Logjam in the Outfield
The Dodgers currently have four outfielders in the minor leagues who would likely be playing on several MLB teams if they were in another organization. Currently, they are not playing in the major leagues… or another organization for that matter! The BIG FOUR LIST includes: You could/should also add in Eduardo Quinaro, Zyhir Hope, Charles Davalan, Brendan Tunink, Ching-Hsien Ko, Kellen Lindsey (some think he may end up in CF),…
The Dodgers currently have four outfielders in the minor leagues who would likely be playing on several MLB teams if they were in another organization. Currently, they are not playing in the major leagues… or another organization for that matter! The BIG FOUR LIST includes:
- Josue DePaula – He is the Dodgers’ #1 Prospect and will likely benefit from playing a little more at AA and then moving to AAA later this year. His best position (DH) has him blocked at the MLB level, as I believe the Dodgers have that position covered. He is below average in the outfield, and LF is his best spot. While he does not have quick feet, he has improved his speed immensely and could steal 20-30 bases at the MLB level. It has been suggested that he could play 1B, but I don’t think his glove will play there – I think that sometimes, his glove feels like a foreign object to him. Closest Comparison: Yordan Alvarez. If he hits at that level, it would be great, but I think his ceiling is below that or Alvarez.
- Mike Sirota – Mike is the oldest of this group and profiles as a prolific center fielder. He is a 5-Tool Player: hit, throw, run, glove, power. I think that of these four prospects, he would make the most impact THIS YEAR! He is an “on-base machine.” He is a professional hitter with a great eye, and there are no holes in his game. DePaula has more pure power, but I think Sirota is a better hitter. He should end up at OKC this year. Closest Comparison: Brandon Nimmo. If I were writing a scouting report today, I’d say Mike Sirota’s most realistic MLB comparison is Brandon Nimmo with a little more speed and better hit tool. He’s a player who might hit .275 to .300 with a .370 to .400 OB%, 20+ HR and 25 SB, and quietly produce 4-5 WAR seasons while everyone talks about the bigger names. For the Dodgers system, I actually think Sirota’s floor is higher than many fans realize because the combination of plate discipline, center-field defense, and speed gives him multiple paths to becoming an everyday major leaguer. I have also said that he reminds me of Devon White,
- James Tibbs III – He is at AAA, which could be a blessing or a curse, depending upon your perspective. His progress has been steady. In 2024, he hit .241 with a .293 OB% and a .636 OPS. In 2025, that increased to .243/.373/.802. This year he is at .293/.409/1.002. His glove is below average in LF and 1B… but I think he could improve with repetition. James Tibbs III’s Strikeout Percentage is 25.9%. What does that mean? It’s a little higher than MLB average. But it’s not alarming for a power-hitting corner outfielder. Many successful MLB hitters have lived in the 24% to 28% range. Once a prospect gets above 30%, scouts start worrying more about whether advanced pitching will exploit the swing-and-miss.Closest Comparison: Kyle Schwarber. Lots of walks, Big power, Strikeouts accepted as part of the package, Not much speed, Offensive value driven by OBP and slugging. I don’t think Tibbs has Schwarber’s raw power ceiling, but the offensive approach is somewhat similar.
- Kendall George – Someday, he could be an ideal 4th or 5th outfielder, but he is currently injured. Maybe 2027 or for sure in 2028? Speed cannot be taught, and that is his superpower. Closest Comparison: Juan Pierre
You could/should also add in Eduardo Quinaro, Zyhir Hope, Charles Davalan, Brendan Tunink, Ching-Hsien Ko, Kellen Lindsey (some think he may end up in CF), Zach Ehrhard, Landyn Vidourek, Chase Harlen (if he can’t stay in the IF), and maybe Easton Shelton… if he can cut down his strikeouts.
Quintero has the highest ceiling of the group, but is very young. You never know how he might progress. He has superstar potential as a center fielder, but guys like this can fool you sometimes. I am taking a wait-and-see attitude with him. He is potentially another 5-Tool Centerfielder. Sirota is older, more mature, and easier to project. What a heist by Andrew Friedmangto get Sirota for Lux!
BTW: AI never gets the pictures of players right. James Tibbs III is not black. 😉
Dietary Information (in case you are interested)
I have had back surgery (I’m actually four inches shorter than I was eight years ago. Badger probably towers over me now), hip replacement, elbow surgery (twice), shoulder replacement, and a brain transplant, but my body rejected it. I have arthritis in every joint, and about a month ago, I got up one Sunday morning and hurt all over. I knew it was diet-related, so I made a big move to go on an anti-inflammatory diet. I won’t bore you with all the details, but the linchpin is: very little red meat and dairy, veggies and fruit, and low alcohol. It has been five weeks, and I feel better than I have in a long time.
The key, I believe, is breakfast. Every morning, I make a smoothie that is about 22-28 ounces and drink it all. Then, I typically eat only one more meal, usually some sort of fish (salmon, lobster, shrimp) and beets, spinach, or broccoli. Here’s my smoothie recipe, and I love it:
- One banana
- Pomegranete arials
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Strawberries
- Lots of fresh Spinach
- Non-fat, no Sugar Greek Yogurt
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Coconut milk
- Packet of Immunocal
I blend it in the blender, using some frozen berries to get a milkshake consistency. I love it, and my arthritis pain is way reduced! Just FYI, I have no horse in this race. It just works for me.
Sacramento River Cats (Giants) 6 – OKC Comets 5
LHSP Jackson Ferris continues to slide on the prospect ladder. He is still just 22 with a half a season to go, so there is no quitting on his potential. He is no longer a top 50 prospect, but he is not a bust.
Ferris retired 6 of the 7 batters he faced in the first two innings. This includes striking out 3 after allowing an inning opening single in the 2nd. In the third, a single and 2 walks loaded the bases with no outs. A ground ball recorded a 5-2 out at home. A ground ball to 2B Hyeseong Kim recorded an out at 1st, with a run scoring. A 2nd run scored on an error.
In the 4th, Ferris got two outs with a runner on 1B after a BB before he was pulled after 71 pitches. Why on June 21 are they limiting the number of pitches? He couldn’t try for the last out? Instead they brought in RHRP Keynan Middleton to try to get last out of the inning. However, he issued a BB and allowed a 2-run double and a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 4th, OKC cut the lead in half. Kim singled and 3B Taylor Young and LF Ryan Fitzpatrick each drew BB to load the bases. A GIDP brought Kim home and Young to 3rd. DH Austin Gauthier had an RBI single to score Young.
In what is increasingly becoming a factor against LAD and LAD affiliates is the number of SB that directly lead to runs. With Middleton still pitching in the 5th, he allowed a single, SB, and RBI single.
In the OKC 6th inning, Young doubled (2) and scored on a pair of ground outs.
RHRP Carlos Duran pitched a clean 7th. He allowed a single in the 8th, got a pop out, and RHRP Evan Phillips was summoned to finish the inning. He has been coming in at the beginning of an inning. On this day, he inherited a runner, and allowed a single before getting the final two outs.
In the 9th, LHRP Jake Eder was brought in. He walked the first batter he faced and struck out the next batter. The runner stole 2nd, and Eder struck out the next batter. Eder then allowed a RBI single, giving Sacramento a 6-3 lead.
In the OKC 9th, Miller led off with a triple (6), and Gauthier singled Miller home. The next two OKC batters struck out, bur C Eliézer Alfonzo doubled (12) home Gauthier. However Alfonzo was stranded, and OKC came up short by a run.
- Austin Gauthier – 3-5, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Noah Miller – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, triple (6)
- Doubles – Zach Ehrhard (17), Taylor Young (2), Eliézer Alfonzo (12)
Tulsa Drillers 5 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 4
RHSP Payton Martin had another good start, but after 4.0 IP and 63 pitches was pulled. He allowed one run on 4 hits, 1 BB, and 4 K. The run came in the first. A single, SB, and RBI single put the Naturals on top 1-0.
Tulsa tied the score in the 2nd on CF Chris Newell’s HR (12).
In the top of the 5th, Tulsa took a short-lived lead on Newell’s 2nd HR (13).
LHRP Christian Suarez relieved Martin in the 5th. He was not all that effective, but he also did not get help with his defense. He gave up a leadoff double, and the next batter reached on E5. Suarez struck out the next two batters and should have been out of the inning. But on the 2nd strike out, Suarez unleashed a WP putting runners on 2nd and 3rd. A single brought home 2 unearned runs.
Another SB gave the Naturals another run in the 7th. A single, SB, and RBI single gave NWA the insurance run.
The Drillers were down 4-2 in the 9th, and their offense was 2 solo HR by Chris Newell. Newell was first batter up in the 9th and he singled to open the inning. DH Kole Myers singled to move Newell to 2nd. After a K, 1B Joe Vetrano singled to load the bases. C Hayden Gilliland grounded into a force out with Newell scoring and Myers getting forced at 3rd. Back to back singles by RF Josue De Paula and SS Elijah Hainline put Tulsa up 5-4.
RHRP Nick Robertson came in for the save opportunity. First two batters singled. The next batter attempted a sac bunt, but popped it up to 1B. The next batter hit into a 5-4-3 game ending DP. Nice comeback win by Tulsa.
- Chris Newell – 3-3, 1 BB, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 2 HR (13)
- Double – Jake Gelof (8)
NWA had 10 successful SB and 0 CS on the day. A few of them facilitated runs.
Great Lakes Loons 5 – Lake County Captains (Cleveland) 4
RHSP Brooks Auger continues to impress most of the time. In 9 starts, only once has he ever allowed more than 2 runs, and once he allowed 2. He allowed runs in only 4. The biggest concern for him is getting past 5 innings. He has reached 5 innings twice in his 9 starts. He undoubtedly has a lot of relief risk in his future.
In 31.1 IP, Auger has walked 15, but struck out 51. Limited number of innings, but high K. Seems like a future reliever.
In today’s game he pitched 4.0 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits, 2 BB, and 9 K. 9 of the 12 outs were strikeouts.
The run came in the 4th. Auger did strike out the side, but in between he gave up a BB and triple.
The Loons tied up the score in the bottom of the frame. 3B Logan Wagner walked and was forced at 2nd by SS Emil Morales. After an out, back to back singles by DH Eduardo Guerrero and C Victor Rodrigues scored Morales.
RHRP Nicolas Cruz relieved Auger in the 5th. He hit the first batter he faced. The next batter singled sending the runner from 1st to 3rd. A SF put the Quakes on top.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Loons tied it up on Morales 5th HR.
In the 7th, GL opened up the lead a bit. With one out, 2B Jose Izarra reached 2B on a fielding error by the LF. After a 2nd out, CF Chuck Davalan had a RBI single scoring Izarra. Wagner followed with a 2-run HR (8) giving GL a 5-2 lead.
After LHRP Sterling Patick pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, not without traffic but scoreless nonetheless, LHRP Matt Lanzendorfer followed him to the mound. The first three batters he faced all walked. A SF and lineout brought RHRP Dilan Figueredo to replace him. The first batter he faced singled to score one. Figueredo got the final out.
Figueredo came back out for the 9th trying to preserve the 1 run lead. He retired the side but not without a single and HBP. But no runs and a GL win.
No Loon had more than one hit, and the Morales and Wagner HR were the only XBH.
Ontario Tower Buzzers 3 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 1
Pitching was good today for Ontario, allowing 1 run on 4 singles.
Ontario put up 2 in the 2nd. The first was a HR (10) from LF Ching-Hsien Ko. The 2nd run started with a double (17) from 1B Mairo Martinus, who scored from 2nd on a sac fly by SS Joendry Vargas.
RHSP Tyler Gough and fired 3.0 scoreless innings. In the 4th, he gave up a single, sac bunt, and 2-out single.
Gough got 2 quick outs in the 5th and walked the next batter. He was lifted for RHRP Will Gagnon. Apparently Gough’s pitch limit was 75 as he was lifted after 73 pitches.
Over 3.0 innings, Gagnon allowed 1 single and 2 BB, and no runs. He got two outs in the 8th and a runner on 2nd from a BB and SB. RHRP Jholbran Herder struck out the only batter faced.
Ontario got an insurance run in the 9th. 2B Kellon Lindsey singled and moved to 3rd on CF Jaron Elkins’ double (12). 3B Chase Harlan reached on a fielder’s choice where no out was recorded. Ko hit a SF for the run.
RHRP Jecsua Liborius entered in the 9th and struck out the side for the save.
Kellon Lindsey was the only Ontario batter with more than 1 hit, going 2-4 with a run.
Doubles – Mairo Martinus (17), Landyn Vidourek (7), and Jaron Elkins (12)
HR – Ching-Hsien Ko (10)
In 23.1 IP, Tyler Gough (22 years old) has struck out 28 batters, and walked only 5. When you find a > 5:1 K/BB that is impressive. His ERA is 1.33, in the California League. He has to warrant a promotion to Great Lakes, right?
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Discussion (81)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Then what do you do with 8+ outfield prospects. They can’t all play at Dodger Stadium
Nice pitching by Lauer. Once again, no clutch hitting. Pages and Chuckie two of the worst today. Rushing left because of concussion protocol and Tucker to back spasms. Nice win though.
Lot of DFA and release action today. Rengifo placed on release waivers by the Brewers. Orioles called up Chadwick Tromp and DFAd Michael Siani. Braves resigned Sandy Leon to a minor league deal. Rangers signed Marco Gonzalez to a minor league deal. Angels DFAd Nick Madrigal. Austin Slater declared free agency after being DFAd by Toronto. Jays called up Luis Urias who they just got in trade. Reds DFAd Chris Paddack. Phillies DFAd RHP Bryse Wilson. Angels outrighted Trey Mancini to AAA.
Ryan is scratched from tomorrow’s start. Kudos to Lauer. I’m far from a fan but he’s certainly done what the Dodgers have asked of him.
Per MiLB Central (admittedly a dubious source)
3B Chase Harlan is getting promoted to High-A Loons following a breakout year in Low-A!
Why do the Dodgers need Joe Ryan again? I keep on reading this. Am I missing something?
He’s a solid pitcher. Not spectacular. Not Skubal territory – nor Ohtani, Snell, Glasnow, Yamamoto territory, but a solid #2-3 on a mediocre or fairly decent team. He doesn’t start in the playoffs if he’s on the Dodgers, so what’s the point? Regular season innings eater? Sure, I guess, but the Dodgers seem to have a bunch of those already, and they’re already 9 games in first place.
I don’t think the Dodgers really need Skubal, either, but it at least makes some sense if they would sign him. The Dodgers don’t need him, but he does move the needle because he’s a stud. Ryan doesn’t really move the needle all that much, especially on a playoff roster.
I think it makes more sense to pack the bullpen with a bunch of live arms with closer experience. To be able to throw in a lock down reliever in any high leverage situation – which in the playoffs is pretty much all the time – would be a huge advantage, not trying to find spots in an overcrowded starting rotation.
Just catching up.
I live in Central London where there’s a Pub on every corner, and I love beer.
Have said it since before the season started that we would be trading for a Top of the Rotation Starter, and I haven’t changed my mind. Although Freddie Peralta’s stats don’t make great reading, he would be a good addition.
We are missing Will Smith badly. Let’s hope there’s nothing more to his injury than a stiff neck.
Might not be a bad time for Tuck to have a rest. He’s not batting like he has in other years. He needs a reset.
Yamamoto and Ohtani’s workload needs to be managed. I can see another Lauer type signing. He’s been excellent.
After a week in Manhattan, taking a train from Penn Station to Boston. Have reservation at Lolita Back Bay tonight and will be at Yanks/Sox Thursday before heading to Maine. East coast time baseball following is tough.