The Dodgers under Andrew Friedman are known for their versatility. Both of their catchers can play 2 or 3 other positions. CT3 can play 6 positions while Cody Bellinger can play 4 positions. Max Muncy and Justin Turner can play 3 positions and David Freese can play 2 positions. However, no one can play more positions than one Enrique Hernandez.
Right about now, Kike Hernandez is the “flavor-of-the-week” for some Dodger fans and some are already anointing him the starting 2B and leadoff hitter. Not so fast! I am a huge Kike fan. In fact, I have said that he could be the next JD Martinez. I say that with only a small part of my tongue in cheek. I think Kike is ready to “break out.” I feel it! I have seen growth and maturity rise in the man and he learned a lot from Chase Utley… and is still learning as he is very close to the Silver Fox.
But, I do think Kike will continue to be the Dodgers Swiss Army Knife. If Corey Seager is healthy, I think Chris Taylor will start at 2B. Kike will be backup at 2B, SS and all three outfield spots. He will essentially play every day… at many different spots.
Some people think Kike is a hot dog. Not true! He’s more of a Bratwurst! Unlike Yasiel Puig whose antics grew thin on this teammates, Kike is a student of the game who shows up early and stays late. He’s a typical “gym rat” and is beloved by his teammates.
Ross Stripling
Chicken Strip is another Swiss Army Knife. This is something he has finally embraced. He used to only think of himself as a starter. Now he wants to be “the Kike of the pitching staff.” He said that himself. He is open to pitching wherever and whenever he is needed: an inning, three innings, a spot start, etc. Like AC says, he could be a “RH Andrew Miller.” It took Andrew Miller a while to figure it out too.
Ross has very good stuff and is continually working on new pitches and other nuances. He is a very bright and articulate guy and should flourish in his new role. That’s why I don’t see him in the starting rotation… except for an occasional spot start. I can see him near/ or over 100 innings this year… mostly out of the bullpen.
Other News
- The pitchers are certainly ahead of the hitters. That’s for sure!
- It’s a “definite maybe” that Kershaw, Buehler and Seager will all be ready by Opening Day.
- Russ Martin came back and looked none worse for the wear.
- Cabrera found out that 100 MPH doesn’t impress big league hitters.
- Other than Yordy, the Dodgers pitchers were lights out.
- Julio Urias HAS TO BE on the team… probably in the rotation.
- Adam Jones to the D-Bags… Yawn!
- Let’s do this!
I am publishing this early because I have a Craft Beer Conference Monday and Tuesday where I have an hour presentation. I have to be there at 7 AM tomorrow, so this is early. HERE’S THE LINK.
Discussion (70)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Jimmie Piersall? Red Sox outfielder. Movie “Fear Strikes Out” Interesting
Vegas and Hawkeye,
We have two games against the Reds this week, one on Wednesday, and one on Friday.
NorcalDodger and 59,
I know what you guys mean.
As you probably both already know, I feel the same about strike outs, because your right NorCal, they do kill rallies.
We were 0-9 today when runners were in scoring position.
We have to do better this year!
It doesn’t look like Corey will be ready for opening day, although I don’t know for sure.
But with that, Turner can’t do everything himself, because pitchers will pitch around him.
And because of that, we are going to need everyone to step up this year.
Hamchuck, out of respect for MT, and his admonishment for us to be civil I will only say, you have loss all credibility with me.
You likey don’t know enough, or even anything about Andrew’s situation, yet you think you have to pontificate.
It doesn’t speak well of you.
MJ, the restricted list is just another form of removing a player from the 40 man without placing him on the 60 day DL (which is paid). Toles’ contract is not guaranteed, he is not going to get paid, and he will not accrue any service time. They are basically letting him try to get his personal matters under control, and still retain control of him in the organization. It is what they had to do.
It does not look like Taylor has been fixed.
Andrew if you check in here and see this you should know we all wish you well.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/dodgers-place-andrew-toles-on-restricted-list.html
The Dodgers have placed outfielder Andrew Toles on the restricted list, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register tweets. Toles has yet to report to spring camp owing to an undisclosed personal matter.
Details are lacking, though it seems that today’s move was not driven by any change in Toles’s situation. With no resolution in sight, though, the Dodgers will now have another 40-man roster spot to work with for the time being.
Still just 26 years old, Toles burst onto the MLB scene in 2016 but missed much of the ensuing season with an ACL tear. He ultimately received only a limited opportunity last year, struggling in just 32 plate appearances, but hit well (.306/.345/.461) in his 275 trips to the plate at Triple-A.
The expectation had been that the left-handed-hitting Toles would challenge for a part-time role in Spring Training. Just how things might have shaken out can’t be known given that he never made it into camp. Toles will remain under control of the Dodgers organization, which will ultimately need to decide whether to add him back to the 40-man roster if and when he is ready to resume playing.
I know it’s only Spring, but I sure hope Roberts takes note of what just happened.
Of course, Roberts has to make a pitching change with 2 outs in the 9th inning of a Spring game to everyone’s chagrin. He’s in mid season’s form already. Too bad none of his hitters are, preferring to “slow start” rather than “get ready” for the upcoming season.
CT3 in mid-season form after two AB’s today with two K’s. Hernandez has to get the 2b job. CT3 just doesn’t make enough consistent contact to be a position player. The K is a rally killer and it was evident from last year that this team struggled at times to score runs when they didn’t hit the long ball. I’m not confident CT3 has made an adjustment.
Gonsolin dealing today!
A video was posted on twitter of Brock Stewart and Ross Stripling singing a spoof. The lyrics are hilarious – but they also are good reminders that the players are fully aware of some of the debate around platooning and bullpen assignments.
https://twitter.com/DodgersLowDown/status/1105183778861854720
I have been rooting for Stewart and in the same vein, I am now rooting for Jaime Schultz.
Paraphrasing a recent tweet by Ken Gurnick this morning: Caleb Ferguson will be stretched out to three innings this spring so he can be a long reliever.
I like it. Keeps his options open for both starting and relieving. A sound compromise.
I am proud to announce that I did not have my first beer until 12:01. It’s perfectly acceptable to drink at a craft beer conference.
“When I read about the evils of drinking… I gave up reading”
I lied. Here’s a little list I made of Top Ten Pivotal Dodger Players in 2019. Criteria are loose but basically guys who have a wide variance of potential outcomes. I’m not including Turner because when healthy he’s a great hitter or Jansen because we’ll likely get a bunch of saves and some spectacular blow-ups, but I’m looking more at players whose success or failure could help determine whether we make it to the promised land this October [and no, not Utah].
1. Seager–Could be James Loney Lite or an MVP candidate. Huge range of outcomes.
2. Kershaw–Basically ditto. Might not need him to win it all, but it sure couldn’t hurt.
3. Pollock–Our biggest offseason acquisition. Might feel some pressure to perform.
4. Kelly–Our second biggest new addition. Got him for the playoffs so all year will be a tune-up.
5. Bartin/Marnes–If these two fuse into one competent catcher then we’re in good stead. If not, oops . . .
6. Urias–Everybody’s trendy pick for sleeper, but he could really be something this year. Get ready.
7. Stripling–His All-Star days are likely over, but he’s the ultimate in versatility in the pen. Glue guy.
8. Taylor–Might be the starting 2B. Might be half the LF platoon. A lot riding on this season. Tiebreaker season after one up and one down year.
9. Ferguson/Santana–Both these guys teased immense promise last year. If only one of them hits, we’ll take it.
10. The 100 MPH club [Allie, Cabrera, Gonsolin]–Would be nice to have a late-season surprise in store for some unfortunate NLDS opponent.
Honorable Mention:
Max Muncy–Probably should be on this list, but like Chris Taylor last year, I don’t think it’s wise to count too much on a player who just shattered all expectations and broke out like a teenager on prom night.
Alex Verdugo–“It’s not him; it’s them.” I think we know what we can expect from AV: good bat-to-ball skills; decent OBP; strong defense; energy; rookie mistakes . . . It’s more what the management allows him to do than what he can do.
Mark–I have nothing to add. Mostly I’m just envious that you’re at a craft beer conference.
For those who missed it, round one of cuts was Wednesday after the Cleveland game (all pitchers):
Optioned (1) – Adam McCreery
Reassigned to Minor League Camp (4) – Joe Broussard, Daniel Corcino, Josh Smoker, Jesen Therrien
Round two followed yesterday’s game:
Optioned (5) – Matt Beaty (3B/1B), Josh Sborz (RP), Rocky Gale (C), Yadier Alvarez (P), Donnie Hart (RP)
Reassigned (6) – Mitchel White (SP), Omar Estevez (2B), Gavin Lux (SS), Jake Peter (2B), DJ Peters (OF), Cameron Perkins (OF).
NRI still in ML camp – Allie Stetson (P), Tony Gonsolin (P), Dustin May (P) , Kevin Quackenbush (P), Will Smith )C), Josh Thole (C), Daniel Castro (SS), Ezequiel Carrera (OF), Paulo Orlando (OF), Shane Peterson (OF). None of these players are expected to break camp and become one of the 25 man.
There are still 6 pitchers that need to be optioned from the 40 man, as well as Keibert Ruiz (C), Edwin Rios (3B/1B), and Andrew Toles (OF) who have not yet been optioned.
Kike’ has often said he thinks his best position is shortstop but he keeps making plus plus plays at second base. My small sample size observations tell me that Kike’ doesn’t play third base well. One would think if he likes short he would be comfortable on the left side.
A few years ago following the 2016 season when the Dodgers were trying to trade for a second baseman I ventured a hunch that they should give Taylor a chance there before they gave up too much in a trade. But I now believe that Kike’ is the far better defensive second baseman.
Hamchuck, don’t ignore revenue sharing, competitive balance tax, draft, free agent rule, etc. when you claim that “Baseball is the purist form of Capitalism”.
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Treat each other with respect.
No politics or religion.
Nothing divisive!
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Mark, nice article but I think at this point Hernandez gets the start at 2B.
Rarely, do I feel strongly that certain players should get their chance at starting every day, that is, the ones on the periphery, or the so-called ‘utility’ guys. But Kike has worked and earned the 2B job. What more does the FO need to see?
IMO, if they don’t start him at 2B, then as I’ve said before, they’ve made up their mind long ago who will be the starters and platoon guys, and that hasn’t changed from last season. Any real competition is just for the minor leaguers to feel inspired but won’t impact the 25 man rotation.
Mark. We always seem to be the last ones up at night.
From Ken Gurnick on Kershaw and Buehler being ready for opening day:
“Ready is relative to what anyone feels is ready,” said Roberts. “Is it the conventional buildup both those guys are used to? Probably not, if you look at the calendar. But whatever decision we make we feel is best for the players and our club.”
In other words, just because Kershaw and Buehler are expected to be “ready” to start the season doesn’t mean they will, because the Dodgers have enough starting depth to leave one or both in extended spring training to build arm strength for additional innings. Or not.
1. Julio has to be in the School Yard.
2. Yordy got his reality check.
3. Who cares about Adam Jones. Boring last name anywhoo.
4. I am tried of trying to please people. Free at last. MJ was the one in the wrong and everyone apologized to her.
5. Dodgerpatch. Thank you for the Like. I am not Bum. I am myself as Mark has said over and over.
6. Bum is there something better than Capitalism? This country may have flaws, but it’s the best there has ever been, flaws and all. Baseball is the purist form of Capitalism is what I said
7. I am a Conservative in California. I won’t be traveling on Moonbeams Bullet train to LA to any Dodger games any time soon, sorry to say, but I was so looking forward to it.
8. CT3 is almost just as Versatile as Kike if only he could catch and pitch. But it will be a contest on who can K less