A good friend of mine was at the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes game last night, and here is his report:
Fortunate enough to live close to the Lake Elsinore Storm to catch the odd Rancho Cucamonga Quakes against Lake Elsinore, Storm games. Tonight was especially interesting because Bobby Miller was starting for the Quakes as pitcher. Attendance for the game was 2600 which is a pretty good turnout for a Storm game. One of the pieces about Miller that I’ve enjoyed when he is pitching is the intensity that he brings to the game which was evident tonight especially during the pregame warm-ups.
— S.M.
In the end, Miller lasted about three innings pitching a total of 65 pitches, with 38 strikes and 4 runs. Unfortunately for the Quakes, the Storm ended up hitting like the Dodgers when they’re on a hot streak, scoring a couple touchdowns +1 against the Quakes.
Miller still has some rust to break off as the control on some of his pitches was not there. However there were a number of plays including two outfield hits and a potential double play that were missed, which would have rectified the situation had the Quakes defense been proficient. You can only imagine what would be going through Bobby’s mind when plays like that end up being missed and runs are scored based upon fielding.
At the end, Bobby’s probably got another 3 to 4 games that he’s got to pitch before he’s getting back into the Dodger rotation. But we believe he’ll get there as the intensity with every pitch is definitely there.
Thank you for the report!
- Why call Miguel Vargas up and then not play him? This is puzzling, and I want to know the reason… there has to be a reason… RIGHT?
- Over the past two weeks, the Dodgers’ Team OPS has dropped from .806 to .765, BUT they are still #2 in all of baseball, just behind the Yankees.
- The Dodgers are now #3 in Team ERA – number 3 in Bullpen ERA as well.
- It was another football score at Albaquacky last night as Outman was 1-5 with 2 Ks. He is striking out 40% of the time. That is alarming!
- Alex Freeland is handling AA pitching very well: .318 BA/1.024 OPS. I generally don’t have a “favorite” player, but Alex is becoming mine.
- I can see Dalton Rushing moving to AAA by the All-Star break.
Vargas should start today as the Dodgers are facing a left handed pitcher. His last start was against lefty Peterson
in NY against the Mets last Wednesday. Makes no sense not to start a young player everyday. I’d rather see him in Oklahoma City getting atbats.AF must have something up his sleeve on Vargas.
There is a reason… I just don’t know what it is. Friedman doesn’t call me much…
The next time he calls me (which will be the first time), I will ask him!
M ark, do you think or have any direct knowledge that the Dodger front office reads your site or any of the Dodger blogs. out there for information on how fans feel about the team and any valid suggestion to improve the team?
I know for a fact that the Dodgers’ billion+ dollar operation depends heavily on the comments and replies on this blog, especially those tapped out by antisocial malcontents.
🙂
The Dodgers media staff prepares a daily summary of blogs and LADT is one of them. Whether AF ever reads it, I have no clue.
Interesting!
Sunday schedule
11 a.m. PT (doubleheader): Great Lakes (Peter Heubeck & Jacob Meador) at West Michigan (Carlos Marcano & TBD)
11 a.m.: Tulsa (Hyun-il Choi) vs. Northwest Arkansas (Eric Cerantola)
1:15 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Garrett McDaniels) at Lake Elsinore (Miguel Mendnez)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (TBA) at Albuquerque (Karl Kauffmann)
Again, I can’t watch these games against the Rockies this year. I would have to subscribe to FUBO to get AT&T Sportsnet. So, I went old school and listened to the radio broadcast and checked the highlights later after the game was over. Freeman made a great tag play at first on a throw from Kike that was high. Mookie had his third straight game without a hit. Give him a day to recharge and then put him back in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates. We get to see Pirates phenom, Paul Skenes on Wednesday. Should be interesting to watch.
I looked at the Yankees roster and the offense looks a lot like the Dodgers. Volpe good leadoff not as good as Betts. Judge is a bit better than Ohtani. Soto is quite better than freemen. Smith tops any of their 4 hitters. Stanton is having a power resurgence. Torres has been awful. Rizzo not really having a good year but capable. The rest are just fillers. I can’t remember the name of one of the players just getting back from injury. (Used to be a Cub) the Yankees basically 3 hitters n power. Veterans bats though that can put it in play. The ops can be deceiving.
The dodgers have dropped ops but are still second on average. But, how many games have we scored big numbers in an inning only to not score again. Or score big one game with none or few the next .game. This is not a consistent offense. Situational hitting needs to improve but with the philosophy of slug and contact is not a priority how will it improve?
With Teo and Andy playing full-time in the OF, Vargas’ playing time as an outfielder is limited to being platooned with Heyward against LHP. This naturally greatly limits his AB opportunities. So the only way we can realistically see his bat full-time is if the Dodgers “move” Lux out, and allow Vargas to play 2B again. It’s not a far-fetched idea because Lux could still be traded by the deadline, and Vargas (despite his batting woes last year) showed that he could adequately man that position in the field. And if the Dodgers won’t even consider this, but continue to keep him here with the parent club, then I’m betting they plan on trading Vargas before the deadline.
Lux is way better defender than Vargas. Vargas has more of a future at third than second. Fact is he isn’t a very good defender anywhere and he’s only gonna stay if he hits
The Dodgers will never consider playing Vargas at 3B this year. So in conclusion – By platooning him with Heyward with a lefty on the mound and then sitting him in late-innings for Heyward’s glove, it seems the Dodgers want to highly curtail Vargas’ playing time, which means he won’t get enough PA’s to get in any kind of rhythm to either develop as a hitter or show how well he can really hit. They’re doing to him what they did to Busch last year. I’m now convinced the Dodgers will try to package him in a trade by the deadline.
Why isn’t Vargas getting more action? Good question.
As I understand it, Vargas mostly played 3B in the minors, and then the brass figured he could play 2B in the majors. (Let’s not forget that the brass simultaneously figured Lux would be a quality SS.)
AF & Associates have made a lot of good moves, but it seems that they really whiffed on the Lux-Vargas keystone tandem. (I don’t think Lux’s knee injury is a major factor in his throwing woes. As a rookie, he played SS after Seager was injured and did not wow anybody.) The Dodgers were very high on both of these guys; Vargas even made the ’22 playoff roster.
After Vargas flunked the 2B test, I thought he’d be moved back to 3B in the minors. Instead, Busch was tried at 3B…. and basically showed why he’s better off at 1B. The trade to the Cubs was a blessing.
Anyway, it amazes me that it took YEARS for the brass to determine that Vargas really shouldn’t play 3B for the big club. All that time it seemed like he might be Max’s successor.
And now, with Max injured, Vargas doesn’t even seem to be consideration. Worse, the brass doesn’t seem willing to give Vargas a full-time run in LF. On this team, Miguelito seems to be regarded as a platoon left fielder and a righty bat off the bench.
So perhaps the front office has already made up its mind about Vargas: He’s up to burnish his ML resume in advance of a trade, perhaps for a veteran outfielder or a veteran reliever.
A deal is probably the best outcome for Vargas, just as it was for Michael Busch.
Great to see Kershaw throwing against hitters already!
Still a long way to go but right now on track for return by August 1.
We may get to watch the best pitcher of this century perform again.
Dodgers Closer of the future?
4:10 PM ET
Rockies (21-36)
Dodgers (37-23)
SP Austin Gomber L
1-2 2.76 ERA
SP Gavin Stone R
5-2 3.16 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
RF T. Hernandez R
CF Andy Pages R
2B Miguel Rojas R
3B E. Hernandez R
LF M. Vargas R
C A. Barnes R
69° Wind 6 mph Out
NOT our strongest lineup with NO Will Smith
At least they didn’t insult Vargas by batting him after Barnes.
Feduccia now hitting .300 at OKC. With Rushing coming up fast behind him he probably goes to bed every night praying that Andrew includes him in a trade this July. He must be incredibly frustrated.
He should be ecstatic he is playing for a playoff team every year. Making more money than he could dream of for game planning, practicing, and playing one day a week. A great bunch of teammates and a sweet, loving manager. Only thing he could possibly be thinking is what a great life.
I reread and realize u were talking about Feduccia. They should just trade him. I am referring to Barnes and his good fortune.
And what I’m thinking is our best hitter against lefties is on the bench. At least Kiké, Rojas, and Pages have a chance against lefties.
Barnes is a bunting machine!
The rumours of Freddie’s decline are greatly exaggerated.
Still without doubt out best hitter
Mookie and Freddie with bombs in the first. Ohtani has struck out twice in three at bats. Monday commented how he is pulling off of the ball. Stone looking good so far. Muncy took some grounders at third today. Team will fly out to Pittsburgh tomorrow morning.
Where can one look to find what the Dodgers record is when Barnes catches?
That stat does not show up on his baseball reference page. You might try writing the Dodgers for that stat. Toronto’s GM said that trading Bichette or Guererro makes no sense for his team even though they are his most tradeable assets.
It seems Atkins going public against trading Bichette or Guerrero won’t quell those rumors.
But maybe that’s the point.
Austin Freaking Barnes!!!
Pitchers sure seem to have a good game when he catches.
..which of course is his value to the team.
Barnes for DH!!!!
Blake Snell Suffers Groin Injury, Likely Headed To 15-Day IL
Eric,
I may be daft but I have no idea what point you are trying to make. Can you rephrase?
#1 – Kike was not brought in to platoon with James Outman. In 2023, he had exactly 19 games in CF… some were with Boston. This year he has played 6 games in CF.
#2 – Last year, James Outman has a .665 OPS against LHP, which is deplorable, but that was last year. This year it is .452!
#3 – If you want to compare anything, compare him to Andy Pages who has a .829 OPS against LHP. When Outman comes back, he should platoon in CF with Pages.
#4 – This is a LA Dodgers Blog- not a James Outman Blog. I get the feeling you are a fan of Outman and not the Dodgers. It’s OK to have a favorite player but when he gets demoted, just hope that he comes back better. No need to disparage anyone else.
What the hell is going on here?
This is the silliest discussion/argument I’ve seen in a while. Could the word “grudge” be used more?!??!?
That’s not the definition of platoon. The platoon system refers to an arrangement in which team members rotate in and out of the same position.
Translation: “Bluto, don’t confuse me with the facts – my mind is already made up!”
1– I recall you specifically stating that Kike was brought in to platoon with Outman, which perhaps contributed to Eric’s perspective.
2– Outman’s OBP against lefties in ’23 was about .350. That’s very respectable, especially for a guy who should bat near the bottom of the order ahead of Mookie, Shohei and Freddie. Outman’s poor start in ’24 is no reason to cherry-pick a “deplorable” stat. Overall, Outman had a .790 OPS in ’23 and played quality defense while finishing 3rd in ROY balloting. We’d all be happy if Vargas or Pages could produce a .790 OPS.
3–A platoon of Pages and Outman is certainly possible. In this scenario, who would be playing LF? We regulars know who you are rooting for, and that’s fine.
4–What? You mean this isn’t JamesOutmanTalk? Am I on the wrong site?
Seriously Mark, we’ve been over this many times. Why does Eric’s support for and defense of Outman bother you so much? Everybody who visits this blog knows that you have long been bullish on Miguel Vargas and bearish on Outman.
Your habit of dismissing Outman’s play, or damning it with faint praise, is like a nervous tic. Fresh example: You point out his high K rate–and that’s fine– but when Outman gets four hits you suggest that it’s only because the game was played at altitude in Albuquerque. Those four hits, you declare, could have been four outs at Chavez Ravine.
But Outman didn’t strike out, did he? Even when he gets four hits, you don’t give him credit.
1. If that was why he was brought it, it did not happen. The numbers do not support it.
2. It was a very weak OPS. You can cherry-pick BA, but OPS is king!
3. Who would be playing LF? Whoever deserves it! I don’t know why they are not giving Vargas more runway, but I am not bitching about it.
4. Yeah – that’s right!
If JO is Eric’s favorite player, fine, but forgetabout anything that happens at Albaquacky! The Isotopes are a horrid team in thin air!
BTW, I think JO will be back and platoon with Pages, so what is your point?
1–Whatever. Are you saying the final numbers did not support your prophecy?
2–OPS is the best hitting stat–and Outman’s in ’23 was a strong .790– but I would argue that OBP is more valuable than BA. (Per Moneyball, “He gets on base.”) Outman’s ’23 performance earned him the CF job, but now he’s suffering the dreaded sophomore jinx, as is the ’23 ROY Corbin Carroll.
3–The Dodgers should either play Vargas or trade him. They’re not playing him (much), so I think the plan is to deal him for a proven veteran for the OF or the pen. (If Pages and Outman keep hitting, both could start with Heyward mixed in. But several good outfielders should be on the market.)
4–Altitude doesn’t replace strikeouts with hits.
Kike sucks more than Outman. More blah hitting against blah pitching! When will it end?
The point of the platoon, which was only implemented after Outman started the season as the non-platooning, everyday CF, was to build Outman’s confidence by only having him hit in the most advantageous of situations.
Finally, I use the eye test. Outman looks like a pathetic cave man against LHP. I like him against RHP!
Eric, you have the grudge. I just defend my position! Bye! Keep talking if you like…
Final shot:
If the Dodgers don’t think Vargas should play LF, I defer to them and will not bitch about it.
Eric, the same applies to Outman. The Dodgers know more than me or you!
So… can we just STFU?
1–Whatever. Are you saying the final numbers did not support your prophecy?
2–OPS is the best hitting stat–and Outman’s in ’23 was a strong .790– but I would argue that OBP is more valuable than BA. (Per Moneyball, “He gets on base.”) Outman’s ’23 performance earned him the CF job, but now he’s suffering the dreaded sophomore jinx, as is the ’23 ROY Corbin Carroll.
3–The Dodgers should either play Vargas or trade him. They’re not playing him (much), so I think the plan is to deal him for a proven veteran for the OF or the pen. (If Pages and Outman keep hitting, both could start with Heyward mixed in. But several good outfielders should be on the market.)
4–Altitude doesn’t replace strikeouts with hits.
On a different note…
The ERA leader in the Dodgers rotation is now…. Gavin Stone!
With Buehler working his way back into form and Miller hurt, Stone has pitched like he intends to stay. Knack has filled in nicely, but now is pushed back to OKC.
If all goes well, the Dodgers could have surplus of quality starters. Kershaw is reportedly ahead of schedule, and there is talk of May being ready late in the season.
Not that all will be healthy at the same time… but what if?
A nice problem to have.