Under Andrew Friedman’s leadership since 2015, the Dodgers have a winning percentage of . 623 (845-512), including a franchise record 111 wins in the 2022 season as well as a club-best . 717 winning percentage during the shortened 2020 season (43-17).There is a lot more to the Dodgers Player Development that just coaching and one-on-one sessions. Entering his tenth season with the club after being named to the post on October 14, 2014, Friedman has overseen the development of one of baseball’s top-ranked farm systems, positioning the organization for the long-term success, and also reorganized and built out the team’s front office. Friedman was named Major League Baseball’s 2020 Executive of the Year and the Dodgers have twice (2017, ’20) been recognized by Baseball America as its Organization of the Year, honoring the team for its success from top to bottom.
Is this just because of drafting and and trading for players or is there more to it than that? A few days ago, Carey Osborne of Dodgers Insider wrote a piece about this called: Dodgers introduce players to their brand new lab. Did you even know they had a brand new player development lab? Well, the Dodgers run a year-round facility called “The Lab” to benefit Major Leaguers and injured players during Spring Training, rehabbing in-season and off-season. The lab provides personalized treatment for injuries, a place to train, and benefits the Dodger player development group and staff at the performance innovation laboratory. What is this Lab really about? Carey starts out by saying:
The Dodgers’ biggest offseason acquisition isn’t 6 feet, 4 inches tall. It’s 12,000 square feet.
It was a curiosity the first few days of Dodgers 2024 Spring Training camp at Camelback Ranch — a massive indoor facility on top of land once occupied by batting cages.
Players and coaches would introduce themselves generally by walking through the door of the big brown building and scanning the inside of the nearly three-story structure.
They saw batting cages, pitching machines, high-tech analytical equipment (such as motion tracking technology), office spaces and a skeleton wearing a lab coat peering in at them through a window.
The skeleton is an inside joke among the staff that runs the facility — a group mostly made up of individuals from STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields.
Traffic increased throughout February to where the sounds of bats hitting baseballs, balls popping into gloves and analytical chatter became the norm at the Dodgers’ brand new performance innovation laboratory at Camelback Ranch (CBR).
The lab, a new addition to the Dodgers’ Spring Training campus, was a vision in 2016, as the organization saw how baseball, technology and sports science and performance were evolving and creating more objective ways to receive feedback.
Dodger players, coaches and staff showed up to Spring Training camp this year, and it was a reality.
“(The lab) is a collaborative effort to help target coaching and make players better and maximize their talents,” said Brandon Gomes, Dodger executive vice president and general manager. “The fact that we’re able to do this and do it at a high level, we’re really excited about it. We take pride in wanting to be trendsetters and at the forefront of the industry and taking on different initiatives or trying out ideas. And this will be another helpful step in doing that.”
Wait, there is more. He goes on to say this:
The lab is a year-round facility run by staff led by the Dodgers’ performance science group. It will benefit Major Leaguers during Spring Training, rehabbing in-season and during the offseason.
Injured Dodger players will often be sent to Camelback Ranch to receive more personalized treatment for injuries, and the lab allows players a place to train in a less occupied space than at Dodger Stadium.
The lab will benefit the Dodger player development group, as the introduction of draftees and international signees to the organization is often through Camelback Ranch, where many first play in the Rookie Arizona Complex League, and Minor Leaguers also first report to CBR for their own Spring Training.
It’s a worthy read and shows the level of commitment they have to their players and their development as well. The Dodgers player development has always been the “Industry Standard” in baseball, but under Andrew Friedman the bar has been raised! If you are an average player with another team, the Dodgers can make you better and everyone knows it! Here’s Mookie hitting inside the Lab:
Justin Rodriguez of the Pepperdine University Graphic writes this:
From 2013 to 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers were NL West Division Champions, losing the title in 2021 to the unexpectedly scrappy San Francisco Giants by one game. They quickly reclaimed the title in 2022 and are this season’s favorites to land the 2023 National League West Division title with a 99% chance to win the NL West, according to FanGraphs.
Around the baseball world, many fans accuse the Dodgers of “buying their way to championships.” This isn’t the case at all.
Between the Dodgers’ elite-level scouting, finding diamonds in the rough and reviving player’s careers, the true factor for the Dodgers’ success is player development.
Rodriguez goes on to say that the “Dodgers built a reputation for being a “cheating lab,” according to Twitter. In other words, the Dodgers are notorious for bringing in washed-up, veteran players and somehow making them good again. This season, the Dodgers turned around two well-known veterans in the game: RHP Lance Lynn and OF Jason Heyward.“
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Of course, nothing works for everybody. However, the Dodgers Machine does have a level of success that is not seen in most systems and I say this based upon how low the Dodgers draft each year (near 30th) and yet, they have a Top 10 Farm System. Player Development is the reason. That’s great, but there are casualities and success stories.
The Dodgers are focused on launch angle and a lot of other things. It has worked with Max Muncy, Will Smith, James Outman, and Chris Taylor among others, but it may hinder others such as Migual Vargas and Austin Barnes. Collateral damage is acceptable at the right rate. When the collateral damage comes in tp play the most is for pitchers who now put so much torque and spin on their arms that they are almost turned inside out on the process of pitching. Every Dodgers Pitcher has an awesome slider and eventually and quickly that blows out thje UCL.
Is that acceptable? Maybe. Maybe not! The jury is still out. I have no opinion… yet! Not everything can be labeled as good or bad. Sometimes it remains to be seen. Some pitchers put such incredible spin and twist on their arms, that they sometime look like they are breaking. Sandy Koufax did that. Verlander does that. Several of the Dodgers pitchers do that as well. Let’s see who blows out their arm next…
If you are a pitcher, the question is: Is it worth blowing out your arm every three or four years to be dominant in the interim?
Kneejerk Reactions
Some bloggers are proclaiming the move of Mookie to SS and Gavin Lux to 2B as a resounding failure. They have evidently not watched a lot of baseball. It is going to take some time for each player acclimated to a new position. There will be some hiccups early on, but they will figure it out. At least I am confident Mookie will. Gavin still scares me at 2B. It will be great to get his bat into the lineup, but I have a feeling that the YIPS are not going away. So… we wait! Adames, anyone?
I interesting article. I wonder to what extent the Dodgers use VR to help hitters pick up spin from different pitchers.
As for snacks in Korea; my favorite was a cheese pizza I once ordered. The crust had a bit of a greenish tint and was topped with corn. Tasted good.
Over the past 6-7 years it seems the Dodgers have been much better drafting and developing pitching over position players. Pitching has included Buehler, Urias, May, Gonsolin, Pepiot, Miller, Stone, Sheehan and maybe Grove. But since Bellinger in 17, positionally only Smith has shown all star ability and has become a much better player than projected. Lux now is a huge question mark and I think 2024 will be a defining year for Outman who I still have questions about. We need that consistent flow of young positional talent to balance payroll. Our top two positional draft picks in 23 seem to be widely questioned. Next year we will have two openings in LF and RF and was hoping Vargas and Pages would fill those spots. But now who knows?
Vargas has been too good for too long for me to lose faith in him. It is easy to understand how bad habits from finger injuries altered his swing and caused him to lose confidence. He is still young. A few more months at OKC won’t hurt.
Pages was injured all of last year and needs at least a few months at OKC, but I also have high hopes for him.
This year will be pivotal for Cartaya and Rushing, and Liranzo is on a fast track.
Yenier Fernandez could be a nice utilityman as could Gauthier. Jake Gelof, Josue DePaula, Joendry Vargas, and Kendall George are very early in their development but a few will likely break out.
Worthy of watching are Jose Ramos, Chris Newell, and Samual Munoz. Each has a unique upside.
There are likely a few gems in that list!
Developing position players is hard. Especially the consistent everyday types. Teams that draft higher typically swallow up the true elite talent when it comes to position players. Prototypically, players that have an ability to hit display that at an early age and very rarely do you find the Mike Piazza types in later rounds. Pitchers on the other hand, can possess elite upside but control issues and limited repertoires can cause them to drop in the draft. Organizations can take a talented arm and supplement the pitcher’s capibilties within their system much easier than a hitter.
When it comes to hitting, you either have the “it” or you don’t. It is very difficult to develop hand-eye coordination, pitch recognition and timing abilities, among a few other traits.
I am taking a wait and see attitude with Lux. If it doesn’t work, I am pretty sure the team has a backup plan. They do not need to make a trade; Owings could handle second easily. As can Taylor or Kike. Leave Mookie where he is. The dude seems very happy there. Lux only made 7 errors in over 330 chances his first time as a full time second baseman. I have confidence in the kid that he can handle it. He is an intense player, working his butt off to get back to where he wants to be.
Great article Mark. Another interesting piece on the behind the scenes organization set up by Friedman to bring success. On another note:
Farhan Zaidi with the Giants is taking heat for releasing JD Davis, who was raking in Spring Training. Both players and fans have voiced displeasure.
Zaidi saves the Giants $5.8 million dollars. Davis prevailed in an arbitration hearing, and rather than pay the guy his full awarded amount, just shy of $7 million, he gets released & the Giants are only on the hook for $1.1 million.
If Davis has taken the Gnats original offer of $6.5 million, the money would have been guaranteed, instead he went to arbitration, won an award of $6.9 million , but because he was released before March 16, he’s only owed $1.1 million.
An astute move to save the ball club money after the Chapman signing, but a lousy way to treat a player who is a lifelong Giant fan and NoCal resident.
Th union is apparently taking up Davis’ case because arbitration agreements have a clause that says players can only be released for performance issues. This could get ugly.
Zaidi is already on thin ice. Could this be his downfall? He is already very unpopular for letting fan favorite SS Brandon Crawford walk. (Crawford is a Cardinal now – hmmm, maybe could have used him in LA). This could get interesting…
Giants already struggling to attract players. This is a black eye for that organization. Imagine the message players are receiving! You risk being released if you win an arbitration hearing agains us. Yikes!
Excellent points Evan. Andrew Baggarly wrote a detailed article on this issue in the Athletic. Farhan may save $5 million with this loophole, but it is extremely dishonest and a shortsighted move. Davis had a OPS of 857 in 2022 with SFG and 738 last year with 18 HR in 144 games. And Davis is hitting 400 in spring training this year. Davis was awarded $6.9 million compared to the Giants filing of $6.55 million.
Farhan recently signed Chapman which made Davis expendable. However, Farhan offered arbitration to Davis in December and should stand by the arbitration award. Davis has been a productive player and they mutually agreed to arbitration. Farhan should not be taken at his word after this action and players should demand a premium before signing with this organization. The Giants and Farhan are being dishonest and cheap, and I hope Davis wins a grievance case.
I agree!
Is the Lab in Glendale Arizona the Dodgers have created similar to Driveline Baseball in Kent Washington? If not what are the differences?
Very comparable, I believe Prior (or a player working with Prior) made that exact comparison with Driveline.
Thank you.
Rob Hill, who is the Minor League Pitching Coordinator for the Dodgers was formerly with Driveline Baseball. Hill was hired by the Dodgers in 2020 as their pitching coordinator while they still allowed him to work at Driveline.
The Dodgers have developed a strong connection with Driveline and hired two other employees and signed one to a Minor League contract.
Driveline trainer Ian Walsh previously announced on Twitter that he is joining the Dodgers organization as a pitching development assistant for the 2022 season.
They also hired former Driveline pitching floor trainer Sean Coyne as a Minor League coach and signed intern Bradley Gonzales to a Minor League contract in 2020.
4:05 PM ET
Giants 6-7
Dodgers 12-4-1
SP Blayne Enlow R
0-0 .00 ERA
SP Tyler Glasnow R
0-0 .00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
RF J. Heyward L
LF T. Hernandez R
CF E. Hernandez R
3B Miguel Rojas R
2B Chris Owings R
75° Wind 7 mph Out
I think Farhan is going to lose this case and ultimately be fired!
Former Dodger and Met, Darryl Strawberry is recovering from a heart attack. Strawberry’s # 18 to be retired by the Mets on July 1. Yankees trying to make a deal with the White Sox for Dylan Cease. No movement on Montgomery or Snell. J D Davis released by the Giants.
I really am surprised Farhan has lasted this long. The last manager he hired was fired among other things for using a platoon with players. LA did that when he was here. The manager can only play with the players he is given. It has been said he played the main role in the Yordan Alvarez trade. Just speculation based on what I have read.
Roberts keeps saying Lux needs to get reps. He can’t do that if he is not in the lineup.
Lux has seldom played on back-to-back days this Spring. I am sure he has some soreness as well. I think they need to take it slow.
Lux and two others are ill, with the trip to Korea I’m sure the team doesn’t want the bug to spread.
Tyler Glasnow is cementing his spot in the Ace Hole.
he was filthy today
Well, now I know Glasnow is 100% healthy. It’s going to be a very good one and two at the top of the rotation with him and Yamamoto, and if Buehler becomes 100% healthy and all of them stay healthy into October, there will be three very good starting pitchers that will lead the Dodgers to a championship. Pitching wins championships. The bullpen has to be strong too and Doc needs to push the right buttons with the bullpen in October too.
If he can just stay healthy!
Remember that he has really just had one injury… which went undiagnosed for four years!
please don’t forget clayton! don’t forget bobby miller! don’t forget gavin stone! don’t forget emmit sheehan! don’t forget james paxton! wow ! that’s a lot not to forget! with that bullpen, that’s a lot not to forget!
How do you spell LOADED?
How much runway for Lux? Not looking pretty. I’m sorry but a professional baseball player especially playing mostly SS all his life and despite a significant knee injury and a year away from playing should be making routine throws from 2B in his sleep!! Maybe not the ones with a Chase Utley breathing down your neck turning 2 but geez the ones after fielding a bunny hop and no rush to make a throw?? Gotta make that throw at least 99 out of 100 times. How many defensive holes can we afford in the infield??? How much runway???!!!!
Wilson opts out of his contract and is a free agent. BlueAZ2020. I think Lux is the second baseman until he proves he can’t handle it. I do not sweat stuff that happens in spring training. Take a look at Gelof, whose 2 errors opened the door for 4 runs for the Giants in the 9th inning. It can happen to anyone. Make no mistake, the layoff has affected him. There is no way taking grounders in infield practice and then making the throws mirrors the speed of a real game. The guy hasn’t played since March of 22. And he has only been in 10 games, and everyone is making judgements??? That is not cool. And he didn’t play today because he and several other people are ill.
Until Wilson signs with another team, he can always be signed by the Dodgers.
I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be a trade or trades. Vesia, Rojas, Vargas, Knack and some others could be involved.
I am not afraid to play Betts at SS, but if I had to bet, I would say he will end the season at 2B. In fact, he will play 2B more than SS.
What does that mean for Gavin Lux. Use the process of deduction…
Your suspicion, bet, and deduction mirrors my own …sadly
Kyle got Hurt by his walks (and an error by Gelof), but this is his problem. He walks too many. When he solves that, he is a closer!
offensively the bravos have a slight edge as of now. BUT, i truly believe from top to bottom the dodgers are better than the braves as a pitching staff!! mark, would you consider keeping owens over rojas?
No, but I will purpose something better… tomorrow!