In the 2024 MLB draft, James Tibbs III was taken 13th overall by San Francisco. He is now a top prospect at AAA for LAD. CWS RF Braden Montgomery made his MLB debut on my birthday (June 9), in story-book fashion with a walk-off 2-run HR in the 10th off Raisel Iglesias for the win over the Braves. Braden was taken by the Red Sox, 1 pick before JTIII in 2024 draft. He was then traded to CWS in the Garrett Crochet trade. See below on more on that steal by the White Sox.
JTIII is 6 months older than Montgomery. Montgomery started the year in AA and then moved to AAA when AA was not much of a challenge. Montgomery’s AAA stats were good, but not better than JTIII. He just had a better opportunity with CWS. If JTIII was on the White Sox, would he be in MLB? He is blocked by the Dodgers duo of Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker in the OF and Freddie Freeman at 1B.
Then there is CWS LF Sam Antonacci who is already in MLB. He is right between Montgomery and JTIII age wise. He was a 5th round pick by CWS in the same 2024 draft. I first learned of Antonacci when he played for Team Italy in the WBC. He wasn’t anything special in the WBC, except for that 2-run HR against Team USA and RHSP Nolan McLean. He would not be in MLB with LAD. Would he be in AAA? Even AA?
And yet another OF taken in the 3rd round of the 2024 draft is LAD OF prospect Mike Sirota. Sirota is crushing AA pitching. With his RBI single in the 1st inning on Wednesday, Sirota has now reached 1B safely in his 49th consecutive game (including all 19 AA games). In 19 games, Sirota is slashing .366/.494/.592/1.086, 7 doubles, 3 HR, 18 BB, 18 K. For comparison purposes, in 126 AA PA this year, Braden Montgomery slashed .313/.429/.606/1.035, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR, 21 BB and 32 K. Sirota is 2 months younger than Montgomery.
How many organizations would still have 21 year old Josue De Paula at AA. He is in the top 4 of almost every offensive stat in the Texas League, including #1 in doubles, #2 in hits, #2 XBH, #2 total bases…Does he really have anything still to prove at AA? I expect both Sirota and JDP in LA before the end of 2027. But then what about Zyhir Hope. He doesn’t have much to prove at AA either, but realistically he is not only blocked by the LAD OF but also the AAAA players in AAA as well as JDP and Sirota.
Montgomery is in MLB, and Sirota and JDP are in AA with no clear path to get to AAA. Possible, but not clear. The Dodgers appear to be comfortable with Ryan Fitzpatrick playing LF and Alek Thomas in CF in OKC. They also have Zach Ehrhard and Jack Suwinski as OF.
How different would the LAD record be if the Dodgers went with Ryan Ward instead of signing Kyle Tucker to a 4 year $240MM deal? Now, Tucker is going to be roaming RF for LAD for the next three years, and possibly block others in that time frame. Meanwhile Ward is showing that he belongs in MLB, and maybe AF/BG made a mistake on him??? Still to early to tell, but he is outproducing Tucker at this point. That is why I was supportive of a Ward/Call platoon in LF until one of the “kids” was ready to assume the role.
On December 11, 2024, CWS traded LHSP Garrett Crochet to Boston for MiLB prospects: OF Braden Montgomery, 2B Chase Meidroth, C Kyle Teel, and RHRP Wikelman González. Meidroth is the starting 2B, Teel was the starting catcher before he had his hamstring injury (and is due back soon), and now Montgomery is the starting RF. González was a respectable partial season reliever for CWS last year and was trending to get the call again this year when he suffered a lat injury. Crochet was #2 in CY vote last year, but not this year. He had a bad start to the year, and is now hurt. He has a lat sprain that is worse than he thought or that has been reported by Boston executives. Per Crochet, he has no idea as to when he will be able to pitch again.
CWS picked up 3 starting position players for a SP that would have been wasted in Chicago. How many of the three position players would be starting for Boston this year? Does anyone believe that any of the 4 did not welcome the trade to a three straight 100 loss CWS?
I have spoken to dozens of MiLB players and I cannot remember one player saying they would rather play for their favorite team in MiLB where they are blocked rather than get moved to a team where they had a shot at a MLB job.
I do not think Ryan Ward has anything to prove in MiLB. He is proving that he can play MLB. And that is true even understanding that he will probably regress at some point when pitchers have a better book on him. He is happy now playing for LAD, but how will he feel about going back to OKC once Teoscar is back? Teo is due back late June or early July.
BTW, I feel the same with Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim about not needing MiLB. There is just not room for both, and soon maybe neither.
More injuries can happen, so there is no need to make any changes until the deadline. I see Ward back in OKC at that time. As far as September call ups and an October extra OF goes, my guess is that is why AF traded for CF Alek Thomas.
Alex Call has done nothing to show he is not an effective and productive #4 OF. Where does that leave Zach Ehrhard and Kendall George? Not only do they not have a prayer of an everyday MLB OF job with LAD, but they are blocked by Call as a 4th OF. We are not talking about players in A Ball or Rookie Ball. These players are arguably considered MLB ready.
It does matter what organization a prospect plays for when the goal is to get to MLB. MiLB players want to get to the Show, not just to play for a specific team…Yes, even the Dodgers.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORT
Charlotte Knights (CWS) 9 – OKC Comets 8
RHSP Christian Romero completed 4.0 innings. He allowed 4 hits and 2 BB to go with his 3 K. He allowed 2 runs in the 1st on a BB, double, and single. Innings 2-4 were shutout innings, but not without traffic.
In the 2nd inning, LF Ryan Fitzgerald was HBP, and moved to second on a WP. 2 ground ball outs moved Fitzgerald to 3rd and home for their 1st run.
With one out, DH Austin Gauthier walked and CF Zach Ehrhard hit a 2-run HR (7) giving OKC a 3-2 lead.
Five relief pitchers followed Romero, with 4 being ineffective. LHRP Jake Eder was the first, and he allowed game tying HR in the 5th inning.
OKC went back ahead in the 6th after 2B Hyeseong Kim had a 1-out single and 3B Taylor Young had a 2-out single. Back to back BB by Gauthier and Ehrhard put OKC back on top.
RHRP Jerming Rosario allowed 3 runs in the 6th. He allowed a HR, a walk, a run scoring triple and WP giving Charlotte a 2 run lead.
In the 7th, with one Fitzgerald singled and moved to 2nd on an error. Fitzgerald scored on Kim’s single. C Eliézer Alfonzo singled with Kim to 2nd. Young doubled (1) to score 2. Gauthier reached on an error with Young scoring.
Going into the 8th, OKC had a 2 run lead. With RHRP Carlos Duran on the mound. He struck out the first two batters, but allowed a BB and 2 doubles to tie the score.
RHRP Wyatt Mills entered in the 9th. He got the 1st out, but then allowed 2 doubles for Charlotte to walk it off.
- Hyeseong Kim – 3-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI
- Jack Suwinski – 2-5, double (18)
- Eliézer Alfonzo – 2-5, 1 run
- Taylor Young – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (1)
- Zach Ehrhard – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 3 RBI, HR (7)
Tulsa Drillers 7 – Wichita Wind Surge (Minnesota) 6
RHSP Patrick Copen continued his struggles post April. He allowed 4 runs (all earned) on 5 hits and 3 BB. He registered 5 K.
In the 1st inning, Copen allowed a one out BB, HBP, WP, SB, and fielder’s choice giving Wichita a 1-0 lead.
In the 2nd, he allowed a one-out single. With 2 out, Copen served up a 2-run HR and a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the 2nd inning, C Griffin Lockwood-Powell was HBP, and that was followed by 2B Jake Gelof’s 12th HR.
In the 4th, Copen allowed a one out single, SB, and RBI single.
In the bottom of the 4th, DH Chris Newell walked and stole 2B. He scored on 3B Kyle Nevin’s RBI double (7).
Wichita scored an unearned run in the 5th after a BB, SB, and catcher throwing error. The runner scored on a SF.
In the bottom of the 5th, LF Josue De Paula led off with his 1st triple of the season. CF Mike Sirota walked stretching his reaching base streak to 50 consecutive games. SS Elijah Hainline singled to score
De Paula with Sirota moving to 2nd. Sirota scored after a PB and WP.
LHRP Evan Shaw and LHRP Christian Suarez pitched three scoreless innings allowing Tulsa to go into the 9th tied up at 5-5. RHRP Kelvin Ramirez took the mound in the 9th. He allowed a 2 out solo HR to tie the game.
1B Joe Vetrano reached on a one out error. JDP singled and Sirota walked to load the bases. Hainline walked to bring home the tying run. With 2 outs GLP was HBP bringing home the walk off win.
- Josue De Paula – 2-5, 2 runs, triple (1)
- Kyle Nevin – 2-4, 1 RBI, double (7)
- Jake Gelof – 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (12)
- Mike Sirota – 0-2, 3 BB
Great Lakes Loons vs Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee) DH – Game 1 Canceled, Game 2 Postponed to be played on Friday, June 12 as part of a DH
Ontario Tower Buzzers 5 – Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) 3
Ontario scored 3 in the 2nd. RF Ching-Hsien Ko doubled (9). 1B Easton Shelton smoked a 2-run HR (18). LF Brendan Tunink drew a BB. C Conner O’Neal singled. 2B Javier Herrera laid down a sac bunt, and Tunink scored on a WP giving Ontario a 3-0 lead.
In the 2nd, RHSP Leiter walked the bases loaded and then threw a WP giving the Storm a run.
In the 4th, Shelton led off with a BB. After a BB O’Neal was HBP and Herrera singled to load the bases. DH AJ Soldra hit a 2-out, 2-run single and a 5-1 lead.
With 2 outs in the 3rd, RHRP Jhonny Jimenez relieved Leiter and got the final out. In the 4th, Jimenez allowed a double, a single, and WP to score a run. After 2 outs, Jimenez walked a batter. With runners on 1st and 2nd, Jimenez gave up a run scoring double. RHRP Seamus Barrett relieved Jimenez and gave up a 2 run double tied the score.
With RHRP Will Gagnon on the mound, Ontario scored a run on a single, SB, and RBI single in the 6th. In the 7th, with Gagnon still on the bump, a BB, SB and RBI single scored 1. After one out, Gagnon walked a batter and was lifted for RHRP Javier Bartolozzi. Bartolozzi walked the first batter to load the bases, and balked allowing the 2nd run of the inning to score.
Ontario was down 8-5 entering the 8th. CF Landyn Vidourek and 3B Chase Harlan drew BB. Both runners were moved to 2nd and 3rd on a balk. 2 SF from Ko and Shelton scored 2.
In the 9th, Herrera walked and moved to 2nd on a PB. Soldra doubled home Herrera but did not score himself.
RHRP Jecsua Liborius came in relief in the 9th. He allowed a double and 2 BB to load the bases, but nobody scored.
In the 10th, Ko was the placed runner at 2B. After a K, Ko moved to 3rd on a ground out. O’Neal drew a BB. A WP scored Ko and O’Neal to 2nd. Herrera walked. Soldra singled to score O’Neal giving Ontario a 2-run lead.
Liborius retired the side in order with 2 Ks in the 10th for the win.
- AJ Soldra – 3-5, 4 RBI, double (8)
- Easton Shelton – 1-3, 1 BB, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 1 SF
ACL Dodgers did not play
DSL LAD Bautista 10 – DSL LAD Mega 5
Well there was a guaranteed win for a Rookie League team.
DSL LAD Bautista –
Two of the better IFA signings this past January had good games for Bautista. 17 year old OF (playing DH today) Rubel Arias reached base all 5 times. He was 2-2 with 3 BB, including his 3rd double.
The 2nd is just turned 17 year old (June 2) 3B Ezequiel Melburne. He went 3-4 with a BB and 3 RBI. Melburne now has 11 RBI in 8 games. He is now batting .348 with an OPS of .945.
Another just turned 17 year old (March 24) RF Fran-Jean Haseth was 2-4 with 1 BB, including his 2nd HR and 2nd double.
17 year old switch hitting catcher Ricardo Pulles was 2-3 with a BB and scored 3 times. He hit his first double of the season.
17 year old (May 3) SS Ariel Reynoso hit his 1st HR, a 3-run poke.
DSL LAD Mega –
The Mega batters are not as prolific with the bats as were the Bautista hitters. 18 year old catcher Jose Rivas was 2-3 with his 1st double. 19 year old SS Hendry Arvelo had a two run single.
17 year old (turns 18 September 16) RF Helvin Mendoza was 1-1 with 2 BB.
The Dodgers are 8 games in front of the Padres and 9.5 in front of the D-Backs. LA’s run differential is +143. No other team in the West has a positive number. Only the Braves at +113 and the Yankees at +103, are over 100. The Rockies have scored 100 runs less than they have allowed. The Yankees and the Rays who are tied atop the AL East, have the biggest lead in MLB by 9 games over the Blue Jays. LA and Atlanta have 8 game leads.
Another fine report, Jeff.
I was bullish on Crochet. I would have much preferred a blockbuster for Crochet than a Big Fat Check for Snell. Crochet might be hurt now–but it’s not like Snell has been a study in durability. Crochet is much younger and proved his talent as the Cy runnerup to Skubal.
I knew that to get Crochet, the trade package would have to include Rushing and other nice pieces. Looking at the trade now, the other pieces might have been Alex Freeland, a plum OF prospect (Hope?) and a ML-quality reliever such as Henriquez or Klein. (I’d have offered Ward or Outman, but everybody seemed to think they had cooties so maybe Chicago would have insisted on somebody with a higher ceiling.)
Looking back, would I still do that deal ? Probably.
As fans, we are now emotionally invested in guys like Freeland and Rushing. But we weren’t very invested at the time. Crochet was a big prize. Before he got hurt, was an absolute stud. At 26, he’s very much on the right side of 30. Snell is 33 and perhaps working on his last contract.
If Rushing had been dealt, the Dodgers might have Feduccia or Rortvedt as Smith’s backup. Instead of Freeland, HS Kim would be on the job, with Miggy Rojas and maybe Espinal as support–and Edman still on the way. Noah Miller might be knocking on the door.
There are, obviously, no perfect equivalents to the Red Sox offer, but the Dodgers certainly had prospect depth to pull it off. (Why didn’t AF? No doubt they considered it, but my sense is that AF had already targeted Snell–they have a long history– and he’s obviously shown a propensity for writing Big Fat Checks than dealing prospects.)
Did the White Sox fleece the Red Sox? I don’t think so. If Crochet was healthy, he’d be the ace of the staff. The trade might called a win-win. Look at this way: As a Dodger fan, would you rather be waiting for Crochet to get off the IL or for Blake Snell? Both fine pitchers, sure. But I’d rather have the young guy.
Yes, I like blockbusters. I would have overpaid for Mason Miller rather than let the Padres get him. I’d have tried to swing a deal for Byron Buxton (who is having a great season) than commit $240 million to Kyle Tucker for 4 years.
Assuming he stays healthy, Tucker’s enormous contract might keep de Paula and Sirota down on the farm for an extra season or two. I’m not saying I want Tucker to tear his ACL….. but what if he has meh production while dePaula or Sirota are winning the PCL MVP??? Instead of bobbleheads, perhaps the Dodgers could market voodoo dolls.
As Jeff’s analysis illustrates, the Dodgers farm system is so stacked that it makes it hard for talented guys to move up. Several players seem blocked and deserving of more opportunity. One of the benefits of a blockbuster is that it can ease the logjam.
Great to see Ryan Ward proving that he belongs. Still a shame that Conforto and his contract was blocking him last season.
I think Ward is a success story just for making it. I can’t see him starting a postseason game for us so anything he provides now is gravy. Conforto was a whiff and the less said the better.
Tucker is still the best option for this year and this is the year that matfers. Bat him 7th in the postseason and hope he finds his swing. His ability to take walks remains a strength.
Freeland’s getting tons of reps and showing he’s a bug leaguer. I love his defense at 2B. Kim looks to be weaponizing as a supersub for 2027.
Rushing getting his chance too and running with it. We coukd honestly see him start a postseason game with Smith available to pinch-hit late. I call that ideal.
Mookie has already helped transform this entire org. Three rings, a culture king, loved by fans. He’s already made his chops. When a better SS option becomes clear, that conversation can be had. Maybe bat him lower though.
Still think the bullpen gets a makeover by October. Will we see River Ryan there? Wrobleski? So much success in the pitching department without Snell, Glasnow & Diaz.
Go blue
Tucker should wind up well above average, just based on his history. But I have hard time envisioning his performance ever justifying $60m per year. Right now, he is a middle-of-the-pack bat on the Dodgers. Shohei, Pages, Freddie and Max are all out-hitting him by a wide margin.
We look at Mookie and worry that his contract won’t age well–but I fully agree that the Mookie deal has already paid off. In a way, it’s not fair to hammer on Tucker–it’s not his fault he is grossly overpaid. But Tucker is younger than Mookie and after a couple of months I’m already concerned that Tucker’s contract isn’t aging well.
When Teo gets back, Ward will likely be sent back to OKC. Edman will be up soon, and he can play OF as well. But Ward’s done himself a big favor with his performance so far.
He’s a much better trade chip now than at the start of the season. He’ll have a better chance at a longer career on a small-market team. Right now, Ward has Tibbs, Erhard, Suwinski and Thomas nipping at his heels in OKC, and then the stud prospects in Tulsa right behind them.
If you ask who would I rather have, Crochet or Snell, it ia a no-brainer. Crochet. Your package of Rushing, Freeland, Hope and Henriquez sounds very similar to what they got., and they possibly would have accepted that. CWS got two top 100 players (Teel and Montgomery) while your LAD package would have netted them 3 (Rushing, Hope, and Freeland). Instead the Dodgers did what they can do…spend $$$ and keep the prospects. The Dodgers had multiple opportunites to trade Rushing and always chose to keep him. He might have been untouchable at the time. Maybe CWS wanted De Paula over Hope. There is a whole host of reasons that we will never learn why such a deal was not made by the Dodgers.
After trading all those prospects for Crochet, Boston also gave him a 6/170 contract. (And Crochet, if I recall, had a dominant post season start last year, but Boston lost).
Snell only cost money (maybe a draft pick), and was fantastic in the Wild Card game, NLDS, and NLCS. He was just ok in the World Series, but did get the outs needed in Game 7.
I think I”d rather have Snell, who has been proven to be a big game pitcher, along with the prospects, over Crochet.
Absolutely a Great Post, Jeff.
I, too, was puzzled by the Tucker acquisition. The only thing that makes sense is that maybe the Dodgers thought that by adding Tucker this year, it would ensure another World Championship, giving them three in a row… and then sell the team. Mark Walter and Magic Johnson will be 67 next year, Stan Kasten will be 75, and Peter Gruber will be 85. Combined, they own under 30% of the Dodgers, while Todd Boehly and Bobby Patton allegedly own a combined 40% of the team. Walter holds 100% of the voting control of the Dodgers. The Dodgers have a valuation of over $9 BILLION. Could this be an exit strategy before they sell the team?
The Dodgers generated a staggering $1.1 billion in gross revenue last year. They are one of the only franchises outside of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and European soccer giants like Real Madrid to ever cross the billion-dollar annual threshold. If a multi-billionaire desperately wanted control of baseball’s most valuable brand, a final, premium transaction figure would settle somewhere between $11 billion and $12 billion. I could see Apple or Amazon buying the team… or could Elon Musk, as the world’s first trillionaire want it?
Kim is tearing it up in OKC. Just under 800 OPS and hitting.383. looks like he got “fixed” by the coaches. To bad we already have a SS hitting.186. /602 OPS. Love Mookie and all he has been for the Blue but something has to change and tough decisions upcoming. I don’t think anyone has an answer but once the Boo Birds start to serenade Betts, it will pressure management. Let’s hope he turns it around before the AS break. One suggestion would be platooning him with a lefty to reduce his presence in the field.
Management wasn’t pressured to bench Conforto, so as long as we are winning I wouldn’t expect many changes
Mookie will be fine. And he’s still a top-notch shortstop. And he has a runway as long as the Transcontinental railway. The only thing that could possibly happen is him getting bumped down the batting order a little further.
Mookie will be fine. And he’s still a top-notch shortstop. And he has a runway as long as the Transcontinental railway. The only thing that could possibly happen is him getting bumped down the batting order a little further.
You can say that again!
If Dolphindude hadn’t said it again, I would have for him.
Cannot wait for the new software!!
Settle down it’s the PCL
With 7 years left on a multimillion-dollar contract, hard decisions are not going to be made. As far as Kim tearing up the PCL, that is AAA pitching in a hitter friendly league. Don’t put to much credence in that. A lot of players who hit .300 plus at AAA, hit MLB pitching at about .240.
So those Dodger prospects who are hitting .300, and some even less, would only hit .240, or less, in MLB?
That’s everybody.
Trade them all now, win the WS and let the incoming ownership deal with the new CBA.
Just a generalization but look at the kids LA has from AAA on the roster right now. Freeland is hitting .237. Ward is hitting .242. Now they might get better and they might regress. No one knows. But the PCL is a very hitter friendly league. Any stats from there should be taken with a grain of salt.
Your probably right Bear.
Same goes for Tucker. We got him for 3 years and he isn’t tradable. My point on Kim was that he was sent down to fix a few swing flaws. But he did have options left so he went down on that reasoning. His defense was excellent and his speed helped ignite a few rallies. He will probably be trade bait and I hope he gets somewhere he can get a chance to play.
Problem I see with Kim is that he still chases too much in the majors. He might have tightened up his skills some, but the guy gets very antsy against MLB pitchers.
Yeah, it’s the PCL. So what?
The Triple A teams and leagues are the last stop before The Show. Are we supposed to put more stock in how younger guys are performing at Double A? Don’t they typically have to prove themselves at Triple A before they get summoned for big league glory?
Last season Ward wore out PCL pitching and won the league MVP–and yet never got a chance to prove he was better than Conforto. Now Old Man Ward is finally a rookie, and that’s great—finally getting his chance after years of hard work.
I just don’t see how denigrating the PCL makes sense. It discounts everybody’s performance.
As for HS Kim, I’m much more interested in his OBP than his BA or slug. The old adage that “a walk is a good as a hit” is especially true for a guy batting ahead of Shohei.
In ’25 Kim wasn’t collecting walks because he was apparently too eager to prove his bat. (Miguelito had the same issue, but more so, when he first came up as a rookie in ’22.) This season, Kim has showed a lot more plate discipline, but it started to slip.
They are never going to platoon Mookie.
Agree.
I’m not worried about Mookie. Not yet, anyway. Some age-related regression is to be expected, but Bryan Reynolds robbed him of a homer today. So he was a bit unlucky.
He got off to a slow start, got hurt, and returned to resume his slump. Last season he also started slow before heating up.
A study published by mlb.com still favorably compares Mookie’s bat-to-ball skills with Soto’s and Luis Arraez’s. Good company. But Mookie’s bat speed is down, and he isn’t as fast as he used to be.
Last season, another analysis gave Mookie the game’s highest rating in terms of getting good “jumps” on the basepaths. His speed may not be elite, but his baserunning instincts were. His defense certainly passes my eye test.
The Dodgers’ offense is potent that Mookie’s glove and leadership may now be more important than his bat for the team’s success.
It’s really hard to imagine Boo Birds going after Mookie, especially with the Dodgers running away with the West. Mookie has earned the fans respect and even love for his performance and personality.
Besides, LA isn’t Philly or NYC or Boston….
I’m probably forgetting somebody, but the last Dodger I can recall getting booed in LA was Darryl Strawberry, with the derisive sing-song chant of “Dar-ryl! Dar-ryl!”
In retrospect, it was cruel. Strawberry, an LA native, was fighting some personal demons.
I recall Andruw Jones getting some boos
Good call.
Dodger fans are much less patient of guys who show up toward the end of their careers.
Everybody, well almost everybody keeps saying Mookie will be fine. Well, there are some doubters, and I hope I’m wrong. But if Ryan Ward a very late part time call up passes Mookie the cleanup hitter in RBIs maybe it time to do something other than bat him 4th and say, “He just needs more time.” It would’ve been nice for Mookie to get that home run last night, could’ve helped his mojo. But, maybe tonight.
Agree with Kevin. Thinking these prospects can hit MLB pitching is a stretch, and the Dodgers know when they’ll be ready.
Tucker filled a need and it cost zero young talent. Instead of labeling him a blocker, it should be preserver. This season may be last in which the Dodgers can spend freely. Next season and beyond will require young talent.
Tucker’s value will be determined in the Fall when he has oppt’y to produce under the bright lights of the playoffs. The Dodger brass no doubt was concerned about a repeat of what they saw in the WS. A lot of strike outs and declining stars.
Finally, next season there could be 1-3 OF positions available for our touted prospects. This assumes Teo getting traded to an AL team were he can be DH, Call moving on, and Kike not on the roster. In one year’s time, the conversation may be, ” I wish we had OF prospects that can field and hit ML curveballs.”
I can understand your agreement with Kevin’s statement about PCL pitching. We have all been disappointed in the past with highly touted Dodger MiLB OF prospects who have failed when promoted. But, to say:
“Thinking these prospects can hit MLB pitching is a stretch” suggests that hitting very well in AAA isn’t much of an indicator if they’re MLB ready. Then what the heck is the reason for playing at OKC? I can understand the prospects in high A or AA.
The comment – “the Dodgers know when they’ll be ready.” I ask, do they? So, many failures in the recent past. Ryan Ward demolished AAA pitching for 2+ years before even put on the roster. Andy Pages has been the lone success story in the past several years. With the logjam throughout the system of outfielders the FO should know who they feel are the top 2-3 and trade most of the others. Waiting for openings in the current outfield and not reducing the numbers could lead to “Ryan Ward’ situations. It’s not fair to the players. Look what it might have cost Ward in MLB playing time and money.
Next season there may zero OF openings more likely than not. Teoscar could be traded and that would open up one spot. Ward may be the player that replaces him if he can continue doing well and is not traded. I doubt the FO is going to add a prospect on the 26 man to have them sit on the bench. Call seems to be a nice 4th OFer and is cheap. Kiki’s status isn’t going to affect the OF spots. Edman will be the super utility guy and can play the OF if needed. Kim is, also, an option.
The Dodger past of many failures from there OF prospects when promoted your opinion on their future success could be valid. I feel the number of the current crop of OF prospects seem to be much better than in the past. But, like they say, they’re all just prospects right now.
Prospect evaluation and progress are frequently a “guess.”
Take Andy Pages:
2021 – At A+, he hit .265/.933 OPS/31 HR (438 AB)
2022 – At AA, he hit .236/.804 OPS26 HR (487 AB)
2023 – At AA, he hit .284/.925 OPS/3 HR (Injured – 109 AB)
2024 – At AAA, he hit .356/1.084/8 HR ( 101 AB)
2024 – At LA, he hit .248/.712 OPS/13 HR (403 AB)
Look at him now. Progress is not linear and seldom predictable. He played very little at AAA because I believe the PCL hurts hitters. I believe Sirota and DePaula will be every bit as good as Pages, but it won’t happen their first year… at least it is unlikely.
Tibbs numbers are likely “skewed.” Not saying he’s not goood….
Dodgers brass saw Pages’s raw talent early and nurtured it. Great arm, potentially great bat, runs well. They knew he’d fit anywhere in the OF.
In some ways, i think Pages is similar to Miguel Timmons, I mean Vargas., especially in terms of his hitting ability. The difference, perhaps, is that Dodgers uncharacteristically rushed Miguelito although his defense remained a work in progress. So he wound up back down in OKC.
Now Vargas is kicking ass for the White Sox and could join Pages in the all-star game.
Johnny DeLuca helped land Tyler Glasnow.
And both are now on the IL.
And so is Pepiot, right?
yep, Pepiot too. And he was the main focus of the trade. DeLuca was never going to be the starter.
Someone please advise as to what is an acceptable BA or OPS in the PCL. Should any player with less than a .343 BA or .900 OPS pack it in? Doesn’t defense or speed factor in? Kim has done everything asked of him by the Dodgers. He has bounced twice to OKC this year, and is still producing, at a high level playing SS, 2B, and even a very competent 3B. As well as OF, including CF. His big weakness is plate discipline. He doesn’t walk enough. Kim is a MLB player playing in MiLB. The Dodgers do not utilize his greatest skill, his speed. How good would he be with Miami, or Milwaukee, or Pittsburgh. I bet Pittsburgh would take Kim over Triolo right now. Kim could slide in CF for Miami. CF for Milwaukee. Tampa Bay at 2B or CF. I am sure I can go through the lineups in dozens of MLB teams where he could fit in.
Maybe someone should ask Kim if he would rather be playing in the LAD MiLB or for Pittsburgh or another MLB team.
Well said Jeff D.
Kim is the Dodgers version of the proverbial “Redheaded stepchild”.
Kim and Ward didn’t get to a fair shake from management and I agree, they both would get steady playing time with a half dozen teams.
Nice to see Trey Mancini back in the big leagues with the Angels.
Looked like he was going to be star in Baltimore before cancer struck. He quit baseball two or three times before new Angel hitting coach Brady Anderson encouraged him to sign a minor league deal.
The Angels aren’t doing much but at least they’ve delivered one of the feel-good stories of the season.
Great piece. Lots to think on:
1. Ehrhard is looking ready. Maybe set him free in exchange for a reliever.
2. JDP looks like Bonds when he makes contact.
3. Enjoying the young RH thump we have in Shelton/Harlan/Morales.
4. Sirota better not get a look in the bigs because he might not come back. Trading Teo at some point before his contract’s up is an option.
5. Tucker’s getting a lot of flak and deservedly so. But a lot of that has to do with how good our prospects are performing. It’s hard for me to read that part of the equation negatively.
There IS nothing negative about this.
It’s not a problem. It’s an opportunity in drag!
Biggest problem is how to rank JDP & Sirota. My default is to imagine if one were traded which would hurt worse. I’m not sure. I think there’s something in how the ball jumps off Sirota’s bat. It looks like easy hard contact to me.
Sirota gets the bump from me because of his defense. Sirota can be a MLB CF. Sirota is a five tool player. De Paula was rated with a higher hit and power ceiling over Sirota before the start of the year. (60 vs 55 in both). De Paula still looks to be a higher power guy, but I am not convinced he will ultimately have a better hit tool. But we are splitting hairs here. Both are legit top 17 prospects, and should hit at MLB.
As MT has stated many times in the past, relievers are untouchable one season and just awful the next. The Dodgers aren’t waiting for a complete season. Their BP is doing this in the first half of a season. Talk about going from the penthouse to the outhouse within 2-3 weeks is eye opening. Yesterday was better. Those called upon, except for Edgardo Hernandez, did well. As it is during a long season with every player. Hopefully, the recent poor performance
is behind them.
Count me in the group who are down on Tucker. It’s gotten to the point where I feel sorry for him. He looks like a defeated player these days. I don’t think he has the makeup to be successful and live up to his outrages contract.
It sort of reenforces the reason the Cubs didn’t resign him. He has zero charisma and shows no emotion in his play. He rarely hits the ball hard. HIs outfield play started out OK. I didn’t understand the criticism of his defense initially. But, now I do. His throwing motion is odd and arm is average at best. Like Phil Jones mentioned the other day, he’s our Hunter Pence. Pence had the craziest hitting and throwing motions. But, he was a hell of a ballplayer.
I believe the front office did a poor job of investigating Tucker’s personality. If they did at all. I think it was known that he didn’t want to be in the spotlight or be the face of a franchise. Did they do an in person interview before signing him to a $60M a year contract? I don’t blame Tucker. He figured with all the stars the Dodgers have that he could get lost in it all. And, that’s probably true. Except when you look like you should be in AAA the first third of the season.
Because he is a Dodger I pull for him every at bat to right the ship, get on board, and help drive that ship to a World Championship. My heart is telling me different though. Is this the most recent above market overpay failure by AF? If so, just add it to the pile along with the contracts Betts, Conforto, Teoscar, Edman, Snell, Glasnow, Scott and Diaz.
Carry on.
I’m hoping something clicks in the postseason and reaches his true talent level.
I don’t think Kirk Gibson had a great personality. Who cares. What we need from Tucker is October production.
Strong opinions for having ZERO inside info. A glass is half empty overview for us being the class of the West at a minimum.
All the AF failures have led to back to back championships, 3 in 6 years and a very good shot at a 3 peat. What a total loser!
And what ever happened to the Cub and Brave dynasties with all their young talent.
Please! What he and his team are doing is historical. Stop whining and enjoy the ride!
And how many West titles since 2013!
How many titles did the Braves win in a row? 14. How many World Series did they win. 1. We all know the team has never been as successful in its entire history as it is now. But not every move AF makes is a good move.
The failures of AF haven’t lead to back to back titles. It’s the productive players that stepped up to help to do that in spite of under performing players. I think you can admit the Dodgers were very, very lucky to win the two recent titles.
Freddie’s grand slam in game one against the Yankees. That bizarre fifth inning in Game 5 against Cole where the Yankees had three plays happen that wouldn’t happen again one in thousand times.
Last year, Game 3 where Will Klein’s out of nowhere four inning relief, Freddie’s HR in the 18th. Game 7 the Dodgers were even luckier. Rojas’ HR to tie the game. The Pages catch where he ran about a mile, leap to make the catch, and knocked Kiki face first into the warning track. The Blue Jays outplayed the Dodgers during most of the Series, but luck was definitely with Los Angeles. Again.
In the postseason luck usually plays a big part in who wins. In the last two World Series I was thrilled that luck was with the Dodgers. I can remember many times in the past where that luck was missing for the Dodgers in the postseason and World Series.
We came so close to losing last year. We can’t get with a performance like that this time around.
As the late great Chick Hearn would say, “I’d rather be lucky than good.”
Yes, Chick would say that. And I tend to agree.
But a couple of counterpoints to consider the idea that the Dodgers won because of luck.
First, Dave Roberts did a terrific job of managing during the WS. He pushed the right buttons, which included playing Rojas in Game 7 (a gut decision) and inserting Pages for defense.
Second, kudos to AF for bringing Rojas back to the Dodgers in exchange for prospect Jacob Amaya. Seemed like a minor move at the time, but Rojas exceeded expectations as a role player in his return, culminating in his Game 7 heroics.
Because I’m not in the habit of complimenting AF, I salute him because I also remember the piss-poor job he did in 2022, when the Dodgers somehow won 111 games and made the playoffs while Belli’s career seemed to implode.
Entering the post-season, the Dodger bench that AF created included overmatched rookie Miguel Vargas and deadline acquisition Joey Gallo, who was badly slumping. Belli was struggling so much that Trayce Thompson replaced him in the starting lineup.
When Roberts needed a pinch-hitter with the game on the line, he looked down the bench, saw Gallo and Vargas–and summoned Austin Barnes to the plate. Barnes managed to line out, but Roberts should have had better options. That was on AF.
The 111-win Dodgers wound up getting eliminated by the Padres 3 games to 1.
Wonderful post, Ted.
I have to disagree with you about “luck”. It’s been stated that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Freeman’s grand slam was the result of years of preparation. The 1000’s of at bats during batting practice throughout his career and before that. He specifically said, he was looking for a pitch inside. He got it and knew what to do with it.
Pages spent a lot of time learning his position. In order to make that catch he had to run a near perfect route. He doesn’t make that catch if he didn’t put the time in to learn his position.
Branch Rickey, no less, is often credited with the expression: “Luck is the residue of design.”
I suppose that applies to bad luck too.
Gibson by all accounts was a great teammate. But he came to play. He did not go in for the tomfoolery some players liked to do.
That big “G” patch on the uniforms brought us the three championships with their MONEY and their choice to spend it. Freddie, Ohtani and Mookie and even Teo were all big buck buys. Then we got lucky with the Amazing Muncy and Pages. Same with our pitchers, AF did sign them but, without the big bucks backing him, Ohtani, Freddie and Mookie would be playing somewhere else.
There’s that L-word again….
No luck involved in Max and Pages!
Smart scouting and hard work.
Give Tucker props for husting to 1B after he K’ed. That was a BIG run he scored.
He could have sulked and just went back to the dugout.
Hes gonna be fine.
We came so close to losing last year. We can’t get with a performance like that this time around.
Really nice to see Dustin May turn a corner and pitch well.
At first glance it’s not great (4.21 ERA / 3.21 FIP) but he’s pitched over 70 innings, and markedly better than last year (4.96 ERA / 4.88 FIP)
But in reality he’s doing great for the Cards: Since two bad starts, May has put up a 2.89 ERA and a 2.86 FIP . From April 5, he’s top 20 in FIP (9th), WAR (12th) and ERA (16th.) His K rate is up and his walk rate is down. More groundballs (45.4%, up from 42.2%) and finding fewer barrels (from 9.2% to 6.7%).
A lot more here from Jaffe:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dustin-may-is-finally-having-his-day/
So happy for Dustin. Also hoping the Catman gets another opportunity when he gets healthy.
This is a great graph for Jeff D:
https://x.com/LanceBroz/status/2064736726837272806
I did not need that graph to tell me that the LAD MiLB pitchers throw hard with very little command. But it sure puts into a picture what is going on with LAD MiLB pitchers. Thank you for that.
I wonder what LAD Department of Player Development would say about that.
I think this has been reported.
The Dodgers are looking to hit grand slams with prospects. They can sign average pitchers, average meaning lower arm talent + greater command.
OTOH, they draft great arm talent (Bruns and Dustin May) and hope they can refine accuracy (Bruns no, May yes) or pitchers who they think they can tweak for more RPMs or MPH (Root and Wrobo)
I think it’s similar to the Free agent strategy, but that’s not been reported
Friday’s Dodger Affiliates’ Schedule
2:30 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jakob Wright) at Wisconsin (Ethan Dorchies)
Game 2: Great Lakes (Christian Zazueta) vs. Wisconsin (Wande Torres)
4:04 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Charlie Barnes) at Charlotte (TBD)
5:00 p.m. PT: Tulsa (Peter Heubeck) vs. Wichita (Cory Lewis)
6:05 p.m. PT: Ontario (TBD) vs. Lake Elsinore (Kruz Schoolcraft)
“The Tigers announced Thursday that they’ve claimed outfielder James Outman off waivers from the Twins. Detroit’s 40-man roster was full, but they created space by shifting infielder/outfielder Javier Báez from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL. The Tigers will need to create an active roster space for Outman before tomorrow’s game, given that he’s out of minor league options”.
After a quick check, I don’t see any Tiger blocking Outman from CF.
I have been obnoxious with my comments on the LAD miss on SS Gunnar Henderson in 2019 draft. According to my friend and source the Dodgers shifted from HS prospects to college bats. Thus Kody Hoese and Michael Busch over Henderson and Volpe. But there was another HS pitcher who was on the LAD short list, RHP Daniel Espino. He was taken by Cleveland one slot before Hoese. I wonder if the Dodgers would have taken Espino had he been available.
What we do know is that Espino has been an injury machine. From May 2022 he has spent most of his career on the IL list. In 2022, he pitched 18.1 innings pre-injury and 0 after. He did not pitch in 2023 or 2024. In 2025 he pitched all of 0.2 innings. In 2026 he has pitched 18.2 unimpressive innings, but is getting called up to make his MLB debut. With 15 BB in 18.2 IP and 29 K, he would fit in nicely with the LAD MiLB pitchers. I am looking forward to watching him pitch and wishing him well
During last nights game,Tucker questioned a called first strike with nobody on base. He was unsuccessful. As a result the Dodgers lost their last challenge. Which makes me wonder, at what point will teams start putting in guidelines to when they should challenge or not.
Obviously, there are instances early in the game where a challenge could make sense. Particularly if there’s runners on base. Or when a third strike looks low/ outside. But if early challenges are lost, should teams leave their remaining challenge to question pitches thrown later in the game?
I understand that the situation in a given game is fluid, but it seem that having a challenge available late in the game (7 inning on) would be very useful to help close out games.
How would Ryan Ward feel about being moved back to AAA when Teoscar gets back? Probably not great.
Here’s the thing, though. It’s the objective of every major league club to field the best collection of players at their disposal to increase their chances of winning a WS. It’s always been this way, and it is especially true of the Dodgers because they’ve just done it twice in a row, and are aiming to cement their legacy as one of the greatest teams of all time.
If Ryan Ward’s feelings get hurt in the process, oh well. That’s blunt, but the stakes and the objectives are blunt. The Dodgers are there to win a WS, not to play nursemaid to prospects. Prospects are there to help the team a WS. If that means they stay in the minor leagues longer than usual, oh well.
What would the Dodger’s record be if the Dodgers had made a commitment to have Ward play in right as opposed to signing Tucker? I don’t know. I can say this, though. In Tucker’s full seasons in the MLB, he’s averaged just a tick under 5 WAR a season. That’s 5 wins a year he gives you over a typical replacement level player – like Ryan Ward, for instance. Even more importantly, Tucker was simply the best player available to the Dodgers at the time – FA signing, trade, internal promotion – that would give the team the best chance of winning their third world series, and that’s the most important objective.
Sure, I’d like to see what the Dodger’s prospects can do. I like seeing homegrown talent. I’m excited about guys like Sirota, JDP, or Ryan Ward eventually taking over when Teoscar or Tucker move on, but fielding a WS capable team that’s loaded involves trade offs. One of those is not playing untested farm hands in critical major league games.
The fact that the prospects are blocked is not an indictment of AF. It’s a credit to the fact that he and the Dodgers have fielded an incredibly talented and accomplished baseball team.
Good post. I don’t think the recent prospect blockage/Tucker comments are aimed at Ward so much as JDP/Sirota/Hope.
All three, as suggested by Jeff in his excellent post, would be at least potential call-up options either for this year or early 2027 were it not for the presence of Tucker and Teo.
Some guys just take off and these three don’t appear to have the immediate chance to do so. Hell, Tibb & Suwinski are are ahead of them anyway, not to mention Ehrhard.
Something’s got to give but let’s win #3 in a row before it becomes an issue. Maybe a mega-trade is in the works.
Ward is showcasing himself to teams around the league. Every team knows the Dodgers have a roster crunch and talent problem.
When Teo comes back, Ward goes down.
When Edman comes back, Freeland or Espinal goes down.
When Keekay cones back . .
exactly. I think you could very much make the case that neither Ward nor Kim would be as developed anywhere else, but through the Dodge system. It’s highly rated for a reason, and it’s highly rated by people who know about development Not people who know nothing, like myself.
Further, if players like Ward and Kim could leave on their own willy-nilly whenever they’re blocked, then what’s the incentive for the Dodgers to spend money developing them
I’m not worried about Ward’s feelings now.
He’s finally gotten the opportunity he deserved last season and has played well. When Teo returns, he can go back to OKC with his head high. Another injury could bring him back to LA.
Of course the taste of The Show may have him hoping for a trade….
I do not think I intimated one bit that the logjam for OF (in particular) is an indictment on AF. Not even remotely.
Tucker is being paid as if he would average a 7.5 fWAR for 4 years, and he has never had a 5.0 fWAR. If he would approach 5.0 fWAR I doubt many would be complaining. But his offense and defense is not there thus far. Yes…thus far. His contract is unmovable. He will be roaming RF for the next three + years. With JTIII, Sirota, and/or De Paula playing AAA or for some other team. Not all three can play in the LAD OF.
What I objected to was that just when Ward was to become a MiLB free agent, the Dodgers put him on the 40 man and took that opportunity away from him. I for one hope that Ward is traded so he can stick in MLB. There is nothing for him to accomplish in MiLB. He has options so he will not be DFA. And there is nothing he can do about it.
The Dodgers would have been better signing JJ Bleday for $1.4MM.
Well, when you characterize the front office as allowing someone like Kody Hoese to “wither on the vine,” which was your phrasing, then yes, I do think you’re being critical of the fundamental way the Dodgers manage the major league progression of its minor leaguers.
Did you really think Kody Hoese should’ve been on an MLB roster?
And people need to understand the context of the Tucker signing. Do you REALLY want to know why Kyle Tucker was signed? The Dodgers gave him that money because Ohtani is 31, Betts is 33, Freeman is 36. The clock is ticking. Right now they are at the pinnacle of the dynasty the Dodgers spent more than a decade methodically creating. But nothing lasts forever, and the Dodgers dynasty will decline like all empires, and it’s edging towards the downward slope of that bell curve.
If the Dodgers are going to win multiple WS titles and be remembered as one of the greatest teams ever, the time is now. Tucker was the Dodgers pushing all of their chips in.
In this context the overpay is rational. Three, five, ten years ago the Dodgers would never make that Tucker signing. They were building, laying the foundation for the peak that they’re enjoying now. Now is not the time to platoon barely replacement level players in Ward and Call until the kids arrive. Now is the time to push in all your chips and take advantage of Ohtani at his peak, not cultivate prospects who may or may not pan out in three years.
That’s what I think the Dodgers were thinking when they signed Tucker. AF literally said in an interview the Dodgers were going to be pigs.
And easy to say the Dodgers should’ve signed Bleday for $1.4 million when he’s hitting above his career norms in the first two months. He was terrible last year, and has had one decent offensive year in his career, and has always been a poor defensive player. That’s why the Reds signed him for $1.4 million – because the Reds are below the MLB poverty line and that’s all they can afford. The Dodgers aren’t the Reds, thank god.
The Dodgers don’t need to scrape around for value, find market inefficiencies, and be cheap right now. You were all in for signing Harrison Bader. It would have been frugal, sensible, and conservative – a safe signing. The Dodgers would’ve been getting good value for their money because he had a good year last year.
Have you seen his stats this year? Could you imagine if he was the Dodger’s big signing in the offseason? Talk about blocking prospects.
I don’t know how Tucker will do for the rest of the year, but his age and career suggest he’s going to be better than he is now. I shake my head at the viral tendency here to make guys who aren’t doing well into bad guys. It’s gonna be the worst Dodger signing ever! Posters are complaining that his swing isn’t pretty? LOL! Who fucking cares? That ugly swing has averaged around 135 wRC+ for the past five years or so. I don’t care if he looks like an 80 year-old stroke victim with cerebral palsy when he swings. If it puts up the numbers, I’m in.
I suggest people just wait and see how things pan out as the season progresses and not overreact to two months of baseball.
7:40 PM ET
Dodgers (44-25)
White Sox (36-31)
SP Roki Sasaki R
3-3 4.03 ERA
SP Anthony Kay L
5-1 4.40 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
LF Alex Call R
CF Andy Pages R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Mookie Betts R
RF Kyle Tucker L
2B Miguel Rojas R
3B Max Muncy L
DH S. Espinal R
C C. Robinson R
79° Wind 13 mph Out
NO Ohtani
Ugly lineup. We still might score 10.
I’ll take the under!
Best I can do is 9.5
His knee must not have liked the late-night plane trip. Better to be cautious with him than to push it.
6/12/26 Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent C Hayden Gilliland to a minor league contract.
And who pray tell is Hayden Gilliard? Jays just DFAd Heinemann.
From Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN.
You know the guy!
& Rortvedt has been in the minors all year for the AAA Mets’ affiliate. Looks like he’s on 7-day IL currently. Still not hitting a lick.
Rortveldt! this is the perfect position player analogy to the pitcher process described above.
The Dodgers. can always sign a serviceable catcher like him. but when they draft or go international they are aiming for the home run. Will Smith, Keibert Ruiz….
what I still can’t really grasp, is how they value, and integrate the valuing of versatility. Kim would fit in this category, Connor Wong as well. It’s like they either look for extreme upside, or extreme versatility in international or drafts.
I know it’s only me but I find it kind of weird that a team called the White Sox wear black socks. And the only sign of a white sock is on their hat.
There was no reason for Call to waste a challenge on the very first pitch to him in the 2nd inning.
And no reason for Karros to compliment him on it anyway.
Yep. Stupid challenge.
Perhaps the weakest Dodgers lineup in years, with Call leading off, Espinal at DH instead of Shohei, and Chuckie Robinson at C instead of Smith and Rushing.
But at least Roki is pitching…
Doh!
I absolutely hated it when Pages swung 3-0 yesterday. Seemed like a terrible time for it nor the type of pitch you should chase 3-0.
Well today he and Freddie 4Ks in 6 ABs.
And for those who proclaimed Sasaki had figured it out and arrived as MLB SP, I would say he is still an unfinished product. Lead off walks and an inability to get a consistent first pitch strike are a big problem.
Someone said they’d score 10 runs, and he was right, he just picked the wrong team!
We need to understand that it’s not so easy when you’re playing without Othani, Betts, Confortucker, Smith and Teo. and apparently Freeman without a glove!!
That wasn’t me; that was my alter ego.
Wow. Top of the 6th and the game is over. Maybe the Dodgers will show up tomorrow.
Well Freddie blowing a double play ball didn’t help! And Tucker has to make that catch on Vargas! Could he run any slower. Horrible D!
Watching Mookie flounder offensively is so frustrating. Has he really aged this quickly and is no longer an offensive threat? Expected to see his contract age poorly, just not with six years left on his contract. Watches pitches down the middle and then swings a very slow bat on pitches that are down and out of the strike zone resulting in a K or a weak flyout.
Outman homers in 1st game as a Tiger
Tomorrow is another day
Facts
I remain unfazed… but I have opinions:
Mookie Betts is struggling offensively, but he is an elite defensive SS. I expected this and believe he will hit .240+/.720 OPS, but he’s no longer a superstar. He was worth it!
Freddie Freeman is also in decline, but still a great player. 2027 should be his last year!
Andy Pages’ star is on the rise, as is Dalton Rushings’.
Will Smith has a great bat when healthy – figure out what to do with him.
I have watched Kyle Tucker up close for two years since we get Chicago TV here. He will never be worth his contract, but if he hits .270 with 28 HR, it will be OK. For the record, I don’t think he will make it. Teoscar will put up better numbers. That’s my prediction.
The Dodgers better pray that Ohtani stays healthy.
This is a blip for Sasaki. I’ll panic if he has two in a row like this.
A rookie will be a difference-maker THIS year.
I still like the Dodgers to finish as World Champions.
They have to rebuild… or is it reboot? Has anyone done that on the fly?
I am happy for Miguel Vargas – too back he can’t paly defense.
Don’t worry – be happy!
A rookie will be a difference-maker this year:
River Ryan seems most likely
Welp
Just a bad game. Some nice plays made by the defense, but a walk, a paper cut hit and Freddie unable to make that play on a grounder he should make 99 out of 100 times, set up the inning. 7 earned for Sasaki. Doesn’t do well for his ERA. Again, they missed a couple of golden scoring chances. Pages going out of the zone chasing pitches again.
BTW: This is the best, most civilized, informed Dodger Blog on the planet (excluding myself).
Thanks for being here!
It’s outstanding. Actual freedom of speech here unlike elsewhere. Comment and let comment. No time for small minds.
Bobby Miller super darkhorse for relief help later this season?
Between the NHL playoffs, I’ve been rewatching Andor and watching Widow’s Bay.
Great TV
Great drama.
Life is great.