While you can’t place a lot of stock in preseason games… especially the first one, you can see that the Boys in Blue are motivated and eager to get this show on the road. This team as constructed is good enough to win the World Series, but you have to play the games to decide that. Some players will continue to grow, some will regress and some will stay the same. Progress is not linear. He’s what I wonder about who played yesterday:
- Max Muncy is a guy who will never be satisfied. He wants to get better and I believe he will. Progress is not linear!
- We all think (me included) that Kike Hernandez is a super-sub, especially after his failure to hold on to the second base job last year. It’s no secret that Kike has prodigious power, but he just can’t seem to put it all together. I have predicted great things for him… only to see my prophecies fail to come true. This year, I did not predict anything but don’t be surprised if Kike messes all our plans up and wins the 2B job. Progress is not linear!
- Which brings me to Gavin Lux. Is this the year he becomes the NL ROY… or could it be he has to get another year of seasoning. Progress is not linear!
- It seems to me that if Clayton Kershaw and his catcher had better signs, he might be Mr. October. It’s taken a long time to figure that out. I think the sign-stealing started with the Cardinals. Progress is not linear!
- Marshall Kasowski has to develop another pitch and its not that droopy curve. He needs a sinker or slider and he will keep working on it. Progress is not linear!
- Dennis Santana just needs a chance… and he’s getting it. After failing as a starter, he’s likely a solid piece in the bullpen. He looked bad last year until then end in the pen. Progress is not linear!
- After two years that were less productive than his rookie year, what if Chris Taylor comes back to his rookie level? Progress is not linear!
- Cody Bellinger had a great first season, then suffered through a Sophmore season where he was ultimately platooned. Will he grow again or regress? Progress is not linear!
- Corey Seager is healthy after missing a full season. Will he settle in as one of the top hitters in baseball or be a free-swinging journeyman? Progress is not linear!
- Can Matt Beaty continue to grow his hit tool and also play a credible defense at 3B? Right about now, he looks to be the caddy of Justin Turner and the fact that he is LH makes it all the more appealing. Progress is not linear!
- Will Will Smith and Austin Barnes hit? That’s a valid question or will Keibert Ruiz and/or Rocky Gale be forced into service? We don’t know. Progress is not linear!
- Does anyone believe Terrence Gore will actually make the team? He can’t hit… but… but he can run and field. Can he learn to hit? Progress is not linear!
- It was obvious to me that Brett de Geus was nervous. After all, that was his first shot with the big club. I look at what he did as “luck for the other guys.” I like him more now than before the game. To me, he is on a fast track…. however… Progress is not linear!
- Can Reymin Guduan keep it up? He looked very capable yesterday. Progress is not Linear.
Not only is progress not linear, it often looks like this:
There is a lot to be decided, about who’s on the bench, who plays where, what the pitching staff looks like… and I could see some trades made in Spring Training just to balance out the team. Joc, Kike, CT3, Rios and even Peters could be involved. Not all, just one or two… Stay tuned. This is going to be fun!
It’s fun to win… especially against the Giants, but I get more out of just watching the players perform. There is a lot happening behind the scenes. What a great time to be a Dodger Fan. I have been preaching this for years and it’s finally come full circle.
Discussion (47)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I watched the Cubs broadcast. I’m not sure how dialed up they’re trying to be in their first exhibition game but I thought I would share. Wood topped out at 91mph according to the Cubs tv gun. Most of his fastballs were 89-90. His curveball to get Schwarber was filthy.
~
Kenley also topped out at 91. Most of his cutters were 86-87 mph.
Guys . Joc already injured. Do you think he will start season ?. Just seems bad they already basically had traded him but did not happened and now he is not able to play yet and not in good shape. And does not look he would be a regular anymore and best chance he has is platoon. I would like Dodgers to give Rios a chance and Trade Joc before season starts. I would trade Kike too as Taylor and him are basically same player and keep Gore as he could be useful if the bench and could be good friend for Mookie.
I thank my lucky stars that this yokel didn’t sign with the Dodgers.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28768282/madison-bumgarner-reveals-rodeo-hobby-just-part-are
I just watched an interview with Betts. He did not seem too interested. He patiently answered questions but he basically said Baseball is baseball LA or Boston. Baseball is baseball nothing unexpected so far. Although He showed no emotion he made it clear that he wanted to bat leadoff everyday and not be moved in the order. Hopefully Roberts understands that. He just said it is a comfort level with him. He said he understands why managers do it but it works sometimes and sometimes not.
Let me second Bums in pollocks start.
Mark, who the hell is going to play in the outfield after this season if the Dodgers trade Joc (not extending him) and DJ Peters and after Betts leaves, yes I said after Betts leaves? You got Bellinger and then who? An injury prone Pollock? And then who? We already lost 5 years of Verdugo. Hell why not lose 6 years of DJ Peters while we’re at it.
Not that I care but Hernandez is probably gone after this season too.
Chris Taylor full time in the outfield for 1 year?
I like Beaty, but…….
Just my thoughts on the game in my own opinion. Wood, Jansen and Caleb did well. The minor leaguers had 1/2 the hits of the game with Peters (along with 2 RBI’s, Raley and McKinstry supplying them. Pitchers I was impressed with were: White, Salow and one of my favorite rootees, Ryan Moseley. I want to also say that even though T. Ferguson gave up 2 hits and one run, his other stuff looked very good, especially to my unexperienced eye. Keep it up Dodgers, and good luck tomorrow.
Hi hopes he had high hopes he had high apple pie in the sky high hopes ,whoops there goes another rubber tree plant, Whoops there goes another rubber tree plant Ha ha Ha
Well Betts still doesn’t have a hit as a Dodger. Looks like that trade was a total bust. AF screws it up again! Just wanted to,be the first idiot to post this.
Andrew Friedman spent a half an inning with Joe and Orel in the booth and absolutely couldn’t stop raving about JoJo Gray. I don’t think we’re going to see him in a trade package anytime soon.
He started out as a shortstop and really doesn’t have all that much experience as a pitcher. AF said he still needs some refining but made it sound like we could definitely see him in LA by the end of the year.
Also had some very nice things to say about Graterol.
Who is he and why No. 84 does not bring his name on his back?
FanGraphs has a nice write up on Dodger Kody Hoese. It also lists Andy Pages is as an under the radar prospect.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-notes-dodgers-prospect-kody-hoese-is-calm-cool-and-collects-hits/
Re: Lux
I have him pencilled in as the starting 2B for 2020. It is in pencil though. He still has to earn the spot.
If he doesn’t earn it, I have no problem with him starting at OKC (but I don’t think that will happen.)
If that’s how it plays out though, just don’t have Muncy 2B with Joc 1B.
Yesterday’s Muncy 2B w Rios 1B is as far as I can go, and I don’t want to go there.
Good post MT! Contemplating what you have written, got me to look back at 3 of the greatest players of all time, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider. Their greatness certainly wasn’t linear, but, they achieved a level of consistency that could be relied on from year to year. Mickey Mantle from age 20 through 32, could be relied on for 20-50 Hrs, 90-125 RBI and an OPS between .900 and 1.169; Duke Snider, from age 23-35, pretty much the same, you could pencil him in for 25-50 HR, 90-130 RBI and an OPS between .830 and 1.070, and Willie Mays from age 23-37 could be relied on for 25-50 Hrs, 80-140 RBI and a remarkable OPS from .925 to 1.078. Same with the last truly great Dodger hitter, Mike Piazza, from age 24 through 33, he would consistently hit between 3-40 Hrs, drive in 90-110 RBI, and produce an OPS of .925 – 1.025.
While it is fun to contemplate a constant move upward, consistency is what will make you successful in the long run.
Like DBM, I would be disappointed if Kike was the regular 2nd Baseman, and Lux was sent back to the minors.
As to Santana and Kasowski, I guess it would come down to who the brass feels is better: Is Santana better than Floro? Is Kasowski better than ???? The odds of them breaking camp with the Dodgers are very long. I think their status would depend on injuries.
I really enjoyed yesterday’s game and look forward to today’s. Your article was very good, Mark, but I am afraid to say I do not agree with you on Hernandez winning the starting 2nd base job. I agree he is a super sub, as is Taylor. I just like Lux for the position.
Last week I took my son to Spring Training at Camelback Ranch. I would highly recommend it. Here’s some highlights:
– The gates open at 9 am each day. Workouts for the day start between 9-10 am when the players leave the main building and walk through the fans to the fields. On the way back in around 11:30-noon they sometimes will take photos with fans and sign autographs. Ross Stripling signed for my son. Ross is a bright guy; a leader.
– I watched Muncy, Turner, Kike, and Taylor take BP. Muncy definitely has the most raw power.
– David Price can’t stop smiling. He won’t say it but is happy to be out of Boston and in LA. I briefly spoke with him and told him we’re happy he’s here. He broke into a big smile and said “thanks”.
– Urias is very popular with the Hispanic fans. He’s not as tall as listed; probably only about 5’10”.
– Blake Treinen is built more like a linebacker than a pitcher.
– Camelback is great because only a rope separates you from the players. I’ve never seen pro athletes so up close. But, everybody is respectful and encouraging to the players.
I have a few photos but not sure how to attach them in a blog post. 🙁
Today’s workout will be fun. I’ll do my DDP Yoga at 12:30, with the Celtics Lakers on tv and Dodgers on the laptop.
I do think the big trade for a top 3 mlb player along with the Astros BS has galvanized the group. Expect another easy route to the NL West and home field advantage thru October. Looking forward to celebrating my bday at Game 1 of the World Series vs the Yanks at Dodger Stadium on Oct 20.
YES it is a great time to be a Dodgers fan. I wear my Dodgers gear wherever I go here in Sacramento, and I uncover dozens of closet Dodgers fans, but they are now becoming more prominent. I even have Giants fans come up to me and say they still hate the Dodgers, but that they were robbed in 2017. Maybe that is why this year feels so promising. I do not want to rush the year. I want to enjoy every game.
You said the same things I said yesterday with respect to Dennis Santana and Marshall Kasowski. This is going to be a critical spring for Santana who can showcase his arm in a different role than what many have seen. I know both you and I have said for awhile that Santana is destined for late inning magic rather than as a starter. This year the difference is, Dennis believes it.
That lollipop curve Marshall Kasowski threw yesterday for a strike will not get it done. ML hitters will destroy that pitch. It does work as an offspeed pitch, but it just hangs. He needs to develop a slider that he can drop at the back foot of a LH hitter. He needs to stay in MiLB and develop a second pitch. His #1 may be able to dominate A and AA hitters, but he needs more to continue to progress. His fastball is good, so I hope he can develop a second pitch. Brusdar Graterol has a better arsenal and throws even harder. I see Kasowski more as a trade piece than as a Dodger.
I agree with you about Brett de Geus being nervous. I still believe he will continue to thrive and move up the organization, but I do not expect him to make the roster until 2021. There are just too many arms ahead of him.
Doc hinted yesterday that KJ might get a look today. Games mean nothing at this point, but it will be fun to see what both Alex and KJ have done in the off season. Both have received accolades for the way they have been pitching thus far.
Today’s music reminds me that I need more Cowbell!
You’re right Mark, it’s a great time to be a Dodger fan and I’m actually excited.
For whatever reason, I decided to re-read Ned Colletti’s book, The Big Chair, which focuses on his on his time as GM during Frank McCourt’s reign. Terrific book, one of the best ever written about baseball. Great perspective and when you compare those days to today, it really brings into focus how fortunate we are as fans these past seven years. When you look at this year’s team, has there ever been a better time to be a Dodger fan in the last 30 years?
Listening to interviews with players, you can feel the excitement about this team. Colletti was asked about this recently on the Dodger channel. He said he has never seen a team so focused with so much talent and depth. Thought it was a combination of things, including the Astros sign stealing scandal in 2017, which cheated the Dodgers out of the World Series title and the infusion of talent like Mookie Betts and David Price.
This should be fun.