A statistician had one foot in a bucket of ice water and one foot in a bucket of boiling water. He said, “My feet feel great, on average.” He meant that the average temperature of the water in the two buckets was comfortable. This may be true, but the average temperature doesn’t tell the entire story. If you put one foot in ice water and the other in boiling water, on average you should be comfortable, but I guarantee that you aren’t.
So, far in this series against the D-Bags, the Dodgers are averaging 12 runs a game which means they should have won both games easily, but they only won one. In game one, they needed to score seven runs to win, but they only scored two. I game two, they needed just two runs to win but they score an additional twenty more! How crazy is that?
Sometimes with this team, it seems that either no one hits or everyone hits. On average, that looks pretty good, but looks are deceiving. It is somewhat troubling to me that a team with this type of offensive capability does not bring their bats to the ballpark on a regular basis. Like everything else, it’s probably Doc’s fault! I think Corey Seager will be back in a week or so and then I will have to listen to fans complain about how he can’t hit, because it probably will take a few weeks to get his swing back, just like it is taking Cody time to get his back.
FYI, Cody only got the one hit last night (a HR), but he did not strike out. He is getting close. Most of you wanted to get rid of AJ Pollock a week ago. Now he is second to Max Muncy is Slugging and third on the team in HR. You have to learn to look at the Big Picture, not just one game. The Dodgers are the first team in MLB history to have a pair of two-slam games in the same season. AJ Pollock and Matt Beaty each hit grand slams in a 16-4 win over the Brewers in Milwaukee on May 2.
The Dodgers were averaging 3.8 runs over their previous five games, during which they went 1-4. They nearly tripled that average in two innings on Saturday. As much moaning and groaning as I have been hearing about the Dodgers this year, only one team (the Giants) have more win than the Boys in Blue. They have 56 wins and the Dodgers have 55. This is one damn good team and they haven’t even tapped their potential as yet.
Starting Pitching
The news about Clayton Kershaw was great and he will have a nice rest during the All-Star Break and probably come back the week of the 19th. The Dodgers will likely do the same thing with Julio Urias at some point. David Price pitched three innings and could have probably pitched another one, but that is how you “build a player up” without injuring them… slowly! Remember, he has not started since 2019! Give it time.
I think JoJo Gray will be in LA sooner than later, barring any setbacks, he will likely make another start in OKC and then make his next one in LA. Last night he went four scoreless innings, allowing just 1 hit and no walks while striking out four. Get back, JoJo! Quacks had another save last night at OKC (just saying). By the last week of July, this should be the rotation:
- Striker Buehler
- Clayton Kershaw
- Julio Urias
- Tony Ginsolin
- David Price or JoJo Gray
Let’s not forget Ryan Pepiot, who went 4 innings last night with 6 K’s and 3 BB. He allowed just one hit and one run (1.77 ERA). I wonder if he moves to OKC soon? Speaking of Starters, Bobby Miller went four innings for Great Lakes last night, allowing five hits and two runs. Not spectacular, but solid.
Kaybear
I still think he would be a huge asset to this team with his bat-to-ball skills. He would compliment a lot of the “swing-and-miss” guys. I will still push for him, although it involves trading Austin Barnes who has not done anything wrong. Bring on the Kaybear!
Trevor Bauer
I have read a lot of drivel from morons at other blogs blasting the Dodgers for not suspending Trevor Bauer and instead, waiting for the Commish to act. Here’s the way it is: The Dodgers can’t suspend Bauer on their own volition because MLB holds that authority under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy, which was enacted in 2015. The team can only act if Commissioner Rob Manfred transfers disciplinary authority to them. So, shut up with your righteous indignation and group-think “woke frenzy” and crawl back into your holes… and wait!
Also, to be clear, the Dodgers cannot void Bauer’s contract…. at least right now. So, shut up with “The Dodgers should have done this or that.” They did all they could do. The DA will likely get the case when the Pasadena Police have completed their investigation and if they charge him, then he will have to face a trial. If I had to predict, I would say that he will not be charged. However, that does not mean that MLB cannot suspend him. No one has a clue how this turns out, but I would wager that the odds are 50 : 50 he comes back this year.
The LA Times wrote this about the case:
The woman’s request for a restraining order against Bauer was filed by Marc Garelick of Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers, a Los Angeles-based family law firm. Garelick manages the firm’s Orange County office.
According to Garelick’s bio, his specialty is “highly contentious and sophisticated litigation in family law courts.” He says he helps clients in particular with decisions on whether to pursue a settlement or litigate cases. Garelick didn’t respond to The Times when asked whether he would continue representing the woman should the case go to civil or criminal court.
Garelick is a “shakedown artist.” Pure and simple. I am not taking sides, but it seems this investigation is coming to an end very soon. I would not rule Bauer being back in the rotation by the start of August… or not! Again, we hurry up and wait!
I’m not sure why you can feel so optimistic about Cody possibly returning to MVP glory….just because he didn’t strike out last night? Did you see the five bums who Arizona threw at us? I think three of them have ERAs higher than 10. Hitting bad pitching is an illusion and is misleading because guess what? You won’t face any of that in the playoffs. And this is why today’s Cody Bellinger is less than mediocre. Good pitchers have figured out how to beat him and know how to implement the plan. Only the bad pitchers don’t know how.
I’m not judging Cody on his distant past (> 2 years) ….I’m judging him on his recent present (past two years), and I don’t like what I’m seeing. I wish I had your optimism but I’m too realistic…my senses and the numbers the past two seasons tell me otherwise.
We should trade him to Atlanta so he can fill Acuna’s shoes. They have some interesting prospects we can try to grab. This way, we don’t have to fret about paying him big bucks during the off-season because he doesn’t deserve it. With the exception of one or two big swings, he rarely shows up in the playoffs and it is becoming more obvious….he REALLY struggles against LHP.
Too bad Ruiz can’t play the OF…..he will be a much better hitter.
Gotta hate those young five-tool MVPs who hit decisive HRs in must-win postseason games.
Dude, your half empty glass is also half full regardless of your take on things.
The more I read, my opinion is that the Trevor Bauer’s case will ultimately be settled in civil court. Why hasn’t he been charged or arrested by now. Also the victim has a checkered past. MLB will make their point on domestic violence and suspend Bauer for a period of time. He won’t be pitching for the Dodgers this year. Andrew is making plans right now for that to happen.
You’re probably right about Bauer not coming back this year. After Manfred moved the All-Star game, he showed where he stands on political issues that are font and center in the twittersphere.
It would make sense to shove him to the back of the closet and dust him off next year for a fresh start, or see if he can be relocated to a witness protection program like the Braves, Phillies or Cardinals in the offseason.
It’s really hard to predict because this case is unique in so many ways.
Mark is right. Other blogs’ handlings of this case are embarrassing to read. Get over it!
Futures Game at noon on MLB network today, showcasing Michael Busch and Andre Jackson.
Dodgers/Giants/Padres at 1pm.
Draft at 4pm on ESPN and MLB.
Good day!
Don’t care for soccer though I’m sure I’ll pass by a screen. NBA is kinda fun with an exciting Suns team that looks destined to win it all.
Today is a beautiful summer day. I feel like I now know how Snow White felt when the birds were dressing her in the morning. 22 runs against the D-Backs is just what the doctor ordered after losing 4 games this week against lowly fish and snakes.
Bueller was masterful with just 3 hits and 2 walks against 7 Ks in 6 scoreless innings. The two grand slams and the first career salami for JT was a lot of icing on a big fat cake. But, it was the invisible man who reached in all 6 plate appearances with two bombs of his own and a 4-4 performance that really charged the offense. The game was over after the first inning, spotting Bueller with a 5-0 lead but the hit parade made the game interesting enough to watch until the end.
The cherry on top was watching Albert hit numbers 674 and 675 with the latter coming off the famously hated Josh Reddick. I know, he’s not a pitcher, but he is a big fat “D” and he looked really pissed off when Albert sent that second one deep over the wall. How sweet it is.
Woah! AJ Pollock’s OPS shot up to 851 and Betts’ 819 jumped 20 points in one game. Betts’ finished the night with 4 runs and 4 RBI out of the leadoff spot.
It’s hard to believe that was JT’s first Grand Slam especially considering Lux had 2 in the same month earlier this season. Baseball is full of statistical oddities.
Albert’s slash line with the Dodgers is .271/.307/.514/.821 and he hasn’t finished a season with an OPS over 800 since 2012, his second year with the Angels. I have never seen him look happier.
Bear called it yesterday, that the Dodgers are improving against left-handed pitching. He hit the nail right on the head.
The Pads lost last night’s game failing to generate any offense against Rockies’ Ace German Marquez. Tatis with the second 0’fer in as many nights could be sweating his role in the Bauer saga. Coincidence?
I think MT is right on with his Bauer prediction. This case has more red flags than a communist party convention in Tiananmen Square.
With a suspension likely, the rotation will look a little different for the immediate future and then some. Kershaw is coming back after the break which sounds a lot like some vacation time. Bueller is the ace and Urias isn’t that far behind when he’s on his game. Gonsolin and Price round it out with Gray and Pepiot making cases for themselves.
With less than 20 days until the deadline, it’s hard to predict if the Dodgers will augment this group. I doubt AF goes full “dope fiend” and pulls the trigger on a lopsided deal. The anticipated length of Bauer’s suspension will weigh heavily on that decision. A 60 day suspension from July 1 would allow Bauer to return by September 1 which isn’t a lot of time to “Build up” to a starter’s workload and would put additional strain on the bullpen during a September pennant race. For this reason, I think the Dodgers will pull the trigger on a front of the rotation starter if one is available without having to overpay significantly. I hate to speculate on specific names involved in a deal, but the Dodgers farm has some depth at catcher and pitcher as always is lacking in position players with impact bat upside.
I don’t care what Phelicia says, I like you.
LOL!
I think it’s pretty even when it comes to those who hate me and those who appreciate me. The website says Dodgers Talk, so we talk. No hard feelings to PhilJones or anyone else on this site, like Mushers and Bluto.
Unlike most these days, I’m of the opinion that people have the right to express their thoughts and opinions until Mark, the overseer of his domain, says otherwise. And he has in regards to me in the past and I’ve been summoned back by those who missed my contributions as well.
I’ve been in jail here and have been in self imposed exile as well. I’d rather be part of this community than not, because if we only had PJs, it would be a lot less colorful and entertaining.
I didn’t expect PhilJones to be as butt-hurt as the morning after a night at Bauer’s house and I find it less than coincidental that he never had anything to say about me until after I disagreed with his Max Muncy “Run and Hit” argument. If you pay close attention, you can really see what motivates people.
Did you notice, I think it was on the 2nd pitch, Reddick threw to Albert at like 59 & Albert got this sly grin on his face as if to say “this is gonna be fun”!? For me to follow that on the next pitch being jacked out was one of the gems of the game.
Cheers
Huge offensive outburst last night. Buehler pitching like he can. One more win today would make everyone feel better at the break. Unfortunately for me the internet went down due to a storm and I only saw buehler pitch the first inning. I hope the Dodgers can get healthier over the break and come back with a great second half!!! They will open at Colorado where they have been pitching and playing better.
I hope you are right and that we can score a bunch of runs today, but I’ve seen too many times when the teams who score a crazy amount of runs one day come back to score few the next. Plus, I believe this game today is a day game which usually makes it harder for batters to see the ball. But, again, I fully agree and want to see us go off again…at the very least, to end up on a high note with a W. The Miami series has still left a bad taste in my mouth, and losing 2 of 3 to the worst team in baseball won’t make that bad taste go away anytime soon.
MLB Reportedly Hoping To Return To Nine-Inning Doubleheaders In 2022
By Anthony Franco | July 11, 2021 at 8:47am CDT
As part of the MLB – MLBPA agreements on health and safety protocols, doubleheaders have consisted of a pair of seven-inning games over the past two years. “Barring heavy resistance” from the Players Association, the league is planning to return to the traditional nine-inning affairs for twin bills starting in 2022, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
I predict that if the Dodgers average 20 runs per game for the rest of the season, they should win most of their remaining games.
Anyone think we held back Gray on putpose, just to keep him fresh for the second half?
Yes, same with Gonsolin, Knebel, Kershaw, V-Gone and Price.
Two Zach’s in the lineup last night. I’m thinking Reks is being showcased for trade bait. I like Belli hitting down the order until he figures things out.
Today’s lineup and final game before the break :
RF Mookie
1B Max
3B Justin
CF Cody
C Will
2B Chris
LF AJ
SS Gavin
P Tony
Hopefully we saved some runs for today from last night’s debacle
Well well well, Doc finally has Lux batting 8th. Personally I’d rather have McKinstry in there instead of Lux.
National League Team Stats:
Dodgers #1 in team pitching OPS.
Dodgers #2 in team batting OPS.
Dodgers #1 in overall team pitching ERA.
Dodgers #1 in team starting pitching ERA.
Dodgers #5 in team relieving ERA.
Dodgers #1 in all of baseball in expected win/loss record at 59-31.
Red Sox are losing as I am typing in the 5th inning 5-1, if they lose and the Dodgers win, then the Dodgers will be all alone with the 2nd best record in all of baseball, only behind the damn Giants.
Mark, I agree with most of your post above. But, I’m more in the TM camp on the Bellinger situation. One HR and no KO’s is nice but unfortunately, it’s been a one off recently. It’s amazing that two of our best players, Muncy and Taylor, were quietly traded for from the depths of the Seattle and Oakland (very surprising with their advent of moneyball) systems. We don’t need no stinkin’ drafts. Scout the minor leagues of other teams and trade for their overlooked prospects. The recent Vesia and Cleavinger trades appear to be positive moves. Though I don’t get the Jake Reed addition.
With starting pitching I went over the list of possible trade options. Most of the top 10 have been recently or currently injured. So, I say go for it and try for Scherzer. Obviously it would help for this year and might be an option for next year depending on the Bauer and Kershaw situations. And, if Bauer returns this year then the starting staff will be that much stronger. But, with Bauer that’s a big if. Going into the playoffs with Scherzer, Kershaw, and Buehler with Urias, Gonsolin, and Price moved to the BP. Add in Bauer… forget about it. An impossible wall for any playoff opponent to climb.
Agree strongly about getting Ruiz to the Dodgers. Like Mark mentioned his high contact rate would be a welcome addition. Get Smith some OF practice time just for depth. Send down Barnes or include him a trade. This silliness about him being Kershaw’s personal catcher should stop. Kershaw’s numbers this year don’t warrant non-productive offensive player such as Barnes.
With the Trevor Bauer situation we need to wait and see. These type of situations never make much sense on why and how they happen. All I can say is what causes a grown man with the skills, intelligence, responsibility, and money to put himself into this type of situation? Social media and stupidity strike again.
philjones please reconsider your hiatus
“So, shut up with your righteous indignation and group-think “woke frenzy” and crawl back into your holes… and wait!“
Not helpful Mark.
Jo Jo might be able to get Major League hitters out. I suspect the second time through lineups will be challenging. I expect a trade for an innings eating veteran. philjones said it accurately, we still need 1.5 Major League starters. Gray might be the .5. The 1 will likely come by trade.
Okay, lot to digest.
While I believe Ruiz will be up at some point this summer and is no doubt ready to contribute, I wouldn’t trade Barnes.
I believe Bellinger will again become a dynamic hitter. But trying to make an analysis based on a pandemic shortened season or another riddled with injuries doesn’t seem to be a logical approach. I definitely wouldn’t trade him for prospects. He had some big homeruns in 2020 and some incredible defensive plays. Unfair to judge him coming off shoulder surgery, then a fractured leg.
Interesting that both Callis and Mayo have the Dodgers taking Matheu Nelson, the Florida State catcher, the power too great to pass up. Would seem like an odd choice since the Dodgers seem to loaded with catchers in the system, but they no doubt approach with a best player available mentality.
Story in the LA Times with Dave Roberts talking about all the ailments Mookie Betts has been dealing with (forearm, shoulder and back), thinks not attending the all-star game is a good thing from a healing perspective.
Lately Betts has looked better.
I’m still waiting for the Trevor Bauer investigations by the Pasadena police and MLB to wrap up, dropping shoes and all. Will it be next week, a month from now, no idea? Lots of speculation. I get that.
Not sure what to expect from the Dodgers today. Headed for Dodger Stadium, hope they still have runs left in the bag.
Definitely looking forward to the draft. Just don’t have much interest in the All-Star game. I do believe moving the game from Atlanta to Denver was shameful. Not a good look. Best for the game to stay out of politics.
Hey, I liked the AJ Pollock signing although many didn’t. He adds to the line-up, has good days and bad. But when he’s good sometimes he can carry a team and the power is definitely back. Pollock’s problem was never his bat or defensive skills, but staying on the field — lot of freak injuries.
Good write-up today, Mark.
Buried in all that hitting was Barnes 0-4
He’s a back-up catcher.
Yes, Barnes was 0-4… but the box score shows he (a) did not strike out, (b) walked once and (c) score two runs. On the downside, he left four runners on base–but he each time he put the ball in play.
Anyway, it’s not like he was unproductive at the plate.
And when he was behind the plate–all nine innings, giving Smith a break–he helped guide Buhler and three relievers to a four-hitter with only one earned run.
Pretty good day for a catcher, I’d say.
So yes, I’m against trading Barnes, who still seems to be prefered as catcher by Kershaw and perhaps some others. But I’d like to see Ruiz get a shot too. Right now, he’s great plug-and-play insurance if either Smith or Barnes are hurt.
But he is also a very nice trade chip…
My guess is that AF won’t be doing anything as bold as when he landed Darvish and Machado. But who knows?
Latest Baseball America Mock has Cusick to the Dodgers.
I am unclear if that’s what they “hear” or what they think would be the best fit.
BA will Say Anything.
Thanks for that great reply!
Pablo Lopez strikes out first nine batters in game today for Marlins
1 – Averages: the Dodgers are 1 – 6 in walk-off games, 11 – 16 in 1 run games, 19 – 5 in “blowouts” (games decided by 5 or more runs), 1 – 8 in extra innings. When they won in 2020 and should have won in 2017 and 2019, they had numerous walk offs and seemed to win the close ones. This is why averages lie. Yeah, they’ve had injuries and all of that, but this team has suffered from bad late bullpen performance and a really inconsistent offense.
2 – Offense: – in wins, the Dodgers slash .275/.365/.481/.845. In losses, they slash .193/.295/.320/.615. In wins, they score 6.75 r/g; in losses 2.8 r/g. 4 runs/game difference between wins and losses. No matter how good the pitching is they will lose a lot of winnable games until the offense becomes more consistent.
3 – Late bullpen performance: The Dodgers are 2nd in MLB in blown saves with 18. There have been WAY TOO MANY GAMES where the likes of Uceta, Cleavinger, Jones et al have been brought in to pitch in the late innings of close games.
4 – Trevor Bauer – Mark’s stuff about MLB’s role in the disciplinary process is the same stuff that I posted a few days ago. However, (and I don’t think that makes me “woke”), Bauer put himself and his team at risk by employing very poor judgement in this situation. Period. Some strange woman approaches you from out of nowhere for rough sex and this seems like a good idea? The Dodgers invested $40MM in Bauer for the season and thought he was needed for another title run. His absence could blow the whole season for the Dodgers and that isn’t OK.
5 – Innocence and guilt: I will repeat in part what I posted before:
In a legal context, innocence has to do with a judicial determination which could affect life or liberty. The trier of fact (usually a jury) gets to make the decision. The legal standard is “beyond a reasonable doubt”. The jury will only get to consider evidence which has been offered by an attorney and has been admitted into evidence by a judge, so not all information gets considered.
Major League Baseball is not a jury. The presumption of innocence does not apply to its determinations. The limitation of what evidence that it may consider when reaching a decision about what to do with a player does not apply either. MLB can consider investigations conducted by attorneys, the police, private investigators, or others.
The evidentiary standard “beyond a reasonable doubt” doesn’t apply either. In non-criminal proceedings, the standard is usually “a preponderance of the evidence”, meaning more likely than not – a sort of 51% standard.
Unless MLB limits itself to only making a decision based on what the criminal justice system does (they don’t have to and probably won’t) then there are many possible outcomes here, but it doesn’t look good for Bauer or the Dodgers.
Excellent points.
To add to some of your posts:
Re points 1 and 3, losing all those one-run and extra-inning games is really troubling. Too many blown saves. The fact that Dodgers have relied on unproven relievers like Uceta, Santana and others underscores my argument that AF was shortsighted in letting Jake McGee walk and trading Dylan Floro. (McGee is a lefty and that has been a particular concern.)
Re 4 and 5, to whatever extent the accuser’s claims are justified, it’s clear that Bauer put himself in this situation, and so did the Dodger brass. And remember: the Dodgers really didn’t need Bauer to defend their championship–especially at such an exorbitant price, and especially given his concerns about his combative character and the possibility he would be a distraction. (Well, he exceeded fears on that!) It’s been suggest that the Kasten/AF mentality was to be greedy– “why not be pigs?” ) Why not gild the lily? There is a saying about businesses getting greedy: “All little piggies get to eat. But hogs get slaughtered.”
Looking back, I think Dodger fans would say, “Yeah, maybe we should have brought back Jake McGee and let the Mets have Bauer.”
Just want to put in a good word for a guy named Justin Lorber who does his Dodger-related work under the name Future Dodgers.
He does very extensive work on Dodger prospects and has an amazing spreadsheet on the draft, with both his own picks and compilations from everyone else you can think of.
For those of you on Twitter you can find him there but here is a link to his overall work. Just go to the bottom of the page to pick out whatever spreadsheet you want to look at. He’ll have extensive updates after the draft is over on Tuesday. He also keeps track of international signings.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Tuooytw157kjyMeY1ecRDnPq9FTGGWQOwzWSgsQpqN4/edit#gid=882166644
I know of and follow Justin. An excellent source.
Future Dodgers is a good source.
Heck of a good writer, too. Was happy to stumble upon his work.
A little MLB Draft tivia. It is very impressive for a high school have a first round draft pick. To have two and your high school will get a reputation of having a very gifted baseball program and worthy to watch. Marcelo Mayer is the presumptive favorite to be selected 1/1 in this evening’s MLB draft. He is a SS from Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA. If he is in fact to be chosen by the Bucs as 1/1, he will become the second first overall high school player drafted out of that East Lake HS. In June 2000, the Florida Marlins selected Eastlake HS 1st baseman, Adrian Gonzalez, as the first overall pick.
There have been players from 27 different high schools selected 1/1, since the genesis of the June draft in 1965. 10 were from the State of California, while 3 were from Georgia, and 2 each from Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina. So it is rare indeed when 2 are drafted first overall from the same state, much less same high school. The closest any other HS has come to having a player drafted 1/1 was when Hunter Greene, Notre Dame HS, Sherman Oaks, CA was selected 1/2 by the Cincinnati Reds in 2017. In 1968, Tim Foli was selected 1/1 from the same Notre Dame HS.
Vanderbilt University has had two players drafted 1/1: David Price (2007) and Dansby Swanson (2015). But the king of the 1/1 selections is Arizona State University with 4:
Rick Monday (1965) (KC)
Floyd Bannister (1976) (Houston)
Bob Horner (1978) (Atlanta)
Spencer Torkelson (2020) Detroit)
This will be the Pirates 5th 1/1 selection, tying them with most overall with Houston, Mets, and Padres. Seattle and Tampa Bay have four 1/1. Seven teams have never had a 1/1: Dodgers, Red Sox, Reds, Rockies, Giants, Cardinals, and Blue Jays. Although I am certain that the Dodgers would have preferred to have been 1/1 in 1993 instead of 1/2. Instead of Westminster Christian HS (FL) SS Alex Rodriguez, the Dodgers were forced to select Wichita State RHP, Darren Dreifort. So close.
Final Mock Draft Predictions:
MLB.com (both Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo) – Matheu Nelson, C, Florida St.
ESPN (Kiley McDaniel) – Ryan Cusick, RHP, Wake Forest
Baseball American (Carlos Collazo) – Jud Fabian, OF, Florida
The Athletic (Keith Law) – Andrew Painter, RHP, Calvary Christian HS (FL)
FanGraphs (Eric Logenhagen and Kevin Goldstein) – Sam Bachman, RHP, Miami of Ohio – They now have Max Muncy going to the A’s. Could be déjà vu. Oakland drafts a Max Muncy, releases him, and is then signed by LAD. It worked once.
Sporting News – Peyton Stovall, INF, Haughton HS (LA)
FanGraphs now has Max Muncy going to the A’s. Could be déjà vu. Oakland drafts a Max Muncy, releases him, and is then signed by LAD. It worked once.
IMO, the Dodgers are in somewhat of a quagmire. There are maybe 10-15 potentially elite draft picks, one and half rounds of mediocre 1st and 2nd round talent (compared to previous years and next year), no 2nd round pick, and very low bonus budget. There is no consensus amongst the “experts” as to what the Dodgers are looking at. College bat, college arm, high school bat, high school arm. Rounds three thru twenty are considered decent talent compared to previous drafts. So the Dodgers have no chance at an elite talent and no 2nd round pick. Where the Dodgers have done well in the past is in the later rounds, so I might expect a low ball 1st round and look to exploit rounds 3-10. But nobody knows what AF and Billy Gasparino are thinking.
I can understand the logic of Callis and Mayo. Matheu Nelson may in fact be the best player available when they select, and he does not scream overslot. He is arguably a top college power bat and did so as a catcher. Agreed that the Dodgers have Keibert Ruiz and Diego Cartaya as Top 100 talent in their system. But he could slide into top ten for LAD.
I hope that Chris Collazo’s (Baseball America) mock draft does not come to fruition. Jud Fabian is a Jeren Kendall part two. Great defensive CF with poor bat to ball skills but BIG power potential. Dodgers fall in love with this type; Jeren Kendall, DJ Peters, and Mitch Hansen come to mind.
Who does LAD tend to develop better than most? Pitching. There are a dozen or so pitchers who could line up and be the Dodgers pick at 29. Two HS pitchers that the Dodgers may be tempted to go overslot for are:
RHP Andrew Painter, Calvary Christian HS, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. – Committed to Florida
RHP Chase Petty, Mainland Regional HS, Linwood, NJ – Committed to Florida
Neither are considered in the elite class, and both could slide to 29.
I do not expect the Dodgers to select a high school position player, but those that are supposedly being considered are:
Peyton Stovall, INF, Haughton HS (LA) – Committed to Arkansas
Max Muncy, INF, Thousand Oaks HS – Committed to Arkansas
Joshua Baez, OF, Dexter Southfield HS (Brookline, Mass) – Committed to Vanderbilt
James Wood, OF IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) – Committed to Mississippi State
Izaac Pacheco, SS, Friendswood HS (TX) – Committed to Texas A&M
Carson Williams, SS, Torrey Pines, HS (San Diego) – Committed to Cal
Colson Mongomery, SS, Southridge HS (Huntingburg, IN) – Committed to Indiana
All except Stovall have been graded as Plus Power; however Stovall is considered to have the best hit tool in HS.
College pitchers that I hope slide to 29 are (my top two choices):
RHP Michael McGreevy, UCSB (21.0 years of age)
RHP Gunnar Hoglund, Mississippi (21.6 years of age)
McGreevy is considered a shade better at this stage than was fellow Gaucho Shane Bieber. Hoglund is recovering from TJ surgery, but is a top ten talent who could slide as did Walker Buehler.
As long as the paid “experts’ go out on a limb, I might as well give it my best shot. Drafting at 1/29, LAD selects RHP, Gavin Williams, East Carolina. Dark horse, LHP, Matt Mikulski, Fordham. Mikulski is a senior who should slide below the allotted bonus slot for the Dodgers, giving them more for the later rounds. If the Dodgers are thinking bonus savings, Mikulski makes sense.
On a more serious note, Denver police arrested 4 people who were allegedly planning a Las Vegas style attack during the All Star game festivities. They were alerted by a hotel employee about weapons and ammo in a room at the hotel. Later the FBI said that there was no threat to the game. There was also drugs involved.
Bear,
I read that, it was a CUH-RAY-ZEE story.
Everybody on the team is available today so there is no reason for any dumb Doc moves or to lose this game to the sorry Diamondbacks.
Gonsolin not sharp, defense not helping
I give him credit though he’s battling
Betts going into the break on a positive note
I can’t stand all these shift hits.
I can’t stand watching us only score one run off of a pitcher with a 5 ERA….especially after we scored 22 runs against 5 pitchers with similar ERAs.
Yeah, that too. I was thinking the same thing.
When was the last time Lux did anything positive at bat.
My prediction at the beginning of the season sure hasn’t panned out. I predicted the offense would be good enough to carry a potential slumping Lux.
He got a triple with the bases loaded in the 8th inning last night while we were up something like 16-1 against a pitcher with an ERA over > 10. Does that count?
Hopefully he will be platooned when Seager returns. He and Bellinger need to take some batting lessons on how to make contact with the ball, especially with two strikes.
That’s right I forgot about last night’s triple he got. Before that though it’s been awhile.
He had a multi hit game earlier this week.
The bullpen strikes again.
By the way Bellinger swung so hard earlier today that he landed on his knees, there’s no reason for that to happen unless you are swinging too damn hard.
Don’t you think he will good in an Atlanta uniform?
I wouldn’t trade Bellinger. He has all the tools he just needs to mature.
This game seems to be following a familiar script
In the second half when Seager returns, Bellinger should be batting sixth. Right now he does not deserve to be batting 4th. Another missed opportunity between Lux and Bellinger to tie the game. Pitiful!
This is our 91st game with 71 more to go so numerically this IS the 2nd have of the season. It happened 10 games ago and I don’t care what MLB says. have to chuckle when someone compares one half to the other. This year it will be a 20 game difference.
Bellinger’s been living off his laurels
As Vinny would say what have you done for me lately
The obvious answer is…..”he hit a HR in a very important game against Atlanta in the playoffs.” But, I don’t know about you, but one hit surrounded with a zillion Ks doesn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy. How about you? (I hate to be so anti-Bellinger and anti-Lux but I guess it’s because these two have disappointed me the most.)
Every time I see Alexander enter a game I expect the worst. He has zero command of his pitches.
Muncy bomb for the win.
Man we needed that, way to pull it out boys
It makes heading into the break much easier….
Maximus Muncius for governor! What a comeback and what a shot. Gotta love Max….anyone still want to trade Pollock??? Mookie looking Mookieish.
MMM(Mad Monster Muncy) does it again!!!!!!!
I friggin love this kid!
Henry taken first by the Pirates. Leiter 2nd to the Rangers. Rockies beat the Padres again. We go into the break still 2 behind the Gnats.
Remember signing Bauer will cost us a second pick in this year’s draft.
Never give up
On a different subject,Anybody know why the futures game switched to the Sox /Baltimore game, On MLB network
Scheduling most likely. If they were scheduled to show the major league game, it would preempt the futures game. NL won 8-3. Dodgers prospects Michael Busch and Jackson got into the game, Busch was 1-1 and Jackson gave up 1 hit in a scoreless inning.
Don’t understand. If they were scheduled to show the major-league game why would the futures game even be listed
Futures game ran long evidently. But the main contract is with MLB, and subscribers usually want to see the big leaguers. It is all about Money brother. And there is more money with the MLB broadcast sponsor wise. Bednar to the Giants.
SF Giants just drafted a winner in Will Bednar. I will be following from the get go.
I saw that and just wrote it, Padres lost the game, and another pitcher as Weathers went down with an apparent leg injury. They placed Darvish on the IL earlier in the day, Karma is a bitch.
Plan is for Seager to play in Arizona during the break and be evaluated after the break. Roberts said a rehab assignment is at this point not being considered, and they hope to have him back in the lineup when they return from Colorado to face the Giants in a 4 game series at Dodger Stadium. The news on Kershaw’s elbow showed only inflammation and no structural damage. It is hoped he will be ready at the end of his 10 day stint on the IL>
Kim Ng had a great first pick in drafting HS SS Khalil Watson whose name was bandied about as a potential 1/1 and slid to 16. HUGE steal.
So far you predicted half of Max Muncy’s future outcome. 25th overall to the A’s.
A’s drafted Max Muncy!!!! RH hitting High school SS.
Guess the Dodgers can pick up Muncy from the A’s again.
That would be epic, Dodgers draft Maddux Bruns, who????
High school lefty from Alabama. Three good pitches and iffy command.
Nobody had us picking him, for whatever that’s worth.
More on Maddox Bruns
https://primetimesportstalk.com/2021/07/08/mlb-draft-profile-maddux-bruns/
Live-armed LHP with solid frame. Kind of arm you can dream on.
There’s likely not a pitcher in the 2021 class who has as much pure arm talent as Bruns. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound lefthander wowed scouts last summer at Perfect Game’s National Showcase, running his fastball up to 97 mph and flashing two breaking balls that were both plus pitches. At later events it was clear that Bruns’ control and command were well behind his pure stuff, and he struggled not only to hit his spots but to get the ball around the zone. That made him something of an enigma entering the spring, as no one in the industry doubted his pure stuff and upside, but seemingly everyone was scared about his strike-throwing ability and the reliever risk that came with it. Scouts in the South did see better control from Bruns this spring against poor competition, but they still commented he was much more of a control-over-command arm. Bruns is strong and physical, and attacks hitters with a vertical arm slot that creates plane and a crossfire delivery that adds to his deception. While he can run his fastball up to 97-98, he pitches more effectively in the lower 90s. Bruns throws a 12-to-6 curveball in the mid-70s with tremendous depth and also has a hard slider in the low 80s with power and late biting action. On top of that, some scouts have even graded his low-80s changeup as a plus offering, but he’s not used it much to this point. Bruns is committed to Alabama, but a team could easily take a shot on his massive upside somewhere in the top-two rounds.
Good writing, Bluto.
If only, BacchusB. If only.
Bluto, this is a Baseball America scouting report. I hope it was from a free subscription. I know you do not like us taking these reports from paid sources. Especially without without giving credit to the source.
By the way, he is committed to Mississippi St., not Alabama.
Yes, good point Jeff D.
Got caught up in the moment, thank you for the proper crediting.
I pay for the content, I’ll try not to do so in the future.
You should practice what you preach.
I was just giving you back some of what you preach. FYI, I always give credit to my sources. By the way, others quoting paid subscription material does not bother me as it does you. I just wanted to make sure you could catch as well as you pitch.
i’m definitely not a professional! At pitching, catching or (as bacchus’ noted) writing.
It is something that I should not have done.
Thank you for calling me on it. Quite deserved.
And thanks for your insight below.
If only Bellinger can hit as well as Pujols in the second half!
Question: Any pre-draft association between Maddox BRuns and the Dodgers? How surprising is that pick? How surprising can any pick late in the 1st really be?
Eric A Longenhagen Not surprising. Dodgers love fastballs with carry and Bruns has a big one.
I know nothing but their player development department is so respected I imagine they try to stay incognito for as long as possible, bot showing their hand.
Money talks and with no 2nd round pick, they may have incentive to shoot for the stars.
If he’s smart, he signs on the line that is dotted.
DC is going to do a profile of Bruns. There are a couple of interesting tidbits with this pick. The last time the Dodgers did not sign their first round pick, it was 2018, with limited bonus dollars available.; J. T. Ginn, a High Schooler with command concerns who was 19 and committed to Mississippi St. Being 19, he was sophomore eligible for the draft which he re-entered and was drafted by the Mets in 2020. Bruns is 19 with command concerns, committed to Mississippi St., and will be sophomore eligible for the draft in 2023.
In 2018, the Dodgers passed on a successful college pitcher who dropped in Shane McClanahan who was the next pick, and this year the Dodgers again passed on a successful college pitcher who dropped and was picked three picks later in Ty Madden. I said at the draft I would not have passed on McClanahan, and I would not have passed on Madden this year.
In 2018, the Dodgers had the least amount of bonus allotment, and chose to low ball Ginn. This year the Dodgers have the 2nd lowest bonus allotment. Will they lowball Bruns and pick up a second #1 next year by not signing him?
I think you are on to something…
Well, I got my prediction right. We could all guess and be wrong.
I saw some video of this kid at True Blue and it looked to me like he couldn’t throw a strike. He was beating the hell out of his catcher with heat in the dirt. Obviously a lot of work to do with him. I think he will sign.
I too think he will sign, but I also think it will be a below slot offer. He could use the Dodgers development staff.
The Washington Nationals do not want to see the NL West again. At the end of June, they were making a move, 2 games back of NYM in the NL East with a 40-38 record. 4 games against LAD, 4 against SD Padres, and 3 against SFG. They went 2-9, and dropped to 42-47 in 4th place and 6.0 games behind NYM. They are 9.0 games back of SD for Wild Card. They are looking more like sellers.
That division can be had though. Braves lost Acuna, Mets are inconsistent, and the Phillies have the worst fans in baseball.
The Angels drafted Hamilton Southeastern Pitcher Sam Bachman who is a stud with a 100+ MPH Fastball. HSE is in the Indy Metro Area and he is the next big thing.
Count me among those who are not worried about Belli. He may never win another MVP, but I see no reason to doubt him returning to All Star-status. He’s proven he can deliver.
Hey, remember how, two seasons back, the big buzz was about whether Belli or Yelich was the better young outfielder? Well, Yelich is now having a rough season too.
So is Rendon, for that matter–and I had liked the idea of AF signing him and moving Turner to 1B. Slumps happen.
The fact that Betts and Pollock now seem to be coming around makes me confident about Belli. Why not have faith in guys who (A) have proven they can deliver the goods and (B) aren’t hobbled by injury or age? Speaking of age, Turner continues to impress with the bat–thogh his defense is slipping. (Bring on the DH!)
After Muncy’s breakout year, I remember thinking, yeah, maybe he’s at peak value and the Dodgers should consider trading him because Muncy really didn’t have a true position. A friend of mine was even arguing that after two seasons. But Muncy is the consummate grinder who keeps hitting as he has proven more than solid at both 1B and 2B. Today he again proved why he should be the All Star.
Very happy to see that Pujols was again brought in to pinch hit for Lux. Take a seat, Gavin. Before the deal, did anyone predict that Pujols would help the Dodgers deal with Lux’s struggles against lefties?
In other news, it looks like the Pads have lost Weathers to a knee injury and thus will also be in the market for an SP. This competition could increase the cost if AF enters the market, as he should. All considered, the Dodgers have plenty of reason for optimism at the All-Star break.
As we moan about guys likes Uceta and Jake Reed and previously Santana, let’s not ignore what our old friend Jake McGee is doing the first-place Giants:
“McGee came in for the ninth and was able to work around a two-out Starlin Castro double to record his 19th save and fourth straight appearance with a save. San Francisco’s closer concludes the first half on an impressive streak of 13.2 straight innings without permitting an earned run dating back to June 4. He enters the All-Star break with a 2.72 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 41:7 K:BB ratio.”
Yeah, sure… Letting that proven lefty reliever walk after a fine season in pantone was just a great move!
It was sort of fun to follow the MLB Draft, though it’s always a crapshoot.
As touted first-rounders go, Lux really hasn’t been that bad–not up to Buhler and Will Smith, certainly, but a lot better than Kendall and that pitcher who got traded for Chris Taylor. But he’s not playing as well as McKinstry, drafted in the 33rd round.
Bellinger has not even played in 40 games yet. He barely has 100 at bats and he has been off of the IL for a little over 2 weeks. Cody is going home to Az to be with his family, and probably do some cage work at the facility. I have every confidence the kid will start making better contact in the rest of the games. Even if he plays them all he comes in at just over 100. He will still strike out a lot, he always has, but I see him getting on a roll soon, and no better place to start than Coors.
Feel good story ends as Souza Jr. released by the Dodgers.
For those who miss Kike and Joc, they both are hitting in the .230’s, Joc at .230 and Kike at .237. Both have 11 HR’s. Kike already has 13 errors, most of them at second base, and he has 3 in the outfield. Lux by comparison has only 8 errors, 1 at second and 7 at SS, A J Pollock has no errors. Taylor and Bellinger have 2 between them. I do not think we miss either of these guys.
But I would take Kike over Lux any day of week. Kike has proven to be clutch, especially in September and he is a RHB to help balance out the big LHBs we have. And in defense of Kike, he is playing in a new league, which means all new pitchers to learn.
Let’s be candid here….unlike Kike, Lux hasn’t really shown us he could be counted on in the pressure of the playoffs. I personally think his performance last year is probably more of what we would see….another Bellinger, only without the occasional big bomb. So, to prefer Lux over Kike is all wishful thinking. I will give you this though regarding Lux…yes, he has improved from last year, so maybe he will continue to improve….that could happen. But Kike is a given. I really hated to lose him….especially for a head case like Lux.