We have reached about the “Halfway Mark” in Spring Training and Mookie Betts has been to the plate 14 times, but is “only” hitting .357 with a .500 OB% and .929 OPS as he is “quietly” getting ready for the season. At some point, I think we will just take for granted how good he is… and that’s a huge compliment. From MLB.com a Mike Petriello Quote:
“I was pretty tempted to just say “the answer is Mike Trout” and end my blurb there, but you know what, no, Betts is a much better outfielder, a better baserunner, he plays on a more interesting team, and he’s just more fun to watch. I wouldn’t necessarily say his plate appearances are absolutely-must-turn-on in the same sense that some of baseball’s best mashers are, but aside from maybe Tatis, I’m not sure anyone has a higher fun-per-second rate. Because he’s so good at every part of the game, you don’t have to target a plate appearance or particular moment. You can turn on any Dodger game at any moment and potentially see Mookie do something great. That’s exciting.“
If Mookie is not the best player in baseball, he’s one of the most exciting… probably the most exciting because of his skill in every aspect of the game. He also has that work ethic that makes everyone around him want to be better. He is OPSing .929 and he has only one extra-base hit! We may see Cody Bellinger soon and if he has fully recovered (and all indications are that he has) then the Dodgers have at least three position players who are in the running for NL MVP with Corey Seager the third one.
I also look for big seasons from Will Smith and Max Muncy and Gavin Lux has been solid. AJ Pollock has been off to a slow start, but he is healthy, and that bodes well. If Justin Turner can stay healthy and play 120-130 games, he should still put up good numbers, but he may be better-served hitting #5 as the season progresses. At some point, I could see Will Smith hitting #3 with Bellinger #4 and Muncy #6, but make no mistake about it – the Dodgers have been very good with JT hitting #3 and Mad Max at #4. I just think that Bellinger and Will Smith have the speed to hit towards the top of the lineup.
On Monday or Tuesday we could start seeing some cuts and re-assignments, but it’s possible we won’t see as many as in the past due to the AA and A players reporting later. We shall see soon enough!
I am anxious toe see if Julio Urias has put his first-inning blues behind him. He starts tonight and I think he’s ready to go four innings… maybe five. We have known what his talent level is forever, but he’s just 24 and likely is finally ready to pitch 150+ innings. I expect him to have an outstanding season. The Dodgers could have four starters in the Top 10 Cy Young Voting. “Could”
MLB Trade Rumors says that Joe Kelly is “questionable to start the season.” I think what they really mean is that Joe Kelly is “questionable.” PERIOD!
Dave Roberts is still treating David Price as a starter. It also appears to me that Dustin May is being groomed to pitch out of the pen with Gonsolin being the swingman. This song is for Tony:
Discussion (28)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The biggest difference I see in Urias when he comes out of the pen instead of starting is the way he attacks hitters. Like Maeda before him, he has more intensity out of the pen. And maybe that is where he should be. But he has the talent and the stuff to be a great starting pitcher. He could be an ace. I am impressed with the Jimmy Nelson we are seeing. I would almost bet he gets Kahnle’s roster spot when he is placed on the IL to continue his healing process. Neuse is hitting the ball well, but he still does not have a single extra base hit. Like I have said before, I want to see some of his so called power before I am a believer. Right now to me, he is the 27th man. I would not trade Ruiz. I think he and Smith will be the tandem next year. I am thinking if someone needs a catcher, they will trade Barnes. They posted a revised 26 man opening day roster on dodgers.com. But I still do not think that May is going to break camp with the big club. If he is not in the starting rotation, I think he needs to be pitching regularly, and he does not really have the experience and tools I believe a reliever needs.
Cleavinger, see you at AAA also. The LHP RP behind Gonzo might be trending Alexander’s way. Vesia and Cleavinger…..meh!
A lot of guys here talked about trading Ruiz. I always found him a keeper. Eventually a Smith Ruiz catcher duo.
Dua Lipa I see you
I think Mark is right about Neuse that was a great at bat going with the pitch and driving it the other way.
That was just a great AB Witt put up against Julio to start the game, It was a weird inning, Im not worried about Julio at all. But Nelson and Gonsolin lookincredible, It’s a nice “prob;em” to have!
As I expected, Clayton Kershaw has been named Opening Day Starter.
I wonder if they will “manipulate” the rotation so that he starts the Home Opener too? That would not be his normal day to pitch, but I would think they might do that!
Wow! Just Wow!
See you at AAA, Alex!
Julio got his first pitches in for strikes but couldn’t execute again in the first. He could not get out of the inning. Disappointing!
Strasburg out with a calf strain. Gray most likely to start the season on the IL.
Padres catcher Austin Nola Fractures Finger
Today’s lineup
1. Betts RF
2. Muncy 1B
3. Turner 3B
4. Seager SS
5. Smith C
6. Pollock LF
7. Taylor CF
8. Beatty DH
9. Lux 2B
Pitching – Urias
The report on Kelly is that he is making progress. But he is the least of anyone on this site’s worry’s. It has been stated pretty much since the beginning of spring training that he would most likely start the season on the IL. So do not fret. He is not blocking any of the kids. I still firmly believe that May is going to start the year at AAA. I do not see the kid as a reliever. He has not pitched in a game in a while and the word is that he is working on his mechanics and I can understand why. He has a habit of losing them for an inning or so, or even for a few pitches. When this happens, he is wild, and he also gets hit pretty hard. It happened in the playoffs a couple of times. Gonsolin is more suited for that role, and the way Dennis Santana is pitching, I see him as a more viable bullpen option than May. Get the kid a little more seasoning. Leave him in a starting role, and sometime this season or next he will be a major force out there. There is absolutely no reason to rush him before he is completely ready with the depth of starting pitching on this team.
I agree that Julio could be in the Cy Young top 10. For me it all depends on how good his change up. Is. And there’s nothing questionable about Joe Kelly. He sucks! And what version of Cody Bellinger do we get this year? If it’s the MVP Belly then this team could be one of the best teams we’ve seen in MLB for some time!
I get the pun!