A year ago, on his way to becoming the Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Gavin Stone went from Great Lakes – A Ball, to Tulsa – AA Ball, to OKC – AAA Ball.. all in one season and put up a 1.48 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He struck out 168 batters in 121 innings. He was on his way to the Show… or so it seemed.
Meanwhile, Bobby Miller started 2022 in AA – Tulsa and then moved to AAA – OKC, where he put up a combined 4.25 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Bobby missed about six weeks of the 2023 season with “shoulder soreness,” and when he came back, in four games he put up a 5.65 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. Next, he was called up to LA, where he is 3-0 with a 0.78 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. Miller became just the third pitcher in MLB history to go at least five innings and allow no more than one run in each of his first four career starts.
Who knew? Who predicted this? Well, there are a lot of factors involved here, and hopefully, some of you can learn something about prospects. Gavin Stone was a bright shiny object, and we all (myself included) fell in love with him. He was ready, and Bobby Miller was a year or two away, as he had stuff to work on. Well, he has a lot to work on. Gavin Stone gave up 3 HR last year in 121 IP. It should not go unnoticed that he currently has given up 7 HR in 44 IP, and his ERA sits at 5.08 while his WHIP is 1.51.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Miller is headed toward being one of the best pitching callups in MLB history, while Stone is sinking like a… anchor! Some of you are going to hate me for this, but the analysis is much the same (the truth hurts): Remember when James Outman came up in 2022 and set the team on fire and then in Spring Training, he continued to blister the ball? He made the team and was unconscious for about a month. I had picked Miguel Vargas over Outman as Rookie of the Year, and some fans (most who have since gone away) mocked my “stupidity.” “How could you value Vargas over Outman?” Some even suggested that Vargas was not ready and should go back to AAA.
Now, James Outman may ultimately be a very good player, but MLB found his kryptonite – the high fastball and certain pitch sequences. I root for him and hope he can become the CF’er the Dodger need, but Shiny Objects May be Further Away Than They Appear. Gavin Stone was a shiny object and I forgot one basic tenet of pitching in MLB: You really need four pitches! Gavin Stone has two: A fastball and a changeup! Well, he has a slider and a curve, but they are not of MLB quality. Just like what happened last year to Ryan Pepiot, when trying to learn other pitches, he lost command of his changeup. If Gavin has a suspect curve and slider and then loses touch on his changeup, anyone can hit his fastball.
Many scouts have speculated that Stone’s slight frame may not be conducive to starting, and that could be true, but only having control of one pitch will kill you every time. The solution is to go to the bullpen. His 96 MPH fastball would tick up a couple of MPH in the pen, and all he needs is fastball and changeup (and great control helps, too) to be successful in the bullpen. The Dodgers need to do that ASAP… but they won’t. Starters get the big bucks. It’s that simple. When you do what you have always done, you get what you have always got, and that is insane! That’s my two cents.
Many oldtimers lament the fact that pitchers don’t pitch deep into games like they used to. There are reasons for that. Pitching has risen to such an “art form” that many pitchers throw balls are supersonic speeds with astounding spin rates and movement..’ all the while contorting their arms in such an “unnatural fashion” that they are simply waiting for their next Tommy John Surgery, be it their 1st, 2nd, 3rd and maybe 4th or 5th soon.
Shelf lives of pitchers expire earlier than ever because of all the strain and stress they put on their arms. Of course, Sandy Koufax could probably pitch in any era, but without a 15-inch mound, with a much smaller strike zone, and with numerous pitchers throwing 100 MPH+, it is impossible (I was going to say unlikely, but it is impossible) that he would be as dominant. A scout once told me that Claude Osteen would not have made the modern-day Dodgers. That was his opinion, but I have considered it. Pitching is tough… as is hitting. It’s tougher now than it has ever been.
That said, Bobby Miller proves that progress is not linear and that talent trumps everything when the effort is there!
Pet Peeves
I hate it when fans say things like, “Andre Jackson is nothing more than a trade chip.” “Peralta just needs to go away.” and other quotes that value a player as trash. The only thing many fans are good at are:
(1) Jumping to stupid conclusions; and
(2) Having no clue what is really happening in the game inside the game.
Most fans have never run anything (except their mouths), and some may have VD (Verbal Diarrhea) of the mouth. Diarrhea is usually caused by just being a dumbass or, sometimes, contaminated information. Less frequently, it can be a sign of another disorder, such as Optic Rectumitis or irritable brain syndrome. Symptoms include frequent, loose, watery posts and negative posts. Some cases clear up on their own, but some infections may need several doses of dumbass vaccine. Severe cases can cause enough dehydration to require an enema so that the fan can be buried in a shoebox. More on this later!
The bullpen has been a problem, and Karen (I mean Caleb) Ferguson is the Poster Child for the underperforming bullpen and has coughed up two Walk Off wins this week. Caleb is a greatly talented player, but he is soft. There was a dispute a couple of years ago between him and the front office about whether he was healthy. The front office was erring on the side of making sure he was healthy, but Caleb seems to overvalue his value. I would send him back to OKC to work on his attitude as much as his game. It will make him or break him. I can’t say any more about it.
Other News
- My new Favorite Prospect: Dodgers’ Alex Freeland was born with a clubfoot. Now he’s a shortstop prospect. Great Article in The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/4595175/2023/06/09/dodgers-alex-freeland-shortstop-prospect/ I am all in!
- David Peralta!
- Andre Jackson.]
- It was good to see James Outman have some success yesterday
- I was pretty certain that due to the severe bruising on Julio Urias’s Hamstring Area that he was probably going to be back in July… and I said so. I might have been right! #Igetluckyalot
- I will be in Florida a few days, so I may be off the grid!
When I read the title of your post, I said to myself he only has two pitches he can trust. With his fastball sitting at about 95 mph and no ML quality pitch with spin, his margin for error is small to none.
On the other hand, Bobby Miller has been a godsend so far. He will have his struggles at times and probably soon but he has four pitches and a 100 mph fastball. I had heard his fastball does not move much but he has a two seamer that has arm side run, it appears. If May comes back in August and Pepiot is back after the AllStar break, I would not make a move for a starting pitcher.
Certainly this front office has a philosophy of player development that is almost unmatched in MLB. But I have always wondered why they don’t use some of these power arms at AA and AAA as relievers at the major league level to get their feet wet. The Braves just moved another young pitcher quickly through their system and will use him out of the pen even though his future is as a starter. With our bullpen troubles and the number of young arms in the system I wonder if Pepiot and Grove are used out of the pen by the time August rolls around.
This offense has really started to build some depth in the line up. They are as good as most any team in baseball 1- 5/6 and with Roberts mixing and matching Peralta, Taylor, Rojas, Vargas, Heyward, Outman, and DeLuca in the back half of that line up, I think this is a deeper line up than last year.
This is pretty silly. Obviously it’s some “hot take” to stimulate response (and thus works) but it’s silly.
Is there some earthly force that I am unaware of which forces people to jump to conclusions?
What Bluto said
Sheehan and Knack promoted to AAA.
this leaves, I believe:
Nick Frasso
Nick Nastrini
River Ryan
Kyle Hurt
Ben Casparius
for Tulsa’s rotation
Nice.
We could see Knack in the majors soon. A blogger pointed out that if Knack isn’t moved to the 40-man roster this season, he could be lost in the Rule 5 draft. Sheehan was drafted a year later so there’s less of a rush.
The blogger described the Dodgers approach as “methodical.” That seems right to me.
Contrast it to the Angels, who quickly promoted 2022 first-rounder Zach Neto to play SS–and it’s going well–and also promoted the two top arms, Bachmann and Joyce, to their pen despite meh numbers on the farm.
It’s great to have all these pitching prospects, but the Dodgers obviously could use a proven veteran SP right now. Some quality arms should be available.
They have until just before the winter meetings to set the 40 man so it will happen after the season.
Another excellent game by Bobby Miller.
I especially liked he escaped that early jam with the bases loaded. Showed some veteran poise there.
Lets hope Stone can turn it around soon.
Down at Tulsa Cartaya with another bomb, as did Ramos. Good to see those two guys getting better .
Question: Why do the Dodgers go with a bullpen game today and not start the Catman ? He worked on Tuesday so he should be on regular rest anyway.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe you have some inside information they don’t!
No, how should I have “inside” information ?
Was just asking because I see no urging need to go threw a bullpen game when Gonsolin is on normal rest and the bullpen overworked in the last couple weeks with many short starts by the starters anyway.
Curious why none of the real insider has not raised that question to Roberts. Or maybe I overlooked it.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The reasoning is that they have two days off during the week and wish to reset the rotation up. At least that was Doc’s explanation and Orel talked about it during the broadcast yesterday.
I see only one day off the coming week, tomorrow. After that 6 straight games.
Makes not much sense to me with TG on normal rest and an already overworked bullpen but what do I know.
Roberts is the master of bullpen handlung .:-)
If it is a bullpen game I would start Caleb , put him out of the high pressure spots for a time .
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They actually have 4 days off in the next 15. After they play six at home, they have next Monday off also, then Thursday after they finish a two-game set with the halos, then they come home for three with the stros, before getting that Monday off before their road trip to Colorado and KC.
This answers your question –
https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1667930866851389443?s=61&t=oTmTozxsqpdG0x2NImNUgA
Bullpen game lets Doc make pitching changes all day! Mark was right about Peralta, really swinging it! Question. Why not use him against lefties to see if he keeps rolling? Hasn’t always been a platoon player. Wouldn’t hurt to try. At the rate our 1-4 hitters are playing, we could have all 4 in the top 15 in mvp voting! Probably will cancel each other out . Bobby Miller has brass balls! Damn I wish Dustin and Julio were healthy!
His record against LHP is not good
Interesting thought on Peralta, Dodger dad. We are pretty stuck in the predictable platoons in the outfield. Career wise, Peralta has hit .292 versus RHP and .241 versus LHP. This year he’s 4 for 8 versus LHP. Obviously he hasn’t been given much of an opportunity to bat against lefties.
We struggle vs LHP. Considering some limited sample size with the rookies, our numbers with the outfielders are interesting vs LHP; Outman has reverse splits, hitting .279, CT3 at .241, Peralta 4 for 8, DeLuca at .167 and Heyward zero in 8 AB’s.
If you go with the numbers, as of today, the best hitting outfield versus LHP would be CT3, Outman with his reverse splits and Peralta with Mookie at SS.
Anyway, Peralta given more of an opportunity vs LHP is an interesting idea which likely has no shot of ever happening in the platoon happy organization.
The most impressive thing about Miller’s outing yesterday was him working out of that jam in the second inning. Phillies were poised to get some runs, and he struck out two hitters to stop the rally. Andre Jackson threw like he wants to stay in the big leagues yesterday. Smith is in a little slump, I have no doubt it won’t last long, Muncy’s BA on the other hand has once again dipped below the Mendoza line. I don’t give a rats ass how many walks he draws, if you are in the 4 or 5 hole like he has been, you better be driving in runs and getting big hits, none of which he has done lately.
Agreed, if Muncy doesn’t turn his season around at the plate soon, then that portends real problems in the 4/5 hole come playoff time.
Max is slumping but also encountering bad luck. Hard hit balls are finding gloves.
He’s been streaky in the past, so I’m not than worried about Max.
Not yet, anyway.
But if he continues to struggle, what’s the solution?
EARLY GAME!!
1:35 PM ET
Dodgers (37-28)
Phillies (31-33)
SP Nick Robertson R (Opener)
0-0 .00 ERA PRIM
SP Taijuan Walker R
5-3 5.04 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
2B M. Vargas R
CF J. Heyward L
SS Miguel Rojas R
Partly-cloudy-day
2% Precipitation
85° Wind 7 mph Out
Muncy is slumping. He should not be in the 4 hole.
Muncy will have a two HR , multiple RBI game and then he will have his clenaup spot retained for the next 10 games. That is how it usually goes with Muncy and Roberts.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wrong. He went ofer again.
The problem is that maybe it’s not a slump. Maybe his present numbers through 65 games reflect who he is now.
Agreed. Max is not the same player he was before the elbow injury. It is almost two years since that happened.
And a few weeks back he was leading the majors in HRs. Still on a pace to slug about 40.
Why not just consider it a slump? Why ignore the hard-hit balls that unfortunately found gloves?
Remember: He started badly last season–but came on strong at the end.
The evidence just suggests he is streaky, and still picks up his walks.
He is still striking out too much and he hasn’t hit a ball hard since the first game in Cincy.
Thanks for posting
Arizona Complex League: Pitcher Jimmy Nelson started a rehab assignment. Daniel Hudson made his second appearance for the Dodgers’ Arizona Complex League, starting on Saturday afternoon, after beginning his rehab assignment on Tuesday.
Saturday scores
Oklahoma City 4, El Paso 1
Tulsa 11, Arkansas 2
Great Lakes 10, Lake County 5
Modesto 4, Rancho Cucamonga 3
Sunday schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Hyun-il Choi) vs. Lake County (Reid Johnston)
11:05 a.m.: Tulsa (Nick Frasso) vs. Arkansas (Emerson Hancock)
2:05 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Peter Heubeck) at Modesto (Riley Davis)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Matt Andriese) at El Paso (Angel Sánchez)
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Bobby Miller first 4 major league starts:
23 IP
12 H
2 ER
23 Strikeouts
#Dodgers #MillerTime
Well, Bobby Miller was asked about the difference from his minor league outings and those at the majors.
He basically said bigger stage, more people in the stands, more intense pre-game prep and all that leads to more focus and better results.
Maybe Gavin Stone needs one more pitch and a little more confidence. After his experience, he probably wonders if he can make the jump. Probably wasn’t ready. I still believe he can be an effective pitcher.
Does analytics actually work in terms of predicting success? A lot of bad contracts being signed these days by clubs with high expectations.
Take Francisco Lindor. I remember when many on this site wanted to acquire him. Well, he’s currently hitting .218 for the Mets, hasn’t really shown superstar skills since being acquired.
Then there is former Dodger Corey Seager having a big year and hitting .352. Justin Turner is doing okay in Boston and so is Alex Verdugo. Then, of course, there is Yordan Alvarez in Houston, a superstar in the making. But Trea Turner has been struggling in Philly. The weight of a big contract? Former Dodger Nathan Evoldi has nine wins and a 2.49 ERA. Juan Soto certainly isn’t lighting it up for the Padres. Then there is Carlos Correa with a .212 average.
It seems very difficult these days to predict future success.
Then there is the future and Shohei Ohtani. Someone mentioned the other day that you get two players in one, the hitter and the pitcher. But his past eight starts haven’t exactly been elite, his earned run average 5.06. Although his presence generates a lot of additional income for the Angels, something like $16 million, if I recall correctly, mostly through sponsorship and advertising revenue.
I’m guessing the Dodgers will take a hard look, maybe even offer a deal, but in the end he goes elsewhere, probably back to the Angels. They’ll offer the money and give him the most freedom to determine how he approaches the game, including calling his own pitches.
Meanwhile the Dodgers need to find another starter and Max Muncy has to make more contact.
Muncy. Rojas.Vargas.Barnes. CT3.Outman.
All those guys have to raise their respective averages for the Dodgers to have a shot at a title (if that is the goal).
In the playoffs when facing top notch pitching you can not rely on only 4-5 guys to carry the load and the long ball.
Have to grind out some runs.Dodgers have too many hitters who are not producing enough, at least not against top pitching. Yes, their run production is on top of hte league but they are relying on 4-5 guys and the long ball.
We have seen in the past that this approach more often than none is not the way to postseason success.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!I
Yup, the ONLY way “relying on 4-5 guys and the long ball” (maybe) could work in the playoffs is if the Dodgers counter this handicap by rolling out at least 3 DOMINANT SP’s in every playoff series. It’s very unlikely, but the Dodgers DO have an outside shot of making that scenario happen with Urias, May, and Buehler lurking on the injury list. ..and Miller intrigues too.
Isn’t it how Houston won? How Atlanta won?
The top guys doing their thing, and some random guy getting hot?
A high batting average is nice. A high OPS is nicer.
According to Baseball Bible, the average OPS has been in the range of .720 to .760, varying from season to season
Despite their respective slumps, Muncy is now at .797 OPS (despite an ugly .191 BA) because of his 40+ HR pace and walks; Outman is at .787, Vargas at .744 and Taylor at .728.
Both Rojas and especially Barnes have really struggled, with Rojas at .493 and Barnes at .321 with a .105 BA.
To me, the most conspicuous problem is Barnes, and it’s pretty sad. Dodgers can hide Rojas’s bat by playing Mookie or Taylor at SS. But is Barnes still good enough to be Smith’s back up?
Not that long ago Barnes was the arguably the best backup catcher in the game, with a reliably decent but not spectacular bat. Remember, just last fall, Roberts chose him (not the rookie Vargas, not slumping Gallo) to pinch-hit for Belli in a crucial playoff moment. It was the right choice, but Barnes’s liner was caught.
Plus, Barnes is kind of an institution on the team, who picked up the nicknam “captain” and Kershaw’s favorite catcher.
Another player with such production might be unceremoniously released. But it’s hard to imagine that with Barnes. Plus, the brass may not think Feduccia is up to the ask and think Cartaya isn’t ready.
Is he just washed up? Maybe. Does he need more ABs to break out of his funk? Sure. But who wants to take Smith or JD Martinez out of the lineup?
He is under contract through ’24. If he doesn’t show improvement, perhaps Barnes could transition to a coaching role.
Verdugo was benched the other day for not hustling. Dodgers questioned his attitude even when he was a Dodger. Alvarez is on the IL< and remember he did not play a single game in the Dodger system. Everyone keeps bringing him up but he was raw and an unknown talent when signed. They got three years out of Fields, so it was not a bad trade. JD is outplaying JT and for less money. I think the Dodgers will kick the tires on Ohtani. But he will get offered a huge deal by the Mets. LA is not going to get into a bidding war with Cohen. As for Turner, the guy is too good to stay down long. Lindor is bowing to the pressure that comes from playing in New York.
Old friend Willie Calhoun doing nicely in the Bronx.
Beat my Sox last night.
My favorite old friend is Zach McKinstry, the 33-round underdog who is playing really well for the Tigers.
A few seasons back he seemed like a great UT replacement for Kike. Maybe an upgrade! Started strong, but injuries sidelined him for a while, and he struggled to regain his form. AF got outplayed last season by Preller and others, but he did make a smart move by flipping McKinstry for Chris Martin, who did a fine job from the pen. The Cubs subsequently traded him to the Tigers.
The Tigers are not a good team, but our old friend has become their gem. He is now second on that team in OPS (among “qualified” players) at about .750. He’s a sparkplug who has batted leadoff with OBP is .350 and has 10 steals in 11 tries. And, like Mookie, he’s played RF, SS and 2B.
Gotta root for all those 33 rounders.
Lindor is in the 4 hole today. Tommy Pham at the 5. Mets have a piss-poor lineup now.
No Alonso & why give him anything to hit?
This will get much more ugly. Met fans , delusional as ever, will up the noise on Lindor. He’s the best SS they ever had. Very messed up situation.
The Dodgers may well be outbid for Ohtani–or they may not bid at all–but I think his business mojo far exceeds merchandise MLB is pushing baseball to go global–not unlike the NBA–and Shohei will all generate international TV revenue.
Shohei’s pitching hasn’t been sharp lately, but his record is still pretty good: 5-2 with a 3.32 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP. The opponents’ BA is .200, which is the lowest of his career. As a DH, he’s one of the best, with a .930 OPS, a .359 OBP and 18 Hrs.
He is all but certain to set a record for average annual value. If it’s just about $$$, the Mets would be tough to beat. But if Ohtani wants to stay on the West Coast and play for a consistent winner, well….
The benching must have had the intended consequences for Duggie. Yesterday he busted his ass down the line on a routine out.
He’s a different cat but he’s hitting .286.
Always thought he would hit for average. He has that kind of bat. But never was a huge fan. Kike on the other hand is hitting in the .220’s. Never thought he was anything more than a super sub. He has had plenty of chances in Boston to play regularly. Rockies signed Jorge Alfaro. Connor Wong, also a part of the Betts trade is hitting .236 and has as many HR’s as Kike, 6. Jansen 1-3 with three blown saves and 14 saves. Mid 3’s ERA. Martin has a 1-1 record and 1 save. JT hitting in the .260’s OPS a little under .800. Give me JD anytime.
OldBear48. I live half of the year in Western Kansas. Unfortunately when the Dodgers are in Denver I’ll be in Eastern Kansas. I will get to see them in KC. I’m fortunate that I have a baseball pass to get into get into MLB game other than special games like playoffs l, all star game etc. I would be honored to host you to a game in Denver. Tickets are usually pretty good. Let me know and we will nail down a date that works for both of us. I should be back in Western Kansas around July 15th.
Sounds like fun John. I will contact you sometime this coming week.
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Adam Kolarek is back with #Dodgers
Andre Jackson optioned to OKC and Trayce Thompson has been moved to 60 Day IL.
So, Thompson had a check swing that caused an oblique strain. Must have been some doozie of a check swing because he’s now on the 60 day IL.
I guess there is no way to regulate and verify the injuries that put guys on the IL? It’s sort of like the fake cramping in college football that stops the game, slows down a hot offense and gives the defense a breather. We all know it’s bullshit but nothing is done about it.
So what’s the plan for Trayce? Why not just DFA him and let him get another chance elsewhere?
As you probably know, the team trainer has to sign off on all of this sort of thing. The player can object and the MLBPA will intervene, so I do not think a WINK, WINK Covert injury actually works.
Who signs their checks, Wink, Wink
Didn’t some player throw out their neck once with a violent sneeze?
….googling, googling….
Not just some player, but Sammy Sosa! And not his neck but his back!!!
“In May 2004, Slammin’ Sammy sneezed so hard that he sprained a ligament in his lower back. The two violent sneezes, apparently caused by back spasms, sent Sosa to the DL.”
A steroid-powered sneeze, apparently.
Now the latest “cheery” news on the Cat Man –
https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1667930866851389443?s=61&t=oTmTozxsqpdG0x2NImNUgA
This is not good!
Biggest problem with TG: Availability. Always hurt, injured, not 100%
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
Bullpen games suck! Clayton s game in Cincinnati, yesterday s game with Miller, now that’s what it’s all about! Where’s mad bum? I’m kidding! Anybody hearing anything about syndergard? If the blister is or has been the issue I’m sure he will get another chance like it or not! We’re making walker look like Roger Clemens!
I’m not a fan of watching 9 guys pitching one inning. Some teams do well with that and we also have had some success in the past, but I just hate it. I’m glad we got Caleb out early so we don’t have to see him late in a possible crunch time scenario.
I’d be surprised if we win, but if we do, it’s because the bats came alive (Mookie, Freddie, Will, and JDM in particular….Perralta is making a case to be added to this list too.) í would imagine if we win the score will be something like 7-6.
Every ball drops in for the Phillies today. No hard contact at all. And on the other side their defense makes tough play after tough play.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
You walk harper with trey on 2nd, so you just gave Phillies 2nd and 3rd! Make Harper swing!
It seems that Jason Hayward gives up on anything that is not an easy catch. A better center fielder would have gotten to at least one of the balls he let drop. Anyone think that he makes the plays Marsh did against Freddy and Max?
I think part of that is that he doesn’t want to get hurt. He has to have a productive and healthy year to get another contract.
Keep him in left or right when he plays.
Gold glover and maybe he had an off day. I have seen him make play after play all year, so I do not agree with your assessment of his defense.
This is what you get when you got power at every position solo home runs The dodgers have to lead the MLB and solo home runs
Robertson not looking too great today. I told you he is a rookie, growing pains.
Oh, Oh, but he is a bright shiny object! Squirrel! He is nails. Best pitcher I have ever seen… oh, oh, oh!”
I probably have been doing this too long, but I just cannot tolerate the idiots.
BTW, you are right, Fallito!
Outman might have got that one.
Or he might have misjudged it…
How do you like Nick Robertson and his 9.00 ERA now?
Never said he was cy young! Bobby Miller is a rookie also! Caleb Ferguson looks like a rookie too! We all have opinions, most wrong, some right. But at 65 years old, consider myself not an idiot. In the end I think we could all agree, bullpen needs help
This team needs a LOT more help than only bullpen.
If they really want to be contenders. Now some of the deficiencies might be curable in home if May and Urias come back healthy.
But we also need a lock down reliever plus another RELIABLE bullpen arm and a big RH bat.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a bad feeling our young pitchers will struggle staying healthy…..just too much stress on their arms. We get one back, we lose one….deja vu
But here is my happy wishful thought….if we can get the big 5 healthy in August, we might have a better than even chance to make it to the final dance.
Mark is exhibiting his signature charm.
What’s the word for it?
The term “dickish” comes to mind
There he goes again with that tired “bright shiny object” spiel. God forbid if any Dodger fan expresses excitement over a prospect. Shouldn’t we know by now that only the divine Creator and Prophet of LADT possesses such wisdom? Watch and learn, people.
Watch and learn, you (choose one) idiot, moron, dumbass.
Speaking of bright and shiny objects, perhaps that phrase could apply to Mark’s ardor for Miguel Vargas, right?
If Vargas was playing up to Mark’s hype, he’d be batting .300 and challenging for the ROY award. Mark even polished the object by declaring that Vargas’s defense had been “stellar” while Roberts was describing it as “OK.”
Actually, I hink Roberts’ comment sums up Vargas’s overall play pretty well. It’s been OK. especially for a rookie. The defense is a work in progress and his OPS now is a not-bad, but the BA is .225.
But you know what? I hope Vargas turns it on and fulfills Mark’d prediction that he’ll be ROY!
And that’s OK!
The only thing that would be sweeter would be for Outman to turn it on too and have them finish
2-3, behind the undefeated Cy Young-winning Bobby Miller.
Yeah, for some bright and shiny reason I think Miller has become our best ROY candidate. Even Jose Feliciano can see that.
As for Vargas and Outman and LADT commentary, just remember: Progress is not linear!
Oh well, I’m not too disappointed because I expected to lose throwing out 8 guys…some with big ERAs….some with recent struggles….and some with a minimal optimistic resume. But I didn’t expect our boys to make that mediocre Phillies pitcher look like Don Drysdale.
On a more positive front….at least the fans go home much happier today than last night.
How appropriate after all our bullpen struggles, it’s Kimbrel that closes us out. Diamondbacks starting to remind me of Giants 2021. Well maybe getting in as a wild card will change our October malaise!
I think you should leave.
Alex Reyes won’t be pitching for the Dodgers this year has he underwent shoulder surgery this week. Another signing that the “bean counters” will have ownership wondering if the continued FA acquisitions of injured pitchers by AF is a wise move.
Without any research I can think of Danny Duffy, Jimmy Nelson, Tommy Kahnle, and Alex Reyes that have cost the Dodgers millions with little to no return on investment. Lets hope the likes of Giles, Feyereisen , Mike Montgomery, Ryan Brasier break that mold. They didn’t cost the Dodgers millions but the millions spent on old and broken down vets is perplexing.
Hoping Treinen can come back late this year, but more likely next year, but paying him $8 million to not pitch after having shoulder surgery instead of allowing the team opt out at $ 1.5 million last year is odd salary management.
That mold is already well broken.
I think we have an option for next year on Treinen which is based on innings pitched this year and ranges from 1-7 mil.
Assuming he doesn’t pitch this year that would probably mean we could have him for $1MM next year, so if you add the $8MM that he got this year for not pitching and just say we’re paying him $9MM for next year, that still isn’t a bad deal for us, assuming he pitches like Treinen next year.
Je, CFerguson got the Lost.
In another note, Orel today was commenting that the pitch clock may be responsible of the lost mojo of AVesia.
What’s wrong with refering to a pitcher who has shuttled between the farm and LA as a “trade chip”? How is this different from describing somebody as a “4A” player or projecting a certain rookie as s “a 5th outfielder”?
He who lives in glass houses…
A trade chip has value. If AF is in talks for Shane Beiber, and Cleveland says, “If you replace Nastrini with Jackson, we’ve got a deal,” do you refuse?
Andre Jackson has been up and down between LA and the farm for a few years. Perhaps he deserves more of an opportunity, but the brass apparently doesn’t think so. Perhaps he’s a victim of the Dodgers RP supershuttle policy. Perhaps on another team, he’d get more of an opportunity and blossom into a star.
This post primarily concerns the struggles of Gavin Stone. He is not someone I’d describe as a trade chip, but a work in progress. But if Cleveland demands Stone for Beiber, don’t you have that conversation?
The Dodgers, thank goodness, are always buyers. They are always in contention and have plenty of talent. Keibert and Gray had no role in LA and could be flipped for major stars. Zach McKinstry was flipped for Chris Martin–and now McKinstry, after another trade, is starter for the Tigers. Luke Raley was traded for pitching prospect who may or may not work out. Raley is now crushing for the mighty Rays.
My guess is that the Dodgers system is loaded with prospects, or “4A” veterans, who would welcome the chance to to be a crucial part of another team, rather than a bit player with the Dodgers.
Speaking of stupidity, why should anyone think Gavin Stone’s “sleight frame” is not conducive to starting?
He’s bigger than Marcus Stroman, who at 5-7, 180 pounds has been leading the majors in quality starts. Right now Stroman is 7-4 with a 3.3 WAR.
Stone is also similar in size, or bigger, than Tim Lincecum, Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez.
Maddux won 4 Cy Youngs, Pedro 3 and Lincecum 2.
Of course, it was this sort of stupid baseball stereotyping that led the Dodgers to foolishly trade Pedro. The brass obviously valued his older, taller brother Ramon much more. Lasorda was among Pedro’s doubters.
D’oh!
A lot of small framed pitchers have had nice careers in the majors. Two that immediately come to mind are Bobby Shantz and Roy Face. Shantz was 5’6″ and weighed 135 pounds. I have a leg that weighs that much. Face was a little taller, 5″8″ 155. Tim Collins late of the Royals. was 5’7″ 155.
Cool factoids, Bears.
One of the great things about baseball is that plenty of small guys have had fine careers.
The stereotyping is silly sometimes. Here at LADT, I roll my eyes when it’s suggested that a physically large catcher like Salvador Perez may be more “durable” than the shorter, squatter guys. As if big guys can’t get hurt. Roy Campenella and Yogi Berra weren’t big guys, but they were two of the best.
Still, my own stereotyping has me getting Drysdale vibes from big, strong Bobby Miller…
Yogi was 5’7″ Campy was 5’9″ Athletes are just bigger now. But remember Freddie Patek, and Albie Pearson? They were both 5’4″ tall. Austin Barnes and Will Smith are both 5’10” In my lifetime, the two biggest catchers the Dodgers have had were Mike Piazza, who was 6’3″, and then they had two who were 6’2″. Joe Ferguson and Mike Scioscia. I just remembered, AJ Ellis was 6’2″ also. But he was also about 225 pounds. Scioscia and Fergie checked in at 200. Piazza was 200 also, but he was pure muscle.
I remember Patek and Pearson. I knew Patek was 5-4 but thought Pearson was a bit taller.
I’m still upset about the Piazza trade.
Pearson was WAY taller than that! He was a full 5′ 5″! 😉
I will reiterate. I despise bullpen games. I did not watch todays game because I had some old friends visiting from Indiana. They were members of a band I used to sit in with all the time.
Couple of things:
1. Over the weekend, Max Muncy hit 6 balls over 95 MPH (4 over 100) and had six walks as well as at least 3 or 4 balls called strikes. He is having bad luck right now, but he will be fine. Since his errors in Cincy, he has been pretty solid at 3B. If you think he’s declining, you are seeing something I’m not seeing.
2. Blake Treinen has an “Unknown Option” by the Dodgers in 2024. What we know about it is that it is unknown.
3. Bullpen games are not going to be a regular thing for the Dodgers, but you are right to worry about the Catman!
Is Treinen a known unknown or an unknown unknown?
I agree that Max should be OK. A slump compounded by a bit of bad luck. This has happened before.
Just for fun, I did the math: We’re slightly more than 40% into the Dodgers season.
So a player with 20 HRs now would be on pace to hit (almost) 60 HRs.
So Max is on a 44-45 HR pace… .with an average below the Mendoza Line.
And Mookie is on pace for 42, with JDM and Freddie right behind….
OPS is the new BA, but you have to love what Luis Arraez is doing: 1 HR, .397 BA, .932 OPS! I’ll take that!
https://www.mlb.com/player/luis-arraez-650333
Elly “ I am the fastest man in the world” de la Cruz busted out a 31.2 to first. Usain Bolt territory.
Can’t remember last time I had Reds at top of must-see replays. Kid is wild talent.
Blunderfull, it that mph? It’s sure not seconds. By the way Bolt got up to a speed of 27.5 mph and I guarantee you Elly hasn’t run that on a baseball field. I’d have to see it if you meant 3.12 seconds to first.
Phil: 31.2 mph to first. He took second & I wondered if that was average mph to second. He really opened his stride up heading to second. Corbin Carroll had a 30.5 earlier.
Ckng more on Twitter and found this:
“ Recorded the fastest sprint speed on a hit in MLB this year – 31.9 ft/sec.”
-MLBnow
So, is feet/sec not MPH? I’m no math wiz.
Chat/gpt:
“….31.9 ft/sec = 21.75 mph”
Big diff!
Elly claiming “fastest man.”?
Maybe not/ maybe yes. Minus uni/b-ball cleats & and on track off the blocks. Possible but is Bolt in shape for match race?
He’s a Showman.
Chat/gpt:
“Tyreek Hill hit 22mph on a 91 yd td run in 2019. He has been timed at 23mph in training”
Very impressive. Last season Rod Carew has called Arraez his favorite hitter because he had to remind Carew of Carew. His OBP is above .400.
On another matter, a Dodgers commentator made what I thought was an interesting point–that perhaps the bullpen’s struggles this season are related to the anti-shift rules, which penalize the practice of pitching-to-contact.
The solution, he suggested, was more gas to get Ks.
So perhaps the Dodgers could give Tulsa’s Kyle Hurt a chance in the pen. The latest report:
“Kyle Hurt struck out eight in his four innings, allowing only a solo home run. He has a 3.47 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 36⅓ innings this season, and Hurt’s 40.6-percent strikeout rate is second among Dodgers minor league pitchers with at least 20 innings, trailing only Emmet Sheehan (41.7 percent).”
They don’t shift, but on RH hitters, Vargas and all of the Dodger second basemen play maybe 8 feet to the right of second base. I have seen so many RH hitters just poke a ball between Freddie and the second baseman for hits. Lefty’s usually try to pull, but the righty’s have killed them with those weak balls past second.
* Not a fan of Ferguson’s body language during the 1st inning. To his credit, he settled down to keep the damage to 1. That’s what he needs to do to shake the “soft” label. And stop slumping those shoulders and acting like somebody stole your crayons after some bad luck.
* I have never been a fan of Taijuan Walker and I don’t like it when he beats us. Walker would be wise to take his temper tantrums, after getting pulled, to the clubhouse and not visible in the dugout. He’s always been 12. He finally wore out his welcome in Seattle age 24 as they waited for him to mature. He was 1st rounder to Seattle in 2010. They had big hopes for him and it never happened. They finally traded him after, having seen enough.
I hate making him look like Cy Young.
* Offensively, our hitter need to improve their aim. It was one of those days you need to remind yourself that they all even out. It may not be true but you need to believe it to keep sane.
It’s like missing your 10th straight good putt that burns the edge and you look to the heavens and say “why can’t you
come down here and fight like a man”. All the white your opponent is chipping in and making 30 footers.
* Joe said that CT 3 is playing at an All-Star level against LHP. He’s hitting .241 vs LHP. I guess the All-Star standards have hit rock botton.
*I love a well executed safety squeeze
* The White Sox are 29-38 and underperforming. Some have expressed interest in some of their players and the next few series are critical to see if the are buyers or sellers. The have us, Seattle Texas, and Boston coming up. I would only be vaguely interested in Giolito, but especially interested in Luis Robert Jr. They may not want to part with him but it’s worth a look. He’s signed through 2025 with a 2 yr option, at $8.3 million per and worth every penny. He’s hitting .390 vs LHP.
Again, I’m not breaking the bank at the deadline.
* On the bright side, we have so many more arms especially in AA.
The Athletic continues to bleed money.
“ Last year, it lost $6.8 million in February and March and another $12.6 million in the second quarter, according to the Times public filings. It lost $7.8 million in the most recent quarter.”
– NY Times
https://apple.news/AOYjm3lx5RpKNNeplKQw1qQ
What Mark said above, Luis Arraez has one HR and a batting average of 397 power not needed at ever position.
Friedman and Gomes with some nice quotes in this OCRegister/Plunkett piece:
https://www.ocregister.com/2023/06/12/dodgers-digging-into-a-bullpen-that-is-among-mlbs-worst-most-perplexing/
Excellent piece. Hit the nail right on the head. Volatile is what they are. And they are much better at home than on the road. many did complain about the mound in Cincinnati though.
Luke Voit to the Mets on a minor league deal. Angels sign 38 year old Daniel Murphy to a minors deal. Old friend, Matt Beaty to KC on the same kind of deal.
THAT Daniel Murphy from Mets?
One and the same.