Just a few notes on the minor league happenings that may or may not be news to LADT posters. In any event, here goes.
The Pioneer-Northwest League All-Star game is scheduled for Tuesday at Memorial Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Six Raptors were on the Pioneer League squad, the most of any team in the league. Raptors manager, Austin Chubb, had this to say about his players selected as all-stars.
Malisheski: “Kevin’s been consistent the entire season. His ability to prepare and then execute a game plan has been impressive. He’s earned it.”
Merrill: “Corey has been fearless out of the bullpen. He hasn’t given up a run yet, so he’s very deserving. He’s been able to use his cutter effectively, and he doesn’t shy away from anybody that he’s facing.”
McWilliams: “Sam has had an unbelievable half – 11 home runs from the second base spot is something you don’t see too often. His ability to put in work with hitting coach Seth Conner has been really fun to watch.”
Lewis: “Really excited for Brandon to get the chance to play in this game. He’s done a nice job bouncing around, DH, first base, third base. He’s been a pleasant surprise defensively, and he can swing the bat. A lot of people don’t know he’s only 20 years old. Really excited for his future, and he’s very deserving of making the all-star team.”
Pages: “Andy has had a tremendous half. It’s been impressive to watch the way he’s been able to change as teams have changed in the way they’ve attacked him. They’ve been throwing him inside and a lot of soft stuff, but I think he’s done a good job, as an 18-year-old kid, being able to deal with that.”
Littell: “Really, really happy for Jon. He’s a guy who’s a little bit older, but he’s able to execute a game plan and get off his best swing all the time.”
The next Raptor to head to Great Lakes might be Jeff Belge who was selected by the Dodgers in the 18th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of St. John’s University. If he can display more consistent control he might just be a steal if used in a relief role which has been the case with the Raptors. Now 21, the 6’5’/225-pound left-hander has made 8 appearances with the Raptors sporting a 0.77 ERA over 11.2 innings with 15 strikeouts and 6 walks.
Loons shortstop Leonel Valera has fallen out of the Top 30 prospect list. Just turned 20 he had a very slow start to his season hitting just .229 in the first half. He has found his sea legs and has hit .279 in the second half and .309 in July in 26 games. In his last 10, he has hit .342 with 5 multiple-hit games. He has stolen 23 bases.
Minor League Play-off Picture:
- DSL Dodgers Shoemaker – eliminated
- DSL Dodgers Bautista 3.5 back
- AZL Dodgers Lasorda 1.5 games back in second half
- AZL Mota – 1 game back in second half
- Ogden Raptors – First half play-off spot
- Great Lakes Loons – First half play-off spot
- RC Quakes – First half play-off spot
- Tulsa Drillers – One game lead in second half
- OKC Dodgers – 18 games back (10 to be eliminated)
Chase Barbary, son of OKC manager Travis Barbary, is with the Loons after spot starts with the RC Quakes and AZL Dodgers. He is the catcher on the move when one is needed to fill in at on a given team. He was signed as an undrafted free agent with Dodgers organization out of Newberry College. He is a coach in waiting, perhaps to follow the Austin Chubb route.
No longer minor league but Will Smith has caused quite a stir. I expect we all know that he cannot sustain his current pace. Who could? However, it may well be a better hitter in the long run than we expect. Some reports peg him as a .240 hitter/20 home run superbly athletic catcher capable of learning to play other positions. He may not be a Craig Biggio but there has been only one Craig Biggio. He may well surprise with his batting average over time as he hits so well to the opposite field, with power, and up the middle. He is not strictly a pull hitter and has gotten the hang of the launch angle thing.
Interesting fact. My all-time favorite catcher is Roy Campanella who had his career squeezed on both ends. He was a 26-year-old rookie and had his career ending accident at age 35. Did you know Campanella had the best caught stealing percentage by a catcher in MLB history with a 57.40 percentage? I hate strikeouts. Give me a sacrifice bunt any day over a K. Roy Campanella in his career walked 533 times and struck out 501. He had 30 sacrifice bunts, none bigger than in the seventh game of the 1955 World Series.
Edwin Rios was the Pacific Coast League Offensive Player of the Week for the week of July 29-August 4. .500/.625/1.286, 5 Games, 7-for-14, 2 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, 8 BB, 4 K
Josiah Gray, who seems to have evolved into Jo Jo, was the Texas League Pitcher of the Week for the same period. 2-0, 0.82 ERA, 2 Games, 2 Starts, 11 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HBP, 1 BB, 11 K.
Across all three levels this season, Gray now the Dodgers No. 5 prospect, has a 1.97 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 126 strikeouts and 23 walks over 114 innings. Among Minor League pitchers with at least 80 innings in 2019, he ranks among the top 25 in ERA, WHIP, FIP (2.47) and K/BB (5.5).
“[Pro ball] is something I heard a lot about, but you can’t really understand it until you experience it for yourself,” Gray said of his first full season. “I think all of this is going to pay off really in the long run. This whole year has been about learning how to adjust really quickly. A hop, skip and a jump here. A hop, skip and a jump there. It’s all been about going with the flow, knowing what I can do at every level.”
“The first thing is these guys aren’t swinging and missing as much,” Gray said. “So I have to tailor what I’m trying to do a little different because I know the strikeout numbers aren’t going to be what I want them to be, unless I exploit the other weaknesses I’m seeing. I just have to be aggressive in the zone, knowing they’ll be aggressive too, and take things from there. It’s simple things like that.”
“The first thing is these guys aren’t swinging and missing as much,” Gray said. “So I have to tailor what I’m trying to do a little different because I know the strikeout numbers aren’t going to be what I want them to be, unless I exploit the other weaknesses I’m seeing. I just have to be aggressive in the zone, knowing they’ll be aggressive too, and take things from there. It’s simple things like that.”
Would you trade him for Alex Wood or Yasiel Puig, or Matt Kemp, or Kyle Farmer, or any two?
Really pleased to see Donovan Casey promoted to Tulsa. With Leo Crawford on the same flight to Tulsa, Loons Justin Hagenman might need a ticket to Rancho Cucamonga.
Should read Jeff Belge was selected, not sheltered. I hit the wrong word in spell check. Jeff’s is an interesting story. More on that another day.
Fixed! 😉
Jeff Belge is one of maybe a 8-12 legit bullpen options, with a couple of late inning high leverage types, that were drafted in June. The Dodgers seemed to concentrate on potential relief options in this draft, and they may have found more than a couple of good ones. Jeff Belge may be one of those guys. He has been fantastic out of Ogden, which is not easy. He does deserve a chance at Great Lakes. With Leo Crawford moving up to Tulsa, that creates movement from the lower levels and maybe this will be Jeff Belge’s chance. Justin Hagenman is another that you bring up that also deserves a promotion.
1. Greetings from Pompano Beach, Florida. I’m just here for meetings the next two days. I saw the ocean in the car this morning and that is probably as close as I will get. Dang new ground-breaking hydration technology!!!
2. I watched most of the game on the plane last night. Gonzo has enough pitches that he is going to be hard for hitters to deal with.
3. Dodgers have the #3 Farm System in MLB according to Jim Calias. Only SD and TB are ahead of them and they have had like 10 #1 First Round Picks the past couple of years. The Dodgers are doing an incredible job of drafting and developing players.
4. Is there any rational person on this planet that thinks the Puig, Wood, Kemp, Farmer deal was in any way a salary dump or somehow was detrimental to the team?
5. Anyone want Shane Greene or Craig Kimbrel or the Braves new bullpen now? Ha, Ha, Ha!
6. However, don’t look now, but Yu Darvish is looking like the Cubs Ace.
7. Today in The Athletic, they ranked the Top 10 Most Versitile Defensive Players in Baseball.
https://theathletic.com/1118426/2019/08/06/ranking-the-most-versatile-defensive-players-in-baseball/
Hint: Kike Hernandez is #4 and Max Muncy is #1.
1) Now that’s what I call high quality H2O!
2) Gonolin was ridiculous last night! So much so, they’re talking about keeping Urias in the pen.
3) It’s absolutely crazy that we keep getting more and more talented prospects. We don’t have a window, we have wall to wall, ceiling to floor, retractable glass doors.
4) Trading them for a case of beer would have been a good deal.
5) The Angels might.
6) The one eyed man is king in the land of the blind.
Alright, what’s going to happen when Ryu and Strip come back? There’s going to be some tough decisions. I’m not too happy about keeping Urias in the pen. Every time there’s a plan with Urias, they change it. They’re discussing having him pitch back to back games now. But, this will be best to build a championship bullpen.
I want to see more May and Gonsolin. It sure looks like they’re considering one of them as being the 4th starter in the post-season. I hope May steps up. I would love Gonsolin to be in the pen since he’s familiar with being a reliever.
It was great beating down the Cards last night. They’ve been giving us trouble recently.
Interesting take on Shane Greene. I was in favor of Greene in the off-season, not so much at the deadline. I was never in favor of Kimbrel. But Greene has indeed had a couple of very bad outings since moving to Atlanta. He may be that pitcher for Atlanta, or he may turn it around and be the pitcher he was for Detroit. Interesting that we take two games and decide a pitcher is a bum or the next HOF pitcher. In reality, it is always somewhere in between.
People want to smack down on Greene, and yet those same people want to claim Julio Urias as the savior of the bullpen. In his last four games, Urias has pitched 9.1 innings, allowed 14 hits, 8 runs (4 earned) (one due to his error), 5 walks, and 10 strikeouts. He inherited 2 runners and 1 scored. That is certainly not lock-down.
How long has it taken Joe Kelly to turn things around since signing with LAD?
I have not been shy about my rants on the LAD bullpen. But I was never an advocate for significantly overpaying for a closer, when an 8th inning guy was what was needed. There were none available and so I am fine with walking away. It is possible to recognize a weakness in a team, but also appreciate that not all weaknesses can be fixed without significantly hurting other areas (MiLB pipeline). I am comfortable with going into the post-season with the best of the relief corp that are currently on the roster or in the farm system. If that means Victor Gonzalez should be given an opportunity to show what he can do at the ML level, then let him pitch.
I can also appreciate the importance of home field advantage. But tor me it is more important to find the best 8 relievers. With a 17.0 game lead in the NL West, there is virtually no chance the Dodgers do not make the playoffs. So with that kind of lead, sufficient time and care should be allocated to finding the best 8. If that means, Gonsolin, May, and Gonzalez, so be it. Would I have preferred Aaron Bummer or Alex Colome’? Yes. But they were not options. If the auditions mean that the Dodgers lose home-field advantage, then so be it. It did not help the Dodgers in the 2017 WS, nor did it help the Brewers in last year’s NLCS. If the Dodgers are the best team, they can win in NY or Houston.
To be fair. Urias did start a game in Denver.
Two of those four games were at home, and the other was in Philly. The problem as I see it is that Urias is not being allowed to pitch much to build up. On July 17 he pitched 2.2 (in Philly). Next 07/23 he pitched 1.2 at home. Next on July 30, he pitched 2.2 in Colorado. And then Sunday (08/04) 2.1 at home. Are his innings being monitored, or is he not capable of going past 2.0 innings right now? He is being spread out as if he was a starter. If he cannot pitch more than 2.0 innings, then he has to relieve. If the plan is to get him to relieve then he does need to be able to go back to back as Doc has suggested he will be doing.
But my primary point was not to jump on Urias. I have no idea what the plan is for him. Maybe they have told Julio, and he is working on it. My point was that if people are going to jump on Greene, then those same fans need to look at why the Dodgers believed they did not need any additional relievers and cast the same doubt. For those who say it is a good thing LAD did not get Shane Greene because LAD has Urias for back of the bullpen, then they have to be honest and acknowledge that Urias has not been pitching well the last 4 games.
I don’t know what they hell they are doing with him to tell you the truth. I’ve felt that way for years. They did good by him when they did the in season eye surgery, but that stunted his growth in my opinion. I’m sure there was a good reason as to why it wasn’t done before the season or after.
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They were babying him though because they never really got his innings built up due to that surgery. Then they had to baby him last year after his shoulder procedure. At some point this season they had to think they were building him up enough this year to make the necessary jump to where they want him next year as a starter. Instead they’ve been doing this 2-3 occasional innings thing. The ship has probably sailed on him being a starter this year so they best decide how they’re going to use him in the postseason and go with it. I do think the jump in walks happened in Denver though.
There was nothing before 2015 to get Tony drafted. It was his work in the Northwoods League in 2015 as a hitter that attracted attention. The Dodgers obviously saw something others might not have. He signed for $2,500.
“However, things took on a different look for Tony Gonsolin in his 2015 season with the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League. The 6’2”-180-pound outfielder earned All-Star honors and well into the season was a threat to win the first Triple Crown in Northwoods League history. That didn’t happen but Gonsolin finished his season with a .316 batting average along with 46 runs batted in and a .913 OPS.”
“With his all-out style of play and enthusiasm for the game he became a team leader on the Mallards as a 21-year-old. Alec Dopp, reporting for the Mallards Public Relations Department, writes that Gonsolin was the first one to the ball park each day, often seven hours before game time. He was the first to hit the batting cages and the first of his teammates to partake in pre-batting practice cuts. He prepared Donnie Scott’s batting practice equipment at home plate and he shagged balls in the outfield with child-like energy and intensity for his teammates.”
He patterned himself after Derek Jeter.
“I loved how he played and went about his business,” said Gonsolin of Jeter. “He was definitely a hard worker. He didn’t seem like one of the most talented people out there, but he just got it done and did things the right way. He carried himself well.”
Tony Gonsolin doesn’t look like he is all fired up but like Matt Beaty he is a player. Both do exude a confidence and a love for the game.
I really like the way Gonsolin battles, throws strikes and attacks each hitter. I think his stuff plays up and will be a nice BP piece in the post season. I can’t stand when I see a pitcher give lead off walks to a hitter as it seems to always come back to bite you in the rear end.
Gonsolin has great control and if he keeps up the dominance he has displayed in his last two outings, he’ll be a factor in the BP. I have zero confidence in a guy like Stripling. A nice in-season piece and a great team player with excellent versatility )starter/BP) but his 89-90 MPH FB and 6 to 12 curveball strikes me with fear in a close playoff game.
At this point if the playoff BP roster was being set-up neither Yimi or Chargois would be on it. I can see KJ, Kelly, Baez, Maeda, Hill, Kolarek, Urias and May or Gonsolin. SP’s CK, Walker, Ryu and May or Gonsolin.
Let’s bring this Barnes kid up. Hes crushing it at OKC! And put Martin in the bullpen!
No kidding. I don’t know what took them so damn to send him down to work on things. Sept 1.
It’s called hitting in Las Vegas.
I wish Maeda would take a look at the way Gonsolin and May approach things on the mound. They’re both rookies with hardly any MLB experience but they have a look about them that says they’re going to battle the batter on every pitch.
Unfortunately Maeda gives off the impression that he’s just waiting for that bad thing to happen and, low and behold, he’s usually right (at least lately). It’s probably just his personality that he seems not to be aggressive. He’s one of the nicest guys on the team and a great teammate but he needs to be more aggressive on the mound or he’ll find out he not only has lost his starter’s job but may find himself on the way out of L.A. all together. The talent is there but the confidence is lacking. C’mon Kenta, get angry!
When he attacks, he’s as good as anyone. He always reverts back to nibbling too much.
Saw an article a week or so ago where other MLB GMs and scouts were talking about how scary and dominant the Dodgers are. The quality and depth of the roster were two key factors, but it was also the talent and depth of quality players in the minor league system. Totally agree with Mark, the Dodgers are doing a remarkable job drafting and developing those players and that’s scaring other MLB teams, who believe the Dodgers could be a dominant force over the next five to 10 years. The fact the Dodgers have money will allow them to keep their core of young players (Seager, Bellinger, Buehler) together for the long haul with a steady supply of young major league ready talent coming out of the farm system. It’s not just a Alex Verdugo, Will Smith, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, but it’s players like Matt Beaty who are making an impact. Then there are the others waiting in the wings (Gavin Lux, Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray and the list goes on). This isn’t suppose to happen with teams who are winning. Now it really looks like the Dodgers are beginning to have a serious impact in the international market. The fact that LA is generating a massive amount of revenue and attendance may reach 3.9 million is cause for concern with other NL teams, especially in the west as other GMs try to figure how to catch-up. At this point only Houston matches up, but the Astros farm system is pretty much depleted. I give full credit to Friedman and company (and Logan White/Ned Colletti before). The smartest people in baseball.
I agree. Too much attention is focused on trades and free agent signings. Andrew doesn’t get enough credit for building an entire organization that is sustainable. He invests talent and money into all facets of the player pipeline. Scouting, analytics, player development. It’s impressive how well their minor league affiliates are doing especially at the lower levels. Two teams in DSL and AZL, they just keep getting younger and younger.
Link?
Mark, AC, DC, 2D2…..What are the realistic chances May and/or Gonsolin have of making the playoff roster?
For me, it is very hard to say right now. There are still 47 games to be played, and a lot can happen. Injuries, ineffectiveness,…Will Hill be able to come back and pitch effectively? Can Maeda or Stripling get it together for the last 8 weeks? If none of Hill/Urias/Strip/Maeda are capable of being #4 starter, can Gonsolin or May step in?
Three weeks ago, Julio Urias was pitching so well that many had him as the #4 and Hill in the pen. Lately he hasn’t pitched well enough to be a given to make the playoff (I am sure he will, but not based on what he has done lately). Although, there have been clear pronouncements that Urias will not be starting in 2019. Hill isn’t going to be cleared to throw a bullpen session until right before September. There will not be enough time for him to go on a rehab assignment, so it is likely that he will not be built up enough to be a starter in the playoffs. Maeda continues to show that he is not a 2nd half starter, and needs to go the pen sooner rather than later to get used to that role. Strip should be back relatively soon, and should start. How he does in that role will determine if Gonsolin or May should be considered for the #4 spot in the rotation.
If Gonsolin and May continue to pitch well, one if not both could be added. If AF stays with his proclamation that the best pitchers will be on the roster, then Gonsolin and May have legit chances. Any pitcher who gets meaningful innings in August should be considered. If I were to handicap it, I would say Gonsolin would get the nod before May because of his relief experience. Unless there is a sure need for a starter, I think May is pitching for a spot in the 2020 rotation, and not a playoff reliever role.
OR!
What AC also wrote!
He wrote it more better.
Thank you AC. Guess we will have to wait and see.
I remember back in 1978 when rookie Bob Welch pitched in the post season. In the WS he struck out Reggie Jackson first time around but lost the battle the second time .
At the beginning of the season we would have thought the Dodgers would not be a position where two rookie relievers might be on the post season roster. That is, two good ones would be available, and secondly the Dodgers relief situation would be such that they would even consider using two rookies in the post season or be forced into it.
I think one might be more realistic, perhaps Gonsolin.
It is a definite possibility as both are confident and do have good stuff. They would be capable of multiple innings. However, I think it is too soon to even speculate. There is almost two months to go and if kept on the MLB club they will have a number of opportunities to demonstrate they are MLB ready when the league has several opportunities to test them. The prospect of two rookies is intriguing but at this point I think it is unrealistic to see that happening. We should revisit it in a few weeks when the league has had time to adjust to them and them to the league.
If they pitch well, a good chance.
If they are inconsistent, worse than that.
Is this a serious question? How would anyone know without the knowledge of how well they are going to pitch?
If we add conditions, we can get to interesting questions:
1. If Gonsolin performs in an above-average manner AND Hill comes back with time to stretch his arm out, who would you prefer to be the #4 starting pitcher?
2. If they both perform at the same level, which pitcher (May or Gonsolin) has the better repertoire to succeed in the bullpen?
3. Does it matter at all that Gonsolin has been used as a reliever?
Thank you DC and Bluto for responding. It was a serious question from me. I know it is early to decide, just wondering and maybe wishing on my part. Sorry.
I have to agree with AC on his assessment of Urias. Watching him pitch the other day I’m thinking that he is not pitching that well at all the last couple of outings. Savior for the bullpen? I don’t think so as things stand right now. He throws way too any pitches. He telegraphs his change up. If I can see it then for sure the hitter can. His breaking pitch is not that effective. But, the defense hasn’t helped him much lately which leads to additional pitches. He definitely is not starter material at this point and may not be on the playoff roster out of the bullpen either. There’s plenty of time for improvement so we’ll see.
Casey Sadler has flown under the radar, but has been a nice addition. He mostly pitches in low leverage situations. It would be nice to see Doc put him in some tough spots and see how he does. He could be a bottom of the playoff roster option for the bullpen.
Both Garcia and Chargois have good stuff, but just aren’t consistent right now. Garcia comes in and seems to walk the first batter no matter what the situation. And, then the home run happens. And, other times he’s lights out. The same with Chargois. It’s either a dominate inning or all hell breaks loose.
Gonsolin was very impressive last night and fun to watch. No fear. Just attack with all his pitches. He should be definitely be considered for the bullpen. He has done it in the past and has the mentality for it.
It would be good to have Rich Hill be able to pitch in the playoffs. He’s a warrior and has probably been out most effective pitcher in the playoffs. Just keep Roberts in the locker room when he pitches.
Maeda is just so frustrating to watch pitch. I don’t understand why he doesn’t stay aggressive when he pitches. As soon as he gets a man or two on base he falls into the abyss. He starts to think too much about his next pitch. He wanders around the mound and takes forever to make a pitch. Right then you know it’s over for him. He rarely recovers and gets back on track. It’s the bullpen for him now and in the future. He has proven that when he’s in there for and inning or two he can come in and just attack the strike zone. The bullpen he where he can be the most effective right now.
A few days ago I wrote that Max Muncy might be trade material in the off season. Shortly after submitting the comment I thought that I might be overreacting. It’s just watching him play second base makes me uneasy. I know he makes the occasional spectacular play (like last night), but he seems to have trouble with the routine plays especially when in the shift. When he has to make a throw of any length he has wind up with that overhand delivery and I hold my breathe that it will reach it’s destination. I know he spent a lot of time working on his second base defense, but with Lux possibly on the way I would like to see him do the same at first base in the off season. That would reduce the throws he would need to make. It’s his best position right now and with further work he could be an above average first baseman. His bat and OBP skills are just hard to give up. He’s just a grinder.
It’s going to be very interesting when all the IL players return. Who stays and who goes? Negron has been a nice surprise. He is so smooth in the infield. His hitting is probably not sustainable, but he might be a nice piece for the playoffs. His speed is an additional asset. it’s a nice story to watch. Good for him.
I hope, finally, this is the year for us. Overall, this is one of the best LA Dodger ever. I would hate to have all this talent fail again this year. Go Blue!
The Dodgers are in very solid shape to have the best record in the National league. Overall, it is a very tight race with the Yankees a half-game behind the Dodgers, and the Astros a game behind. Having the home field didn’t help in the last game in 2017, but it is a worthwhile advantage, particularly when those two teams are so strong that you don’t want to play the extra game there, including the DH which they are always better prepared with. And as we know, Buehler has had some problems pitching on the road, and Ryu has been almost unbeatable at home. So I hope we go all-out to get the home field.
Gonsolin pitched well, I don’t know how that might translate to how he would do in the playoffs as a starter or reliever. We need four starters, and we have three, and then it is uncertain. Hill is the guy you want to have, but will he be in form by then? If not, Urias has been iffy as a starter in his career,, and he doesn’t go that long, meaning we have to use a few bullpen pitchers in his games. The Astros clearly have four solid starters. The Yankees do not, but they have been short-handed, and have the potential of putting that together, plus they are better suited to use the DH than any team in baseball, so we would much rather play them at Dodger Stadium for the extra game. As to various trade pieces not performing that well for this or that club in their first couple of outings, this really doesn’t mean that we did the right thing in not getting any. Three different bullpen pitchers gave up a total of five runs for us on Sunday, in a competitive game throughout. It’s very much up in the air at this point as to whether we were right to stand pat. It would be great if Gonsolin could make a key contribution to us going forward.
Let’s see if Kersh can keep up with these young whipper snappers!
Regarding home field. With respect to the Yankees, they actually have an advantage vis a vis the Dodgers, and that’s in the loss column, they’ve lost 39 to our 40. The Yankees have 3 more games than us, so a lot will deprnd on those games.
I think one of the arguments for bringing up Lux is that his presence, assuming he succeeds, gives us a chance to use Muncy as the DH. Also, Yankee Stadium is an extremely HR friendly ballpark, especially for left handed hitters, of which the Dodgers have an abundance. And some our right handed hitters have the ability to go the other way (Freese and Smith come to mind). Maybe the Dodgers wouldn’t be all that disadvantaged in that place. Not to mention that we also have some pretty good left handed pitchers.
Didn’t give this a ton of thought, so maybe someone could tell me I’m all wrong.
Gonsolin didn’t prove that he could serve an important role in the post-season. But he did provide evidence that he might be a force. How anyone performs, be it a veteran or a rookie, is a mystery. Gonsolin just gave us hope that he MIGHT do well.
The Yanks do come to Dodger Stadium in 2.5 weeks. That 3 game set will be huge for a potential home field advantage with them.
I don’t think Roberts or Friedman know who’s going to be on the post-season roster. That’s why we’re going to see some things that look strange from here on out. This is not the ideal position to be in, but it makes it much more bearable when there’s so much talent to choose from.
I think May and Gonsolin have as much of a chance as just about any of the guys that aren’t considered locks because they have good stuff and have shown some poise. But, they’re gonna have to get enough work down the stretch to prove it. It’s their’s for the taking if they out pitch their competition.
It looks like they want Hill to be built up and effective so they can use him as the 4th starter. He’s got the most experience starting playoff games.
Plan B probably looks something like this. I think they’re hoping May can step up into the 4th starter spot so they can use Maeda, Urias, and Gonsolin in the pen.
Plan C probably looks like a mish mosh of all these guys in a bullpen game every time the 4th starter is needed like the Red Sox and Brewers did against us.
I’m not too concerned with Urias and his less than optimal last few outings. The defense was crap behind him in those games. In fact, he’s done so well in the pen that he pitched himself out of a spot in the rotation.
DODGERS RECALL LHP FERGUSON, INF RÍOS
OF ALEX VERDUGO PLACED ON IL, RHP TONY GONSOLIN OPTIONED TO TRIPLE-A
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have placed outfielder Alex Verdugo on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain and have recalled left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson. Additionally, the Dodgers have optioned right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin to Triple-A Oklahoma City and recalled infielder Edwin Ríos.
Ferguson, 23, returns for his fourth stint with the club after being optioned on Thursday afternoon. Since being optioned to Triple-A, the southpaw appeared in two games for Oklahoma City, allowing three runs in 2.0 innings. On the campaign, he is 0-0 with a 1.76 ERA (3ER/15.1 IP) and 27 strikeouts for Oklahoma City. In 27 games for the Dodgers this season, he is 0-1 with a 5.88 ERA (17 ER/26.0 IP) and 32 strikeouts.
Verdugo, 23, has appeared in 106 games, batting .294 (101-for-343) with 22 doubles, 12 homers and 44 RBI. The outfielder is among the Major League rookie leaders in batting average (1st, .294), hits (3rd, 101), OBP (3rd , .342), slugging percentage (3rd, .475), doubles (3rd, 22) and total bases (4th, 163). The Arizona native has played parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, compiling a .282/.335/.449 slashline with 14 homers and 49 RBI. He was originally drafted in the second round of the 2014 First Year Player Draft by the Dodgers out of Sahuaro High School (Az.).
Rios, 25, earns his second stint with the club after batting .267 (4-for-15) with one RBI in eight games for the Dodgers. In 92 games with Oklahoma City, he slashed .266/.339/.551 with 25 homers and 75 RBI. In five minor league seasons, he has hit .294 (479-for-1627) with 89 homers and 310 RBI. The Puerto Rican native was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of Florida International.
Gonsolin, 25, made the start last night, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings with a season-best seven strikeouts. He is 1-1 on the season with a 3.21 ERA (5 ER/14.0 IP) and 13 strikeouts, including 10.0 innings of one-run ball with 10 strikeouts in his last two appearances. The former Gael is a combined 19-14 with a 3.39 ERA (100 ER/265.1 IP) and 306 strikeouts in four minor league seasons.
No offense to Rios, but when I first head that Verdugo was sent to the IL, I assumed this was a LUXury move made possible by a deep roster.
So much for sliding Ryu into Maeda’s spot in the rotation. It will be interesting to see if Goose is going down to start or relieve the rest of the way at AAA.
The next team we play is Arizona who has a lot of left handed hitters which may explain Ferguson coming back. Rios is probably to give Turner some rest and Arizona is starting 2 lefties against the Dodgers.
A:
Jansen 9
Urías 8
Kelly /Baez 7
B:
May
Gonsolin
those six have to be in the bullpen, there are only two places available, all others must audition to win those two places.
You may have decided that May and Gonsolin need to be in the bullpen but I doubt AF has made that decision yet. May is a starter with very little experience as a bullpen guy. To convert him to relieving in the playoffs after one start in the majors is a bit of a leap. Gonsolin has history both starting and relieving but even he won’t be a lock after 2 starts and one relief appearance since he wasn’t doing all that well in OKC before he got here.
I’m not saying they won’t make the post season roster but I do think it’s a long way from having been decided yet.
* Our offense right now is relentless
* I’m with folks here who want Maeda more aggressive. He gets cute and wants to trick hitters, not trusting his stuff. And when he gets slow, slow, slow it looks like he doesn’t want too throw the baseball. Puts everybody to sleep.
* Speaking of trusting your stuff, I’m amazed how often pitchers now throw off speed pitches in old fastball counts. It’s a nice skill to be able to throw any pitch on any count BUT, sometimes that mentality just makes be wonder, WTF. Last night the Helsley kid for the Cards had a lively 100mph fastball going. On a 3 – 1 count he displays an unhittable, high, rising fastball to “I can’t remember”…… making it 3-2. What’s next? Obviously another heater…. NOPE. Throws a breaking ball for ball 4. I’m telling you, if I’m down 8 – zip and I have a 100mph heater in my bag, I’m not walking somebody on a friggin breaking ball. Try to like your fastball.
* Do we keep 12 or 13 pitchers on a 26 man playoff roster. If it’s 13, I see Gonsolin and May both on that roster (right now) with Fergy, Alexander, Shaggy, Floro, Garcia and Sadler not on it. Are they all still in the organization?
I had to run out before I finished my post so I will now
* I see everyone I mentioned is still of the 40 man (plus some others).
* looking at the numbers, with 12 in the pen, it comes down to Hill if healthy or May. Hill, Stripling or May for the 4th starter with the nod going to the vets at this point assuming Hill can get enough work in. Gonsolin and Urias in the pen. Sadler looked better last night but I still see him #14.
* Joe Davis and Orel, last night, made a great comment about the Dodger’s player development. They stated that every guy in the organization, from the #1 pick to a non-drafted free agent, get time spent with them to make them better. Everybody’s in the pool. The guys down the chain are not ignored and left to their own devices to get better. That’s unique. And it shows.
I’m pulling for Rich Hill enter the fray come the playoffs… You throw Rich’s repertoire along with Walker, Ryu and Kersh, you got hitters scratching their heads… (fray and repertoire… Damn I feel like M.T. with those words)
Bob Welch, now there was beauty!!! Then we send him to Oakland and he’s Cy Young reincarnate… 64 W in his first five years with the A’s..
I pay homage to Reggie… He was the Man in October..
I went for a look see at ASU under Bobby Winkles and it was going to Vatican of baseball… I’ll quit now, as I could go on n on…
P.S. has anyone thought that Urias reads this stuff and he’d like to know what he’s going to be doing???
I think projecting the rotation going forward is interesting.
Roberts says Urias will be a starter next year. He, Buehler and Kershaw will be in the rotation . One of Hill/Ryu another spot. Maeda? May/Gonsolin to keep innings down? Stripling? A free agent?
I don’t think May will be under a significant innings limitation. IIRC he at 110+ MiLB innings already this year. Due to time on the IL, Gonsolin is at 70-80 ish.
Urias has been innings limited first due his very young age and then due to his shoulder surgery.
Think all three should see time in the rotation next year without significant limitations on their innings. In this day and age though, 150 is a full season
I think the Dodgers will take a shot at re-signing Ryu. If so then I see CK, Ryu, Buehler, Urias, May with Gonsolin and Stripling sitting there for insurance. It will be time to either permanently move Maeda to the pen or trade him. The Dodger will continue to use the IL to give pitchers rests and utilize the depth that they have. I imagine Gray will get his shot at AAA at some point next season. Ryu seems likes someone who would be willing to give the Dodgers a 3 or 4 year deal, but his agent may not. G.Cole hitting the free-agent market will most likely put him in So Cal somewhere. They really only have around $105,000 committed to 2020. They can do damn near anything they want after this season. It’s just as fun to look at the youth on the field too.
`
Lux 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Bellinger RF
Muncy 1B
Pollock LF when he’s not on the IL(Peters, Joc, Toles?) when he is
Verdugo CF
Smith C
OOPS… Bob Welch had 61 W in his first 3 seasons with the A’s…
Roberts on Gonsolin…
“I could see him in both roles,” Roberts said. “The rubber’s going to meet the road here in about less than a couple weeks. We got to figure out which direction we go with all these guys. But right now you still want to keep guys built up just to guard against a potential injury from somebody.”
Negron is trying to take somebody’s job for October!!
He could be the same type of player that Roberts was with Boston …
Fantastic AA debut for Leo Crawford. 6.0 shutout innings. 3 hits and 11 strikeouts. After a great 2016 season and getting noticed, Leo took a couple steps back in 2017 and 2018, but is back in full force in 2019.
He sure caught my attention in 2016. Good to see him progressing this year. Melvin Jiminez caught my attention the following year and then regressed. I’ve been watching how those two do.
Melvin just turned 20, and is in High A. He has not progressed like many of us had hoped, but he is still young enough to make the changes to continue to develop. I am not giving up on him. Something is going to click for him.
Nice write up DC! Good to know who some of the prospects are in the lower minors.
AC do you know what type of stuff Leo Crawford has? That’s a great first outing in AA
I haven’t watched Leo since 2016. As I remember he had an average fastball (not much velo) and breaking ball. His plus pitch is his changeup. Every time I hear changeup and out pitch together, I think of Eric Gagne. No Bluto, I am not making any comparisons. It is just who I think of with someone with a plus change. He has 117 strikeouts and 20 walks in 97.1 IP in 2019. He is not going to overpower anyone, so he is going to need to rely on command.
Amaya is being promoted to Rancho.
Watching Kershaw pitch tonight, it cast off many of my nagging doubts about him aging and what the injuries have done to him. He’s still an excellent pitcher who knows how to pitch, command and control, and pitches well within his abilities. He’s made adjustments and I love the way he gets himself out of early trouble in games. His K’s are coming back. He is outsmarting the batters, and he could still go more innings if needed. I was more concerned with Baez holding the game for CK as it would have been a waste of another good outing from him. Kershaw is still an ace. We seem to have 3 in our rotation.
What a crazy position the LOOGY is in. He gets one chance to get a batter out. His odds are 50-50. Then poof, he’s gone. Incredibly hard to evaluate.
Kenley looked in control, but Baez still scares me.
Dustin May tomorrow. May the force be with him.