I am not sure that an Andrew Friedman will ever have a “set” lineup, but if he did, Mad Max should be in it… and second base seems as good a place as any. I suggested early in Spring Training that second base was a position Max could play, but most fans disagreed. That’s how I know I am on the right track sometimes: when people disagree with me and…
Dave Roberts Many of you wonder why Dave Roberts does certain things, like oh… hit Chris Taylor #3? Some fans almost become enraged when he does such things. Why on earth would he have old man David Freese bat leadoff? Kike Hernandez #5? Why, oh why? Well, simply stated, it’s because you are playing checkers and he is playing chess. He’s about 6 moves ahead of you. You are thinking…
As we contemplate who the Dodgers will select in the MLB Players Draft next week – let’s take a journey back and ponder how well they did in the past 30 years. Looking at each year, I’ve listed the first overall selection, any significant players taken in the lower rounds, and how many players made it to the majors. In some years, I also list players that were used in…
Let me start this by saying that Cody Bellinger is one of the best First Basemen I have ever seen. Ever! That said, he will not be playing first base for a long, long time, because he happens to be an elite Right Fielder. Cody Bellinger anchors an outfield that is quite likely the best defensive outfield in MLB. Here’s a quote from The LA Times: “Our outfield defensively, collectively,…
Let me start this by saying that very little surprises me anymore. I would not be surprised if Joc Pederson hit 40 HR, nor would I be surprised if he hit .190. It would not surprise me if Kike Hernandez hit 25 HR and batted .290. I also would not be surprised if he hit .240 with 12 HR. CT3? It could be boom or bust. I don’t have my…
One of my favorite times of year is the time leading up to the MLB player draft. I enjoy both college and high school sports, and while I don’t follow them as fervently as I did when I coached, I still get excited about the draft considering who the Dodgers may or may not select and I follow the prospects from my local area. According to Baseball America, approximately 1,200…
Looking back today on the trade that brought Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to the Dodgers for Frankie Montas, Grant Holmes and Jherel Cotton, I thought it was a good bet at the time, but if Friedman had it to do over, he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t, not because it was bad deal, but he wouldn’t because it did not win a Championship. Holmes may be toast and Jharel Cotton might…
Well, I think I was right that he had excellent bat-to-ball skills and that he had a cannon mounted on his shoulder. I may have been right in calling him “Tony Gwynn-esque.” I do believe that Alex is going to be a star. He may hit 20 HR some years and he could hit more, but this is a guy who will be a career .300 hitter. I truly believe…
I will cover the Dodgers – Reds game on Saturday as part of the Minor League Report, because that is how they played… like a minor league affiliate. I will cover them last to teach them a lesson (yeah, that will work). Great Lakes Loons – The Loons improved to 24-15 by destroying the West Michigan Whitecaps 7 – 1. Andre Jackson continues to shine and he did not disappoint…
Sometimes the people or players who help you get to a certain place or benchmark are not the people or players who can take you to the next level. I have witnessed this firsthand as US Water Systems has grown from 22 employees two years ago to almost 50 today. Some of the people who helped get me to certain places aren’t capable, or willing to go to the next…