Report from Camelback Ranch

Posted By on February 27, 2026

It was a fun week with the family in Arizona. We went to two games at Camelback Ranch and went to the Aquarium as well as frequenting some amazing restaurants. My sons’ kids are 2 and 5 so, this is a special time. I met Paul Vu, a longtime LaDodgerTalk.com reader who doesn’t “comment much, but I read it every day and agree with you 99% of the time.” He is obviously a very smart man.

I also watched the second game with old friend and former Dodger Beat Writer, Tony Jackson, who still lives in the Phoenix area, but is retired from baseball. and Paul Vu, longtime LaDodgerTalk reader. Paul is an amazing person and maybe a story for another day. Currently, we have about 11,000 readers a day. US Water Systems is a company that my wife and I started in our garage about 25 years ago. Our son is now the CEO and we are opening a branch in Tampa, Florida on April 1, 2026. The reason we are in Arizona right now, other than the Dodgers, is that we are planning to open a warehouse in Phoenix in 2027. He plans to move his family here then, and we will likely buy a condo here sometime time after that, and winter in Arizona. I am looking at places close to Camelback Ranch. It was great to see Tony again.

It’s Early… Some Takeaways

  • Hyeseong Kim looked much better in CF than last year. I don’t think there is any way he doesn’t start the season in a platoon with MiggyRo at 2B. Beyond that, what happens when Kike and Tommy Tanks come back is up to him. He hit a nice HR today, but his power is not evident most of the time. He’s the Swiss Army Knife, but he may spend some time THIS YEAR in OKC, when Kike and Tommy get back. Miggy and (maybe) Kike will be gone in 2027, so there is that. Kim’s homerun yesterday was impressive, but the rest of his hits have been “soft contact” and his strike zone recognition needs to get much or MLB pitchers will eat him up. Doc was clearly upset that he was not staying in camp… but he understands.
  • Gavin Stone and River Ryan could both be in the rotation. They are both looking outstanding.
  • Josue DePaula has always had a great eye and pitch selection, but his defense and running have improved dramatically. He can play RF or LF with a high degree of skill. He could be a factor THIS YEAR, but where does he play? Hint: Injury replacement.
  • Look for Andy Pages to be an All-Star in CF. He is taking another step forward.
  • Teoscar Hernandez and Max Muncy look to be in the best shape of their lives.
  • Noah Miller is taking a step forward. He is a MLB SS defensively already… can he hit? He is right now.
  • Edgardo Henriquez and Roki Sasaki did not look good. It’s possible both start in OKC or Sasaki goes to the pen. I am not convinced he is a starter.
  • Justin Wrobleski and Alex Vesia should be locks.
  • Zyhir Hope continues to impress with how hard he hits the ball. He hits it “Ohtani hard.” He is also a great athlete, but I worry about all those muscles. It’s almost “freakish.” But, man does he whack that ball! His legs are about the size of Willie Calhoun’s.
  • Tyler Glasnow looked awesome and has clearly put on some muscle. This may be his year to be Cy Young.
  • Out of the gate, this could be the rotation: 1. Yamamoto; 2. Glasnow; 3. Stone; 4. Ryan; 5. Sheehan; 6. Wrobleski… with Ohtani and Snell integrated back in slowly. This is going to create a pinch for a while. Fortunately, they have the arms.

This article has 44 Comments

  1. Hernandez and Sasaki going down to OKC opens up the door for a couple of prospects. Who are the front runners?
    Stone and Ryan are probably already the first two, then what?

    1. Hurt for sure.

      He’s right on the outside looking in for me, but given the opportunity he might stick.

  2. It’s only one outing for Edgardo Henriquez and Roki Sasaki. Patience! A long way go till the final 26 man roster. I am one of the few here who says Kim WILL be on the 26 man Opening Day roster. His versatility to play the OF and IF makes him the better choice. We HAVE to start an infusion of youth on the roster.

    1. I think there is no doubt Kim will be on the opening day roster.

      I am just wondering what happens when Edman and Kike come back.

      2. The final bench when Kiki returns should be Rushing,Rojas, Kiki and Kim. Call goes to Oklahoma City. Edman will be the starting second baseman.

    2. That was a hell of a catch by Kim at the wall. Smooth footwork.
      I didn’t care for the comments from Roberts about Kim leaving camp and management considering the weak competition he will face. Almost like he is setting up an excuse to send Kim down to OKC

  3. It’s ironic that Will Smith hit the last home run of 2025 Season to win the World Series and after almost 6 games of the 2026 Spring Training Season hits the first one. The guy is on the road to the Hall of fame without a doubt. One of HOF AF’s best draft picks.

  6. It’s really embarrassing the “wealth of talent” this team has on the major league level and will have on our other minor league teams this season and beyond. Depth no other team has. The Dodgers could probably field a second team at the major league level that would be better and outperform the Rockies.

  7. “The Dodgers will be playing shorthanded, and they’ll be without other key players soon. Shohei Ohtani was the first to leave for the World Baseball Classic. Kim departed Thursday night, followed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto after his Friday afternoon start. Smith and Edwin Díaz will leave sometime after this weekend. That’s not to mention that the team has yet to play Mookie Betts, who has still not seen Cactus League action as he ramps up slowly”.

    1. Kike Hernandez was watching several innings of the game from the outside dining area above the Dodgers’ Clubhouse. He was in full uniform but not on the field. This was strictly a pleasure trip and I made no contacts or interviews with anything Dodger, even though I have their cell numbers. Tony Jackson was the closest I came. Paul Vu is an inspiring story. If he allows it, I would love to tell it.

  8. We looked at a house that is walking distance or “golf cart distance’ from Camelback Ranch. That would be my ideal place. We’ll see… First, we have to get Tampa up and running well. I will be there in April and May and my book is in the final draft phase… In about 2 hours, we head to the airport and get back about 9:30 tonight. It’s 63 in Indy today. Of course, it is 93 here.

  9. Don’t sleep on Suwinski. He could very well make the opening day roster. Call would be the casualty if he does.

    2. NO way Suwinski makes the Opening Day roster. His only hopes to stay with the Dodgers are going on the 60 day IL or being DFA,clearing waivers and signing a minor league contract. The Dodgers have much better options.

      1. He has one thing Call does not, power. A lot of it. He might not make it out of spring training, but the way Ward is playing, he is a better option at this point.

      2. He has one thing Call does not, power. A lot of it. He might not make it out of spring training, but the way Ward is playing, he is a better option at this point.

  10. Just a thought. If Call is hitting .280ish with good defense, maybe a little more power than last season, does Kike automatically get his spot? Not advocating for any of this, just curious. To Bear’s point, Kike hasn’t exactly been ripping the cover off the ball. To Mark’s point, he is beloved in the dugout! At what point does production override sentiment? At some point Kike will no longer be needed. I’m sure the front office isn’t looking forward to that day.

    Sasaki to the minors? Maybe. If Stone and Ryan continue to shine ( where does Emmit fit in?), would they even consider trading Sasaki? You never know. But I’m sure he would not like being sent back down. But neither would Stone or Ryan! Lots to think about between now and opening day! Good problem to have!!!

    1. Kike will take somebody’s place when healthy. I can certainly see a trade or two coming down the pike… DePaula is also knocking on the door!

      The Dodgers would have to overwhelmed to trade Kim and/or Sasaki, but it could happen.

  11. 3:05 PM ET

    Dodgers (93-69) (6-0)
    Giants (81-81) (4-2)

    SP Y. Yamamoto R
    0-0 .00 ERA
    SP Robbie Ray L
    0-0 .00 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    SS A. Freeland S
    2B S. Espinal R
    C D. Rushing L
    3B Nick Senzel R
    DH Keston Hiura R
    LF Ryan Ward L
    1B James Tibbs L
    RF Zach Ehrhard R
    CF M. Siani L

    89° Wind 2 mph Out

  12. Chase Utley Working In Front Office Role With Dodgers

    During an appearance on “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh,Chase Utley described his role and said it gives him the flexibility to continue being around his family, via AM 570 L.A. Sports:

    “I’m still trying to feel it out. I have a young family that I enjoy being around and enjoy spending time with. So right now, I’m happy with what we’re doing, which is spending some time with the Dodgers, the front office, and their players, but also have some time for my family. So right now, we’re in a good spot.”

  13. Would you…

    Trade Hyseong Kim, Jackson Ferris, Bobby Miller, and James Tibbs III…

    For

    CJ Abrams (who goes to 2B)?

    I think Abrams is a breakout candidate (30 HR/.800 OPS).

    1. No!!!! Abrams according reports is someone the Dodgers wouldn’t want in the clubhouse,plus I’m NOT trading Ferris in ANY deal.

    2. The “bad attitude” narrative primarily stems from the following events:
      Casino Incident & Demotion: In September 2024, the Nationals demoted Abrams to the minor leagues for the final week of the season after he reportedly stayed at a Chicago casino until 8 a.m. on the morning of a 1:20 p.m. game.

      Internal Discipline: General Manager Mike Rizzo and then-manager Dave Martinez characterized the demotion as an “internal issue,” citing a breach of team standards. Reports suggested this may not have been an isolated incident, leading to a public display of discipline to set a standard for the team’s young core.

      On-Field Performance & Focus: Critics have pointed to high error totals—he was ranked among the worst defensive shortstops in 2024—and “mental mistakes” on the bases as signs of a lack of focus.

      1. 1. Abram is not a SS – I would play him at 2B
        2. He is on a very bad team and is not a leader but Betts, Edman, Freeman, Smith and others might give him a new attitude
        3. His talent is unquestioned
        4. His attitude might determine his altitude.

  15. Big yes to CJ. Always been a big fan of his and in fact suggested a trade for him a couple of years ago.

    Agree that he has untapped potential and a change of scenery to the Dodgers would surely make anyone better?

    My concern with that proposed trade is Ferris who would I would only trade for a Skubal or Skenes.

    There’s not enough room for all those Prospects. Let’s cash some in.

  16. Bobby Miller has a shoulder issue, which is why he hasn’t pitched yet. Dodgers signed RHRP Keynan Middleton to a minor league deal. Played parts of 7 MLB seasons. Has not pitched since 2023. Graterol not throwing off of a mound yet either. Yamamoto left for Japan after the game. Yuki Kikuchi removed from team Japan after suffering an injury.

  17. Am I the only one who can’t see what Kiki has accomplished to merit a spot on the roster? The dude us pushing 40 and hasn’t a decent year since 2023. And I thought a youth movement was underway. Kim is just as versatile and faster (and younger). When he heals I can’t see him taking a spot from a young stud or even Call, Miggy or Freeland.

    1. Nope, I have questioned the re-signing several times. Kike is actually 34. He turns 35 in August. Kike has had some success in postseason play; he has 16 career postseason homers. 11 of those came with the Dodgers. But if you look at all those series, most of the time, he was not that great. His reputation as a post season monster started in 2017, game six of the NLCS against the Cubs when he hit 3 homers and drove in 7. His value is in his defensive abilities and the fact that he can play 7 positions. In 25, he was 16-64 in the playoffs, He had one homer and 7 RBIs. But he struck out in 24 of those at bats including 15 in just 28 at bats in the World Series. His biggest supporters blame his lingering injury issues. OK, I get that. But he is aging, he hasn’t hit over .237 since 2021.

  18. I’m not going to make too much of Roki’s first outing since 31% of his pitches were the cutter that he’s working on. However, there could be an injury that he’s hiding too since he was hitting 102 with an easy motion in Japan. I thinking sending him to the minors to work on mechanics and a third pitch is better than starting the year in the pen if those are the choices come opening day.

    De Paula’s defensive development will be interesting. I did see him butcher one in Left about a week ago but I will take Mark’s word on his progress. Freddie wants to play four more years. If De Paula gets moved there may be a decision to be made.

    Looking forward to Gavin Stone and especially River Ryan outings.

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