Play in the rookie level Arizona League began on Monday, June 17. The league now has 21 teams in three divisions. They play a 56-game schedule in and around the Phoenix area at the spring training facilities of their parent major league clubs. The AZL Dodgers play their home games at the Camelback Ranch complex shared by the parent Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. The Dodgers for the first time…
Usually when change is involved, things get worse before they get better. That’s true in just about everything: life, business and sports. Since this is a Dodger Blog, you might be wondering what that has to do with the Dodgers. So, I am talking about three pitchers in general: Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw. I think that before Spring Training, the Dodgers had a plan with each pitcher….
So, this is not meant to be contentious, but rather, an exchange of ideas. Yesterday, AC said this: “I absolutely agree with Mark that AF will not overpay for anyone. Where Mark and I disagree, is that I believe that to AF it is especially true with relievers.” Ummm, Jeff, I mean… AC, I agree. 100%. I totally agree that it is especially true with relievers. However, where we may…
Uncle Ray Player of the Month Minor League Baseball on Wednesday announced the Uncle Ray’s Player of the Month Award winners for each of the 10 leagues for the month of May. Niko Hulsizer was selected as the Midwest League Player of the Month. In recognition of the honor, each winner will receive an award from Minor League Baseball and Uncle Ray’s, the “Official Potato Chip of Minor League Baseball….
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…
It has been suggested by some that Craig Kimbrel is the solution to the Dodger’s bullpen woes. Just to be sure that I understand it, this is the Craig Kimbrel that Boston (who needed a closer) parted ways with and 28 other teams have passed on? No one wants him for a reason, but the Dodgers should sign him anyway with some silly “knee-jerk” reaction because he just happens to…
I have not been shy about stating how I feel about the bullpen. And I do understand that recognizing that there may be a problem and doing something about it can be and often is two different things. Maybe with the way the starting pitching is performing, this will become less of an issue, but I prefer to plan rather than to react. I have never disagreed with Mark about…
Here were, about 25% of the season gone the Dodgers still are the Class of MLB with the best record in baseball. They have problems… juts like every other MLB team, but they are pretty dad gum good. Let me rant and rave about a few things: It turns out that Scott Alexander was missing his targets and was high in the zone because he has a hip problem and…
Interesting topic on who goes and who stays when Cingrani comes back. Cingrani has pitched in three rehab games (1 with RC, and 2 with OKC). He had three days between his first game and second and dropped it down to 2 games between games 2 and 3. He still needs to show he can go back to back. May 4 – 16 pitches/10 strikes May 7 – 20 pitches/11…