Dayton is an easy two-hour drive from Indy, but due to road construction, it took an extra half hour. I grew up near Dayton, and Dayton was never a nice city in my mind. Every big city has its bad areas, but Dayton seemed to have more than its share. I am happy to report that Dayton is making a comeback. Day Air Ballpark is in a section of Dayton off Webster Street that has not been desirable to go to after dark. That is changing! I am happy to see that. The Park allegedly has a capacity of 8,200 fans, but there weren’t anywhere near that number there on Thursday night.
Day Air Ballpark was officially named the Best Single-A Ballpark in America by Newsweek in the 2025 Fans’ Choice Awards! It was extremely nice, but I believe that Parkview Field in Ft. Wayne is at least it’s equal.
At any rate, it was a great experience except for the outcome: The Loons were beaten like a rented mule by the Dragons. This is what happens after the final out:
So, I got the most expensive tickets available: 2nd Row, behind the Loons’ dugout, a whopping $20 each! Three beers, three brats, and three peanuts were $72.00 (it would have been $160 in LA). In the second inning, it became apparent that the man sitting right behind us was a very knowledgeable Dodger fan. He was there with his wife. It turns out that he is, and has been, the Loons’ bus driver for 19 years. He goes to every road game, and they put him up in their hotel. His wife drives her car and goes as well. What a gig!
Between innings, another Dodger fan with an Ohtani jersey and a Dodger hat on came to my seat and said, “You are Mark Timmons, aren’t you? I read the blog every day.” I remembered him, but his moniker escapes me at this second. The bus driver and I had a running monologue through the entire game. He’s not a scout or a front office guy, but he is around these guys every day. He understands their character and drive. Here are a few takeaways:
- They love Alex Freeland. He is a legend in Great Lakes. “A manager on the field.” If the team is going poorly or players aren’t hustling or executing, Alex was in their grill. He is a ballplayer who makes everyone around him better. He could not stop raving about how Freeland was so well-liked and how he pushed everyone to do better. Of course, he can’t do it in MLB right about now, but his “intangibles” are off the chart. For a kids who was not expected to walk, he has exceeded all expectations. Don’t sleep on Alex Freeland.
- Josue DePaula is supremely talented, but his work ethic could be better. If he can improve that, the sky is the limit. Read into that exactly what you are thinking.
- Dalton Rushing has anger-control issues.
- Justin Wrobleski is laser-focused. He won’t be denied!
- “Diego Cartaya was a wonderful kid – he just wasn’t good.”
- Mike Sirota “has figured out hitting“.
- “In 19 years, not one Dodger player has ever disrespected me, and after a bad day, the bus driver might be an easy target. It never happened. The Dodgers have wonderful players.” Well, the guy had arms the size of tree trunks and was built like a lumberjack- I wouldn’t mess with him either!
- In Clayton Kershaw‘s first game, he forgot his glove, cleats, and some other stuff, and the bus driver had to run back to the hotel to get it. He said that from day one, you could see that he was special.
As I mentioned, the game was a debacle. Poor play, even poorer execution.
- The box score said there was just one error by the Loons, but I counted at least five!
- Davalan is talented and hits the ball with authority. He is a keeper. I see him as a 4th or 5th outfielder.
- Quintero has not yet displayed power (he’s just 19), but his bat is extremely quick… as in very extremely quick. He doesn’t run – he glides! He is a spooky-good talent. Wait until he gets his “man strength.”
- 1B Jose E. Hernandez is 23 and can’t catch a ball. He’s just a placeholder.
- Logan Wagner was injured and did not play, but the bus driver said that he is a stud and has thunder in his bat. Additionally, “he is a wonderful kid.”
- Yean can hit 105 MPH – we saw 103, but he can’t throw strikes. In one inning, we saw 31 pitches – 18 for strikes. And… he misses by “feet” not inches.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
OKC Comets 6 – Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston) 1
This game started as a pitcher’s duel, but OKC put up 4 in the 8th to take control.
LHSP Logan Allen started for OKC. He allowed a single and 2 BB to the first three batters he faced. He struck out 2 of the next 3 batters, but one of the hitters hit a ground ball force out that plated Sugar Land’s first run.
In the 2nd, the Comets’ 3B Ryan Fitzgerald hit his 5th HR of the season to tie the score.
The game stayed tied until the 7th when Ryan Fitzgerald hit his 2nd HR (6) of the game taking a 2-1 lead.
OKC seemingly put it away in the 8th. C Chuckie Robinson tripled (2) and scored on a sac fly from 1B Seby Zavala. CF Zach Ehrhard drew a BB. James Tibbs III entered as a PH for DH Tommy Edman and hit a 2-run HR (15). Then the other Fitzgerald, LF Tyler Fitzgerald, hit a HR (6) for the final run of the game.
Allen was lifted after 5.0 innings in favor of RHRP Carlos Duran. Duran pitched a perfect 2.0 innings with 3 K.
RHRP Chayce McDermott was brought in for the 8th. The first batter he faced lined it up the middle and McDermott was injured. RHRP Wyatt Mills entered for the injured McDermott and retired the side with 1 K.
RHRP Keynan Middleton was brought in the 9th to close it out and he did with a perfect inning with 2 K.
- Ryan Fitzgerald – 2-3, 1 BB, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 2 HR (6)
- Tyler Fitzgerald – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (6)
- James Tibbs III – 1-1, 1 run, 3 RBI, HR (15)
- Chuckie Robinson – 1-4, 1 run, triple (2)
Tommy Edman went 1-3 on the night, and is now 4-9 in his rehab games.
Tulsa Drillers 4 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 3 – Game 1 – 7 Innings
RHSP Payton Martin allowed 2 singles to lead off the game. A force out put runners on 1st and 3rd, and a sac fly gave the Naturals the 1-0 lead.
Tulsa came back with solo runs in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings to take a 3-1 lead. In the 2nd, C Griffin Lockwood-Powell homered (5) to tie the score. In the 3rd, SS Elijah Hainline (7) hit a HR to give Tulsa the lead. In the 4th, GLP hit his 2nd HR (6) of the game.
With Payton Martin still pitching in the 5th, he surrendered a game tying 2-run HR.
LHRP Christian Suarez pitched a scoreless 6th and 7th inning, although with some stress.
With two outs in the 7th, RF Zyhir Hope and 3B Kyle Nevin both singled. GLP doubled (7) to score Hope with the walk-off win.
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 3-4, 3 runs, 3 RBI, double (7), 2 HR (6)
- Zyhir Hope – 2-4, 1 run
- Elijah Hainline – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (7)
Tulsa Drillers 2 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 0 – Game 2 – 7 Innings
This was an absolutely brilliantly pitched game for Tulsa. RHSP Peter Heubeck started and got up to 3.0 IP. He allowed a 2-out single in the 2nd, and that was it. He struck out 6 and did not walk a batter.
RHRP Carson Hobbs retired all 6 batters he faced. RHRP Kelvin Ramirez pitched the final 2.0 innings for his 3rd save. He hit a batter for just the 2nd runner to reach base against Tulsa pitchers in the 2nd game. One hit, 0 BB, and 1 HBP, 8 K.
In the Tulsa 3rd, DH Josue De Paula doubled (16), RF Mike Sirota singled him to 3rd, and LF Zyhir Hope hit a sac fly for a run.
In the 6th, SS Elijah Hainline singled, stole 2nd, went to 3rd on a ground out, and scored on 2B Jake Gelof’s sac fly.
- Mike Sirota – 2-3
- Elijah Hainline – 2-3, 1 run
Great Lakes Loons 7 – Dayton Dragons (Reds) 3
In the 2nd inning for Great Lakes, with one out, LF Kole Myers drew a BB. 2B Nico Perez singled, and after the 2nd out, 3B Jose Izarra was HBP to load the bases. 1B Jose D. Hernandez and CF Eduardo Quintero walked to give the Loons a 2-0 lead. SS Emil Morales then hit a bases clearing double (2) for a 5-run 2nd inning.
RHSP Christian Zazueta ran into trouble in the 3rd. He allowed a 2-run HR, a triple and groundout for 3 Dragon runs. That was all Dayton was to get.
Zazueta would only complete 4.1 innings. His strikeout pitch was not working, but his excellent control was working for him in this one. He struck out just 2, but did not walk anyone.
RHRP Alex Makarewich followed Zazueta and he faced 5 batters, retiring each of them, 4 with a strikeout. After a very rough start, Makarewich is rounding into a quality reliever. On May 12, Makarewich’s ERA was 5.40. In his next 5 games, 8.0 IP, Makarewich has not allowed a run, given up 3 hits, 3 BB, and struck out 14.
RHRP Nicolas Cruz and LHRP Matt Lanzendorfer completed the final 3.0 scoreless innings. Combined they allowed 1 hit, 0 BB, and 4 K. As a team, the Loons DID NOT ALLOW A BB.
RF Jose Meza homered (7) in the 6th. In the 9th, GL scored a 7th run. Izarra singled and stole 2nd, and Hernandez walked. A WP put runners on 2nd and 3rd. When Quintero walked, Ball 4 was another WP scoring Izarra for the 7th run.
- Eduardo Quintero – 2-3, 2 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Nico Perez – 2-4, 1 run
- Jose Meza – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (7)
- Emil Morales – 1-5. 3 RBI, double (2)
After a very slow start to 2026, Quintero has been very hot for the month of May. For May, in 81 PA, Quintero is slashing .358/.469/.448/.917. He also stole 15 bases with just 1 caught stealing.
Visalia Rawhide (Dbacks) 14 – Ontario Tower Buzzers 11
This was not pitcher’s duel. It started out well for Ontario. RHSP Mason Estrada retired the side in order in the 1st. In the bottom of the 1st, 2B Kellen Lindsey walked, stole 2nd, and went to 3rd on F7. RF Jaron Elkins was HBP and stole 2nd. Lindsey scored and Elkins to 3rd on a ground out. Elkins scored on CF Landyn Vidourek’s double (5).
Visalia started a run of scoring in 5 straight innings off Estrada and RHRP Jose Cabrera. Visalia scored 4 in the 5th and took a commanding 8-2 lead. In 4.1 IP, Estrada allowed 5 runs on 6 hits and 2 BB. In 1.1 IP, Cabrera allowed 4 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits and 2 BB.
In the bottom of the 5th, Ontario scored 4. LF Ching-Hsien Ko walked and 1B Easton Shelton followed with a single. A balk moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd, and Vidourek walked to load the bases. With one out, C Francisco Espinoza walked to bring home Ko. Shelton scored on a balk, and Vidourek and Espinoza to 3rd and 2nd. Both runners scored on a catcher’s throwing error on a pickoff attempt.
Visalia got the 9th run in the 6th on Cabrera’s throwing error. RHRP Jhonny Jimenez relieved Cabrera to finish the inning.
Ontario scored a pair in the 6th. Elkins drew a BB and Ko singled, sending Elkins to 3rd. Ko stole 2nd followed by a BB to Shelton to load the bases. Elkins scored on a force out with Ko taking 3rd. Ko scored on a bal.
In the 7th, 2B Joendry Vargas singled and scored ahead of Elkins 2-run HR (7), giving Ontario a 10-9 lead.
RHRP Jecsua Liborius gave up the tying run in the 9th on a 2-out WP. In the 10th, the placed runner scored on a WP and balk. Then the inning got away from Ontario. The Rawhide scored 4 runs in the 10th.
In the bottom of the 10th, DH Brendan Tunink the placed runner scored on a pair of ground balls.
Joendry Vargas was the only Ontario batter with 2 hits.
ACL White Sox 6 – ACL Dodgers 3
DH Aidan West slugged a 3-run HR for the Dodgers 3 runs.
The White Sox hit 3 HR accounting for 5 of the 6 runs.
One player I forgot to mention was Nico Perez. He’s 21 and plays 2B, but he looks like a ballplayer! He also has 21 SBs in 25 attempts. He is hitting .302/.918 OPS
Glad you had fun trip, also thanks for the knowledgeable report on the players in the game. Wrobleski sure is proving to be tough minded. That error in center could have derailed him, but no, he’s tough. Appears to be taking the bull by the horns. Hopefully that “Bulldog” mentality rubs off on Sasaki who seems to be getting better at not letting things get to him during the course of the game. We’ll see.
Since Bulldog is taken by Orel, we can call Wrobo, “Pit Bull”.
Fun to read these stories, thank you! Hard not to continue to be excited about the Dodger’s present and future! Hope we can continue to handle a hot team like the Phillies. Let’s hope Roki has his saki going tonight! Go Blue!
Couldn’t find last night’s game – where was it aired?
Apple TV
You missed the D-Drain, I mean D-Train! 😉
I posted Apple TV at the top of last night’s lineup .
Mark, Howie from Piqua here and it was nice meeting you at the Loons game in Dayton last Thursday. Always enjoy reading your blog and knew you would be there and spotting your hat behind the Loons dugout made it easy to find you. Enjoy another fun season of Dodger baseball and stay healthy! Go Blue
Great to meet you too Howie. I need to make a trip to the MaidRite soon
I love hearing stories and experiences at minor league ballgames. I’ve enjoyed many a night at Rancho Cucamonga Quakes games.
Try the new ballpark in Ontario. It looks like a great place to watch a game. I myself went to a few quakes games when I was out in LA visiting family. Met Mark there one night.
News from Internet:
Ben Clemens on the opening moves of the MLB labor chess game:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mlb-and-the-mlbpa-have-made-their-opening-offers/
There’s a lot of room between the two initial proposals, but I think that it’s fairly clear that TV revenues are going to get shared more evenly at the end of this process. That’s one of Manfred’s long-term goals, which makes it an owner priority, and it’s also a clear way to increase competitive balance without directly constraining player salaries, which means the union is on board. What else will come out of this? I’m not sure. But so far, the opposing sides aren’t speaking the same language.
Kiley McDaniel new mock draft
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48899402/2026-mlb-mock-draft-20-kiley-mcdaniel-predicts-picks-white-sox-rays-twins-giants-pirates
40. Los Angeles Dodgers: Will Brick (18.1), C, Christian Brothers HS (TN)
Brick has been a popular name in the 30s and 40s, and the Dodgers are one of the teams kicking the tires. This is probably the floor for Prosek.
Per Dodgers Daily:
https://x.com/dodger_daily/status/2059084186040807683
Easton Shelton hit his Cal League-leading 10th HR of the season on Sunday, and I’m not sure it’s landed yet. When he gets hold of one, it goes for a RIDE! He also has his average up to .267, his OPS is .884 & he now has a 14-game hit streak. In that streak, he’s 22 for 56 (.392) with 3 doubles, 6 home runs & 19 RBIs in that span as well.
MLB’s Pipeline podcast reviewed their top 100 prospects.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mlb-pipeline/id906717198?i=1000768630117
Dalavan gets a mention and talk
Sirota:
https://x.com/OPS_BASEBALL/status/2059652815870386300
Mike Sirota’s last 100 games:
458 PA
20 HR I 30 2B I 4 3B 13 SB
18.8% BB% I 22.3% K%
.329/.461/.599
1.060 OPS / 183 wRC+
54 XBH, a BB% approaching 19%, and a 1.060 OPS in 100 games is insane. He’s a natural pure hitter.
Longenhagen Chat
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/eric-longenhagen-prospects-chat-5-22-26/
Phillip Denny: Does Kendall George’s injury spell the end of the minor league bat dog? Or just a freak occurrence that probably never gets repeated?
Eric A Longenhagen: Man, I think we need to be done with the bat dogs. In most cases the dogs only go get the bats for an inning or two. It’s cute, I like dogs, but it ends up being disruptive (just from a time standpoint) too often for me to advocate for itTyler Banks: Which prospects are likely to make the biggest jumps on (or into) the top 100 at mid season?
Eric A Longenhagen: River Ryan looks healthy and awesome and will leap into the top twenty or so
norcalblue: Have your evaluations/assessments of any of the top Dodger outfield prospects not named Tibbs changed in the past 2 months?
Eric A Longenhagen: pausing for anthem here… Sirota is the one guy where assessing the tools versus the issue with his swing is toughest for me.
odin525: Made, Pratt and Jett, among others, get the press clippings but I am intrigued by Eddys Leonard. His hit tool appears legit as well as his ability to make contact, with doable power and speed. Although he is a bit older, he is seemingly doing things that deserve attention, what holds him back? Is it his fielding? Older age? Lack of opportunity or need? Disclosure, I am just reading the statlines but what am I missing?
Eric A Longenhagen: Was not the best defender during his time as a Dodgers prospect but I’lll admit to not being up to date on Eddys’ film. Milwaukee can manifest 40-grade utility types out of thin air, his underlying data isn’t all that different from last year but it’s not bad.
Keith Law chat:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7277801/2026/05/14/mlb-draft-prospects-live-chat-keith-law-may-14/
Andy M. At what point in the draft is it mostly guys that you have no real knowledge of?
Keith Law @Andy M. Mostly? Maybe fifth round? Sixth? It’s inevitable – I only have some real knowledge of maybe 150ish guys in each class, just being one person who concentrates on the top names, and even if they all went in my order that’s five rounds. By the actual fifth round, we definitely have a few guys I don’t know well, and definitely a couple I don’t know at all (esp when teams grab college seniors to go under slot), so I start working immediately to see what I missed.
eric L. Hi Keith, thanks for the chat! Has ABS changed how you evaluate catching prospects’ defense? How much does being a good receiver still matter?
Keith Law @Eric L. Being a good receiver, blocker, etc matters. Framing matters a little less, and in the future it might go away. I’ve never considered framing as highly as maybe some teams do, esp since I question how much framing for college umps is applicable to framing for MLB umps.
Andy M. Outside of Dodger OF prospects that are close to ML ready, which major prospects do you see being traded at the deadline. One has to think that a lot of big money teams won’t be satisfied not making the playoffs since the 2nd and 3rd WC seem soft this year.
Keith Law @Andy M. Celesten. Alcantara. I think Wiggins. Ralphy Velazquez. Just throwing some names out there – I haven’t asked anybody about trade deadline stuff.
Andy M. Will Smith is signed through 2033, but Dalton Rushing may be a better player now. Sean Murphy has 3 more years and has definitely been passed by Baldwin. Should teams maybe not sign catchers to 6+ year deals?
Keith Law @Andy M. I think it’s fine signing a catcher to a deal like that if a) they have the bat to move to DH or maybe first and b) you will have a position open for them as they age off catcher. Murphy definitely wasn’t (a) and Smith is kind of blocked for (b).
Future Projection Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-projection/id1555299031?i=1000769056162
Dalavan and Kendell George are discussed ~the 36 minute mark.
Dan Szymborski Chat
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dan-szymborski-fangraphs-chat-5-21-26/
OttoKempBots, Roll Out: What are the odds of an “everybody gets old at once” crash for the Dodgers. I know they’re low, but something feels a little off about Freeman and Betts, and… I mean FAIRLY low to have it all happen at once, but I do keep bringing it up as a worry. The Dodgers are not a young team Not that they don’t develop talent, but the most valuable players are MOSTLY not very young
David Laurila on old friend Hunter Feduccia.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/tampa-bay-backstop-hunter-feduccia-knows-the-nuances-of-nabbing-thieves/
Thank Bluto – Great Stuff!
Wow what fantastic numbers for Sirota during the last 100 games.
The Dodger present and future looks brighter than ever. Thanks for sharing some player backgrounds at your trip to Great Lakes.Which Dodger prospects stays and who goes? Tough decisions for the Dodger brass ahead.
Wow, Elkins got into that one.
Has Jeff done a profile on Easton Shelton?
Great report, Mark.
Not yet, but he is a good one to work on. I like UDFA players who defy the odds and succeed at MiLB even at a lower level.
Saturday Dodger Affiliates’ Schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Brooks Auger) at Dayton (Julian Aguiar)
4:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Charlie Barnes) at Sugar Land (Ryan Weiss)
5 p.m.: Tulsa (Patrick Copen) vs. NW Arkansas (Frank Mozzicato)
6:05 p.m.: Ontario (TBA) vs. Visalia (Daury Vasquez)
I am picking up my new truck tomorrow. Finally got the insurance settlement. Well, it’s not new, but new to me. Couldn’t afford a new one. Getting a 2002 F-150 that is in great shape. Great game to watch last night. D-Train was his usual annoying self, but Randazzo is pretty decent. They’re sideline reporter, Heidi Whatley is knowledgeable and easy on the eyes. Sounds like a fun trip Mark. When I was driving cross country for National Carries, I was stuck in Fredrick Maryland for a weekend after delivering a load to Baltimore. Watched a Sunday game there.
How’s your friend who was in the accident with you feeling?
She is okay, has some residual pain, but there is really nothing you can do for a broken rib.
Still way too many injuries to players nowadays. Seems like every year more pitchers go down with elbow or shoulder injuries. I had never heard of a strained oblique until the last several years. Just think how much better Mantle would have been had he not suffered that injury in the early 50’s. Same with Eric Davis.
Wrobo sure is doing his part in making the River Ryan promotion tough. As much as I like Wrobo, I thought moving him back to a swing guy out of the pen might be the best way to make it happen. Roki isn’t leaving the rotation. I know they don’t want to send Sheehan down or to the pen. I’m not sure what they promised Lauer, but I would rather see Ryan despite Lauer having a good first outing.
Wrobleski was magnificent yesterday.
I’d love it if Wrobleski, Stone, Sheehan, and Ryan could allow the Dodgers to trade Snell and Glasnow.
Freeland in the lineup makes me enjoy watching games more.
Can you explain that desire?
Feels a little like:
https://youtu.be/GKZJdaiJF84?si=4J14XBkOW_-T4QCf
Mark – Glad you and the family had such a good time in Dayton. Minor league baseball can be affordable and a great family friendly environment. And a nice stroke of luck sitting by the bus driver who had great insight for your report on the players true character. It’s refreshing to hear that once again, the Dodgers try to fill their rosters with high character guys. Guys who respect the Bussie, clubhouse folks and respect the people that make their experience better.
Not surprised to hear that Rushing showed anger issues in the minors. As I said before, I’d rather have a guy who gives a shit and has to learn to turn it down than a guy who is all “chill” and looks half-hearted.
I refuse to connect with Apple and had a very enjoyable evening listening to the radio broadcast on Sirius XM. Worbs was outstanding and the ball was flying. Nice win.
Justin Wrobleski is 1.1 innings behind Yamamoto for the team lead in IP.
His ERA is 2.87, and his WHIP is 1.01.
He also leads the team in wins.
He isn’t coming out of the rotation if he keeps that up.
Ryan may have to be the long man.
BTW, the LA Dodgers lead all of MLB in ERA with a 3.10 Team ERA. The Padres are 3.85!
Yup