No, he is not a member of the late Merle Haggard’s family. He is another one of those invisible Dodgers minor leaguers pitching above expectations. Justin Hagenman was selected by the Dodgers in the 23rd round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft as a junior out of Penn State., 704th overall.
He was born in Voorhees, New Jersey and attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken,NJ.
At Bishop Eustace Hagenman was a teammate of left-hander Devin Smeltzer who had been drafted by the Dodgers in the 5th round of the 2016 June Draft. Smeltzer currently is in the Twins organization with the AAA Rochester Red Wings and having a good season. He and Smeltzer, who is a childhood cancer survivor, grew up together in Voorhees, were high school teammates and close friends.
“He was one of my better friends and seeing him get drafted was pretty awesome,” Hagenman said. “To follow him up with the same team, it is crazy how it works.”
In high school, Hagenman was a named an All-Olympic Conference player multiple times and won 11 games on the mound between his junior and senior years. During his final high school season in 2015, Hagenman finished with a miniscule 1.30 earned run average.
The 6’3”/193-pound Hagenman was approached by several colleges, particularly in the south, but chose Penn State to major in Economics. He was attracted by the university atmosphere and academics and especially since it was located about three hours from his home town.
He has been a three-year starter for Penn State, posting a 4.64 ERA, 10 wins and striking out 190, and he ranks fourth all-time in school history with 42 career starts. Hagenman was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and to the Big Ten All-Freshman team in 2016 after going 6-3 with a 3.84 ERA and 39 strikeouts. His strikeout totals surged as a sophomore, as he sent 75 walking back to the dugout. In 14 starts in 2018, Hagenman posted a 4.60 ERA and a 3-7 record as Penn State struggled to a last-place showing in the Big Ten. He tallied 190 strikeouts in his three years at Kent..
Hagenman’s numbers do not jump out at us but there is more to a baseball player than his numbers. Teams, especially the Dodgers, often look beyond the numbers. He had earned a reputation as a hard worker and confident in his abilities regardless of the strength, or lack of, by his team. His head coach at Kent spoke to his competitiveness.
“We’re extremely excited and happy for Justin,” said Penn State baseball head coach Rob Cooper. “He’s worked extremely hard to go from being an undrafted guy out of high school to a 23rd-rounder with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He deserves this opportunity.”
Cooper used the term “Silent Assassin” to describe Hagenman because he goes about his business and puts the team in a position to win games.
“You never see him waver,” head coach Rob Cooper said. “Whether he’s given up a couple of runs, struggled, or done really well, he looks exactly the same. From a coaching standpoint it’s really nice, you know what you’re going to get. You’re going to get an ultra-competitive young man out there who’s super coachable and loves to have the ball.”
Hagenman made his 2018 professional debut with the Ogden Raptors on July 1st against the Idaho Falls Chukars in the Pioneer League pitching a scoreless inning. His initial season was not all that impressive as he posted a 4.09 ERA with the Raptors and gave up 6 earned runs in 8 innings with the Loons.
Pitching strictly in relief, long and short, 2019 has been a different story. With the Loons, the 22-year-old competitor has perhaps compiled some unexpected numbers. Over 43.1 innings pitched in 19 appearances he has posted a 1.87 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and a .174 batting average against. He has struck out 38 and walked 12. On the season he has served up only one home run.
If we shorten that up a bit, in his last 27.2 innings Hagenman has allowed 3 earned runs for a 0.98 ERA and chipped in with a 0.59 WHIP. In those 27.2 innings he has walked 5 and struck out 26.
Interestingly enough, on July 1st, exactly one year from his professional debut, Hagenman came in with the bases loaded in the 9th inning and got the out needed with a strikeout.
A bit of trivia with Justin Hagenman. In 2015 he showed his composure in Cuba where he became the first United States pitcher to earn a win against a Cuban National Series team.
“The whole experience was fun and I think the baseball was a plus,” Hagenman said. “Going out there, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I just took it as another game and it was pretty cool that we were able to get the win.”
As they say, there indeed is more to a baseball player than his numbers, although at this point Justin Hagenman’s look pretty good.
DC’s Minor League Lowdown
Highlights of the Night:
- Jack Little (5th round 2019) makes his Class-A pitching debut with the Loons.
- Corey Seager played his first game on a rehab assignment. 2 hits
- Quakes 10-run inning
DSL Dodgers (Bautista) 2 – DSL Braves 7
The DSL Dodger combo had a twin-killing. Both teams gave up 7 runs while scoring one or 2.
Heisell Baro (4 IP) and Jose Mendez (2 IP) both gave up 2 runs while Cristian Peralta (0.1 IP) surrendered 3. Elgardo Nenrique (1.2 IP) and Hendrick Briones (1 IP) escaped with no further damage although it was too late. Seventeen-year-old Briones has yet to allow a run over 9 appearances
Of interest, Braves pitcher Orelvis Rijo pitched more than an immaculate 9th inning. He struck out 4 on 12 pitches. One strikeout pitch got away from his catcher.
The 2 Dodger runs came in on a Jose Ramos SF and a Carlos Santiago single.
DSL Dodgers (Shoemaker) 1 – DSL Pirates (1) 7
Hugo Beltran (5 IP) allowed 3 runs while Raidel Chacon (1 IP) also allowed 3. Stiven Guterriez (0.1 IP) surrendered the 7th run. Carlos Rodriguez and Oscar Alvarez both had a clean inning.
The lone run came in on a Marlon Cairo single his second hit of the game.
AZL Dodgers Mota and Lasorda not scheduled.
Ogden Raptors 6 – Rocky Mountain Vibes (Milwaukee) 4
Antonio Hernandez made his 5th start of the season and it was a good one. He logged 5 innings with only 3 hits and one run while striking out 4. The lone run was a home run. Drew Finley took the ball in the top of the 6th and awarded the Vibes a run on a walk and a throwing error that allowed a run to score. He then got out of the inning with 2 strikeouts. Finley gave way to Edward Cuello in the 7th after an error by Sam McWilliams and a walk. Both runners scored. Hunter Speer came on to close it out after the Raptors took a 6-4 lead and struck out the side.
Offensively the Raptors played some long ball early on. Catcher Tre Todd had 2-run shot in the 3rd inning while Ryan Ward had a solo home run in the 4th to right center field. They also played long ball in the bottom of the 8th inning. Brandon Lewis hit a 2-run home run vaulting the Raptors ahead 5-4. Ryan Ward then hit his second home run in the game giving the Raptors and insurance run.
Great Lakes Loons 4 – Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto) 5
Fifth round draft selection in 2019, Jack Little, started for the Loons. He is the first member of the 2019 class to advance to the Class-A level. The 6’4”/190-pound right-hander was drafted in his sophomore year at Stanford. He pitched 3 innings, 42 pitches, with no runs and one hit. His fastball topped out at 94 mph and his slider between 80-82 mph. Jose Chacin pitched the next 5 innings giving up 5 runs.
The Loons scored one in the 5th on a Romer Cuadrado home run and one in the 8th on a Hunter Feduccia line drive home run to left field. They made it close in the 9th with 2 runs on a Josh McLain SF and a Dan Robinson single. A runner on second was stranded after arriving there with one out.
Ranch Cucamonga Quakes 16 – Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) 1
Austin Hamilton got the call and pitched 5 innings, the 6th Dodger pitcher to so on the day. He gave up one run on 3 hits with 5 strikeouts. Austin Drury, Bryan Warzek and Wes Helsbeck completed the last 4 scoreless innings on 2 hits and 4 strikeouts.
The first Quakes run came home on a Corey Seager singlein the first inning and 3 more came home in the 2nd inning on a Connor Wong triple, a Deacon Liput single and a Niko Hulsizer 2-run home run. Rancho had a repeat performance with different actors in the 4th inning with a Starling Heredia triple and a Jeren Kendall home run. The need for insurance runs got excessive in the top of the 9th when 10 runs came across. Fifteen Quakes came to the plate with 10 hits, 2 walks and a SF. Devin Mann had 2 hits in the inning and Starling Heredia had the only home run in the inning.
Tulsa Drillers 1 – Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City) 3
Edward Paredes started for the Drillers and left the game after 2.1 innings in which he gave up 2 earned run and left with 2 men on base. Ryan Moseley stranded those two runners and pitched two more hitless innings. Victor Gonzalez took over in the 6th inning and pitched 2 innings with one hit and five strikeouts. Jordan Sheffield got 2 quick outs in the top of the 9th but then served up a home run to put the Naturals up by 2.
The Drillers were shut out through 7 innings but drew to within one as Zach McKinstry opened the bottom of the 8th with a solo home run.
OKC Dodgers 1 – Round Rock Express (Houston) 0
Lefty Mitchell White started the first end of the double header and sailed through 5 innings on one hit and one walk. He tired in the 6th and with one out gave up a single and issued a walk. Josh Sborz came in with 2 on and ended the inning with a strikeout and a caught stealing. Caleb Ferguson was called upon to close it out with a 1-0 lead and do so with a strikeout and a double play following a walk.
The Dodgers lone run came in the 3rd inning on a Gavin Lux triple followed by a Zach Reks single.
OKC Dodgers 4 – Round Rock Express (Houston) 3
J.D. Martin pitched the first 5 innings giving up 3 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits. Justin Grimm stranded 2 runners in the 6th in relief of Martin and pitched a clean 7th to earn a true save.
The Dodgers first 2 runs came in the bottom of the first inning on a DJ Peters home run. Two more came in an interesting fashion in the 4th inning on a DJ Peters single, a Shane Peterson single and a Jake Peter double. Drew Jackson completed the scoring in the inning with a sac fly.
Don’t look now but DJ Peters with a new hair cut (before and after photos below) and location seems to have turned a corner at the plate.
Lakers Spurned by Kawhi!
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George go to the Clippers so they don’t have to play wheelchair basketball with Lebron James.
Discussion (47)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Just got home Ketchikan AK and caught the lat 3 innings and I hate losing to the Madres, but watching Kelly pitch an 8 pitch 8th. inn. gets me a little more confident in his progression…
Beating the Blue gives the Madres a great confidence boost as they are 3 games out wild card hunt going into the break…
As a Laker fan I hated losing Leonard, but I’m thinking we’ll get into the playoffs and end the dry spell… The Damnable Clippers are locked n loaded…
And now he’s missing his spots. Go figure. lol.
Wow Maeda is really hitting his spots. No wonder why he has a good OPS against right handed hitters with that slider that breaks away from them.
Even though they’re under .500, the Pirates are only 4 games behind in the Central and 3.5 games out in the Wildcard. Things could change by the trade deadline, but as things stand now, I wonder if the Pirates would even consider trading Vasquez. And if they would, I imagine that the price might be exorbitant. Even the last place Reds are only 4.5 games out of first in the Central.
Lineup today vs Paddack:
Joc (1b)
Verdugo
JT
Belly
Muncy
Beaty
CT3
Martin
Maeda
Peter Gammons of The Athletic has a great piece on The State of Pitching in MLB… it’s alarming. In part it says:
In an era when teenagers need Tommy John operations, when 500 pitchers could spend part of a season on the injured list, there are a decreasing number of available, capable pitchers. The Yankees, Astros and Red Sox might be the three best teams in the American League by the end of September, but they had used 25 starting pitchers between them a week before the All-Star break. That increases the load on bullpens, lessens managerial options with shortened benches and makes managing starters’ innings increasingly complex.
https://theathletic.com/1063583/2019/07/05/gammons-on-the-eve-of-the-all-star-break-taking-stock-of-a-season-full-of-troubling-trends-for-pitchers/
I’m just glad Rondo and Pope are back with the Lakers.
I will be trying to get interested in the Kings and Blazers.
Oh, Hey Rays, move to Oregon or do I have to lead the way?
I like Pollock. He’ll work out and the Dodgers need him. Still think it’s a great signing.
This is the Sad Truth about the NBA. There are really only a few teams who can win the Championship.
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2019/07/06/2019-nba-free-agency-kawhi-leonard-paul-george-clippers-nba-tilts-away-pacers/1663705001/
59, here’s the best I have ever had:
Lakers sign Boogie Cousins and Rajon Rondo. Interesting.
Seager is not going to sit vs lefties. He hit them better than righties in 2017. He will be given all the time in the world to continue to recapture that with occasional off days against extremely tough lefties.
~
Pollock should be given plenty of time to rehab and find his swing in my opinion. With the depth the Dodgers have no need to force him in until he’s ready.
A simple easy All Star break report on the Dodgers offense. Not much stat wise is going to happen after the final 2 games before the break. So Freese, Seager, Pollock are all going to return immediately after the break and most likely Rios, Garlick, Beaty are going to be optioned to AAA. So I thought I would list the 7 guys with the best OPS vs right handed pitching and vs left handed pitching in order of best OPS and what position they can play. I’m excluding catcher and the 3 rookies mentioned above that will most likely be optioned.
Vs right handed pitching
Freese 1B
Bellinger OF
Seager SS
Peterson OF
Muncy 2B
Turner 3B
Verdugo OF
Vs left handed pitching
Bellinger OF
Taylor SS
Muncy 2B
Verdugo OF
Freese 1B
Pollock OF
Turner 3B
So if you go by OPS stats it looks like SS and 1 OF position should be a platoon. Seager/Taylor SS and Peterson/Pollock OF. But you also have to consider both corner infielders cannot play everyday during the regular season so this is where it gets interesting. You can move Muncy from 2B every once in a while to give Freese or Turner a day or 2 or 3 off here and there and have Hernandez play 2B vs left handed pitching. But what do you do when you need to give Freese or Turner a day or 2 or 3 off while facing right handed pitching? That’s where Beaty comes into play. So do you keep Beaty on the 25 man roster with 1 less pitcher or do you just call up Beaty when you need him?
59,
I’ve never tried Laphroaig 10, but I’ll take your recommendation and try it.
I would have preferred keeping Walton as coach and Ball as point guard and Zubac at center and trading LeBron in a three way to get Davis and then sign Leonard.
Can anyone tell me why Kershaw was pulled last night? Granted, he was hit hard, but he had settled down and was building his SO’s. His pitch count wasn’t high. Did he complain about soreness? Then, Doc brings in Yimi, a guy who is on the borderline of BP, who gives up too many HR’s, into a game that’s tied in the 8th inning. It’s hard for me to fathom this decision. I know I’m not right all the time, but at least my logic seems clear.
BTW, the Clips really lucked into something game-changing. This would be a real challenge for the Warriors even with KD! I don’t see the Lakers getting past them even with another big signing. Who’s left?
It’s a sad day when someone chooses to play for the San Diego Clippers over the Lakers. I wish the Lakers would have never dealt them Zubac.
Frixk. What a bummer on Leonard. Props to the Clips for getting it done. I really can’t believe that Leonard, who wanted to be traded to the Lakers from the Spurs, chose the red headed stepchild instead. If AD leaves after this season, we’re screwed!
Tough loss last night. Yimi and Kershaw both deserved better. Kike looked lost at the plate. He’s pressing and swinging at everything right now. Tough lefties are still giving us trouble. 2 more games til the break, then the flurry of trades should begin.
1) Isn’t Mitchell White a rightie?
2) DJ Peters hasn’t struck out nearly as much so far in AAA. Wonder what changed, besides the hair
3) WOW what about those LA Clippers last night????? I bought Clipper season tic for this upcoming season with the hope/belief that Kawhi and/or another star would sign with the Clips, thus raising the value of my season seats. Now that Kawhi and Paul George are here, I can’t wait to cash this lottery ticket(s) all year long!
4) Mother Nature is truly amazing. An earthquake was felt at the same time at Dodger Stadium, Fresno Grizzlies Stadium, and the Thomas and Mack Center. Wow, good luck to all that may have been affected.
Tough loss last night, but whatever. Get it today.
One Request before Trade Deadline : Trade Kike for anything you can get !!! Trade Kike and Prospect for Castellanos or anyone else that can hit above .250 and can get on base more often and make contact.