded 6 Ks (all swinging) from a scoreless outing. He went 6.0 IP (season high) for the Drillers, just one single, and faced the minimum number of hitters. Lowered his ERA to 1.47, best in the AA Central (min 30 IP)
On Mookie Betts’ funk:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mookie-betts-has-been-in-a-funk/
On prospect Bobby Miller and the radar gun:
FB 94-97
SL 84-85
CH 85
CB 78
On Keith Law’s mock draft:
The aforementioned, Gunnar Hoglund
https://theathletic.com/2669873/2021/06/24/2021-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-jack-leiter-to-tigers-pirates-take-a-high-school-shortstop-in-keith-laws-latest-look/
On the Cubs no-hitter:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-cubs-no-hit-the-dodgers-it-wasnt-pretty-but-it-counts/
On Andy Pages’ 14th HR:
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1408617585390718981/pu/vid/1280×720/g1v3r6LlUGWz3AR_.mp4?tag=12
On Longenhagen chat:
Jill Bames: Who will be five best position players of the 2020s by WAR, when all is said and done? Acuna, Tatis, Vlad Jr, Franco, Soto? Or do you think someone else will sneak in, even Trout?
Eric A Longenhagen: I’d put Will Smith in as a dark horse name, just because his playable power for that position is so rare. Verdugo maybe a sleeper, too.
Jimmy Foxxalorian: Yes, but can we please talk about Kyle Schwarber now? 12 HR in last 13 games :-0
Eric A Longenhagen: I think my takeaway here is that the guys who perform in a big way early during their pre-arb years and end up with big arb numbers, then have a bad year and get non tendered, are the sandbox you wanna be playing in as a big market team. Like this dude was a top 5 pick (under slot but still) and legit big league lineup anchor who the Cubs non-tendered. If we’re breaking down non tendies, this is the kind I’d wanna pursue. Epic heater from Schwarber right now.
Josh R: DJ Peters became the 12th player from the Dodgers 2016 draft to reach the majors. A few of those are star level possibilities too in Will Smith, Dustin May, Gonsolin, Lux. Is there any other draft you can recall similar to that only 5 years out?
Eric A Longenhagen: holy crap that’s incredible. No, I have no idea if there’s been a draft that good.
Old friend alert:
Uncle Spike: Thoughts on Johan Mieses and Trenton Brooks. Both are 25 year old prospects that don’t have the best track record but are tearing up AAA.
Eric A Longenhagen: Mieses’ power is real (also, #rig) but he’s more a injury depth/stopgap type than true prospect, Brooks a dug in college as a two-way guy but I haven’t seen him in a while. He’s worth sourcing on based on how he’s playing, I think.
Preaching to the choir about Lux. With his speed and from the left side, he should bunt to third base every time they shift on him. Before long, they’ll stop shifting and he’ll be able to get more hits to the pull side.
Mookie is a huge disappointment this year, but I think he’ll come around. He’s had a series of injuries this year and then he get’s the stomach flu to boot. That dude can’t afford to lose weight from a stomach flu.
The lineup is going to start producing again real soon. We have two more games to get it going so we can gain some ground by beating the Giants head to head. All this resting of players is to get them fresh for that series.
I was listening to a conversation someone was having about the 4th starter in the playoffs, and they said that guy can also pitch in relief considering he will only have to start 1 game. I’m thinking that guy will be Julio Urias, and if that is the case then the bullpen will be stronger in the playoffs, which makes me feel a whole lot better about the bullpen in the playoffs. That and the fact that Tony Gonsolin will be in the bullpen too in the playoffs.
So maybe the only thing I have to fear in the playoffs is Doc’s management skills. Because unlike others I’m not worried about our offense in the playoffs. And I’m certainly not worried about our starting pitching in the playoffs.
Injuries happen.
I’d like another SP although Gray is a darkhorse.
Bullpen is always a concern.
Maybe need one more experienced bench bat.
Keekay & Joc were stud October players.
No way Gray makes it to the majors this season, even less chance he goes into the rotation. Maybe next season when things are a little less complicated. Kike and Joc were pretty good in October, that is a given, but both wanted more playing time, and that was not happening in LA. Also both were low average guys who occasionally did something really good, If Kike had hit most of his career like he did the first year in LA< they probably would have signed him long term. But he never came close to matching that season average wise, and despite a great glove, he was a .230 hitter most of the time. Same with Joc, lots of power, not much production without it, and he has never hit lefty's.
Kike and especially Joc had their October moments. But overall, I don’t miss either of them, especially Joc. I have read posts claiming their loss has hurt the Dodgers and wishing they were still around. I don’t.
I liked Kike’s defense but he can’t hit. As usual, he’s hitting .235 with .767 OPS. Nice player. Good clubhouse guy but there’s no way the Dodgers were going to match the 14 million, 2 year deal he got from Boston. His absence has opened doors for CT3 to become even a better player.
Joc, I never has much cared for. Yes, he had highlight moments in October. But last year he wasn’t in shape, looked like he didn’t give a shit, couldn’t hit lefties at all and generally looked disengaged. Wasn’t he even left of a playoff series roster in 2019? As usual, he’s at .235 & .737 this year after a less than impressive .190 / .681, 2020. Again, I see no way the Dodgers were prepared to match the Cubs 1 year deal at 7 million.
We are getting more out of Taylor, McKinstry, Pollock and Beaty. Thanks for playing in LA boys but it was time to move on and we are not worse for it.
Thomas was saying the same thing on the FOX pregame show. Insisting that the Dodgers are really missing those guys. I disagree. I saw too many times when they did not come through.
Hey Bear, what Frank Thomas knows about the Dodgers is what he read off the notes handed to him about 15 minutes before he went on the air. The guy does White Sox gams and pays attention there.
And you certainly can’t be worried about the bullpen! So no worries then!
The music stops and Bellinger sits.
Betts RF
Muncy 1B
Turner 3B
Smith C
Lux SS
Taylor CF
Pollock LF
McKinstry 2B
I would definitely switch Lux and McKinstry in the lineup, McKinstry being the better hitter
Why no Bellinger? Is he too tired after 3 games? Can we ever have the regular 8 position players play a game together? Taylor takes Seager’s spot for now.
Roberts has no regular 8, He never has. As for Belli, 3 in a row after being out of action most of the year, I have no problem with it. And it means he is available to pinch hit later in the game. Bad news is that this game is on FOX< so we have to listen to Joe Boring Buck.
Urias looks sharp.
Dumb baserunning mistake.
Wasn’t the best lead. Don’t mind the idea.
I wouldn’t call that a professional at bat by Pollock, he had one job to do and that was to get Taylor to third and by the looks of that swing he was still trying to pull
Agree. McKinstry > Lux… though he’s not supposed to be.
And just why is Bellinger sitting? Did he tweak something… again? Fatigue?
Seriously, Belli has already sat most of the season. Does he really need rest? Doesn’t he need to play to get his rhythm and mojo back?
So why not sit Lux instead and play Taylor at SS? Lux has played most of the season and maybe a break could do him some good. Give him something to think about, like bunting against the shift or whatever.
Slot Belli into that lineup at the fifth spot of Lux and it suddenly looks much tougher….
I’ve been ragging a lot on Lux lately…. Yes, I’d have moved him in a Lindor deal and shifted Seager to 3B or 1B. Because run prevention.
Of all the Dodgers’ disappointments this season, Lux is No. 1. He’s had his “runway” and the unexpected chance to prove himself at SS–and he’s made the least of it.
From Puig to Joc to Seager to Belli to Buhler to Smith, young Dodgers have made a quick impact over recent years. Looking farther back, no franchise has had so many ROYs. We’ve come to expect this.
Despite the infrequent flashes, Lux has really been mediocre in the majors—and the evidence is mounting that he might be best suited for a platoon. He is looking like the weakest link in this lineup. When Seager comes back, why shouldn’t Lux move to the bench and become trade bait?
Having said all that, I sort of expect Lux to now go out and have a big game. Wouldn’t it be nice if suddenly something clicks and he proves us doubters wrong.
Well said
Well said I agree 100%, Belli can’t play four games in a row WTF Agree on Lux
also
Doc is bringing back the injured players slowly. I think that is very smart. Feel free to think what you invent in your head.
Agree to disagree, no need to get a rude I don’t know why my post agreeing with DNS got lost
Sorry if you think it was rude.
1. It was not directed to you; and
2. Hamstrings can come back quickly.
Doc knows how Cody feels and if Cody is out of the game, then I am fine with the rest.
Those are the facts… anything else is manufactured in someone’s head.
I didn’t know you were privy to all the facts
Now that I know I’ll just listen to your post
Dodgers off to good start. At least they took the lead in the first. No home run for the opposition.
We continue to let the lower part of the order hurt us. Heyward I believe already has 6 hits in this series although batting below 200. 4 straight balls to number 8 hitter. Good job coming back by Urias but lucky.
Btw mckinstry is no kike on d. My gosh it is scary every ball hit to him. His throws are all over the place if he catches it.
Our base running this year is inexcusable!
Good at bat by Heyward. Lux should take note
Dodgers once again making mediocre pitching look Cy Youngish. Hitting w/ RISP atrocious.
Embarrassing but true!
That is the Kelly we saw against the Dodgers in the World Series.
Joe Kelly is baaaaaaack. And NASTY! Eric you can have this lineup. I’m taking my bullpen!
I talked to a Boston fan a while back and he told me that Joe Kelly is 1/3 of the time awesome 1/3 of the time shitty and 1/3 of the time injured.
I’ll make a bet that Joe Kelly is on his 1/3 “awesome” streak and it won’t last. Just my opinion.
It certainly seems so but as Harvey Keitel Said. Let’s not start sucking each other‘s d. ……. just yet
Reply to Cassidy
My lineup isn’t quite healthy yet. Plus bonehead Doc for some reason doesn’t like to use the strongest lineup consistently.
In small doses he looks good.
R we finally seeing Machine Gun Kelly? Whoa Nellie!
Joseph Kelly
Why the hell is Cleavinger pitching in a tied game.
Good questions.
Our LH relievers have left the building.
OK, I will answer:
1. He has been pitching pretty good; and
2. They need to see him in pressure situations.
Steel sharpens steel!
Would you rather see V Gone? He’s been terrible latley
Bickford look pretty good or should I call him General Custer
Looks wise not results wise
Good enough for right now.
Not that my opinion matters and slap me if I’m being naïve but I am hopeful about Bickford.
Hopeful not high on.
Ya, I said last week or so that his stuff actually looks good. If our guys can tinker with him, we got a steal (and he’s a wasted Giants #1 pick which is that much sweeter)
Bellinger bomb.
No doubter
That’s the shot we needed to take off. Get Corey back and get a SP at the trade deadline and we’re set. Lets go!!!!!!!!!
I agree. In that situation Gonsolin goes to the bullpen and makes it stronger.
Way to go,
Like somebody said he could be used as a pinch hitter
later. I can’t remember who that was
Dodgers win a 1 run game!! Bullpen was fantastic except clevinger got lucky. Struggled with risp again but this is a tough well managed Cub team.
Bellinger is a game changer in so many ways. He will get his timing and he will get on a roll at some point. He is a star and today is what star players do.
Come back soon Corey!!
Who says no?
Dodgers get
Name Position value
Bryant 3B 18.1
Chafin LHRP 2.3
Total Value: 20.40
Cubs get
Name Position value
Pollock OF -13.8
Ruiz C 25
Vargas 1B 8.4
Very interesting. Bryant would definitely be a versatile player the dodgers love and he is better than pollock. We would save some money. But if the Dodgers think Ruiz can play next year I would say no. I doubt Bryant would sign back with LA so I wouldn’t . I would trade pollock for Bryant and throw Barnes in.
LOL.
You do realize Pollack has negative value. Barnes’ is negligible.
You gotta trade something to get something, and you gotta trade more if you want to get off of Pollock’s contract.
I’m sure the Dodgers think Ruiz can play this year, there’s nowhere for him in this system.
Your probably right but every time I say something about pollock people rush to his defense. I don’t think the Cubs trade Bryant because they r in the race. The Dodgers don’t need Bryant they would like to have him. The Cubs will just get a draft pick for Bryant. The Cubs need a backup catcher but not a starting catcher. Barnes is a good catcher.
Clippers are low-class, cheap-shot trash-talkers who can’t back it up.
(Kawhi’s the exception.)