It is interesting to note how the “kids” have come up to produce this year. I think that it is a combination of player ability, and timing the development. But what happens when that development stalls, or in some cases goes entirely backwards (Yadi Alvarez and Jeren Kendall). Trading Niko Hulsizer was a good trade. Kolarek is not the high leverage reliever the Dodgers needed, but the chances of him helping this year over Niko are astronomical. Could AF had done more to acquire some non-closer but good high leverage relievers? I think it all depends as to how the other teams value the Dodgers non elite prospects.
First let’s remind everyone the Top 30 after 2016:
1 Cody Bellinger Starting OF on current LAD (and a leading MVP candidate)
2 Alex Verdugo Starting OF on current LAD
3 Willie Calhoun Rangers 25 man (Yu Darvish trade)
4 Yadier Alvarez Who Knows?!?!
5 Yusniel Diaz O’s – AA (Manny Machado trade – 2018)
6 Walker Buehler Top 3 LAD rotation
7 Jordan Sheffield Tulsa Drillers roster
8 Gavin Lux OKC Dodgers roster
9 Austin Barnes Back at AAA after 2 years on 25 man
10 Will Smith LAD 25-man roster
11 Omar Estevez Tulsa Drillers roster
12 Starling Heredia RC Quake roster
13 Brock Stewart Toronto – July 2019
14 Josh Sborz OKC Dodgers
15 Imani Abdullah Out of Baseball
16 Chase De Jong Just released by Twins – (To Seattle for Drew Jackson/Aneurys Zabala)
17 Brendon Davis Rangers – AA (Yu Darvish trade – 2017)
18 Jacob Rhame Mets – AAA (PTBNL in Granderson trade)
19 Jacob Scavuzzo ChiSox AAA (After being released by Padres)
20 Ronny Brito Toronto – (Russell Martin trade)
21 Johan Mieses Cardinals AA (Traded for Breyvic Valera)
22 Kyle Farmer Reds 25-man roster
23 Keibert Ruiz OKC Dodgers roster
24 Edwin Rios OKC Dodgers roster
25 Mitch Hansen Sadly out of baseball
26 Andrew Toles Unknown status
27 Mitchell White OKC Dodgers roster
28 Trevor Oaks KC – (Scott Alexander trade)
29 Dustin May LAD 25-man roster
30 DJ Peters OKC Dodgers roster
In 2017, there were 13 new additions to the Top 30, which included:
Jeren Kendall RC Quakes roster (2017 Draftee) 4
Dennis Santana OKC Dodgers roster (Prior Year IFL) 12
Drew Jackson OKC Dodgers roster (Trade) 17
James Marinan Reds (Dylan Floro and Zach Neal trade) (2017 Draftee) 19
Caleb Ferguson Unappreciated (2014 Draftee) 20
Morgan Cooper Still in organization but has not pitched (2017 Draftee) 22
Carlos Rincon Tulsa Drillers roster (Prior Year IFL) 23
Connor Wong Tulsa Drillers roster (2017 Draftee) 25
Cristian Santana Tulsa Drillers roster (Prior Year IFL) 26
Luke Raley Twins (Brian Dozier trade) (2016 Draftee) 27
Errol Robinson OKC Dodgers roster (2016 Draftee) 28
Matt Beaty LAD 25-man roster (2015 Draftee) 29
Jake Peter OKC Dodgers roster (Trade) 30
Thirteen players dropped off the 2016 Top 30. Four graduated to the 25-man roster; Cody Bellinger, Austin Barnes, Brock Stewart, and Andrew Toles. Five were traded after the 2016 list was published; Willie Calhoun, Chase De Jong, Brendon Davis, Jacob Rhame, and Trevor Oaks. Four players were dropped; Josh Sborz, Jacob Scavuzzo, Johann Mieses, and Mitchell Hansen.
Of the 13 that were added, 4 were 2017 draftees, 2 were acquired via trade, and 7 were prior year draftees or international free agents and played themselves onto the Top 30. Added to the Top 10 were Jeren Kendall at#4, Keibert Ruiz at #6, and Mitchell White at #7.
In 2018, there were 12 new additions to the Top 30, which included:
Jeter Downs RC Quakes roster (Trade) 7
Diego Cartaya AZL Roster (2018 IFL) 12
Michael Grove RC Quakes roster (2018 Draftee) 13
Tony Gonsolin OKC Dodgers roster (2016 Draftee) 15
Josiah Gray Tulsa Drillers roster (Trade) 16
Edwin Uceta Tulsa Drillers roster (2016 IFL) 17
Braydon Fisher IL (2018 Draftee) 19
John Rooney RC Quakes roster (2018 Draftee) 20
Marshall Kasowski Tulsa Drillers roster (2017 Draftee) 23
Gerardo Carrillo RC Quakes roster (2016 IFL) 28
Robinson Ortiz Great Lakes Loons roster (2017 IFL) 29
Josh Sborz OKC Dodgers Roster (2015 Draftee) 25
Twelve players were dropped from the 2017 Top 30 prospect list. Three graduated to the 25-man roster; Walker Buehler, Kyle Farmer, and Caleb Ferguson. Four players were traded after the 2017 list was published; Yusniel Diaz, Ronny Brito, James Marinan, and Luke Raley. Five players were dropped; Imani Abdullah (retired), Drew Jackson, Carlos Rincon, Morgan Cooper, and Jake Peter.
Of the twelve that were added, two were added from trades; Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray. One was a 2018 IFL (Diego Cartaya). Three were 2018 draftees; Michael Grove, John Rooney, and Braydon Fisher. Six were from prior year drafts or IFL’s; Tony Gonsolin, Edwin Uceta, Marshall Kasowski, Gerardo Carrillo, Robinson Ortiz, and Josh Sborz returned after being off the prior year.
Of the 2017 Top 10, Walker Buehler graduated, Yusniel Diaz was traded, and Yadier Alvarez and Jordan Sheffield were dropped from Top 10 but stayed in Top 30. 10 Added to the Top 10 were Dustin May (#3), Dennis Santana (#6), Jeter Downs (#7), and DJ Peters (#9).
Nine players were dropped from the 2018 Top 30 list. Two were graduated to the 25-man roster; Alex Verdugo and Matt Beaty. Seven were dropped to make room for new players; Yadier Alvarez, Starling Heredia, Josh Sborz, Jeren Kendall, Errol Robinson, Braydon Fisher, and John Rooney.
Of the nine that were added, four were 2019 draftees; Kody Hoese, Michael Busch, Jimmy Lewis, and Ryan Pepiot. One was a 2019 IFL, Luis Rodriguez. Four were signed or drafted prior to 2019 and played themselves onto the prospect list; Jacob Amaya (2017), Miguel Vargas (2017), Devin Mann (2018), and Andre Jackson (2017).
Four 2018 Top 10 changed. One graduated to LAD 25-man roster (Alex Verdugo). Three others dropped from the top 10; Dennis Santana from #6 to #11, DJ Peters from #9 to #13, and Jeren Kendall from #10 out of Top 30. Josiah Gray moved up to #5, Tony Gonsolin moved up to #6, Kody Hoese is new and added to #8, and Michael Busch is new and added to #9.
That is a lot of movement in the Top 30 from year to year. But for the most part the prior year’s top 10 continue to be Top 10 or on a ML roster. Two big misses from early on were Yadi Alvarez and Jeren Kendall. This year, two current year draftees were placed in the Top 10 in their first year. Of the Top 6, three are currently on the 25-man roster; Dustin May, Will Smith, and Tony Gonsolin; 1 is knocking on the door, Gavin Lux; and two others are about as untouchable as there are; Keibert Ruiz and Josiah Gray. Jeter Downs is close.
I have no objection to AF looking at the deep talent in the top 10 and holding on to them. But at what point do the top prospects become Zach Lee, Brock Stewart, Yadi Alvarez, and Jeren Kendall. Players like Mitchell White/Dennis Santana/Michael Grove/Omar Estevez will not get elite players, but the Dodgers have elite players. But could any of them have got Aaron Bummer or Alex Colome’ or Jose Leclerc. We will never know. But unless some of those guys are moved in trades, they could end up like Brock Stewart and DFA. The trade value of Yadi Alvarez and Jeren Kendall is negative. How long before others get there. There is a problem with having too many quality players if they become blocked. With Seager and Lux penciled to be the SS/2B for the next decade, what happens to Omar Estevez, Jacob Amaya, Devin Mann. Do the Dodgers need all three? With Smith, Ruiz, Cartaya, and Wong all catchers in the top 30, how many are needed. Especially with others who are qualified to be backups along the way. How many pitchers are needed? All who have read me from the last couple of years know that Caleb Ferguson is a favorite of mine. But it appears that he has fallen out of favor with AF, and I would prefer that he be traded so that he can get a fresh start. If the FO believes that Adam Kolarek is a better option than Caleb, then it is time to move him and maybe get something back in value.
AF has a hard job to make a determination of the cream of the crop, and when it is the right time to cut the player loose. He has not missed on many over the last 5 years. He has made grand trades for necessary players to take the team to the championship. It just has not worked. We have already discussed in great detail the prior three-year deadline deals. Nobody can say that AF did not make a concerted effort. The Dodger stars did not come through. Maybe this is the year.
I have no idea what changes may be necessary this winter. If AF can pull off another quantity over quality deal like the one he did for Machado, I would hope he would consider it. Otherwise, keep the status quo.
AC’s ABBREVIATED MINOR LEAGUE LOWDOWN
OKC Dodgers 5 – Las Vegas Aviators 10 (A’s)
Gavin Lux 3-5
Tulsa Drillers 0 – NW Arkansas Naturals 2 (Royals)
RC Quakes 1 – Visalia Rawhide 2 (DBacks)
John Rooney 5.0 scoreless innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts
Great Lakes Loons 11 – South Bend Cubs 6
Kody Hoese 2-5 with a double, triple, and 4 RBIs
Ogden Raptors 1 – Rocky Mountain Vibes 5 (Brewers)
Brandon Lewis 2-4 with 9th double
AZL Dodgers Lasorda 2 – AZL Giants Black 1 (2 hits total)
Jorbit Vivas 3-4 with 2 doubles
AZL Dodgers Mota 9 – AZL Indians Blue 11
Ismael Alcantara 3-5
The Dodgers are going to have quality position players 1-8, I think DJ Peters is going to eventually be that last piece of the puzzle in the outfield with Verdugo and Bellinger. The infield is going to eventually be Muncy, Lux, Seager, Turner. Catchers Smith and eventually Ruiz.
All those infield and catching prospects are expendable except Kody Hoese who I think will eventually take Turner’s spot. I’d also keep Busch and Mann just in case. But the rest are expendable including Jeter Downs (sell high). I’d say outfielders too but Luis Rodriguez is the only outfield prospect in the top 30, but trade him too.
You never have enough pitching, so if Friedman can make a trade or 2 with all those infielders and catchers in the top 30 prospect list for quality pitching that would be ideal.
Just like you said a quantity over quality deal or 2. Get pitching, pitching, pitching, and more pitching.
Again you never have enough pitching. Ferguson is just 22 years old let him have as much time as it takes in AAA or even get him out of the hitter friendly AAA and put him in AA. Just an idea.
You mentioned the trade value of Yadi Alvarez and Jeren Kendall is negative, I’d add Dennis Santana to that list.
Once again you never have enough pitching.
I wouldn’t be in such a hurry to trade Luis Rodriguez just because we have Verdugo/Bellinger/Peters. Firstly, we have no idea if Peters will be successful when he finally reaches the majors, but the more important point is that Rodriguez is only 16 years old. Assuming he develops the way AF hopes he does, it could still be 5 or 6 years until he gets here. Lots of things could change in our outfield alignment by then.
AC, there is no question that AF and the FO manage their prospects and farm very well. I have never questioned or commented negatively on their ability in that area. This is how a team gets built for longevity and relevance and AF has proven it the last 5 years. However, there is a difference between building a team for longevity and building it to win the WS. So far, AF is in the former category with 2 WS losses.
In 1950, Walter O’Malley gained majority control of the team. The Rickey era was over. The Dodgers had never won a WS. They had been founded 61 years before they won their first WS in 1955. I was in Brooklyn watching it on our tiny black and white TV. Brooklyn went nuts. You could hear the shouts of joy from houses and on the streets. I had never witnessed anything like that before. Perhaps some of you can remember that moment or were there. 61 year drought. O’Malley gets control of the team and within 5 years delivers a WS. He moves the team to L.A. in 1958 and the Dodgers win their 2nd WS in 1959! All told, the family wins 6 WS including the 1988 match. His son Peter, wins the last two as Walter died in 1979, I believe.
Since then, 31 years have passed and not a single championship. 29 years passed without winning a pennant! The O’Malley family sold the team in 1998. The shit really hit the fan, then. Rupert Murdoch bought it. And in subsequent years, the ownership, which changed hands a couple of more times before Guggenheim took control, has failed to deliver even a pennant until 2017.
So, we are back to relevance again. That is good, but it is not good enough. It was never good enough in Brooklyn as we had the Yankees rubbing it in our face for 15 years before we finally won in 1955. This is the reason why I conclude that the Dodgers have not been built to win since the O’Malley’s were in control. It’s the ownership. The FO can do an admirable job of running the organization, but the ownership has to mandate them to win it all. I have not seen or felt this to be the case yet. I thought they might have that mentality when they got Greinke in 2013, but then Friedman let him walk the first year of his take over. He wouldn’t give him that extra year and look how it has worked out for Greinke, who is miraculously back in the thick of it with Houston. Do you think there is extra motivation to get his ring, especially if they face the Dodgers? If AF would have kept Greinke, we would have Ryu, CK, Greinke, Hill, and Buehler in the 2017/2018 campaigns. I think our chances would have been better. This was a blunder that had $$ at its root. I’m hoping that the FO had their hands tied by ownership and it wasn’t AF’s decision to not keep Greinke. Can anyone verify that?
Jeff, you made your case. I think we would all be more adamant about a WS championship if the Dodgers were continually being beaten in the WS by a cross town team like they were with the Yankees.
That thinking is flawed, because if Greinke were signed, there is no way they would have Hill, Ryu and Kershaw… maybe one of them if all that cash had been allocated to Greinke. The Snakes were proclaiming they were the new Sheriff in town and went down the toilet faster than the shit that hit the fan.
The Red Sox won last year on the back of JD Martinez, whom they signed to a $100 million dollar deal, not $200 million like Borasss predicted. The only teams signing big contracts are teams that are trying to be relevant, like the Phillies and Padres. Maybe it makes sense for them to put butts in seats, but over 70% of the long-term deals for big dollars end up being a boat anchor to the team. The correlation to winning and big contracts is 180 degrees off.
The Yankees would love to have a”DO OVER” on the Stanton deal. They changed the way they used to do it and are now growing their own. They did less than the Dodgers at the trade deadline, because they knew that trading prospects for big contracts is felony stupid. In this non-steroid era, it simply doesn’t work.
Friedman got the Dodgers to the playoffs the past two years and once you are there, it’s up to the players to win. The players blew it. Last year, fans said “Well the best team won.” In the last World Series the Dodgers won, were they “The Best Team?” Hell no, but they seized the day. If the Dodgers get to the World Series again this year, and lose, it’s not on Andrew Friedman. When you get there, you’ve got to be Junkyard Dogs, not poodles!
I am glad the Dodgers did not sign Harper or traded for Stanton !! The problem with the Dodgers has not been starting pitching even do Darvish who was best pitcher available at deadline in 2017 was horrible in WS and Kershaw has been bad also in WS both in 2017 and 2018. I wanted them to get Verlander in 2017 WS but had a big contract and was bad with the tigers that year . Problem has been more Bullpen and offense and bad managing but getting to 2 straight WS is hard and this year Dodgers have a very good chance to getting to a 3rd straight WS but playoffs are not a sure thing and anyone can win it if they are on a roll. Astros do seem like the best team now in AL so a rematch could happen. But Dodgers have always got to Grenkie specially in Dodger Stadium so bring him on if Dodgers face Astros. He has pitched like batting practice to the likes of Bellinger, Seager, even Joc, etc.
AC – Great write up as usual Comments thus far really good!!!
For some reason I don’t think the club wanted Zack back.. Just my thoughts…
I think AF folded up the poker table after he saw he couldn’t get Vasquez or other RP on his list because the teams he spoke with wanted to bleed him and AF knows when to hold em and when to fold…He had a list of untouchables and they wanted 1 or 2 of them and it was no cigar…
The thing that always bugs me is that I’ll never really know!!!
I know it was the Madres but the Kid made me happy last night and SP is really coming around affording alot of flexibility down the road…
Here’s something very interesting.
At AAA, Will Smith hit .269 this year and struck out 49 times in 223 AB’s. That’s a 22% K rate,
Kay bear is hitting .316 in AAA in 38 AB and has struck out just 1 time. One freaking time! That’s nothing short of amazing. That kind of elite bat-to-ball skill is extremely rare. At AA, he struck out 21 times in 276 AB’s – that’s 7.5%.
For his career he has struck out 10% of the time in 1439 AB’s. Will Smith’s minor’s career spans just 1033 AB’s and he struck out 27% of the time.
This is not to tarnish Will Smith’s star, because he has been amazing, but since his call up to the majors, he has a 33% strike-out rate, He is hitting .327 with a .382 OB% and Slugging .816 with a 1.198 OPS.
Maybe he has discovered the Holy Grail of Hitting, but I don’t think so. It’s simply unsustainable. There is nothing to indicate otherwise, It’s pure blind luck. When Cody Bellinger broke out this year, you could see it was sustainable because he dramatically cut down his swing in situations and dropped his strikeout ratio by double digits. Will Smith’s strikeout ratio has actually went up.
I hope I am wrong and I hope he keeps it up, but the metrics say NO – he’s going to crash and burn. I still say he’s a .230 hitter who hits 20 HR with great defense. Don’t delude yourself into thinking that this is Will Smith. But I do love it while it lasts!
And i think the 1 time Ruiz struck out was looking !! I am joking but it might had been looking !! Smith has done great but does not have a history of high AVG in minors so he might drop on that but he does have power . Team is getting Mike Piazza offensive numbers so far from Smith but with much greater defense and speed of course but expect more of Grandal offensive numbers eventually. Ruiz could be more of a .300 hitter.
While not hitting for high average in the minors, I think Smith will hit well above .230. Guys figure it out. Turner and CT3 are two examples. Isn’t that what the Dodger hitting coaches are known for. While he can’t continue at this pace, I see no reason why he will be the next Austin Barnes. The reason I think that is I think his swing is great. Simple, short, fundamentally sound. No way that’s a .230 swing. Pure blind luck? Please
Great summary of recent Dodger prospects AC! I have often wondered what separates a Gavin Lux from Mitch Hansen or Jeren Kendall? What separates Trevor Oaks from Tony Gonsolin? Is it just ability? Is it how they respond to the player development instruction? I am working on a post that deals with the subject of player development (maybe I in a couple of weeks). It seems to me that there are many talented players who have a very difficult time with the baseball/celebrity lifestyle. Anyway, lot to ponder
That would be very interesting 2D2 , looking forward to it. I was one who really liked Oaks. Wish he wtould have not been traded.
Oaks and Barlow both ended up with Kansas City, where Oaks has a 7.24 Career ERA and Barlow has a 5.15 Career ERA.
I know that neither Barlow or Oaks have achieved smashing success in the majors, and in all likelihood there was not enough room with the Dodgers for either of them. That said, I have a special place in my heart for Trevor Oaks. He played for the same high school where I was an assistant coach for several years. He came a few years after my tenure, but he is the first from that little high school to reach the major leagues. Additionally, he is a remarkable young man, the type you would want your daughter to marry.
Plus he plays a great piano.
Alex Verdugo had a 12% K rate in the minors. It’s 14% in the majors, so it’s not a substantial difference… and I am loving me some Alex Verdugo right about now. I went back and looked at some video of him last year and he is noticeably faster this year. That’s a story I want to know more about. Was it Gil Reyes? I think Alex should be in CF and Joc and AJ should platoon in LF. That puts Bellinger in RF and Muncy at 1B. I think Gavin Lux era should start soon. However, he played SS again last night. I think if he was coming soon, he would be at 2B.
Joe Panick’s K rate is 11% right now, his WAR is -.5.
Will Smith has been a God-send since coming up. Ruiz was almost traded. Why are we even talking about Ruiz right now? He’s only had 38 AAA ABs and he’s gonna have to do more than not strike out. He’s also gonna have to improve on his 20% CS rate.
Pollock is .286/.339/.536/.875 since coming off the DL. Why are we talking about platooning him right now?
The trade deadline has come and gone, why are we sill talking about the trades we didn’t make?
Bueller had a 15K complete game last night and everyone was down on him after losing to Strasburg who got lit up last night by the DBags. Not one comment on Bueller after a good day, many after a bad day.
Joe Panick’s K rate is 11% right now, his WAR is -.5. His BA is also .232.
Will Smith has been a God-send since coming up. Ruiz was almost traded. Why are we even talking about Ruiz right now? He’s only had 38 AAA ABs and he’s gonna have to do more than not strike out. He’s also gonna have to improve on his 20% CS rate. We are talking about Ruiz because today’s post is on the Dodgers Top Prospects, that’s why!
Pollock is .286/.339/.536/.875 since coming off the DL. Why are we talking about platooning him right now?Good question and the answer is “I don’t think his body allows him to play everyday.”
The trade deadline has come and gone, why are we sill talking about the trades we didn’t make? Some people just like to complain.
Bueller had a 15K complete game last night and everyone was down on him after losing to Strasburg who got lit up last night by the DBags. Not one comment on Bueller after a good day, many after a bad dayBuehler was positively “Ace-Like”
Ace-esque!
Joc’s OPS is sinking faster than the titanic. Time to bring up Lux and move Belli back to RF!
Maybe because AC´s post about prospects part 2 is so much more interesting and far more insightful than your every other article on how we just don´t have enough respect for Friedman or Roberts.
You but be reading another blog
When did Mark morph into Rodney Dangerfield?
Bullpen……………………….. who needs a bullpen? Good morning, good afternoon and goodnight.
I love watching Belli play 1st. I’ve always love lanky lefties who can pick it in a rocking chair.
AC, I also love Ferguson but can you please explain to me why Dodgers can’t teach him a third pitch. Like a young Kersh he only has the curve and fastball. It’s when Kersh developed the slider his career took off. Ferguson has to develop a slider or at least a change and I think he could be devestating. Very frustrating! Also you can’t blame AF for 17. That team was plenty good enough to win! Roberts and players blew that series! And enough about Kersh in post season. He isn’t always horrible. In 17 hewas BRILLIANT in games 1 and 7 and he had a bad game 5. He hasn’t always been bad. It’s kind of been a bad and brilliant kind of post season for him where in regular season it’s been brilliant and good!
It’s hard to have two pitches, let alone three. Some people just can’t master the curve, slider or changeup. I was one of those. It’s usually because of only having two pitches that they become relievers. Caleb has a fastball and a curve and pitched very well as a reliever last year. He had a 7.59 ERA as a starter last year and walked 6 in 10 innings. As a reliever he had a 2.35 ERA and walked 6 in 38 innings while striking out 47. He just hasn’t commanded his curveball this year, so if you can’t command one pitch, you don’t develop another. He just has to get his command back… and he has been better lately.
While the team is at it teaching Ferguson a 3rd pitch, maybe they could teach:
Pederson to hit lefties.
Turner to never make an error.
Kershaw to regain 5 MPH on his fastball.
J. Kendall to not strike out.
Y. Alvarez to buy a time machine and restart his Dodger career?
😉
Top 3 starters are 11-2, 10-2, and 10-2 and all have lost wins when the bullpen could not hold a lead. Maeda at 7-8 and Stripling at 4-4 and Hill at 4-1 or possibly Urias at 4-2 are the candidates for the #4 starting spot in the playoffs and the weak link. May and Gonsolin getting auditions is no surprise but not likely they lean on them in the playoffs as a starter but you never know. If Hill ramps up and can give 5 playoff innings he would be my choice playing for a contract next year he would be uber motivated. Ryu playing for a contract, Kershaw to remove the stain on his resume and Buehler to prove he can be an ace makes them all hungry to excel. AF may have not done much at the deadline but now they are promoting those prospects and they are not blocked. This off season there could be a lot of movement to address the roster but right now just get the team to gel for a stretch run and fix the bullpen and 4 starter spot internally. With Hill the 4 starter Maeda and Urias fortify the pen. Same with Gonsolin and May. Let’s see what Kolarek has got because the loogie spot has been a problem all season. This bullpen can be fine if they are not exposed too much and the offense performs. It will still come down to a one run lead and can Kelly, Baez and Jansen hold it in some games.
Talking about Greinke for a moment, the Dodgers did offer Zack a huge extension somewhere near $160 million. The Giants made a similar offer, but Greinke liked LA and was going to take the Dodger offer. Then out of nowhere came the DBacks and an absolutely stupid offer of $206 million. The Dodgers mistake was not extending him before the season, which they could have done for a lot less money. They then tried to trade for him once the Arizona management changed, but balked at taking the entire contract only wanting to pick up around $25 million per year. The Dodgers apparently were willing to throw in a couple of good prospects into the deal. But the DBacks wanted to dump the entire contract as a way of saving face. Arizona simply couldn’t absorb a contract of that magnitude and sustain a winning team. I do think Will Smith will hit better than projected. Just a lot more information available once you arrive at Dodger Stadium. Plus players evolve. As to O’Malley years following the 1988 championship, they made a major blunder trading Pedro Martinez and for whatever reason money became a big concern, which prevented the Dodgers from picking up key players who might have helped them win a championship. O’Malley became convinced that he had to have a NFL team for the Dodgers to survive because big corporations were taking over baseball. City politics kept him from building a football stadium at Chavez Ravine and he decided he had to sell the team. It was a misread. Corporations faded and local ownership became the norm. Don’t forget the role Fox had in hurting the team, trading Mike Piazza, who O’Malley could have signed for a lot less than he wanted in his final months with LA. But he was going to sell and didn’t want to stick the new ownership with a 60 million dollar contract. Also, we should never forget Tommy’s short stint as GM and his trade of Paul Konerko. Or the Dodgers letting Adrian Beltre Walk. Bad decisions, poor ownership. But here we are, we own the NL West, made the last two World Series (should have won in 2017), have an incredible farm system and the ownership has been sinking millions of dollars into stadium improvements. Not a bad place to be.
I agree with about everything… except extending him. Yes, that would have been great, but no way his agent would allow that, precisely because of what exactly happened. It’s hard to extend these guys because of that.
We do not need Grenkie we have RYU 2019 NL Cy young Winner with 1.53 ERA. And more loyal to the team . Grenkie only cares about money !!
So, if the D-Bags had offered Ryu $206 million, he would have still signed with the Dodgers?
Ryu has expressed a preference to stay with Dodgers. What i mean Grenkie is not a team guy he just cares about himself and does not care about the Franchise. He just signed with the Dodgers for the money and he went to a team with less chances of winning and a new franchise that does not have the name or history of the Dodgers. He was very good with the Dodgers but if he wanted to win he could have stayed as the Dodgers also made an offer. After the season he is having maybe RYU will go after the money but as being so injury prone i would not give him a dumb contract like dbacks did with Grenkie. Dodgers have the best rotation and depth overall and one of best ERA for starters . What team lacks is Bullpen. I do not know why Urias cannot be a Vasquez type in relief. They should use him more often and would solve the problem.
Buehler had a very good game last night. Doc is getting better at letting the starting pitchers pitch into later innings.
We scored three runs without a HR. Our base running was very good. It was the back end of the line up that did it.
We know the three starting pitchers for the play off. Baez for the 7th, Kelly for the 8th, and Jansen for the 9th. A lot of auditioning going on for the other4-5 spots.
Joc just does not play very well the second half of the season. He is playing himself out of a job. I have more faith in Beaty in LF.
That is what he has to do in playoffs go with the horses as long as possible because our bullpen is not the best out there but maybe someone will get on a roll.
I agree about Joc maybe playing his way to the bench. His 23 homers seem to be his one hitting asset. I’m still amazed at all the attention Joc gets. First we trash the defense in an ill fated attempt to move him out of position and everyday there is more comments about him. JT never gets comments unless they are about when he can me moved out and who will be his replacement down the road. He gets no attention whereas folks can’t stop talking about a .230 hitter that can’t hit lefties. I don’t get it. Joc was once a promising star but that ship has sailed. He isn’t worth all the movement and bother to find him a spot nor all the comments and attention. Platoon him in the outfield. Play him against righties until he plays himself out of a job.
Ruiz and his 20% CS… I’ve found that at AAA & AA a significant amount of SB’s are attributed to the pitchers and not the catchers…
Yes, of course I was a catcher for years…
I’d love to see a free agent OF nailed down next year so as to have a set OF…
PJ,
That’s a great take. I never thought of it like that. Ruiz does not have a cannon, neither does Smith, but Will D. has the better arm. Ruiz has great footwork as well. The fact that he’s 3 years younger speaks volumes.
But I just looked it up and Smith’s CS % was 22% this year. Same as Ruiz! 22%
TRUST NOBODY’S STATS! VERIFY!
What about every other year?
Smith
Innings = 1632
SB = 145
CS = 85
CS% = 36%
Ruiz
Innings = 2795
SB = 316
CS = 105
CS% = 24%
You have to look at their ages. This year, they are the same.
Will Smith did better at the lower levels because he was older and had 3 years of college ball.
Again, I am not trying to denigrate Smith..
Some might argue that you get way more experience in the minors since they play way more than college. Either way, Ruiz isn’t quite ready and Smith is making loud noise right now in the Show.
These next two months are going to be crazy. We’re having post-season auditions while everyone else is trying to win their division. Just a matter of time before Lux is called up further muddying the waters between veteran experience and young talent and athleticism. There’s going to be a lot to argue about.
” Doc is getting better”???
Isn’t that special!!!!
It’s Aug., it’s time to stretch out, always keeping an eye on pitch count…
P.S. maybe I was blowing smoke… I’d take Verdugo, Kelly and Belli (if we have to)…
It all starts with Joc finding a new home as in club…
To some extent, I also agree. You can easily replace Joc with Lux and have no platoons and great defense all around.
The problem is Joc owned the Astros in 2017 to the tune of .333/.400/.944/1.344 and the Astros only have one lefty on the entire staff right now.
I’m torn whether I want Hill or Urias in the rotation for the post season. There’s pros and cons for both. I wouldn’t want to use Urias for 2-3 innings with 4 days off in between. I think that puts extra stress on everyone else in the pen. Hill reminds me of a rubber arm guy that can go back, to back, to back or go multiple innings. Doc has pulled Hill early in the last two post-seasons. I’m wondering if he would give Urias more leeway.
Either way, I want Urias to start starting more and building up innings for next year, whether or not they plan to use him as a starter in the post-season.
Last year they went with Alexander instead of Ferguson in the World Series because they out thunk themselves by wanting a ground ball pitcher in Boston. I hope they choose the best/hottest players this year.
Gonsolin getting the start tomorrow. His confidence has to be high after the Coors outing.
AC/DC/anyone else, what do you know about Victor Gonzales? This snippet is from today’s LA Times:
Friedman said one other minor leaguer, Victor Gonzalez, could pitch his way into the postseason bullpen. A 23-year-old left-hander, Gonzalez has been dominant since recently moving to the bullpen. Featuring a fastball that sits between 94 and 96 mph, the native of Mexico has given up one earned run in 15 2/3 innings as a reliever between double-A Tulsa and triple-A Oklahoma City. He has held left-handed hitters to a .138 batting average and .417 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 91 plate appearances this season.
He is exactly what they said. I mentioned a few days ago that he could get the call. He does what they say. He started at RC, moved to Tulsa and is now at AAA. He is very good, but absolutely kills LH hitters. He is not on the 40-man, but he could make the move… soon.
Sounds a lot like Paco Rodriguez! Maybe Victor Gonzales is the next Paco Rodriquez!!!
Saw todays batting order and found out Maeda has a higher BA than 5 others in todays lineup. Just saying.
Was that Russell Martin, or was it Will Smith in his Russell Martin disguise?
I said it for a long time, Smith is a young Martin
I wrote this about Victor Gonzalez back on July 16, swimming just below the surface.
“The invisible man is left-hander Victor Gonzalez (23) who was signed back in 2013 out of Vera Cruz, Mexico. He lost the 2017 season due to injury. Gonzalez outgrew the California League this year after 8 appearances with the Quakes and has been a versatile member of the Drillers staff over his next 12 appearances, eight of them starts. He is 3-1 with a 2.28 ERA over 43.1 innings pitched with 42 strikeouts and 14 walks. In his last 10 appearances, he has an ERA of 1.89. In his last four starts, he gave up four earned runs in 22 innings. Since then he has been used in long and short relief and given up no runs in 7.2 innings.”
He moved up to OKC on July 26 and has been impressive. His last three appearances have been one hitter only and in each case he stranded an inherited runner. Looks like he is being groomed for a new role.
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!
I think Maeda is ready to go to the bullpen down the stretch. He was great for those first 2 innings
Time to move Maeda to Bullpen ??
Ladies and Gentlemen,
That is why Maeda needs to be in the pen.
He cannot keep focus too long… maybe 2 innings.
That inning turned when Maeda gave up a hit to a pitcher hitting under a .100.
Maybe it’s time to send him to the pen.
He gets in trouble when he thinks too much.
He just has bad luck when it comes to thinking.
I repeat.
Yimi Garcia is not, or ever will be a MLB quality Pitcher.
His numbers are not too bad but he gives home runs like no one i ever seen.
If Yimi sniffs a post season roster the Dodgers have some big issues. Maeda definitely needs to be in the BP.
How strange ? Yimmi gives up another home run. This guy is going to break the record of home runs given by a reliever !!
The Dodgers are going to need to get some pitching in the off season via free agency or trade. You never have enough pitching, even if May and Gonsolin succeed.
No need to waste assets on position players, we still have a few position players to come from AAA.
The Dodgers have 4 or 5 more in the pipeline next year, including Josiah Gray who could be a Middle-of-the-rotation starter.
Mark
I like your optimism, but 4 or 5? Who? And will they realistically be ready to start the 2020 season? Josiah Gray is in AA and I guarantee won’t be ready right out of the gate next year.
Look at our pitching this season, we are still trying to find a solid 4th starter for the playoffs and multiple reliable relievers for the playoffs.
Maybe Kasowski, Sheffield, Gonzalez, Ferguson. Gray might be a year away, but he’s knocking on the door.
C’Mon guys you’re better than this.
Sheffield 20 Walks in 25.2 innings, 1.36 WHIP in pitcher friendly AA?
Ferguson has been a mess. Every time I’ve seen him he looks like a deer in the headlights. He needs some serious time in the minors to get it together and MAKE SURE he is ready next time he comes up, if he ever comes up.
Gonzalez 273 career batting average against, 1.44 career WHIP.
I am high on Kasowski.
The good news: you are right. The dodgers’ Stripling, Ryu, Kershaw and Hill are all 30+.
The bad news: nobody in free agency is below 30
But I agree and expect some movement at the starter pitcher spot
The money that comes out of Ryu and Hill books goes to Gerrit Cole, Cole replaces Ryu, Urias to Hill and May to Maeda, like this: 1 Cole, 2 Buehler, 3 Kershaw, 4 Urias, 5 May / Maeda .
This Negron dude has shown some nice skills so far!
Horrible HP umpire. No idea what is a strike.
The umpire behind the plate is just another advertisement for an electronic strike zone.
Would someone please tell me why Joc is still leading off. He’s now down to .226 and 0 for last 23.
because Bum makes the lineups and he said so
Joc should be right in front of Bellinger in the 3 spot imo so the pitchers pitch to him because they don’t want any trouble with Bellinger coming up. Of course against righties.
And get rid of Chargois too
You think Buehler could go 1 more inning?
Nice win
Player of the game has to be MM
Now we know why Bum put Joc in the lead-off spot.
Did anyone around here want Kirby Yates for our pen?
Why? To be thrown out at 3B with no outs. You never make the first or last out at 3B
Bum, please give Joc a sliding lesson. It looked like he had hit a patch of ice coming into third..
Gotta give credit where credit is due, Pollock a home run and a double off of righty pitching. Something he has hardly ever done this season against righty pitching.
Richie,
In spite of being thrown out, if Joc does not lead off with a hit, that ground ball to 1B is the 2nd out, and nobody is on base. At least we had runner on, and one less out.
And why shouldn’t Joc go to 3B? How often do you see a throw to 3B after the ball is hit to the right side. Joc did what just about any runner would have done. Give Hosmer credit for a great play.
Running on a ground ball when a ball is hit behind you (in this case running from 2nd to a ground ball hit to 1B) is the right play. Joc has to get to 3B with less than 2 outs to score on a sac fly. No one expected Hosmer to throw across the diamond when he could have got the out at 1B. I’m not always a fan of Joc’s play but he did not make a mistake in this case.
Agree, absolutely the correct thing to do with Joc going to third. He did the correct thing, except putting his hand up and touching Machado’s glove, might of been safe otherwise.
On Dodger Talk, the host is saying Joc did not have a good lead at 2b and wasn’t getting an aggressive lead once the pitch was thrown. Hence Hosmer had a chance to throw him out on the ground ball by Verdugo
“aggressive secondary lead once the pitch was thrown”
There was an interview with Friedman recently and he said that the Dodgers are going to put the best 12 pitchers out there for the playoffs.
So here is what we have for pitching in the post season. I’m an OPS guy both with offense and pitching. My OPS stats for pitching will probably sync up with whatever stat you look at. 650 OPS OR BELOW IS GOOD.
Potential starting pitching for the playoffs, OPS stats:
Ryu 577
Buehler 626
Kershaw 647
Maeda 680
Urias 688
Hill 711
Stripling 715
May 792, small sample size
Gonsolin 879, small sample size
Ferguson 1095, small sample size
Potential relief pitchers for the playoffs, OPS stats:
Kolarek 000, very small sample size and he’s just a loogy
Maeda 000, very small sample size
Gonsolin 467, small sample size
Baez 517
Sadler 536, small sample size
Urias 538
Jansen 648
Floro 673 but he’s just a roogy
Garcia 692
Stripling 745
Kelly 746, the damage was done to him in the first 2 or so months
Chargois 814
Ferguson 887
So we have Ryu, Buehler, Kershaw for starters. Where is our 4th starter?
So we have Baez, Urias, Jansen for relievers and 4 guys with small sample sizes that look good. Plus we have Kelly that the damage was done to him in the first 2 or so months.