Ninety-Three! That’s all you need to know. Clayton Kershaw was clocked at 93 MPH in yesterday’s game. The last time he did that was over 2 years ago! This was his first Spring Game and he was giddy after it… because he knows there is more left in the tank. 94? 95? Maybe… but every MPH of separation between his fastball and slider is HUGE! He sat at 91-92 most of his time on the mound, but the 93 represents a big improvement.
That was his first Spring Training Action. Clayton is healthy. Clayton has matured. Clayton has changed. Clayton is embracing Driveline Baseball. Clayton is still incredibly competitive… and just like Justin Verlander discovered more in his tank, Clayton is doing the same. I would not be surprised to see him hit 95!
Unless he has an arm injury, and he evidently doesn’t, Clayton’s loss of velocity over the years has been mechanics, loss of flexibility and what many now believe are improper training practices. Driveline Baseball is forcing many teams and pitchers to re-evaluate their training and throwing routines. In a season where I am already giddy, I have suddenly become giddier!
Sure, his arm could fall off, so could Alex Wood’s (who looked pretty bad yesterday), Julio Urias’, Ross Stripling’s, Walker Buehler’s and David Price’s. An earthquake could swallow up Dodger Stadium as well… it all of the is unlikely… unless you just want to look at any situation through negative lenses! I can’t do anything about that.
All I can tell you is that Clayton was good last year, but not like in his “Cy Young Day’s Good”. His first Spring outing leads me to believe that he is re-capturing some of his lost velocity and if he will just vary his signs and pitching patterns somewhat, he could be back on the Cy Young path.
He was still ranked in the Top 10 Pitchers last year. By the way, Walker Buehler, who has filthy stuff, was not. It’s very conceivable to me that Clayton can push back to near the top. It’s not that far of a climb. This changes everything! And… he’s still the Ace!
Dodger Notes
- Brett de Geus and Dennis Santana are making a run at a roster spot.
- I think Marshall Kasowski is using smoke and mirrors. He’s not ready.
- Gudaun looks promising and has a “presence.”
- Alex Wood was rusty but his line was not as bad as it looks.
- Yadier Alvarez “didn’t feel right.” Whatever…
- Joc Pederson is back to baseball activities.
- Someone told me Alex Wood hit 92 MPH. Never saw that in print!
- Chicken Strip goes today. There are two games. I’m going to see if I can watch them both.
Discussion (75)
Disagree, not disagreeable
All good games for Raley, Lux, Stripling, Gore, Turner, Ferguson, Uceta and White, and many others. Lots of highlights. Also heard about the game against the Rockies. How many Major league teams could field two successful rosters in one day? I know, it is only ST, but encouraging all the same.
Barnes closing the door on doubters.
Is Cody T pulling a Cody B on us and we just can’t send him back down?!!!!!!!! MLB is gonna have to expand the roster to 30 players to accommodate the Dodgers!
U heard Mark greatest bullpen ever! Trouble is I’m starting to believe him. I’ve got to stop drinking the cool aid!
Graterol hit 99+ at least 4 times today in his first inning.
I wish we could trade pollock. I would rather play Taylor or kike in left as pollock. Btw why couldn’t we trade pollock? We all know why. What a waist of a roster spot and money. Pollock is an injury prone streak hitter who can’t defend or run anymore. When I watched him bat last year any breaking pitch from a rh pitcher totally overmatched him. Well, I guess he is destined to be in left so I hope he has a great year.
It’s interesting how different organizations approach the season. For instance Scherzer had 2 starts in before kershaw took the mound. Most Dodger pitchers go 1 inning while Flaherty of the cards went2-3 innings first time out. I know pitches figure in that but it wasn’t the only consideration.
I was really hoping Alvarez would turn it around. Santana is off to a fine start. I don’t understand why I keep reading joc and pollock can’t coexist. Why not? Joc is playing for a contract and pollock will probably be hurt anyway so it will probably be joc and Taylor. Unless the Dodgers consider Gonsolin a starter he is going to make it a tough decision for the brass.
Hey Jon Weisman,
Who coined the Kershawshank Redemption?
You or me?
I know it’s still early,But has anybody read other blog’s about what those fan’s are saying about our Dodgers.
I can see a trade brewing.
Raley and Pollock could platoon in LF.
Who wants to pay the most for Joc and Kike?
Well the Dodgers must not have thought much of Álvarez not taking the mound because he’s been DFA’d.
I still can’t believe Dodger brass really expects a Joc and Pollock platoon to work this year. Once Joc gets back and shows he healthy I think there will be a Joc combo trade coming this spring which could open a spot for McKinstry and maybe Gonsolin.
Ken Gurnick reporting that Alvarez has been dfa. I would guess that someone might take a chance on him. If not, they could still keep him in the organization, but maybe their patience has run out.
Mark mentioned Santana and De Gues making a push to make the opening day roster. Any young position players anyone thinks can make the opening day roster? Mc Kinstry?
Does anyone know what happened with this headcase Y Alvarez. Why he didnt pitch ? Was he having another child like moment tantrum or what ? Who signed this moron
So, everyone, who from the minor league pitchers impressed you yesterday besides de Geus and Kasowski if they did?
Hey kpizzle,
Are you a Dodger fan or just a Kershaw hater?
Are you or have you ever been a reader of Jon Weisman’s Dodger Thoughts blog Mark? I believe he was the first one to coin the term Kershawshank Redemption. He used to come up with a different one each time CK started.
He is still a playoff choker and we all know it!
I think Wood is going to surprise a lot of people this year. He was hurt last year and the off season worked with driveline. This spring he is implementing the new stuff and will look a little shaky at first. Be patient.
Now that was clever Mark. One of my all time great movies and my all time favorite player. Now that our pitching looks so great when can we start bitching about what a crummy offense we have!
Kershaw looked very good, now Buehler and Stripling today.
It was reported on a couple of sites (CBS Fantasy Baseball was one) that Alex Wood was hitting 92-93. Both Ken Gurnick and the LA Times reported that Clayton Kershaw was hitting 91-93.
I hope you are right Mark. We need two co-aces in October. When is Urias going to throw? I think we have some great deapth in starting pitchers and it looks like we could have deapth in the bull pen. It would be nice to see Jansen and Kershaw come back and have good years. Not that last year was bad.
As I read more articles on the Astros cheating scandal, it is a black eye for baseball. I am now convinced we should of won the 2017 WS. The Astros should have received a stronger punishment. All players should have been suspended and no Astros this year should be on the all star team, including pitchers. They all knew what was going on.
Love to see the kids play. My favorite time is the last four innings. This is the time for the kids. Thomas looks like a keeper. He looks very mature to me.
Hopefully Guduan learns control, both on and off the mound. Suspended by the Astros last August when he hit a fellow pitcher in the head with a bat, and later came back into clubhouse with a knife (according to multiple sources – reported by Astros County blog)