May, Kim and CT3

This article has 74 Comments

1. I think Ferris could be ready by mid-season next year.

   1. I respectfully disagree about CT3 hitting at AAA. He looks lost at the plate. Shame, cause I really like Chris. If he was down at OKC playing right now, his strikeout rate would be higher that Outman’s. Taylor is late on fastballs consistently. Granted, he is pretty good defensively at multiple positions, but you’re just giving away outs when he bats. I’m sure you’re correct about keeping him over Kim, because of his contract. But, I honestly believe we’re a better ball club with H.S. Kim on our bench instead of CT3. My 2 cents today. Go Dodgers !!

2. DODGER MINOR LEAGUE STANDINGS 5/5/25

   Oklahoma City AAA 22-11 1st place 5 games ahead

   Tulsa AA 12-15 4th place 4 games behind

   Great Lakes A+ 13-14 5th place 4 games behind

   Rancho Cucamongo A 19-8 1st place 6 games ahead

   ACL Dodgers Rookie 0-1 last place 1 game behind

3. Pretty bold statement that Kim is a Triple A hitter…. not.
   Has Kim had any major league at bats yet? Nope.
   Anyway, right now I’d rather see Kim swing a bat than Conforto.
   Maybe the veteran earning $17 million just needs a couple of days off for a reset. Put Pages in LF, Kike in CF and Kim at 2B…
   Or put Kim in CF and Rojas in 2B. Whatever.
   It’s nice that Kim got into a game and stole a base. His speed would add a dimension to the bottom of the order. What’s the point of bringing him up if he doesn’t get the opportunity?

   As for the OF prospects, Ramos, Hope and Sirota should all be promoted. They need to get tested at higher level.
   And get De Paula a glove to play 1B…

   1. Well, he has hit in AAA (.252) but since he has never hit in MLB, he’s still a AAA hitter.

      I am sure he will get a start or two in the Bigs, and I hope he does great.

      Conforto is pressing and looks lost. This is a guy who was a career .800 OPS, and he just turned 32. He’s younger than Teoscar. They are paying him $17 million, so he has at least 30 more days. I am sure Kim could do better, and he is vastly better defensively and has more speed. No question about that. But Kim needs to learn to dominate at AA A before he returns to the show.

   2. What’s the point of bringing him up if he doesn’t get the opportunity?

      Leaving aside the undefined, very broad and general “the opportunity “ I would venture to guess l:

      To help the team fill the gap created when Edman’s versatility was unavailable?

      Sometimes players are promoted due to accomplishment, sometimes due to gluts at a position, and sometimes because there is a specific role that needs to be taken.

      This happens with LHRP, with spot starters, and with relievers like Noah Davis

      1. I think the point he was trying to make was that he was ADVOCATING that he be given MORE playing time in the current opportunity he has while he’s up with the club, rather than simply be a placeholder and late inning defensive replacement until Edman gets back.

         1. Ah.

            I guess, but I doubt that was the plan. Could have been and could be.

4. Can’t disagree with having our current bench or role players. The problem with a glove first bench is when you have two holes minimum in the starting lineup against right handed pitching. Would love to see a hit first guy on the bench to bring up. In last nights ninth inning I was hopeful but not real optimistic.

5. Conforto has not been a good hitter for several years.
   2024 – .237/.309/.450/.759 as a platoon player with 1.3 bWAR
   2023 – .239/.334/.384/.718 as a platoon player with .8 bWAR
   His last good season was 2020. And notwithstanding last night’s good catch, he’s a horrible defensive OF.

   I know that he has a “track record” 5 years ago and that they are paying him a lot of $$, but it’s not working right now. It might work later but doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?

6. I agree we need some glove first bench players. But with several holes in the lineup it would be comforting to be able to pinch hit and have a sense ego hope

7. Thank God Conforto is only a one year deal. Annoncers on all the broadcasts are saying he is late on fastballs. Same is true with Taylor. Both bad contracts, but the Dodgers have to deal with it until the postseason when both can be left off the roster. Unfortuantely we will have to suffer through the regular season watching it.

   1. Everything bad you could say about a hitter is Conforto. He might turn it around but there’s no sugar-coating how bad he’s looked.

   2. Conforto is 0 for his last 21.

      1. Actually it looks like 0-28.

8. Right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling announced his retirement this morning over social media. He signs off after nine big league seasons with the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Giants, and Athletics.

9. Casparius is slated to either start of serve as a bulk reliever in Monday’s game against the Marlins in Miami, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

10. I was able to make it to Atlanta last night in time to catch ch the game at trust Park and from the first base side what stood out to me the most was speed. Dustin May adjusted his speed masterfully. I know Riley tagged him twice, but he really looked in complete control of his arsenal. Then there was Kim on the base paths. Wow! I would love to know his times, the speed just jumped out at you. Yes, he got a good jump, but the speed after the jump was impressive.

    1. They don’t have Kim’s sprint speed as yet, but here are the fastest Dodgers (ft/sec):

       1. Tommy Edman 28.4
       2. Andy Pages – 28.3
       3. Teoscar – 28.1
       4. Ohtani – 28.0
       5. Muncy – 27.2
       6. Smith – 26.5
       7. Kike – 26.5
       8. Mookie – 26.3
       9. Conforto – 26.2
       10. Freeman- 25.8

       1. There’s speed….
          And then there’s base-running ability.
          Shohei isn’t the fastest guy on the team–but he’s the best at stealing bases. (But Kim could be a challenger.)
          Mookie has slowed with age–but a statcast study last year showed that he led the league in “secondary leads.” He reads the ball well and often takes the extra base.
          As for Freddie, I love the hustle but he’s aging too–on creaky ankles. Today provided a fine example of why he should stop trying to stretch singles into doubles. Settle for the single, Freddie. It’s fine
          https://www.mlb.com/news/mookie-betts-stolen-bases-statcast-analysis

          1. Duke,
             Remember the commercial where Yaztremski stretched a single into a double at 38 years old? Sometimes it is in their competitive blood. Same with Freddy.

       2. There is no way this is accurate. I know Mookie has lost a step but he Will Smith is not faster than him….and Teoscar faster than Ohtani? LOL

          1. Don’t recall that commercial, but no doubt Freddie loves to compete. And he takes pride in his doubles.
             I just don’t want him hustling into another ankle sprain.
             Pretty sure Roberts and the front office doesn’t want that either.

       3. The data is interesting and appreciated, but I wonder how the technology computes all that.
          Is it calculated on home to 1st? From 1st to 3rd? Is it top speed or more of an average?
          Is Mookie really slower than Smith and Kike? Or is that he is more apt to change gears because of his base-running reads and instincts?
          Some Olympic sprinters can sustain their top speed for a longer time. Olympic-level sprinters who “finish strong” and seem to be accelerating are actually decelerating at a slower pace than their rivals.
          There are A LOT of speed demons in the game today. In yesterday’s highlights, veteran pitcher Miles Mikolas handled a weak comebacker, paused for a split second and then threw to 1B. Oneil Cruz beat it out, making Mikolas look foolish.
          Reminded me of a John Wooden maxim: “Be quick. Don’t hurry.”

11. Six weeks into the season, Dodgers fans are losing their minds about Michael Conforto. Earlier in the season, it was Andy Pages, but with his ascension, fans need a new whipping boy. It’s Conforto and CT3 now. CT3’s struggles are irrelevant because he plays so little. Defense, not offense, is paramount.

    The Dodgers saw something in Conforto, and unless you believe that Andrew Friedman is just stupid and likes to hand out $17 Million Contracts for no reason, I guarantee that Conforto was being courted by other teams AT THE SAME PRICE.

    Conforto came to LA with the idea that he needed to re-do his swing. That can take a while. Either he will… or he won’t fix it. Let’s have this same conversation in 30 days… maybe one of us will shut up. Maybe Dalton Rushing will be in LF by the All-Star Break… or maybe Conforto will hit 25 bombs.

    You guys do this every year (many times on multiple players) and then have to eat crow. You must love that kind of bird!

    I have no opinion on how Conforto will do, but even after two disastrous years at DF, he had a .800 career OPS. I think he is a platoon player, but lately he has had reverse splits… so maybe not.

    1. “Defense, not offense, is paramount.”

       Interesting point. Then maybe Kim should be on the roster instead of CT3.

    2. Yes, it’s too early to give up on Conforto–but not too early for concern.
       I’ve encountered no reporting that other teams were courting Conforto with a similar contract. The Dodgers brass targeted him early and obviously made him a good offer. It was similar to the one-year “prove it” deal that Teo got. (There was speculation that Conforto was signed in part because the Dodgers were concerned that Teo would get a big offer from another team.)
       A month from now, Conforto might be the hottest hitter in the game….
       Or we might be lamenting the fact that Dodgers didn’t push Lux into the outfield sooner.

12. 6:40 PM ET

    Dodgers (23-11)
    Marlins (13-20)

    SP Ben Casparius R
    3-0 2.91 ERA
    SP Sandy Alcantara R
    2-3 8.31 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    DH S. Ohtani L
    SS Mookie Betts R
    1B F. Freeman L
    RF T. Hernandez R
    C Will Smith R
    3B Max Muncy L
    CF Andy Pages R
    LF M. Conforto L
    2B Hyeseong Kim L

    In Domed Stadium

    Kim starting at 2nd base

    1. Pitcher change, Jack Dreyer starting the game

13. Could we be witnessing the birth of a new Timmons narrative?

    Years from now, we might be reading something along the lines of: “I always said Kim was nothing more than a AAA hitting utility player. Many of you said he was a future All-Star. MORONS! See! I was always right! Hahahaha!”

    Then again, if he’s successful, this opinion might be memory holed into the dustbin of Timmon’s bold predictions right alongside Alex Verdugo being the next Tony Gwynn.

    Yes, Rojas and CT3 are making more than Kim, but those salaries reflect a proven track record in the major leagues. I don’t think the Dodgers would’ve given Kim that 12 mil contract (22 mil with incentives) unless they thought he might have some significant upside, certainly more upside than being a AAA depth piece.

    What could that upside possibly be in a best case scenario (because, as a Dodger fan, I’m going to look at the best case scenario)?

    In his three full seasons with the Padres, Ha-Seong Kim averaged 3 WAR a season.

    Granted, Ha-Seong has more power than Hyeseong, but they are both exceptional defenders with good speed, and WAR is WAR.

    Jung Hoo Lee was given a 113 million contract by the Giants. Yes, he has a higher offensive ceiling than Hyeseong, but he also struggled during his first year. Now he’s one of the best players in the game, and a big reason for the resurgent Giants.

    Hyeseong might be the best defender of the three, and he has elite speed.

    If he can hit .250-.275, with an 8% walk rate and 8 home runs in 450-550 plate appearances, while stealing 25 bases, that’s worth a lot more than 4 mil/year AAV.

    It’s a struggle to transition from the Korean league to the major leagues. There’s about a five MPH velocity differential between major league pitching and the Korean league. Jung struggled with the transition. as did Ha-Seong.

    And my hunch is that the Dodgers are beginning to gain more appreciation for speed now that the bases are bigger and stealing is easier. The Dodgers are running more, and speed might be more of a factor in the game now.

    Hyeseong is probably the fastest player on the 40 man. We saw what he did the other night. Speed + high baseball IQ = disruption for the opposing team and manufactured scoring opportunities.

    Actually a not terrible comp is Tommy Edman. Edman has more power (not by much, though), and perhaps a slightly higher overall offensive ceiling, but they are both great defenders with exceptional speed. IMO, Kim is may be slightly better overall defender and is faster.

    I’d prefer not to write off Kim before he gets an opportunity.

    1. The other new narrative is that Conforto will be great and if you don’t think so you are a moron. I hope he is great – he was Roberts’ “pick to click” this year and was compared to Teo.

       I have seen no evidence that Conforto has been a good major league baseball player since 2020 – check the numbers. But this year – well no one could have predicted his performance this year. Will he prove to be Joey Gallo? Or Teo? No one knows – the front office picked up Gallo thinking they could fix him but couldn’t. Not everyone is fixable.

       Was it worth a try? Sure. But it’s looking more unlikely – time will tell

       1. Well…. Conforto had a strong second half in ’24, and his offense in away games was much better than his offense in SF.
          Plus, Conforto had reverse splits in ’24.
          Those are some the reasons the Dodgers signed Conforto. He should improve.

14. Totally agree.

15. I missed why Taylor is there and not Teo, does anyone know what happened?

    Congratulations to Kim on the first hit of what I hope will be many…

    1. Tight hamstring for Teo.

16. Dodgerpatch and Dodgerrick,

    You are evidently twins because you excel at the Olympic Sports of Putting Words in my Mouth and Jumping to Conclusions. Earlier, I said this:

    I have no opinion on how Conforto will do, but even after two disastrous years at DF, he had a .800 career OPS. I think he is a platoon player, but lately he has had reverse splits… so maybe not.

    I am not a Conforto fan, but I am an Andrew Friedman fan… however, EVERYTHING he does is not perfect. Conforto could be a dud. I have no opinion. He will get about 30 days more and I can give you $17 Million Reasons why. He did get a nice hit tonight, but who knows?

    I like Kim. He has two hits tonight, but he is playing against a AAA team. 😉

    His stats are very similar to the other Kim (Ha-Seong), EXCEPT that he had 37 HR in 8 seasons, and the other Kim had 133 HR is 7 seasons. Our Kim OPS’ed .766 in Korea while the other Kim had an OPS of 100 points higher!

    OK, the Dodgers think they can help Kim develop more power and they have done that in the past with other players, so it is not out of the question that he could develop it.

    All I am saying is that they are invested in Conforto for at least 30 more days and that Kim likely needs more time at AAA. Remember, he’s here because of Edman… not Conforto.

    Conforto could very well be DFA’ed if he is not doing well by June. Kim won’t be a starter, but he could very well be back on the team.

    I just do not see the Dodgers cutting CT3 right now. They don’t need to, because Defense trumps Offense for subs on this team.

    It’s like you want to make a straw man to create a fight… I have better things to do!

    1. No, he doesn’t have the offensive potential as the other Kim, or the guy from the Giants, but .250-.275, with an 8% walk rate, 30 stolen bases, high single digit home runs to go with gold glove defense isn’t bad.

       I think he’s got more potential than Miguel Rojas, and I like Rojas.

       Maybe Conforto turns it around. Honestly, the Dodgers have some decisions to make, and I don’t envy them. I like CT3. He’s been an important part of the Dodgers for a long time. The Dodgers are hardly playing him, and frankly, he’s been declining for several years.

       Maybe it can wait till after the ASB, but the Dodgers might have to DFA him. They did the same with Heyward last year, and he was a good clubhouse guy, and the Dodgers were paying him $$$, so it’s not unheard of.

       I don’t know about Conforto. I don’t think the Dodgers release him, but with Kim on the roster and presumably getting a lot of reps at 2nd, you can play Edman in CF and move Pages to left.

       1. I see zero need for Kim to be a slugger. Nice to have, but just a bonus.
          If he gets on base at a good rate at the bottom of the lineup–like he did today, with two singles–that will provide Shohei or Mookie with more RBI chances.
          Kim’s speed, as we saw today and yesterday, is also a weapon.
          If everybody was healthy, I’d argue that the best lineup now would look something like this:

          Shohei DH
          Mookie SS
          Freddie 1B
          Teo RF
          Smith C
          Edman CF
          Max/Kike 3B
          Pages LF
          Kim 2B

          This is a stronger lineup on both offense and defense.
          Kim has started one ML game, but I’d happily have him in there instead of Conforto, Kike or Taylor. Conforto is being paid too much to sit, of course, so he’ll get more of that “runway” which is usually reserved for younger players.
          Does Kim deserve some runway? He’ll get some–until Edman returns.

          1. Agree, and I like this lineup, and good point about Kim hitting in front of Shohei

17. I will say that the Dodgers did three deals over the winter that I was not a fan of:

    1. Yates
    2. Conforto
    3. Scott

    I was a fan of the Kim deal.

    1. If AF can’t figure out how to get nine guys in lineup with over .800 OPS, then he must go

       1. 😉

18. For the record, I hope Kim is in the lineup tomorrow.

    1. Ja

19. Well…. Conforto had a strong second half in ’24, and his offense in away games was much better than his offense in SF.
    Plus, Conforto had reverse splits in ’24.
    Those are some the reasons the Dodgers signed Conforto. He should improve.

20. I still have a hard time wondering why certain children, I mean men, feel a need to throw stones at our host. What are you thinking? Whoops, dumb question. Have a Dodger take and for God’s sake, stop sucking! I can feel the energy getting sucked out of this community every time you post.

    Barring injury, the 26 man will not change. The kids need to play and that will only happen down on the farm. The bench players know their role. And they are fine with it. As far as Conforto goes….prop him up ,cheer him on. Can you imagine how a month long funk can mentally drain you. He needs an encouraging word , maybe even a hug from Doc. By the way…………..
    ‘WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! ‘
    of the world
    Book em

    1. I dont know. Kim may force our hand here at some point. And Teo’s injury might open the door to Outman or Ruiz.

       Rushing, Freeland & [maybe] Feduccia will get their chances.

    2. This site should be about the team, not the host

    3. “Have a Dodger take and for God’s sake, stop sucking!”

       That’s actually fantastic advice. (That was a hint, BTW).

21. Great start for Kim last night. Showed all his skills – good D, base running and opposite field hitting against a lefty. Brett Butler would be a good comparison too. You can’t teach speed. He will be a great asset to any lineup
    Kim, Tommy and Pages would give the Dodgers a much speedier lineup.

22. Mike Sirota, Sterling Patick win weekly player and ptcher honors for Rancho Cucamonga

    “Sirota hit two home runs and drove in four runs last week, playing five of the Quakes’ six games against the Stockton Ports. Sirota was 7-for-20 (.350/.458/.750) with a triple and seven runs scored during the series, which was capped off with four hits on Sunday.Through 19 games this season, the outfielder is hitting .364/.456/.675 with a 197 wRC+.

    Patick pitched five perfect innings on Friday against Stockton, striking out four of his 15 batters faced. It was the longest and best career outing to date for Patick, who was drafted by the Dodgers in the 18th round in 2023 out of South Hills High School in West Covina”.

23. Unlike minor league players, whom I might be able to watch 20-30 times a year over a three or 4-year period, I have only seen a couple of videos of Kim and a few games. It’s clear he has the speed and defense to excel. He does have a 24% strikeout rate, which is high for someone who is not a slugger. However, he does have 5 HR.

    In his first AB, which resulted in a flyout, he hit a 99 MPH sinker for a flyout. The fact that he was able to hit a 99 MPH sinker was more impressive to me than his hits.

    His first hit was off a 97 MPH 4-Seamer, which traveled 142 ft. It was a hit, but almost an “excuse me.”

    His second hit was off a 87 MPH changeup that had a 67 MPH exit velocity. Again, it was of the excuse me variety.

    I was more impressed with his fly out on a 99 MPH sinker than his hits. Maybe he is a wizard with the bat… I don’t know, but I hope we can see him for a few games until Edman comes back.

    If you are talking about impressive hits, I was impressed with CT3’s ability to drive in a run. I can see the Dodgers not renewing CT3’s Contract in 2026, but I can’t see them cutting him THIS year. Team chemistry is a big part of this Dodger team’s success, and CT3 is a key part of that and has been for 10 years. He has tenure. Yes, Kim has great defense and I have no doubt he will be on the team in 2026, but CT3 has good defense too… at more positions.

    1. Agree CT3 aint going anywhere and I dont want him to.

       He is a valuable piece that can play anywhere on the diamond and has big game experience.

       1. Been there done that

          1. Whats your point here?

             1. Sometimes he speaks in riddles and phrases. 😉

    2. Does your analysis of Kim include his years in the KBO?
       If not–if his 24% K rate reflects his experience with the Comets–this is still a fairly small sample that reflects a period of adjustment. As for Kim’s bloop single… well, who doesn’t have a bloop now and then? They help make up for the scorching liners that find a glove. He put the ball in play; he didn’t strike out.
       Kim’s offense has always been more about contact and speed than power. If he can get his walk rate up closer to his K rate–as it was in the KBO– Kim could be the ideal “second leadoff” in this loaded lineup. (Such are the luxuries for Dodger fans: We can debate the merits of the ninth hitter in the lineup.)
       Assuming that Mookie will eventually shift to 2B, Kim will shift into a UT role.
       He might get more of a taste of that with the big club soon. Roberts might start him at CF, or maybe shift him to SS with a big lead. Maybe 3B for that matter
       Edman’s injury gave him a chance. If there are injuries to Taylor, Rojas, Kike, Max or (gulp) Mookie, Kim will likely be summoned again.

    3. In his last year in the Korean league his K% was 10.9. Hopefully, as he adjusts to the velocity here , that K% gets below 20.

       He got around on that sinker, but didn’t make the warning track. His two hits were honestly kind of dinks, but he went with that one pitch away. I’d like to see him square up.

       I agree that team chemistry is a reason to keep CT3, but that didn’t save Heyward, who was a great clubhouse guy by all accounts. And yeah, he can play multiple positions, but his defense isn’t exceptional, and has trended negatively over the years. Kim probably out plays him defensively in all the positions they both play except maybe 3rd and CF, depending on Kim’s experience.

       Track record and veteran experience will probably keep CT3 on the team, but I think Kim has the potential to inject some energy into the lineup.

       1. Let’s not forget that the Dodgers have the best record in baseball.

          1. Unreal aint it…..in fact its one of the best starts ever by a Dodger squad…..

          2. It’s a nice luxury to have. A team has room to experiment a little with high upside rookies.

24. Dodgers prospect Sean Linan wins California League pitcher of the month for April

    “20-year-old right-hander had a 1.40 ERA in the opening month for Rancho Cucamonga, with a minor-league-leading 45 strikeouts against only six walks in 25.2 innings”.

25. Dodgers add J.P. Feyereisen to bullpen, designate Yoendrys Gómez for assignment

26. I thought I read somewhere that Outman is on the team while Teo will be on the IL, is that true or was I dreaming it?

27. The Dodgers will place Hernandez (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday’s game in Miami, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

    “Hernandez had to exit Monday’s game against the Marlins with left hamstring tightness. There’s no word yet on the results of an MRI, but evidently it was bad enough that a trip to the IL will be required. James Outman appears poised to take Hernandez’s roster spot and could see reps in the outfield. The Dodgers also figure to give Hyesong Kim a look in the outfield while Hernandez is out”.

28. 6:40 PM ET

    Dodgers (24-11)
    Marlins (13-21)

    SPTony Gonsolin R
    1-0 4.50 ERA
    SP Cal Quantrill R
    2-3 8.10 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    DH S. Ohtani L
    RF Andy Pages R
    1B F. Freeman L
    C Will Smith R
    3B Max Muncy L
    LF M. Conforto L
    SS Miguel Rojas R
    CF James Outman L
    2B Hyeseong Kim L

    In Domed Stadium

    05/06/25 Los Angeles Dodgers placed RF Teoscar Hernández on the 10-day injured list. Left groin strain.
    05/06/25 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled CF James Outman from Oklahoma City Comets.

    1. Dave Roberts tells the Dodger’s reporters that Hernandez is dealing with a Grade 1 adductor strain and that there’s no timetable for a return but Hernandez will be “inactive for awhile.”

29. The Dodgers are planning a bullpen game for the finale of their series with the Miami Marlins tomorrow.
    Right-handed pitcher Landon Knack is with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Miami, hinting at a potential roster move incoming.

30. Play of the year? At least in the top 3

    1. What was it?

31. hopefully Garcia is the next to get sent packing!

32. In no universe should a team like the Dodgers lose a game with JP Feyereisen on the mound in a tie game in the top of the 10th. He is cannon fodder at this point of his career

    1. Dave Roberts said the Dodgers will option J.P. Feyereisen for Landon Knack, who pitches tomorrow.

33. “Clayton Kershaw shifts rehab to Arizona Complex League with 6 hitless innings
    4th rehab start for Kershaw comes on the backfields at Camelback Ranch, with likely one more rehab start coming next week before returning from the 60-day injured list”.

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