As I said on my first post back at LADT, I am a contrarian. While I am not a contrian just to be one, I do have strong takes on the Dodger Farm system, and they do not always ally with the LAD faithful.
Over the years, I have fully acknowledged and reported that the Dodgers have put more players into MLB than any other team. Not long ago I did a research project on the Dodgers who were drafted during the AF era and made MLB, and learned that they indeed put more players in the League than any other organization. Houston had the 2nd most. It is probably time for another project.
But my bar goes higher. How many home grown LAD prospects have gone on to become All Stars? A team can develop them, trade for them, or sign them as a FA. LAD does all three, but puts more emphasis on the second two.
The current LAD 26-man roster has 9 home grown players: Will Smith, Andy Pages, Dalton Rushing, Justin Wrobleski, Ben Casparius, Emmet Sheehan, Jack Dreyer, Edgardo Henriquez, and Alex Freeland. While only two are potential All Stars this year, all will be counted on to produce enough to pull off a 3-peat.
Please do not misunderstand. I completly agree with Mark that Will Smith is a HUGE success when it comes to LAD development. The same appears to be true with Andy Pages, Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone, and Justin Wrobleski. I will also include River Ryan in that group. He may not have been drafted by LAD, but it was LAD that has fostered his development as a pitcher.
Smith and Pages are absolutely stars who have been developed by the Dodgers system. I was in Smith’s corner when the discussion was Smith or Keibert Ruiz. I have been in Pages’ corner, even to the dismay of many regarding my comments that I prefer Pages over PCA. But let’s not pretend that every organization does not develop stars. They all do.
LAD home grown All Stars since the AF era: Walker Buehler, Tony Gonsolin, Will Smith, and Zach McKinstry (Detroit). Hopefully this year, Andy Pages and Michael Busch (Cubs) will be added.
OTOH, Ned Colletti was the top LAD baseball executive from 2006 to 2014. He drafted, or signed as Amateur Free Agents, multiple players who later became MLB All Stars: Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, Cody Bellinger, Nathan Eovaldi, Yasiel Puig, Julio Urías, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Ross Stripling…Kenley Jansen was signed two years prior to Colletti as a catcher, but he was converted to a HOF reliever and was developed as such under Colletti’s development team.
Home grown Washington Nationals developed under Mike Rizzo from 2009-2019: Stephen Strasburg (2009), Bryce Harper (2010), Robbie Ray (2010), Anthony Rendon (2011), Lucas Giolito (2012), Nick Pivetta (2013), Erick Fedde (2014), and Jesus Luzardo (2016).
Billy Beane and The Athletics have developed Mason Miller, Sonny Gray, Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, and Yoenis Cespedes. Only Kurtz has not made an All Star team…YET.
The difference is that the latter two do not have the necessary $$$$ to retain them, while the Dodgers do, if they choose to. It is hard to develop a consistent contender if you cannot retain your young stars, and are constantly rebuilding.
Now if you want to say that no team scouts better than the Dodgers, you will get no push back from me. From advance scouts at the MLB and MiLB level and amateur scouts (national and international), the Dodgers are at the top of the pyramid. I am not about to do the research, but I find it hard to believe that there are many amateur scouts better than Marty Lamb.
I also fully recognize that where the Dodgers draft, it is difficult to develop superstars compared to teams that are consistently drafting in the top ten. This year, the Dodgers will lose 4 draft picks (2, 3, 5, and 6), and $1MM in International bonus pool $$$. I do not think they are complaining about the losses when compared to adding Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz.
The Dodgers generally draft or sign (IFA) players with higher floors. That works for them, extremely well. No team in MLB comes close to the depth the Dodgers have. Is that scouting or development? Undoubtedly both, but to what degree?
For the majority of stars on the team, they look at trades for All Stars (Mookie and Glasnow) and All Star Free Agents/Purchased (Shohei, Yamamoto, Freddie, Muncy, Teoscar, Tucker, Snell, and Díaz).
I am passionate about the prospects, and I follow them religiously. I root for every one of them, even Maddux Bruns. So I am hopeful that the next group coming up makes more of a mark. But even if you look at the top LAD prospects, 7 of the top 12 came to LAD via trade (Hope, Sirota, Ryan, Ferris, Zazueta, Tibbs III, Serwinowski). Three other Top 30 prospects were acquired via trade: Ehrhard, Hurt, and Miller. I still consider them all home grown.
Which one of De Paula, Hope, Sirota, Quintero, Tibbs III, or Ehrhard will be developed enough to stick with LAD? Some have to be moved, right? Or do they languish in MiLB like Ryan Ward and Kody Hoese?Right behind them is Davalan, Ko, Vidourek, and Tunink. And probaably Chase Harlan whose best position may be a corner OF.
So it is true that the Dodgers do develop players, but they rely more on other avenues to acquire their superstars at the MLB level.
MiLB WRAP
OKC Comets pounded out 18 hits and scored 13 runs on their way to a 13-8 victory over the Las Vegas Aviators (A’s) in Las Vegas. OKC sent 5 pitchers to the hill, and only Keynan Middleton was unscored on in 1.1 IP.
The hitting star in this one was Zach Ehrhard who went 4-6 with a pair of doubles and RBIs. Ryan Fitzgerald also with a big night going 4-6 night and 3 RBIs. The big RBI bat belonged to Nick Senzel who went 3-6 with 7 RBIs, including a Grand Slam in the 6th.
Eliézer Alfonzo had 3 hits and a walk. James Tibbs III continued his hot bat with 2 hits, including his 3rd HR and 4th double.
Tibbs is too much
Nice win on a wet night. X-Ray after the game showed that DeLauter did not suffer a broken foot. Max now has 210 homers as a Dodger, just one behind Steve Garvey for third in LA Dodger history. Snider and Hodges the only players to hit 300 or more homers in a Dodger uniform.
Surprise. I hope Max passes Garvey.
He should easily pass Ron Cey also who is second on the list at 228. Cey is fifth on the all-time Dodger list. Muncy is also within striking distance of Campanella’s 242.
I’ve always been a fan and defender of much-maligned Max. He is getting more respect these days and passing Garvey and Cey will earn him more.
Speaking of “development,” Max is my favorite example of the non-homegrown player that the Dodgers system turned into a star. Max, Justin Turner, Chris Taylor–all were taken from the proverbial scrap heap of marginal major leaguers and achieved a certain stardom. Max is grindiest of grinders and loyal to a fault. He is paid so much less than many peers by sticking with the Dodgers all these years.
Early on, Max played second-fiddle to Bellinger, a Dodger draft pick who seemed on an HOF path before his career went sideways. Belli is an athlete out of central casting, while Max looked like the star of the local bar’s slow-pitch team. But Max will eventually earn the status of “Dodgers legend.”
The Dodgers have done even better with pitchers. Every season, there seems to be one or two journeyman RPs who join the Dodgers and get some true-blue polish. Anthony Banda was one. He was pondering retirement and coaching youth baseball when the Dodgers came calling.
Always have had a soft spot for Max. Before him, it was Joc. He is simply a ballplayer.
The 2020 World Series team was primarily homegrown. All of the starting pitchers were.
I’m not sure why but I feel like Quintero, Sirota, and Tibbs will be the guys. If Tibbs or De Paula need to get moved to 1B, I’m not sure how that works out with Freddie’s timeline. I can see Hope being the guy who gets dealt. It will be interesting to watch.
Ryan Ward is practically the only guy not hitting at OKC right now. If Tibbs and Ehrhard keep hitting at some point Ward is just blocking guys. Not to mention the kids at AA.
I don’t mean it in a bad way but Ward is a nobody right now.
Dodgers should trade him simply to give him a chance with another organization.
I totally agree. Ward has NO chance of ever playing at the major league for the Dodgers.
I am sure he will get moved at some point
AF is one of the best at trading for unseen and undeveloped talent. Will klein is a perfect example. He rarely trades controllable pitchers unless his return is overwhelming. That’s why someday he will grace the walls of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown as one of the top executives ever in the game.
The Dodgers game against the Cleveland Guardians tonight, April 1, 2026, is starting earlier at 8:20 p.m. ET because of travel day regulations in the MLB collective bargaining agreement. Since both teams have a travel day on Thursday, the collective bargaining agreement mandates an earlier first-pitch time for the series finale.The Dodgers are off Thursday and travel to Washington DC on Friday to play a weekend series against the Nationals.
Then there is a Series rematch with the Jays. The way it is lining up, we could see Scherzer against Ohtani. They then play Texas and the Mets back at the old ballyard before heading up to my neck of the woods for a four-game Friday-Monday series with the Rocks.
Excellent write up Jeff. Really appreciate your research and knowledge of our minor league players. One question. Why the comment, “even Maddux Bruns”?
I have never been a fan of Bruns. I did not like the draft pick, and he has only marginally improved his control. I readily acknowledge that he does have good stuff, but if he cannot control it.
The Dodgers should trade Bruns, Ward and probably a few others who could benefit from a change of scenery.
Nice piece Jeff. I have high hopes for Maddux Bruns still. Let’s see this year.
In the meantime, are any of you kids going to the game tonight? Be fun to meet up and toast our back to back champs!
How did Friedman fare with producing in-house talent in Tampa? I’m too lazy to look it up (I’m sure there’s an article or two) but off the top of my head:
Snell, Longoria, Price (they were all near the top of the draft), Cobb, Kiermeaier, Colome?
That’s quite a bit. Gotta be more…
Freidman took over in 2005. He started rebuilding the team. His first two years, the team finished last in the AL East. In 2008, they won the AL Pennant and lost the World Series to the Phillies. They finished 3rd his second year, then made the playoffs the next two years, finishing 1st in 10, and 2nd in 11. They lost the ALDS both times. They finished 3rd in 12, missing the playoffs, 2nd in 13, and were once again beaten in the LDS. His last season, 14, they finished 4th and were under .500 for the first time since 07. Tampa would trade their stars for young talent when they got close to free agency. He traded Price during the 14 season. Snell, who was drafted in the first round in 2011, did not make it to the majors until 2016. Gomes was a pitcher on that 2014 team.
I do not question AF’s acumen regarding recognizing elite amateur talent. The Dodgers are vastly different than Tampa Bay. The Dodgers do not draft where Tampa Bay did. Price was 1st overall, and Longoria was 3rd overall. BTW, AF did take Longoria over Kershaw. Tampa Bay does not have the financcial wherewithal to compete with extensions or FA. The Dodgers do not rely on the draft to be competitive. AF should get credit for being able to thrive in both environments.
Per Rosenthal, the Dodgers are acquiring Jake “Innings” Eder from the Nats. Eder was just DFA’d.
Need to move someone, Cousins?, to the 60 to make room.
, Carl Crawford, James Shields, B.J. Upton and Josh Hamilton.
Thanks!
None of Hamilton (1999), Crawford (1999), Shields (2000) or Upton (2002) were drafted by AF.
Thanks!
Jake Eder has one option left.
Ward?
A lot of hitting going on in OKC, including Hyeseong Kim, leading off for the Comets with an average of .412 and an OPS of .971 after 4 games. I still see The Comet at second base sometime in the near future.
When I look at the Dodgers this year I see no room for any of the prospects mentioned in Jeff’s report. And I believe Mark’s take on Kiké was spot on – the Dodgers want proven pros on the bench for the run at the Three-peat. Barring injury or an unforeseen hairball, Kiké and Edman are the utility guys on this team.
Next year? What position isn’t covered by the players that are there now? I believe everyone in the lineup is signed through at least ‘29. Jeff can correct me on that if I’m wrong. Will any of those prospects be used as bench players next year? I doubt it. More likely they will be used to acquire more better pitching.
Something else… I can’t help but notice this 4-1 record has been achieved without much help from that Hall of Fame top of the lineup. Nobody 1-4 is hitting is hitting over .211 or OPSn higher than .655. I wonder what it will look like when they start hitting. And they will start hitting.
Muncy is signed through 27 with an option for 28 or a buyout. Freddie is signed through 27. Teo is signed for 2 more years, but has a team option in 28, and a vesting option for 29.
I was drafting an article just on that point when it all went blank. The same team that is here today, will be there next year, with minor changes. The biggest loss will be Miggy Ro who is retiring. The next loss would be Alex Vesia, a player I would like to see extended. Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Kiké, and Santiago Expinal are the other players on the LAD 40 man who will become FA 5 days after the WS.
“The Dodgers could eventually have more options to choose from to fill out the rotation. Gavin Stone is working his way back after resuming his throwing program on Tuesday. A return sometime in May could be reasonable, as long as he faces no more setbacks and his build-up goes smoothly.
Blake Snell is also working his way back to full strength after missing the start of the season due to left shoulder fatigue, but he is more likely to return in June or closer to July.
In addition, Ryan is being held in reserve with Triple-A Oklahoma City. The organization chose to have the right-hander begin his season in the Minors to receive extra work in his first season back from Tommy John surgery”.
Not extra work. Less work
River Ryan was assigned to the ACL Dodgers on the 25th of March.
Teo might be traded after this year and Tucker has an option out. Rojas might leave after this year. Max is approaching an age where decline can be exponential.
There is some daylight for the prospects.
They definitely put club options on Max’s contract for a reason. I believe Teo’s contract ends after 2027 season and they could look to move him after this year if a prospect forces that move. Like it was mentioned, Tucker has an out after 2027. Freddie’s contract ends after 2027. The roster will start looking different. This year it was Kersh. Next year it will be Miggy, Kike, Treinen, and possibly Teo.
Poor Teo. Everyone is always trying to get rid of him. I love the guy. He’s gonna have a big year!
I think everyone loves Teo. I too think he will have a good to big year. The Dodgers can’t have everyone getting old at the same time. The end of the Phillies run was brutal
Tuckers opt out does not kick in until after the 27 season. Teo has one year and two option years left on his deal. A lot will depend on how he performs this season Muncy is not a free agent until after the 27 season which he has a 10 million dollar option for.
Hard to imagine Tucker opting out of that fat contract.
It’s funny to me how the Dodgers brass says they don’t want to “overpay” before the trade deadline. . . -but then during the winter they overpay the market to get guys like Tucker, Diaz, Tanner Scott and even Conforto.
It’s a pity that Ward didn’t get called up when he was playing so well in ’25. He might not have played well, but he might have outplayed Conforto at a much lower cost.
I don’t see Tucker leaving either. Funny though, through six games last season, Conforto was hitting .294, Tucker looks a lot worse than he did at the plate so far. I know it won’t last but just making a point. No one griped about Conforto when they signed him.
Good news bad news with Ohtani.
He’s pitching like a Cy Young candidate.
He’s also hitting like one.
You really believe that will keep up? Matter of time my friend. He is not a contact hitter, so he will have stretches where he is not hitting. But he has a long on base streak going back to last year.
5 games in,give the guy a chance.
TIC-tongue in cheek!
His plate discipline looks much improved!
I understand the jest was not meant as a critique. But your last statement about plate discipline is a clear improvement thus far. 22 PA, 3 K, 6 BB. 5 games in.
Jake Eder is soooooo Andrew Friedman, and he will immediately be dropped into the “Dodgers Pitching Lab” (aka/Hogwarts for Arms). Jake Eder is the kind of pitcher who feels like he was assembled in a lab labeled “Tall Lefties Who Make Hitters Question Their Life Choices.”
At 6’4″ with long levers, Jake Eder doesn’t just throw a baseball, he sort of unfurls it toward the plate like he’s rolling out a medieval scroll that says:
“Dear hitter,
This will not go well for you.”
Everything comes from a slightly funky, low-ish slot, which means right-handed hitters see the ball emerge from somewhere behind his left shoulder…like a horror movie jump scare but with seams. He’s not the polished, “paint the corners with a monocle” type. He’s more like: Slightly chaotic geometry, Deception, and “Good luck tracking this” energy!
Once the Dodgers enroll him in their Top Secret Pitching Lab and teach him a sweeper, you are going to probably see something mildly unfair to hitters. He already has a nice slider that is illegal in 14 states. The Dodgers look at Eder’s slider and say, “This is already good…let’s make it existentially confusing.” So, they will increase the sweep (more horizontal break). Next, they will tighten his spin efficiency so it looks identical to the fastball longer, and finally, they will get him to lean hard into tunneling (same release, same early flight, then BAM… left turn into another zip code).
If everything clicks, Eder becomes a long-levered lefty illusionist whose pitches all start the same and end in different dimensions. Hitters walking back to the dugout will say: “What just happened?”
I would compare him to a very spicy Andrew Heaney or Tyler Anderson.
Brilliant move!
I agree with you on Eder. He will migrate into the lab with Jake Cousins and Antoine Kelly. Neither CWS or LAA have a track record on developing pitchers. He was well thought of in Miami where they have had success with pitcher development, but he could never stay healthy, and they needed a bat. Wrong time for him to stick in Washington who needs productive SP now. Dodgers have time, patience, and developmental knowledge for this to work out.
“Long-levered lefty illusionist”…. love the loquacious alliteration!
With the trade for Eder, Cousins is moving to the 60-day IL. Brewers, Cubs, Orioles and Mariners all locking up young players with extensions. SS prospect, Colt Emerson, was given an 8-year extension by the Mariners, that includes an option year and is worth a reported 95-million dollars.
Shouldn’t Yamamoto and Sasaki be considered homegrown ? How are they different from Ryu or Puig ?
I give you Ryu. He pitched 7 years in KBO. I should not have included him. But Puig started his career as a Dodger in their MiLB system. He spent time with Rookie League, A+, and AA before being added to LAD. Both Yamamoto or Sasaki started their LAD career at the MLB level with no LAD development.
I always felt Andre Ethier was home grown. Close enough.
Acquired for Milton Bradley!
Great move.
Very close. Cup of Coffee in the A’s system
Homegrown has to mean coming up through at least a couple of levels of our minor league system.
Ohtani looked great last night. If he wants to be a cy young candidate, would bit hurt to let someone else DH when he pitches? Take a little wear and tear off him! I know he probably doesn’t want to do it, but in the long run wouldn’t it be best for him and the team? Will could DH when he pitches. Just my 2 cents!
Just what will AF do with all those outfielders? Tucker has right field. Pages has center. If Teo has a good year he won’t be traded. He’s loved on this team! Can’t see them not bringing Freddie back after his contract expires. Nice problem. No easy choices.
When Snell comes back, some thoughts on a trade. Emmit, Kim, and sirota to the nationals for Abram’s. Any thoughts?
They would not DH Will and let Rushing catch Ohtani every time, and having both of your catchers in the game at the same time does not make sense. If one was DH and the other got hurt, you would lose the DH for the rest of the game when he replaced the catcher. Makes more sense to have someone like Call or Espinal do it and just have the DH hit down in the lineup. Why would you want Abrams? Mookie is not moving from SS yet. Maybe in a year or two if they decided to move him to 2nd. He isn’t going back to the outfield. If Freeman has a good year, and plays well next season, I could definitely see them extending him for the two more years he wants to play after his contract is up. Man is a professional hitter.
Don’t want or need Abrams under any circumstances. AF is NOT trading Sirota or Sheehan.
I think Gunnar Henderson in 2029 is the more likely target. Maybe even a trade for him before if the Orioles put him on the market and his value is depressed.
Hopefully there’s still no cap by then.
I would take Abrams bat.
He can’t play SS… and he is somewhat of a malcontent.
I think you can order it for Louisville Slugger
Let me think…
I won’t say no. I’LL SAY HELL NO!
Notes from Internet:
Baseball America’s podcast talks aboout Under-The-Radar prospects:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/top-mlb-prospects-we-saw-in-arizona-this-spring-prospect-podcast/
Tibbs gets a mention with the Dodgers having changed his swing (mechanical and approach-wise.) With the glut of other OFs in the sytem, they wonder if he ends up at 1B.
Dan Szymborski anticipates 2026 boom and bust hitters:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/szymborskis-2026-booms-and-busts-hitters/
Freddie Freeman is, indeed, a bust:
I love me some Freddie Freeman, but anything that can’t go on forever, won’t, and he’ll turn 37 before the end of the season. …
Brendan Gawlowski had a chat:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/brendan-gawlowski-prospects-chat-3-31-26/
Jake: Who is your favorite long term among River Ryan, Gasser, Christian Scott and Snelling?
Brendan Gawlowski: If you told me he’d stay healthy, River. Scott also looked really good before he blew out.
j: how long do you think Tibbs III would have to hit like this until he forces his way into big league at bats (I know he won’t keep batting 600 with multiple extra base hits every day but it is a fun question)?
Brendan Gawlowski: Fun thought experiment: If he stroked three line drives a day, how long does he have to wait? In reality, like almost everyone else, it’ll be a function of opportunity more than production
Clarke: What are the odds Christian Zazueta is the best pitching prospect in the sport by the end of the year?
Brendan Gawlowski: Low but I admire the belief here
Baseball America’s first mock draft, Dodgers pick by Jacob Rudner ($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-mlb-draft-baseball-america-staff-draft-1-0/
Ruger Riojas RHP Texas: here’s definitely a chance this is a little rich but I think a team that takes Riojas inside the top 40 would be wise for it. He brings a somewhat rare blend of stamina and velocity….
Michael Baumann’s series on positional power rankings continues to include: DH, RF, LF and
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-positional-power-rankings-designated-hitter/
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-positional-power-rankings-right-field/
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-positional-power-rankings-left-field/
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-positional-power-rankings-third-base/
Obviously, the Dodgers are #1 at DH. #4 at RF. 12 and 14 at left and third respectively.
In the lastest Baseball America podcast the team goes deep into Eduardo Quintero:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/scouting-every-nl-west-no-1-prospect-for-2026/
There’s not a whole lot this guy doesn’t do well…What he did last year, and the Dodgers kind of worked with him on this, is to get his swing to generate more power without sacrificng a lot of contact…
Brendan Gawlowski took a look at some Cactus League performances
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/notes-from-the-field-observations-from-a-week-of-cactus-league-action/
Sasaki:
…His splitter is absolutely devastating, perhaps the best split I’ve ever seen live, but it’s also the only reliable pitch for him right now, and even that didn’t generate the same kind of chase his second time through the order…
Cody Morse, LHP, Dodgers
Morse was a mid-round pick from a Texas JUCO in 2024… This spring, though, he’s looked sharp and has gotten a lot of work in big league games, where he’s struck out seven in 3 2/3 innings. In both stadium and backfield settings, he’s been sitting 93-95 with two east-west breaking balls. … Credit the Dodgers evaluation group for finding another interesting player late in the draft.
Baseball America looks at 50 prospects who immpressed Scouts ($$$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/50-mlb-prospects-who-impressed-scouts-on-2026-spring-training-backfields/
Root and Tibbs get mentioned.
Jay Jaffe Chat:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jay-jaffe-fangraphs-chat-3-31-26/
Mr. Burrito: Also, if Sasaki makes it as a starter will the Dodgers shop Glasnow at the deadline? Glasnow is great, but so are 6 thousand lower paid guys in the system…
Jay Jaffe: The Dodgers aren’t going to shop Glasnow or any one of their other high profile starters regardless of what happens to Sasaki. It’s all about getting to October for them without overworking anybody and while still having enough healthy starters to get through. If you’re looking for a Dodgers starter who could get traded this year, River Ryan, who’s coming back from TJ, or Emmet Sheehan, might be the best bets.
Damn, Bluto. I am going to have to sty up all night to read this.
Will there be a test?
Thanks to Claude, here is a quiz:
1. According to the Baseball America podcast, what positional change is being discussed for Tibbs III given the glut of outfielders in the Dodgers system?
2. Dan Szymborski at FanGraphs identifies Freddie Freeman as a 2026 bust. How old will Freeman turn before the end of the season?
3. Brendan Gawlowski was asked which pitcher he likes most long-term among River Ryan, Gasser, Christian Scott, and Snelling. Who was his answer — and what was his one condition?
4. Cody Morse was a mid-round pick out of what kind of school, and in what year was he drafted?
Dodgers could use an offensive breakout tonight. Individually, they have all looked fine, but collectively they have yet to click.
Why?
To prove they can?
You’re a little deaf, aren’t you?
Deaf?
Are you typing in metaphor?
Semaphore
A ho-hum 2 for 4 and a BB for Tibbs today.
8:20 PM ET
Guardians (3-3)
Dodgers (4-1)
SP Gavin Williams R
0-1 5.40 ERA
SP Y. Yamamoto R
1-0 3.00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF Kyle Tucker L
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
LF T. Hernandez R
CF Andy Pages R
2B A. Freeland S
64° Wind 11 mph Out
Nice to see a few changes.
“Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski is looking forward to his first start of 2026 against the Toronto Blue Jays next week.
Wrobleski and the Blue Jays have history, as the benches cleared during an incident surrounding the left-hander in Game 7 of the World Series. The 25-year-old nearly hit Andres Gimenez with a pitch in the final game of the season, with the infielder appearing to throw his hand towards the pitch in an attempt to get a free base.
Gimenez wore the next pitch off of his hand before gesturing to Wrobleski, who took advantage and began walking towards home plate. The benches cleared to keep the two apart from each other, though they exchanged a few words before the incident ended.
Despite the likely hostile environment awaiting him up north, Wrobleski isn’t going to shy away from the challenge”.
“It’s gonna be great,” Wrobleski said. “They’re gonna boo me and it’s gonna be really awesome. That’s what makes sports great, I think. If I were a Toronto fan, I probably wouldn’t like me either.”
“MIDLAND, Mich. – In conjunction with the nine-time World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, the Great Lakes Loons are pleased to announce the team’s opening day roster for the 2026 season”.
PITCHERS (16): Myles Caba, Justin Chambers, Davis Chastain, Nicolas Cruz, Dilan Figueredo, Aidan Foeller, Jacob Frost, Joseilyn Gonzalez, Alex Makarewich, Cody Morse, Sterling Patrick, Zach Root, Logan Tabeling, Jakob Wright, Reynaldo Yean, Christian Zazueta
CATCHERS (2): Jesus Galiz, Victor Rodrigues
INFIELDERS (6): Cameron Decker, Eduardo Guerrero, Jose Izarra, Jose Meza, Nico Perez, Logan Wagner
OUTFIELDERS (4): Charles Davalan, Samuel Munoz, Eduardo Quintero, Mike Sirota
I question why Sirota is starting at GL?
Sirota will probably get a quick promotion, assuming he plays well. The good news is that he should get a lot of reps and bat near the top of the order at GL.
He’s a bit older than his “top prospect” OF peers, but de Paula and Hope probably have more minor league experience.
The OF depth in the minors is ridiculous…
Sirota will probably get a quick promotion, assuming he plays well. The good news is that he should get a lot of reps and bat near the top of the order at GL.
He’s a bit older than his “top prospect” OF peers, but de Paula and Hope probably have more minor league experience.
The OF depth in the minors is ridiculous…
Imagine how good this team could be if they could hit!
Throwing a strike right down Broadway with a 0-2 count is Felony Stupid!
Tried to surprise the unsuspecting hitter.
Why?
Scott should be fined 100 grand for every strike he throws 0-2!
And Tucker looks just awful!
When will the defending champions start being the offending champions? They keep this up we’ll see ticket prices drop…..rightfully!
Quas, way too early to worry about this team. You should know what you have after about 40-50 games. They will hit, too good not to.
Offense not being offensive. Top five hitters all hitting .208 or below. Ohtani, Betts and Freeman all hit into rally killing double plays. Pages looks like the best player on the team right now. First run unearned on Smith’s error on the throw to third. Yoshi did not do a very good job holding the runner. Williams was on his game, 7 innings, 10 Ks, 3 walks and 2 hits. LA struck out 12 times, after not striking out more than 6 times in their first four games. So, Scott gives up a homer to one of the best hitters on the planet, no big deal, it happens. Yoshi has given up 2 already this year, the one tonight to a guy hitting .105. Dodgers released 4 minor leaguers, 3 pitchers and a catcher. 2 from the ADL, and 2 from the Tower Buzzers. OKC Lost 13-5 to Las Vegas. Dodgers claimed RHRP Grant Holman off of waivers from the D-Backs. He will be sent to AAA. Gavin Stone moved to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move. Rockies signed Andrew Knizner to a minor league deal.
I have a friend who is very connected to the Cubs. Their AAA Affiliate’s press box is named after his dad. He says the Cubs were not interested in re-signing Tucker and felt that he was not “all in.” He told me, “You will find out why the Cubs didn’t want him.”
Don’t shoot the messenger – I’m just telling you what someone close to the Cubs said. I have no opinion… but I do have eyes and I am reserving judgement.
FYI, the Pressbox is called the Miller Press Box.
It was named after longtime South Bend Cubs beat writer Jack Miller (often referred to simply as “Miller” in local circles), who covered the team faithfully for years. One of those classic minor league honors where the guy who told the story every night ends up becoming part of it.
It’s a very minor-league baseball kind of tribute — no corporate sponsor, just ink-stained scorecards and a nod to the person who was there for all of it.
His son, Matt, is the VP/Operation at US Water Systems. https://uswatersystems.com/pages/about-us
Yes, I’ve heard this guy (or others) on ESPN Chicago with that same opinion.
Apparently Tucker isn’t the most vocal or talkative guy, and isn’t fiery or anything, and some perceive that to mean he’s not all in.
Others feel that’s just his personality but he quietly goes about his business and produces.
Doesn’t seem to be a problem for anyone with Shohei who’s hardly an emotional extrovert, so not sure why it would be a problem for Tucker.
The nice warm welcome to first base afforded to any base runner by Freddie or the fist bump on reaching second base received by our friendly SS isn’t exactly playing things tough. Some might even see it as “not being all in”.
How about we give the guy a chance before we brand him a malcontent.
It’s been 6 games!!
Good to see Andy Pages continuing his ST form.
Watford,
My Wife and Daughter are in London this week with two of my Granddaughters. My son-in-law, who is here, told me that my wife got into an argument with a cabbie yesterday. That wasn’t you, I hope! 😉
I am not down on Tucker. I form my own opinions. Just saying what some are thinking.
Time is the great revealer!
I go with your last comment. I do not think Will Smith is the most out-going or fiery player. He just quietly goes about his business. Not every player can be Kiké or Teoscar. I only care about results, and after 6 games, I am not about to make any kind of judgement. I think the pomp and circumstances revolving around opening week had a lot to do with the slow start. Let’s see what they do on the road trip.
Still won 4 of 6 which is pretty good.
They are all going to hit.
Tucker, like many ML players, peaked at age 26 (5.5 WAR). He would need to put up 7.5 WAR to earn his $60 million AAV. Since nobody anywhere in the sane world (I have no idea where that is anymore) expects that to happen what is expected is for him to slash .273/.373./.493 and help the top of that lineup score runs. What anyone in Chicago thinks of him is irrelevant. The Cubs will be lucky to win 85 games this year.
It may or may not be relevant, but it may or may not go to his character.
BTW, it’s good to see you (metaphorically).
In this lineup I think his character will fall in line.
It’s good to be back (morphometically)
Ontario and Tulsa open their season tonight.
Great Lakes opens tomorrow.
.354, .357, .500, .545
What the top of the OKC lineup is hitting after 5 games.
Maybe they should be on a plane to Washington.
I agree. Let’s send the top 4 guys in our lineup down to OKC to work through their struggles. Top of our lineup should be Kim, Tibbs, Pages and Muncy. We may even score a run in the first three innings!
They would set attendance records wherever they played. That would be a good thing for thriving metropolises like Round Rock and Albuquerque.
“The comeback is always stronger than the setback” – said someone more profound than me. I believe we will see double digit runs scored by this group sometime between now and National That Sucks Day, an unofficial holiday recognizing that life can be difficult and pessimistic, acting as a counterbalance to constant forced optimism. There is such a thing and I’ll let you look it up.
About the only good thing I can discern from this morning’s posts, is that amongst all the ridiculous and rash reactions (both serious and in jest) nobody has called to change the batting coach.
YET.
FIRE VON SHYLOCK!!!! LOL
I want Tucker out of the 2 hole and Betts to replace him,then Freeman,Will,Muncy,Teo,Tucker,Pages and Freeland or Rojas. Tucker is pressing right now and moving down will take the pressure off him.Of course Ontani bats first. Also we need to break up the back to back lefties in Ontani and Tucker.
Mark – sorry to hear about your wife’s travails with the London Cabbie. They really havnt moved on with the times so it doesn’t surprise me. Too “Old School” and proud to change.
I’m not a Black Cab Driver, I work for a Private Hire Company and have done for 33 years.
If she needs anything please pass her my Email or cell – +44 7703 168863
Bobby – if you need it too. Looking forward to painting the town red with you soon!! Disappointing game for you to see first hand last night!
Of any of you are ever in London please let me know.
Number saved and just messaged you my man
Received my friend
Hope you are well my friend.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer signed with the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball’s Long Island Ducks.
I thought HPU, Quinn Walcott had a really good night last night behind the dish. Ump Scorecard had him with 5 misses. I saw 3 according to the Magic Rectangle on the screen; 2 in the first and 1 in the 9th. Nice to see a quality job back there.
And only one late WTF challenge.
The Great Lakes opening day roster is not final, but it sure looks to be very close to being so. It looks like Kellon Lindsey and Ching-Hsien Ko are being held back in extended spring training. However, Mike Sirota and Charles Davalan are on the opening day Great Lakes roster.
I am with Mark on Sirota. He should not start in A+. He hit better than both Hope and De Paula at Great Lakes. Yes, much smaller sample size, but in 155 PA, Sirota batted .316/.458/.556/1.014, 33 BB, 36 K, 36 RBI. With 271 additional PA, De Paula had only 44 RBIs with a sub Mendoza BA wRISP and 2 outs. Hope struck out 139 times (26.6%). De Paula struck out 20.2% and Sirota struck out 21.9%.
Sirota’s batting line wRISP and 2 outs,.316/.469/.684/1.184. Hope was in between the Sirota and De Paula.
Sirota (RH hitter) hits RHP well, but crushes LHP. Hope (LH hitter) has very even splits, while De Paula (LH hitter) had reverse splits. He hit LHP well, but was not very good against RHP.
AB/HR:
Sirota – 19.5
De Paula – 28.5
Hope – 33.62
Sirota is primarily a CF who can play RF and LF, and is considered a better defensive OF than both Hope and De Paula. With Quintero on the GL roster, Sirota will probably be more RF, but will get some CF time.
Sirota is 2 years younger than Chris Newell and Kole Myers, and 1 year younger than Kyle Nevin. He is certainly a better prospect than any of the three. That is not just my opinion, but also every baseball publication rating prospects. I do not see any way that any of Newell, Myers, or Nevin make the LAD OF. Damon Keith has to be pleased that he is now in the Brewers organization.
I can hear the argument now. What is the big deal? Sirota is going to get moved up at some point. Maybe it is not a big deal to fans, but believe me when I say it matters to the players. They see what is ahead of them and wonder why. Sirota knows he belongs in AA. I am sure he got the big pick me up speech, and again I can tell you that does not help that much. I believe that Ryan Ward’s tough start was partly due to having to go back to the PCL after being the PCL MVP in 2025. What does he have to do to get a chance? Players see this.
Other Great Lakes players – I am still semi-bullish on Victor Rodrigues behind the dish. He is two years younger than Yeiner Fernandez, who probably plays more 2B now, and three years younger than Nelson Quiroz, both at Tulsa. Rodrigues has not disappointed at any level yet.
Sirota and Quintero headline a good OF. The infield looks to be middling at best.
Great Lakes pitching should be good with Zach Root, Aiden Foeller, Sterling Patick, Jakob Wright, and Christian Zazueta as starters. Patick gets the opening day start. Reynaldo Yean, Justin Chambers, and Alex Makarewich should be in the pen. Yean and Makarewich both throw very hard, but both have a real problem finding the strike zone. They could decide to lengthen Chambers into a starting role. Logan Tabeling could move between the SP and RP.
I look for Root to get moved to AA by summer, with Patick and Zazueta before the end of the season
Update Per MLB,com:
“The system’s two best pitching prospects, Ryan and left-hander Jackson Ferris, got a little extra time in extended spring training to prepare for the season. Ryan will start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday and Ferris should join the Comets next week. Likewise, outfielder Ching-Hsien Ko (quadriceps tweak) and shortstop Kellon Lindsey (shoulder impingement in 2025) also are getting extra reps before heading to Single-A Ontario by the end of the month.”
With the Minor League season opening this week, here’s where the Dodgers’ Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:
Dodgers Top 30 prospects
1. Josue De Paula (MLB No. 13), OF — Tulsa (Double-A)
2. Zyhir Hope (MLB No. 25), OF — Tulsa (Double-A)
3. Eduardo Quintero (MLB No. 28), OF — Great Lakes (High-A)
4. Mike Sirota (MLB No. 58), OF — Great Lakes (High-A)
5. Emil Morales (MLB No. 89), SS — Ontario (Single-A)
6. River Ryan, RHP — Extended spring training
7. Jackson Ferris, LHP — Extended spring training
8. Alex Freeland, INF — Los Angeles (MLB)
9. Charles Davalan, OF — Great Lakes (High-A)
10. Christian Zazueta, RHP — Great Lakes (High-A)
11. James Tibbs III, OF/1B — Oklahoma City (Triple-A)
12. Adam Serwinowski, LHP — Tulsa (Double-A)
13. Zach Root, LHP — Great Lakes (High-A)
14. Kendall George, OF — Tulsa (Double-A)
15. Ching-Hsien Ko, OF — Extended spring training
16. Kellon Lindsey, SS — Extended spring training
17. Chase Harlan, 3B — Ontario (Single-A)
18. Zach Ehrhard, OF — Oklahoma City (Triple-A)
19. Marlon Nieves, RHP — Ontario (Single-A)
20. Ryan Ward, OF/1B — Oklahoma City (Triple-A)
21. Joendry Vargas, SS — Ontario (Single-A)
22. Cam Leiter, RHP — Ontario (Single-A)
23. Sterling Patick, LHP — Great Lakes (High-A)
24. Kyle Hurt, RHP — Oklahoma City (Triple-A)
25. Payton Martin, RHP — Tulsa (Double-A)
26. Elijah Hainline, INF — Tulsa (Double-A)
27. Landyn Vidourek, OF — Ontario (Single-A)
28. Brendan Tunink, OF — Ontario (Single-A)
29. Noah Miller, SS — Oklahoma City (Triple-A)
30. Patrick Copen, RHP — Tulsa (Double-A)
Thanks for that comprehensive update, Andrew.
At the baseball age of 20, and after a one year and a total of 500 MiLB AB, Pittsburgh is promoting SS Konnor Griffin to the Big Club. I have not looked forward to a MLB SS making his debut since Bobby Witt Jr.
“Dodgers have lowest draft bonus pool in MLB
$3.95 million to spend is LA’s lowest since slotting system was implemented in 20
Major League Baseball on Wednesday unveiled its recommended slot values for the 2026 MLB Draft, which determines the bonus pools that each team has to spend this July. After signing star free agents Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker this offseason, the Dodgers in this year’s draft have the lowest bonus pool in MLB and their lowest bonus pool in the 15 years of the slotting system.
Bonus pools are determined by adding up the recommended slot values for every pick through the 10th round. Because both Díaz and Tucker rejected qualifying offers from their former teams in November, and because the Dodgers were a competitive-balance-tax-paying team, Los Angeles lost a pair of 2026 draft picks with each signing. For Díaz, the Dodgers forfeited their second-round and fifth-round picks, and for Tucker they lost their third-round and sixth-round picks”.
“That leaves only six picks in the first 10 rounds of the 2026 draft, and the Dodgers have a total bonus pool of $3,951,500 .
Round Overall pick Slot value
1 40 $2,504,200
4 132 $575,300
7 223 $260,300
8 253 $218,500
9 283 $201,700
10 313 $191,900
Total $3,951,500
The Dodgers’ previous lowest bonus pool was in 2022 with $4,223,800 to spend.
“The depth of our system put us in a position where, while the cost is still meaningful, it wasn’t as significant. We have a very strong system up top,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said in January. “But even more than that, I think the depth of our system allows us this one year to have our food budget for the draft meetings exceed our signing bonuses. It’s not great by any means, but just trying to balance that with doing everything we could to put ourselves in the best position to win a championship in 2026.”
“The 2026 MLB Draft place will be held from July 11-13 in Philadelphia, the host city for this year’s All-Star Game”.
First round draft pick dropping down to #40 was always going to happen. Losing the 4 draft picks certainly is not helpful, but how many 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th draft picks will match what Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz will do for LAD.
Their lower level talent should be enough to offset the looming losses from this year’s draft. They also have multiple prospects who might be flipped for others who could make up for the draft pick losses.
I suspect we will see a lot of underslot picks. BTW the Dodgmore ers did fairly well in the 2022 draft:
1. Dalton Rushing (#40)
2. Alex Freeland (#105)
7. Chris Campos (#225)
11. Kyle Nevin (#345)
13. Chris Newell (#405)
17. Payton Martin (#525)
RHP Chris Campos and RHP Antonio Knowles have both been placed on 7-day IL by OKC. LHP Jake Eder is taking one spot. Grant Holman was assigned to ACL Dodgers. River Ryan is still with the ACL Dodgers as of this AM.
The game, tomorrow in the series opener against the Washington Nationals, has the first pitch set for 1:05PM ET.
Tucker will be fine. Freddie has been stinging the ball. Teo is starting to hit. Pages is HOT! Smith will hit. The only concern I have is second base. Who knows, Freeland might start to hit, especially if the rest of the team gets it going. No worries! It’s going to come!
Supermoto made 2 pitches last night he would like to have back! Other than that he was good!
Scott grooved one. He still looks like a different pitcher to me than last season.
Klein could be a sleeper! He could become a valuable late inning guy! Good for him!
Vesia? I want him to be a Dodger for life!!
Luke Fox has grown so much since last season as a pitcher. He is dominating at Tulsa tonight. Another LH Starter!