That’s what happens when you build such a deep pitching staff. What the Devil was Andrew Friedman thinking? He just assembled a cast of too many pitchers and was too easy on some and too hard on others… or at least that’s the rumor. Well, Caleb Ferguson isn’t happy with how long the Dodgers took on his rehab and he thinks he should not be on the IL, even now… so there is that ( I call sour grapes). Others say Freidman should not have brought Heaney back so soon, only to have to go back on the IL. Yes, it’s all on Andrew and I do have to say that I believe Andrew Friedman generally errs on the side of caution, so sitting Ferguson is no surprise.
I have no clue what is going on with Heaney… maybe it’s a tweak… maybe he needs surgery, but Heaney is on the IL and Caleb Ferguson is on the IL. Wait, there is more… Here’s a complete list of the Dodger Pitchers on the IL:
- Walker Buehler
- Andrew Heaney
- Danny Duffy
- Caleb Ferguson
- Victor Gonzalez
- Tommy Kahnle
- Jimmy Nelson
- Blake Treinen
That’s a lot of excellent, live arms on the IL, BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Daniel Hudson will likely go to the IL and be lost for the season with an ACL injury! When it rains, it pours. Phil Bickford is struggling and will most likely be sent back to OKC. Mitch White is back in the rotation and what is next?
The major beef I have with Andrew Friedman is that he is very conservative in bringing up young pitchers. That was not the way he operated in Tanpa Bay and is not how Tampa Bay successfully operates now. He did deviate when he called up Michael Grove from Tulsa. I believe that is the first pitcher he called up not in AAA. Before the season is over he may have to take a “look-see” with Gavin Stone and/or Bobby Miller.
Ft. Wayne Trip & Game
Before I go any further, I have to tell you that my cameraman and I made the trip to Parkview Field in Ft. Wayne today which is one of the best (if not THE best) minor league venues.
The Ft. Wayne Tin Caps are the San Diego Padres High A Affiliate. It has been ten years since I have requested media credentials, but on Wednesday I contacted the Great Lakes Loons and got a Voice Mail. I thought, “Well this is a waste,” but in less than 10 minutes, Chris Mundhenk (President and GM of Great Lakes) returned my call and approve my request. The request was to have media access to Parkview Field and interview Diego Cartaya, Austin Chubb, Emmit Sheehan, and Nick Nastrini. I was successful in 75% of my requests.
By the time I finished with the first three interviews, Nick Nastrini was in the clubhouse and I was not able to get that interview. I had a lot of follow-up questions from his The Athletic Article (which BTW was amazing). The Yips intrigue me and I was going to ask a lot of questions about that. It sounds like his father is amazing! Austin Chubb was an absolutely amazing man… a man among me… a leader… and passionate every step of the way. What an amazing person he is. It is not surprising that he tutored under John Shoemaker.
You will hear and see his interview in the next couple of weeks. The first interview I did was with Emmit Sheehan who is a really amazing (and engaging) kid. He’s at least 6′ 5″ and now throws 97-99 MPH. He credits the Dodger’s pitching with it all, as he was 92-93 MPH when drafted last year. He says he has total confidence in all four of his pitches and that they are grooming him as a starter. He has the body… He says he is on a 50 pitch limit but threw 100 frequently in college. You are gonna’ love his interview!
The prize interview was with Diego Cartaya which I did in English… and so did he. His English is very advanced and he gets “nuance and inflection.” He was a total delight! What a kid! When I told him, “My friend, you have a special gift and you need to make sure you use it the best you can,” he wiped a tear from his eye. You are going to love this interview… especially when I told him he was going to move Will Smith to 3B. As soon as we edit it, you will see it!
The interview with Austin Chubb will likely be the first we show. Austin is a guy that is just a “take-charge, no-nonsense, natural-leader”, who loves baseball and all his players. The Dodgers are so lucky to have him. He has impacted so many young players and will impact even more. He is just getting started. I think he will be a major league manager in the future. He just has a confident presence about himself that is unusual.
The game did not disappoint as they were tied after 9 innings only to have the Loons score 5 runs in the top of the 1oth innings. WOW! Vivas, Cartaya, Ramos, and DeLuca all had 2 hits. Kendall Williams pitched a great game, going 5 innings and allowing 2 hits. He did walk 4 and strike out 3. He is very Ross Stripling-esque (to me). DeLuca hit his 17th HR. Cole Percival got the win, but in reality he tried to cough up the game in his 1 inning of work, he gave up 3 hits and 2 ER while walking 2 and striking out 3.
We watched most of the game from the scout/camera area right behind the plate and you will see that Diego Cartaya is unlike any catcher I have ever seen. First he is not built like a catcher. He is 6′ 3″ and built more like Cody Bellinger. In fact, he runs like Belli. HIs upper body is bigger than belli, but he is fast on the bases, has a quick (I mean very quick) release and is like a “big cat” behind the plate. He loves catching but thinks 1B may be in his future as well. It will be a week ot two until we have his video available as we shot over 30 minutes of Diego.
FINAL WORD: The Loons and Tin Caps are both class organizations. From their people to their facilities – it is all First Class.” Thank you for your hospitality and what a great ballpark… even if it is for the San Diego Padres. Hopefully, we will come back in the playoffs.
Other Future Dodger Prospects
- OKC Won 4-3 last night as Miguel Vargas was 2-3 with a walk.
- Carson Fulmer got his 7th Save and his ERA sits at 1.80. With all the injuries, I think the Dodgers have to give him a “look-see.”
- Tulsa also won 3-2 as Carson Taylor (DH) was 3-4.
- Gavin Stone went 5 innings, allowed 4 hits and NO Runs. He walked 2 and struck out just 1 as his ERA sits at 1.25.
- Rancho Cucamonga completed the Minor League sweep as they won 11-10.
- Damon Keith was 2-4 with 3 RBI.
- Ronan Kopp went 2.1 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 5.
The LA Dodgers
I had MLB.TV on my iPad watching the Atlanta game, and Muncy, JT, CT3, Gavin, and Cody were a combined 1 for 18, but Trea Turner, Will Smith and Trea Turner made up for it. That’s how it is supposed to work. ow those four need to pay it back tonight. It hurts losing Hudson. This could force AF to look for bullpen help, but I still think the most help is within the organization, including Caron Fulmer. I wonder how Gavin Stone and Ryan Pepiot would look coming out of the bullpen?
Raves
- Julio is now the Ace even though Tony G is unstoppable.
- The Dodgers are now up a game on San Diego and 6.5 on San Fran and in virtually a “dead heat” with the Mets for the best record in the NL.
- The Dodgers are #3 in runs scored in MLB, 5 runs behind the Yankees and 2 runs behind the Mets, and half the team is not even hitting. I think this bodes well.
- The Dodgers remain #1 in Team ERA. Of course the Starters are #1 and the Bullpen is #10. Who comes back from the IL and when is a factor, and also what Prospects step up is the other part of the equation.
What a Class-Act Freddie Freeman is!
Some Dodger fans and bloggers are mocking Freddie – that’s too bad. Freddie cares and that is all there is to it! He can play for me any day.
Gang of three. 0-10 plus one sac fly last nite
CT3 needs to sit out a game or two. Let him get his head and swing right as he alone had 6 runners LOB last night. At least JT had a scoring sac fly.
Too bad about Hudson but when one door closes another opens. Next man up and my guess is it will be Fulmer but AF might just surprise us.
One hitter that might be a valuable trade price is Donovan Solano, former Dodger and now a Red. His ABs always look like he is balanced, sees the ball well and hits line drives. Can be plugged in at 3B while JT is the DH…..just a thought
I suggested Solano in the offseason. That dude always seems to clutch up. But, as the team is currently constructed, he isn’t a good fit, here’s why.
CT3 and Hanser Alberto should be the main utility guys. CT3 can play just about anywhere. Hanser is a lefty killer. Both are right handed hitters and are under contract. By the time the trade deadline rolls around, Rios should be back or very near and McKinstry hasn’t even been given a shot yet. That would make a balanced bench once everyone is healthy.
Go ahead and ride that hot hand as long as you can. Maybe Trayce has turned a corner and if not, I would rather have big bat in left field like Trey Mancini. Solano’s has never exceeded 7 HR in a season. Trey has 8 right now.
I doubt that the Dodgers will DFA JT. He’s going to keep playing 3B as will Muncy because he’ll most likely play there next year once JT is gone.
Solano is not a good defender, so you might as well start thinking about Miguel Vargas instead of going outside for the same type of production, potentially. If we didn’t already have Alberto, I would rather have Solano.
* I agree on CT3. Last night he swung right through or took center cut hittable pitches only to strike out expanding the zone. His 3 or 4 check swings indicate he isn’t seeing the ball well. His strike out looking in the 1st with the bases juiced was a terrible AB. His K in the 5th swinging again with the bases loaded was another one. I love the guy but his 40% strike out rate is too high for me especially between Muncy and JT. CT3 is fast and needs to use those wheels with more contact. Like we all didn’t know that.
* I also like Lux in the 9 hole especially when Mookie returns. It’s nice to see Thompson hitting but I’m not a fan of he and Bellinger hitting back to back at the bottom of the order.
* I hope not to read any critics whine about Freddie being “too emotional” and too “friendly” with his old team. If you weren’t moved by his emotions, check your pulse as your heart my have rotted away. It didn’t seem to hurt his performance, just the feelings of the Get Off My Lawn crowd.
* I’m so bummed about Hudson. His stuff has looked so crisp lately along with Phillips. This poor guy can’t seem to get a break with his injury history. And so it becomes “next man up”. In a week he will be just another name on the IL.
Life moves on for the team. But what is coldly ignored with “next man up” is the disappointment and emotions of the player. The disappointment, the uncertainty, the procedures, rehab and hard work it will take to come back. Your life changes with one twist of the knee. It can be a very cruel profession.
Totally agree about Freddie!
Maybe they can convince JT to ‘retire’. Every few years some former star does that in mid season.
Jt is just heating up.
Good write-up today, Mark.
Obviously, Diego Cartaya is an amazing talent.
But with the loss of Daniel Hudson and the lack of consistent punch elsewhere in the line-up, where do the Dodgers go from here? Bullpen, obviously. Trade market or minors? Maybe both. Starting pitching seems okay, trade market pretty thin, plus there are options like Ryan Pepiot. Andrew Heaney set back may lead to two missed starts, the latest from Dave Roberts. But who knows?
Justin Turner’s swings look better, but Cody is wildly in consistent, although the glove is playing well. When does Mookie return? I like Trea in the lead off spot. Does Miguel Vargas get a call up soon? Probably not as long as Trayce Thompson is swinging the bat well. They probably want him to gain more experience in the outfield.
Carson Fuller deserves a look.
As to Andrew Friedman’s approach in Tampa and LA, different worlds. He didn’t have much choice in Tampa, more options in LA. I’m sure you will see younger players make their way to Dodger Stadium as the summer goes on and the needs mount. This looks like a dogfight until the end, mostly because part of the offense is misfiring. Yes, they beat up the hapless Reds, who just happened to beat the Giants last night. But the Padres are hanging around even though they are missing their two best hitters.
If Max Muncy and Justin Turner take off, the Dodgers would be in a better place. Chris Taylor still strikes out too often with runners on base and consistency escapes Cody more days than not.
Looking forward to your interviews.
It really sucks that Hudson blew out his knee. He’s been as good a setup guy as we’ve had in recent years and has locked down the 8th inning for the most part all year as well as coming up with a save when needed. If we get all those guys back from the IL soon, his loss won’t be noticed. As Mark pointed out, there’s at least some options and some pretty big names to boot.
I really hope they just go ahead and pull the trigger on Carson Fulmer (Taylor). I guess some kind of slip on my part. I really want Carson Taylor to work out as well. Maybe we’ll get lucky with Dellin Betances retuning to form. Maybe Kahnle or Treinen will be back sooner rather than later. Maybe V-Gone or Fergie can setup from the left side. Maybe it will be newcomer Kasowski, or old timer Moronta to fill that void. Maybe Alvarez will stop walking everyone.
Mitch White will go up against Max Fried tonight on Fox at 4:15 PT. Mitch hasn’t given up a run in his last three starts! The last two with OKC and the one before that was a 5 inning two hitter against the ChiSox. He’s been threw 79 pitches to get through 6 innings in his last AAA start against the Reno Aces (DBacks affiliate). Seems like a bit of a mismatch, but hopefully Mitch steps up and continues his hot streak. JT, TT, Belli and Muncy all have pretty good numbers against Fried.
Really looking forward to seeing your interview with Diego. I only got to meet him briefly and I came away impressed. And that stadium looks awesome. Makes Rancho look like a little league field.
I told Diego about you and your son, off camera and you said Hi. I showed him the photo and he remembered. He said Hi back.
Losing Hudson will cause Friedman to re-evaluate the bullpen, but we have no clue what the return status of the following players might be: Treinen, Kahnle, Gonzalez, Duffy, Ferguson, Nelson, Buehler, and May – It’s certainly within the realm of probability that at least half (likely more) of those pitchers will be ready by August or September. Andrew Friedman has a clue. Kimbrel will stay the closer and the Dodgers will allow him to prove if he can handle it. If there are trades, it will not be until the deadline… unless Andrew wants to massively overpay! Something tells me some fans will make that kind of dope-fiend move, but AF won’t!
I disagree, Mark. If you wait until the deadline, everyone is in a panic and that’s when you overpay.
We need someone now. Someone with at least a little major league high leverage experience and someone who won’t cost us any of our major prospects.
If, by the deadline, we still don’t have Fergie and/or May, Andrew can go out and look at what it would take to get a major name like Bednar.
In the meanwhile, I would check in with the following teams right now to see what they would ask for these guys:
Mariners – Sewald
Rockies – Bard
Rangers – Joe Barlow, Burke
Tigers – Soto, Garcia
Cubs – Robertson, Thompson
Royals – Scott Barlow
Orioles – Bautista
I know that a lot of you would rather promote some of our prospects, but with so many of our high leverage pitchers out, I’d rather go with experience right now.
I’m sure a lot of you will disagree, so have at me.
You always overpay when you THINK you have to get something right away!
Lots of possibilities out there. It’s not like we’re going after one particular guy.
Didnt like the Freeman stuff, was WAAYY Over the top. I was at the game and I’ve never seen something like that. If you listen to Dodger Talk with David Vassegh he was spot on.
Freeman your a Dodger now!!!
Great win last night I hope we can win 1 of the next 2 and take the series, Ill be at both games. Good Number of Dodger fans here…
Please, no trades. I hate trades.
Ferguson says he isn’t hurt and is ready to pitch.
Knack has command and control.
Vargas looking good in LF. Bring him up and sit Taylor.
Do we need to keep Busch if Smith is the future third baseman and Cartaya the future catcher? Maybe only if Lux moves to short next year. Oh yeah, no trades.
I don’t want Lux playing SS next year.
Tre Turner or Dansby Swanson, preferably the former.
Yes, no trades. Bring RPepiot to cover the middle innings alongside Reyes Moronta and Bickford. 7th and 8th Phillips, Besia, Brusdar and Almonte. As soon Ferguson comes back, Send Bickford down.
the chances of 0 trades is 0
7:15 PM ET
Dodgers (44-25)
Braves (41-31)
SP Mitch White R
1-1 3.86 ERA 25.2IP 27K
Confirmed Lineup
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
DH Will Smith R
LF Chris Taylor R
3B J. Turner R
RF T. Thompson R
2B H. Alberto R
CF C. Bellinger L
C A. Barnes R
Partly-cloudy-day
1% Rain
87° Wind 5 mph R-L
06/25/22 Los Angeles Dodgers designated RF Stefen Romero for assignment.
06/25/22 Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Daniel Hudson on the 15-day injured list. Torn anterior cruciate ligament.
06/25/22 Los Angeles Dodgers activated 2B Hanser Alberto from the paternity list.
06/25/22 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled RHP Mitch White from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
It’s time to give Evan Phillips the eighth inning, he deserves it, he has earned it with his performances on the pitch.
9 Kimbrel
8 Phillips/Caleb
7 Almonte/Vesia, Graterol
Moronta, Fulmer
SP:
1 Julio
2 Tony G.
3 Kershaw
4 Anderson
5 White
Oh, and for whoever said that the Padres were missing their two best hitters, the Dodgers are also missing three of the best hitters in the NL: JT, Muncy and Belli, who although they appear daily in the lineup, it really is as if they were not compared to past performance
4-9 looks like an OKC lineup! White is gonna have to be special tonight
CT3, JT, Trayce, Alberto, Bellinger and Barnes 4 through 9 hitters. Was hoping for some surprise offense, but Fried is legit and those 4-9 hitters are not (right now at least).
Hurry back Mookie!
Show of hands all those kicking David Price to the curb! That’s 3 straight excellent appearances and he’s throwing 94+! Another crow pie please Mark!
Can he keep it up? I hope so.
Glad I prefaced my comments about the 4-9 hitters not being legit before inning #7, but they were that inning plating 2 runs. Lets hope the BP keeps it close and we can get to KJ.
Freddie putting too much pressure on himself. One of the worst AB’s we’ve seen from him all year. We got a ballgame though
My goodness, this home umpire is just brutal!
Apart from the Reds it’s been a month of horrid hitting and bullpen blues. Braves just better tonight and so were their hot dogs! How much longer do we have to watch Thompson and Alberto flail away while Vargas waits in OKC? It’s time! And I like the Braves closer better than the Dodgers!
Not the sharpest comment, TBH
1. Why does Doc play the platoon with Lux and Alberto? For God sakes can Lux do any worse than Alberto against a tough lefty? Alberto is not getting it done (3 K’S tonight).
2. Why can’t Graterol miss more bats with his stuff? Is he a high leverage relief pitcher?
3. CB Bucknor is a horrible umpire on par with Angel Hernandez. Horrible strike zone.
4. Hurry back Mookie, Trayce Thompson’s defense and his bat are questionable. After all he has been DFA”d 8 times. After a good game the other night he fell back to earth with 3 K’s tonight. He is not an everyday ML level player, heck he might not be a reserve ML level player.
5. Bring up Fulmer, Knack, Miller, Pepiot to add to the BP.
6. Is Kahnle ever going to pitch for the Dodgers? $5.2 million for 4 innings of work so far. Does AF regret that signing?
7. Why not Almonte for the 8th inning rather than Graterol on back-to-back nights.
1. It’s a collaboration from the Front Office and Doc… not just Doc.
2. It’s evolution, not revolution.
3. Agreed.
4. Ditto.
5. Not all at once!
6. It doesn’t look good, but you are million too high.
7. OK.
That third strike call by Buckner on Bellinger in the ninth was one of the worst calls this season and a shining reason why they need the electronic K zone. Just an awful call.
He screwed Freddie on the second strike, the inning before with bases loaded leading him to check his swing on another out of the zone. He totally screwed us.
That ump made several bad calls.
Took my son to BBQ place in Temecula tonight after the first day of his tournament. Server saw my Dodger hat and recommended a hard seltzer called “Belliinger Bomb”.
She said it was named after Cody Bellinger and it “tasted like mixed fruit.”
I told her I preferred their other flavor.
Graterol Bomb.
She said “what’s that one taste like?”
I said “loosing. It taste like loosing”
Ah, we laughed.
Sigh
It’s actually not bad.
https://untappd.com/b/ashland-hard-seltzer-bellinger-bomb/4386162
Mark,
Will be unable to post tonight’s lineup. I will at a graduation party for my granddaughter in Scarsdale New York.