Baseball America has released their June revision of their Top 100 prospects, and the Dodgers are well represented. They have a top ten prospect in 21 year old AA OF Josue De Paula. He climbed from #11 to #5. It was not just because of all the graduations. JDP has distinguished himself as one of the best hitters in the Texas League as well as one of the youngest. He leads the Texas League in Hits and Doubles. He is in the top 5 of the Texas League in:
- Batting Average
- On Base Percentage
- Slugging
- OPS
- Runs
- RBI
- BB (Has more BB than K)
- Total Bases
- XBH
Currently the only player in the Texas League who is challenging JDP as the top of the class hitter is Arizona’s 22 year old utility prospect Manuel Pena. Pena came up as a SS but this year has played in LF, 1B, 2B, 3B, and DH. Ironically no SS.
Another fast LAD prospect riser is 23 year old (June 16, 2026) Mike Sirota. He rose from #35 to #19. Per BA the biggest concern with Sirota was how he would come back from knee surgery. Again per BA, those questions have been answered. Sirota has now reached base in 44 straight games covering two levels. He has not missed a beat since being promoted to AA where he is slashing .377/.507/.547/1.054. He needs to sustain at or near those levels for the rest of the season. He could be top 10 going into 2027.
With Alek Thomas, Jack Suwinski, and Zach Ehrhard entrenched at AAA, and Ryan Ward soon to join them, there is not a logical spot for either JDP or Sirota to make that jump. For those who wrote off Ehrhard his slash line is back up to .286/.386/.439/.825. Since May 1, in 110 PA, Ehrhard has slashed .337/.482/.523/1.005. He has walked 23 times and struck out 14. He may not be a top 100 prospect, but for someone who turned 23 in January, he is nobody to scoff at either. Good OF. Would make an ideal #4 OF. Every team needs one.
But the Dodgers were not done with top prospects. With 20 year old CF Eduardo Quintero at #22, that is 3 top 22 prospects and 3 of the top 7 OF prospects.
19 year old SS (for now) prospect, Emil Morales, checks in at #48. Morales has always been slug over hit, but he continues to improve with the hit tool. It is universally projected that Morales will not stick at SS, but his arm is more than good enough at 3B. He is also a potential corner OF prospect. Wherever he lands defensively, he will be at least average, but his bat will be exceptional. It is possible that Morales will get some time at AA this year, again as a teenager.
The Dodgers 4th best OF prospect is #59 overall, Zyhir Hope. Hope has SLG over Bat skills as well. BA had this in their pre-season scouting report:
“The lefthanded batter has plenty of bat speed and boatloads of raw juice, but an uppercut swing makes him exploitable. His overall (33.9%) and zone (26.8%) miss rates were below-average and led to prolonged boom-or-bust stretches at High-A Great Lakes.”
The likelihood that Hope sticks in CF are not projectable, so LF seems a more likely landing spot. His bat tools will have to improve here to push him to MLB.
IMO, Hope is the most likely LAD prospect to be included in a trade package. He is still a top 60 prospect, so that should be highly coveted. I doubt that the Dodgers will overpay for Tarik Skubal. Having Skubal will not guarantee the Dodgers will 3-peat. He lost 2 of the 2025 ALDS games. He pitched well, but still lost both games. With Ohtani, Yamamoto, Glasnow, and Snell as the possible 4 October SP, Skubal may give them marginal better SP but not enough to overpay for him. If Glas and Snell come back healthy, I am not sure how much of an improvement Skubal would be. I know BIG IF. But so is Skubal.
None of the LAD 5 will be graduates this year. But are other Dodgers prospects ready to break through? When asked about Charles Davalan and where he sits, JJ Cooper (BA writer) mentioned in his chat…watch after the next group of graduates. Watch for Davalan to make the mid-season top 100. I am guessing that Zach Root and Chase Harlan will be closely monitored for inclusion, if not mid-season, pre-season 2027.
Teams with most top 100:
- Milwaukee – 7
- Tampa Bay – 6
- LAD – 5
- Seattle – 5
- Cleveland – 5
- Minnesota – 5
- Miami – 5
- San Francisco – 5
- Washington – 5
Three teams had 5 top 75 (Milwaukee, LAD, Miami), with only Miami matching LAD with 5 in the top 60.
3 teams had 4 top 100 prospects; 7 teams had 3; 8 teams had 2; 3 teams had 1. Every team had at least 1.
We are coming up to the MLB draft (July 12 -14) where the Dodgers will again select #40, and have no chance for an elite prospect. Maybe in the next CBA they can allow for teams to trade draft picks. Maybe CWS would have gotten a major haul for this year’s #1, or in other words, UCLA SS Roch Cholowsky. I have to believe AF/BG would have been all over that if it were allowed. It isn’t so why lose any gray hairs over it.
Considering draft picks, it is entirely possible, perhaps probable, that last year’s #40 (Zach Root) and #41 (Chuck Davalan) overall draft picks will be in the top 100 before 2027.
One more thing, with the talent LAD has in the top 100, and with how pi** poor KC is playing, maybe we should start a Free Bobby Witt Jr. campaign. I elect Bums for the leader of that campaign.
Note – All stats mentioned above are before Friday’s games.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS (7 GAMES)
Round Rock Express (Texas) 6 – OKC Comets 2
LHRP Logan Allen started and was good for 2 innings. In the third, Allen walked the first batter, but got 2 outs. Next batter slugged a 2-run HR. A single and a 2nd 1-run HR gave Round Rock a 4-0 lead.
In the 4th, a double and RBI single pushed the Express lead to 5-0.
RHRP Jerming Rosario was not sharp, but in 1.2 IP he did not allow a run, even though he gave up a single and 3 BB.
In the 6th, RF Jack Suwinski doubled (15) and scored on LF Ryan Fitzpatrick’s RBI single.
With RHRP Nick Frasso on the mound, he gave up a pair of singles with the lead runner reaching 3B. The runner scored on a WP.
In the 8th, R. Fitzgerald walked and moved to 3rd on 2B Hyeseong Kim’s single. R. Fitzgerald scored on a C Chuckie Robinson ground out.
OKC drew closer in the 9th when 3B Tommy Edman walked and scored ahead of IB James Tibbs III’s 2-run HR.
- Jack Suwinski – 3-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 2 doubles (16)
- Hyeseong Kim – 2-5
- Chuckie Robinson – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI, double (4)
- James Tibbs III – 1-3, 2 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (18)
Amarillo Sod Poodles (Arizona) 10 – Tulsa Drillers 7
With RHSP Peter Heubeck on the mound, in the 2nd inning he allowed a 1-out BB with the runner moving to 2nd on a ground out. The run scored on a single.
Tulsa scored the tying run in the 3rd on 3B Jake Gelof’s HR (8).
Heubeck gave up a HR in the 3rd to go back in front.
CF Mike Sirota tied it back up in the 4th with his 2nd HR at AA. He has now reached in 45 straight games.
LHRP Christian Suarez pitched a scoreless 4th.
In the top of the 5th, RF Josue De Paula hit his 20th double. He has now hit in 13 straight and reached safely in 22 straight.
The game was tied at 2-2 going into the home half of the 5th. Then LHRP Maddux Bruns entered. Things went wrong…very wrong from here.
Bruns faced 4 batters, all reaching safely; 3 straight singles and a BB. RHRP Lucas Wepf followed Bruns, and he wasn’t a lot better. A WP and a 2nd run of the inning scores. Wepf walked the next batter and the bases were loaded. A force out and ground out scored 2 more. A run scoring single brought home the 5th run of the inning.
Bruns has now pitched 15.2 innings. He has allowed 27 runs (26 earned), 17 hits and 30 BB. That works out to 14.94 ERA and 3.0 WHIP. Almost 2 BB per inning. In what baseball universe is that acceptable? He needs to go onto the development list.
Tulsa got 1 back in the 6th when C Griffin Lockwood-Powell slugged his 7th HR.
LHRP Evan Shaw restored order in the 6th (temporarily).
Gelof hit his 2nd solo HR of the game in the 7th followed by LF Chris Newell’s solo HR (7).
Shaw allowed the first two batters to reach (single and BB) before being lifted for RHRP Kelvin Ramirez. 2nd batter Ramirez faced hit a 3-run HR.
In the 8th, 1B Kyle Nevin singled and scored on Gelof’s double (7). 2B Taylor Young was HBP, and JDP hit an RBI single to score Gelof.
- Josue De Paula – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 RBI, double (20)
- Kyle Nevin – 2-5, 1 run
- Jake Gelof – 3-5, 3 runs, 3 RBI, double (7), 2 HR (9)
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (7)
- Mike Sirota – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (2)
- Chris Newell – 1-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (7)
Great Lakes Loons 4 – Lansing Lugnuts (A’s) 0
When you see a 1-hit shutout, your mind goes to superb pitching. Well it was a shutout, but superb pitching? RHSP Brooks Auger went 4 innings, allowed the one hit, but issued 5 BB. LHRP Jacob Frost pitched the last 3.1 innings, did not allow a hit, but also issued 5 BB. When you issue 10 walks, you cannot call that a well-pitched game. At least I cannot.
In between Auger and Frost, LHRP Matt Lanzendorfer pitched 1.2 innings. He retired all 5 batters he faced, including 1 K.
In the home half of the 1st, CF Eduardo Quintero singled and scored ahead of 2B Nico Perez’s HR (7).
In the 5th, Quintero walked, ad RF Jose Meza hit a 2-run HR (7) for a 4-0 lead. This is how the game would end. There were a total of 8 hits in this game.
- Jose Meza – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (6), HR (8)
- Nico Perez – 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (7)
Ontario Tower Buzzers 10 – Stockton Ports (A’s) 4
Stockton scored a pair in the 2nd off RHSP Cam Leiter. A leadoff single. The runner moved to 3rd on a double and scored on an E6 on the play. The runner moved to 3rd on error and scored on a ground out. In 2.1 IP, Leiter allowed the 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits, 2 BB, and 3 K. He threw 49 pitches (28 strikes). It looks like Leiter is still on a 50 pitch limit.
In the 3rd, with 2 outs DH Ching-Hsien Ko drew a walk and moved to 3rd on 3B Mairo Martinus’ double (12). Martinus scored when 1B Easton Shelton slugged a 2-run HR.
In the 4th, RF Landyn Vidourek drew a BB and stole 2nd. Vidourek scored on LF AJ Soldra’s single.
RHRP Will Gagnon came in relief in the 5th. He allowed 2 runs, both unearned, on 2 hits, and 2 BB. He did strike out the side.
In the bottom of the 5th, Ko drew a BB and moved to 3rd on Martinus; 2nd double (13) of the game. Shelton, Vidourek, and SS Joendry Vargas each walked scoring two. Soldra was then HBP to plate another run.
In the 6th, CF Jaron Elkins and Ko each drew a BB. Martinus singled to load the bases. Elkins scored on a balk, and Ko scored on a Vargas SF.
In the 7th, Soldra walked and C Bryan Gonzalez Garcia was HBP. Soldra scored on a passed ball but Garcia was out at home attempting to score.
In the 9th with RHRP Jhonny Jimenez issued 2 walks, gave up a single to load the bases. He then allowed a run-scoring single and BB to force in a 2nd run. RHRP Jose Cabrera relieved Jimenez. Got a K, but issued a walk for the 3rd run. Cabrera got the final 2 outs to end the game and got his save of the year.
- Mairo Martinus – 3-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2 doubles (13)
- Easton Shelton – 1-3, 2 BB, 2 runs, 2 RBI, HR (14)
- Ching-Hsien Ko – 1-2, 3 BB, 3 runs
- Landyn Vidourek – 0-1, 3 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
ACL Angels 18 – ACL Dodgers 11
Not much pitching in this one.
- SS Daniel Mielcarek – 2-5, 1 run
- DH Cameron Decker – 2-3, 1 BB, 4 runs, 2 RBI, double (3), HR (1)
- 3B Moises Bolivar – 2-4, 1 BB, 3 runs, 3 RBI, HR (5)
- 1B Oswaldo Osorio – 2-3, 1 BB, 2 runs, 4 RBI, triple (3), HR (2)
- 2B Reyli Mariano – 3-4, 1 BB, 2 RBI, triple (3)
LAD DSL Bautista 10 – DSL Red Sox Blue – 8
DSL Red Sox jumped out to a 6-0 lead after 4 ½ innings. LAD DSL Bautista scored 8 in the bottom of the 5th. In the bottom of the 5th, Bautista put together 5 BB, 2 HBP, 1 single, 3 WP, 1 error, and two sac flies to score 8 runs.
In the bottom of the 6th, 3 BB, 1 single, and 1 WP scored another pair.
In summary – 10 runs, 8 BB, 2 HBP, 2 singles, 4 WP, 1 error, and 2 SF.
Bautista had 3 singles on the day.
And the Red Sox Blue scored 3 in the 7th.
They couldn’t hit, they couldn’t pitch, and yet they won.
DSL LAD Mega 11 – DSL Red Sox Red 9
DSL Mega scored 11 runs on 8 hits and 6 BB. In the 1st, a BB, infield single, and BB loaded the bases. WP brings home a run, a ground out brings home another, and a single scores the 3rd run.
Red Sox Red scored 4 in the 3rd to take the lead. In the 4th, 2B Juan Macero doubled (1) and scored on a fielding error to tie the game.
In the 5th, a one out BB, single, force out and throwing error scored 1, infield single, SB, WP scores a 2nd run of the inning. Another BB and a 2 run double (1) by 1B Jesus Villaflor gave Mega an 8-4 lead.
With one in the 5th and 3 in the 6th Red Sox Red tied it up at 8-8.
In the 7th, a single, WP, a ground out with runner getting to 3rd. A HBP, and sac fly scores 1. A 2-run HR (1) by RF Erny Orellana gave Mega a 3-run lead. Red Sox Red scored one in the bottom of the 7th to end the game.
- Juan Macero – 3-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (1)
- Erny Orellana – 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (1)
- Jesus Villaflor – 1-3, 3 RBI, double (1), SF
Weighted Runs Above Average (wRAA) Definition
wRAA measures how many runs a hitter contributes, compared with an average player — so a player with a 0 wRAA would be considered league average, offensively. It’s calculated by finding the difference in the number of runs contributed between a player and the league average (which is determined by the league average wOBA).
Because wRAA uses wOBA to determine how many runs a player is worth, a player with an above-average wOBA will have an above-average wRAA. But — unlike wOBA — wRAA is a counting stat. As a result, players with a higher number of plate appearances can accrue a higher wRAA than an equal player with fewer plate appearances.
The formula
((wOBA – wOBA of the entire league) / annual wOBA scale) x PA
Why it’s useful
Obviously, a hitter’s goal is to contribute runs in any way possible. wRAA measures how well players do so in relation to the rest of the league. And because it’s scaled to the league, you can compare players on different teams or from different seasons.
Discussion (97)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The Glasnow trade looks worse every year. Guy just cannot stay on the field.
Close, 9-2.
A lot of players are. Not as many as you might think, but mostly guys with MLB service time.
Instead, they ended up buying the Lakers and keeping LeBoring James around. Hopefully the James to the Warriors rumors come true and they ship his ass north.
The Dodgers get 9 in the first on a guy with an ERA of 6, then take a nap for 7 innings against 3 guys with ERA’s at or over 5. It’s like getting your sales quota done by 9 a.m. then quitting for the day.
Who does that? I find that inexcusable. They should keep that momentum going and carry it all the way through to the end. Never quit!
Ok, I’m done. It’s 5 o’clock. I’m going back to bed.
Correction: Outman was drafted by the Dodgers in the 7th round.
So were the Mets and Blue Jays running up the price for Tucker???
Isn’t that what the Dodgers did regarding Soto? A taste of our own medicine, perhaps.
Soto too was overpriced–but he’s a lot younger than Tucker, so the big bucks made more sense. Soto is also scarier at the plate.
I just think it’s funny when somebody says “AF won’t overpay” in the trade market … but then he pays top dollar for free agents.
Like Conforto at $17 million, for example.
As I understood it, this was a case of AF willing to overpay for a one-year deal when Conforto might have been seeking something like three years for more than $30m. Conforto didn’t have a good year for the Giants, but AF still had a jones for him for some reason. We trusted that AF knew what he was doing…. because he’s a genius, right?
But Conforto didn’t work out. His contract was too big too fail, though, so guys like Ryan Ward and Outman–earning much less–were stuck in OKC. (Don’t we like it when the Dodgers develop and promote from within? )
Now Ryan Ward is finally getting his chance and so far, so good. Small sample, sure. But that’s not Ward’s fault.
Last year, a lot of people, myself included, wondered why he never got summoned while he was tearing up Triple A and Conforto was a hole in the lineup. Was Ward really that slow? Was his glove and arm really that bad? (Outman forgot how to hit, but he was fast and played a stellar CF.) What was holding Ward back?
Ward was just blocked. By a dumb decision.
He wasn’t blocked by Conforto’s performance–but Conforto’s contract.
Back to the why on Skubal. The Dodgers rotation is great but they do come with some question marks. How will Snell look coming back? When will Glasnow be back and for how long? How much gas will Ohtani have left in the tank come October?
The Dodgers have a wealth of outfielders and a good chance some good prospects never have the opportunity to get called up. The Dodgers have enough to block other contenders from acquiring Skubal. Any team can win or lose a playoff series. Especially a short series. Add Skubal to a few of the NL contenders and they’re real competition. Tibbs, JDP, Hope, George, Sirota, Quintero, Davalan, Erhard, Ko. If we can assume that Pages will be a Dodger for a long time. That’s two future outfield spots available at most plus a 1st base job only if they don’t extend Freddie.
Lastly, the Dodgers may never have the opportunity again to go for a 3peat. Could there be an advantage to having Skubal prior to a potential lockout?
I haven’t really made up my mind. I would have to know the package. Definitely not dealing JDP. Just answering the question. As far as it not being Freidman’s way. AF is all about acquiring elite talent who are difference makers.
*boiler plate
In den wolken!
Wesside
Any number times zero is zero
Last night and tonight perfect examples of how our offense works this year.,All or nothing.
What a stretch our starting pitchers are on. Fun to watch!
The Angels just look like a bad high school team!
I hope our dues don’t increase!
Mark don’t give it a second thought. I’d rather read yours and the other posters versus my nonsense.
Ardaya has the deets:
Nick Frasso exercised his upward mobility clause, which is why the Dodgers added him to the 40-man roster, source said.
The way that’s reported, the clause seems almost spoiler plate. I wonder why more players don’t use it?
Sorry John,
I just got home and got your posts out of jail.
IN the next few weeks, we are going to a different format. This WordPress site is 8+ years old. We will have something WAAAAYYYY better by fall.
Watching Duran pitch for OKC. Been following him a long time. Big dude.
Yes, and
Frasso is nowhere near being big league ready.
Roberts toes the company line; he does not say a thing about injuries that isn’t dictated by the front office.
Good for him. He was good in ST.
Never believe anything Roberts says
They also moved Glasnow to 60 Day IL. He will not be eligible to come off IL until July 7. I do not believe they expected Glasnow before then anyway.
wasn’t this supposedly some minor back spasm???
Glasnow moved to the 60 day IL. What was originally a minimum stay on the IL has become a two + month injury (minimum). He has to be one of the most fragile/injury prone Dodger starting pitchers in recent memory.
Angels moved Soler to the IL and activated Schanuel.
Not at this point he wouldn’t.
Dodgers also traded LHRP Antoine Kelly to Cubs.
The Desert Snakes just lost to the Nats again today 6-1 falling into a second place tie with Padres 8 games behind the Champs in the NL West. As I have stated from the beginning of the season the NL West is a WEAK Division with NO teams that will really challenge the Dodgers.
Dodgers 14 Angels 1
Or Dope. 6/7
TIC. Just havin some fun Bear.
Plus I don’t think Mookie could beat out Miller!
10:10 PM ET
Angels (24-40)
Dodgers (41-23)
SP Jack Kochanowicz R
2-4 5.23 ERA
SP Y. Yamamoto R
5-4 2.86 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
CF Andy Pages R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Mookie Betts R
3B Max Muncy L
LF Ryan Ward L
RF Alex Call R
C D. Rushing L
2B A. Freeland S
69° Wind 9 mph Out
Dodgers moved Frasso onto the 40, but kept him in the minors?!???
Never seen that, I don’t think.
Why didn’t they just do that with Ward last year?
Catcher Seby Zavala was officially released by the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, while right-handed pitcher Marco Corcho was released by the Arizona Complex League Dodgers.
😉
Yep, I reported that earlier.
Now that is a ridiculous statement. Mookie has about as much chance of going to OKC as you do of being elected Governor of your state, ZERO> Only if he was on a rehab assignment.
Who is Pope? You mean Hope???
James Outman’s total career earnings as a Major League Baseball player are approximately $3.17 million ($3,168,065). This total spans his time in the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Minnesota Twins.
He has earned this money through the following: Pre-arbitration contracts and MLB minimums: Over the 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 seasons.Performance bonuses: Including his $580,948 bump from the MLB pre-arbitration bonus pool after his standout 2023 rookie season.Minor league signing bonus: His initial $157,500 signing bonus from being drafted by the Dodgers in 2018.
Not bad for someone under age 30 and a solid base for his next career.
Snell
James Outman. DFA
Tucker sitting against RHP
Well, I’m insulted!
And Mookie can bat anywhere he wants to,
As long as it’s in OKC
That was Plan A 😉
I do not think anyone has decided to trade Hope. At least I haven’t. But of the top 5 OF (De Paula, Sirota, Quintero, Hope, and Tibbs III), who is the most likely to be traded? I said Hope. Do you have another OF you prefer to be considered most likely? It is also conceivable, and maybe probable, tht none will be traded. But if the decision by AF/BG is to trade a top OF prospect, who do you think is most likely?
While I do think that Pena is a logical acquisition target (although not likely), Houston is going to want pitching. A lot of pitching. They have arguably the worst pitching in MLB. Pena would have a year and a half left. What level pitching would he command?
Are you implying that the team’s brain trust knows more than the people on this blog?
Or Glasnow for SD’s Miller +-
Okay. Make the offer to the Simulator.
Blue Jays and Mets, Philly and Yanks might be interested in Glasnow and Snell.
Let’s make this unlikely trade more unlikely by making it a 4 or 5 team trade.
Give talent to KC from teams that want Snell and Glasnow and I will even include Pope
I keep Freeland, Sheehan, Ryan, Stone. Sasaki, Wrobleski, Sirota, DePaul.
“Roki needs to learn how to pitch at AAA.” “His fastball doesn’t have enough movement.” “He throws his pitches right down the middle.” “He shouldn’t be learning how to throw a slider at the MLB level.” “He needs to be converted to a reliever. He doesn’t have the fastball velo he had in Japan. His arm’s gonna fall off.”
Last night’s stat line:
– 7.0 innings
– 2 hits
– 0 ER
– 2 BB
– 10 K
– 98 pitches (72 strikes)
“Let’s talk about Mookie Betts. What a bum!” “He needs to bat 9th.”
…
His BABIP has risen dramatically to .157. Still absurdly below the norm of .300. It is a luck dependent variable, especially if underlying metrics like barrel rate or exit velocity or good, and his are better than they were in 2024 and 2025. If his BABIP was a typical .300, his batting average would be between .285-.295, his SLG would be between .460-.490.
At his current defensive WAR rate, he’d likely be the 6th or 7th best defensive SS in baseball.
At the current offensive and defensive rate and extrapolated over the entire season, and factoring in his time on the IL and future typical rest days or time off, he’d likely finish the season with between 4.0 and 5.0 WAR, which, based on last years SS WAR leaders, would’ve made him between the 4th and 6th most valuable SS in baseball.
You might want him to bat 9th, but that’s not ever going to happen because coaching staff understand the underlying numbers, and whether he plays SS, 2nd base, or RF don’t really impact those numbers. He’s much more valuable as a SS.
So. If He’ll does freeze over, and if a cap is instituted the Dodgers are pretty well prepared for a cost-conscious lineup:
1B Tibbs
2B Lindsey
SS Betts, Morales
3B Freeland
C Smith, Rushing
DH Ohtani
OF Pages
OF JDP
OF Sirota
OF Hope
OF Davalan
Cassidy, I don’t know if you remember but, in the winter of 1975, the Dodgers made a huge trade with Atlanta. LA sent Jimmy Wynn, Jerry Royster, Lee Lacy and Tom Paciorek to the Braves for Ed Goodson and Dusty Baker. Supposed to be a huge trade win for LA. Here is what Atlanta got from the 4 players they received. Wynn: .207/17/66 and he led the league in walks with 127. OPS+ was 108. Royster: .248/5/45, Paciorek: .290/4/36, Lacy: .272/3/20. You know what LA got? Baker: .242/4/39 and an OPS+ of 74, the lowest by far of any Dodger starter. Goodson: .229/3/17, OPS+ of 75. For 1975 at least, the Braves won that trade. Tucker is in his first year on a team where fan and team EXPECTATIONS are through the roof. He has a very large contract and is no doubt feeling a lot of pressure to perform. He is probably pressing, especially at HOME. You know what he is hitting on the road? .287. His OPS on the road is .851. His OBP is .378. 4 of his 5 homers are on the road and 20 of his RBIs. He walks more on the road and strikes out less. I think you should cut the guy a little slack. He will figure it out and become a huge part of this offense. He has too much skill and professional pride not to. Complain about Betts, but give Tucker some time.
We added Tucker! How’s that working out?
Spot on, Bear, about Freddie’s stretch aiding the Miggy play. I forget who said it on the air but the comment was a great first baseman goes unnoticed for his play like a great umpire goes unnoticed. But a bad one sticks out like a sore thumb.
I’m taking no shots at Mookie but Freddie has save him a number of errors on throws in the dirt.
I didn’t realize the HPU was a female, until I noticed her high pitched voice when announcing a challenge. I thought she did great. No reason a female can’t be an outstanding umpire.
I jokingly posted that when the Dodgers signed Ohtani they should have used the money to purchased the Royals then trade Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez to the Dodgers then sell the Royals and use the money to sign Ohtani. Again I was not serious, wasn’t under the influence. I worked near KC for a bit and you could tell when he first came up he was going to be really good unless injuries got him. I’ve gone to Royals stadium many times and Witt’s love for the game is refreshing.
Lots of chatter about does this team need a little offensive spark. With an older core and a ton of younger prospects, adding a prime-age star feels at least somewhat worthy of exploration. I thought we stalled out last World Series, possibly owing to age or fatigue or whatever. The strength of this team might no longer be the Ohtani/Freeman/Betts HOF trio. Edman adds a little but maybe not enough. We’ll see. Muncy and Pages have been great, Tucker a disappointment, and Smith a little slow to get going. Maybe Rushing becomes a difference maker. Maybe Kim. Maybe we shock the world and add an impact MIF.
11y/$288m
I’d make that trade. Rather quickly too.
The playoffs are different than the regular season as far as starting pitching. At most a team needs 3 starters, 4 would more than cover the starters for a playoff run. Unless the Dodgers have a rash of injuries and/or want to move some current starters to the bullpen, to overpay for Skubal isn’t how AF operates. If it was a sign and trade that is a different story. We could start the playoffs now and have IMO the best starting staff in the playoffs. When adding a Snell and/or Glasgow, some very good starters will be moved to the pen for the playoffs. I personally say no to trading for Skubal unless he has a 3-5 year contract in his pocket.
Why have you changed your mind on Witt?
As much as I love our top prospects, I’d be willing to include any one of them in a trade for him.
KC, even with Witt, is going nowhere. Maybe it’s time for them to consider adding a number of very good players instead of losing with one spectacular one.
How about DePaula,, Sheehan, Lindsey and Henriquez. Too much? Not enough?
Witt is playing in his year 26 season with a reasonable contract and he has nothing left to prove.
Every day makes it seem like we’ll need a successor to Mookie sooner than later. This would be the answer.
How far we’ve come in a month! From being a bust and leaping to first inning conclusions to chalking up another victory for smart people and good development people doing their jobs.
Hopefully there’s a abatement of silly Mookie Betts takes, but I fear not.
Freddies stretch was pretty good too. He doesn’t do that; the runner is safe. When I first saw the home plate umpire, I thought, wow, that guy is really short. I did not realize the ump was a lady. Jen Pawol, the first female ump in the majors. She did a nice job behind the plate. Probably one of the largest crowds she has ever umped in front of. 46,850. Loved the pitching duel, although I am getting a little long in the tooth for my heart to be tested so much.
As soon as I saw Yates I knew it was in the bag.
Claude Osteen, Kirk Gibson, nope, just bad players wearing it.
From AI:
“What’s the status of Edwin Diaz?
Edwin Díaz is currently on the 60-day injured list for the Los Angeles Dodgers after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in late April to remove five loose bodies from his right elbow.
Recovery Status & Return TimelineProgress: He has “progressed really nicely” and recently completed back-to-back throwing sessions as part of a ramped-up progression program.
Expected Return: While he is not technically eligible to be activated until June 19, he is broadly expected to return in the second half of the season, likely following the All-Star break in
July.Outlook: Díaz and manager Dave Roberts have expressed optimism, noting that his range of motion is back to normal and his arm feels significantly better than it did pre-surgery”.
Two years ago, KC was at the bottom for wins, attendance, minor league ranking and yet they held on to Witt Jr.
Same with Trout and the Angels except for attendance.
I wanted Witt a couple of years ago. That want has sailed.
I’m a fan of pitching duels so I loved last night’s game – a Classic ending for me. Freddie doing the Roy Hobbs.
Orel is spot on with his praise for Sasaki’s improvement since the season began. His command has improved along with his confidence but the real difference to me is his improved pitch shapes.
Early on I professed he was more suited as a relief pitcher. His fastball was effective because of his secondary stuff; his slider backed-up too much and his splitter / fork-ball, broke the wrong way. He needed to improve his inability to locate the fastball down and away with his secondary stuff all breaking the same glove-side, right to left action.
Now the fastball location has improved especially “up” because his improved splitter actually breaks down with arm-side run, like it’s supposed to. His slider has some teeth now and pops-out and backs up, far less. He can now pitch to every quadrant with the right movement and shape.
Orel is such a fan of a pitcher nibbling until the very end when he gets ahead in the count. If a pitcher is up 0 and 2 and throws anything close to the strike zone on the next 3 pitches, Orel thinks it’s a mistake. A guy needs to throw at least 3 pitches after a 0 and 2 start, unless the batter gets himself out. All those nibbles add up quickly with pitch counts. Sometimes a guy just needs to challenge hitters and not nibble to 3 and 2 ie. Worbleski.
How good is Miggy defensively. If he’s lost a step, I don’t see it. The barehand play and throw to first in the 3rd was total web-gem.
The funny part about it was the runner was called safe and overturned with review. How sad would that have been if a spectacular play was taken away with a safe call?
Taking a spectacular “play” away didn’t happen much in the old days before the rule changes and reviews. Every player knew and expected that on a bang-band play, the call went to the great play. Nobody came to the park to see a great play ruled a base hit. On a great play like Miggy’s,, the runner was out.
Conversely, if there was a bobble or wide throw on a close play, the batter got the benefit of the call.
Umpires were very upfront about rewarding great defensive plays and every body knew it.
That’s all gone now as review makes the determination.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Nick Madrigal playing 2nd of the Angels. I had lost track of Nick who has had a miserable time staying on the field with a plethora of injuries. I started following him when he was a 4-year start at Oregon State out of Elk Grove. He was a fun pepper-pot type player who led the Beavers to a Natty in 2018. That team featured Steven Kwan, Trevor Larnach and Adley Rutschman. He was the 4th overall pick in 2018 by the White Sox. He debuted in 2020 and became “Nicky, 2 Strikes” for his contact ability. He looked like a potential .300 hitter with no power and a great defender
But after his injury filled stint with her Sox he spent 3 unremarkable years with the Cubs. He signed with the Mets in 2025 and never played for them due to injury in spring training. This year he signed a minor league contract to become an Angel. Injuries have plagued his promising career. I’m happy to see him playing.
James Outman was DFAd by the Twins as they called up Royce Lewis, who has been playing the outfield in AAA.
Captain Clutch, Andre Ethier had six in one year, 4 of which were walk off homers.
Maybe we should “retire” the number 23. Seems to be bad luck.
Saturday Dodger Affiliate’ Schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Charlie Barnes) vs. Round Rock (Jose Corniell)
4:05 p.m.: Great Lakes (Sterling Patick) vs. Lansing (Tzu-Chen Sha)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Patrick Copen) at Amarillo (TBA)
6:05 p.m.: Ontario (TBA) vs. Stockton (Donny Troconis)
So we’ve decided to trade Hope….
OK, now who should we get?
How about Freeland + Hope for Jeremy Pena. If it’s true that the Dodgers’ brass covets Pena, that might get it done. Maybe toss in Ryan Ward and young arm as sweeteners.
DO NOT trade Tibbs.
The NY MESS were also in on Tucker right to the end and immediately turned to Bichette once he decided on the Dodgers. Cohen’s offer was similar to the Dodgers’ offer.
Ehrhard as a 4th OF sounds ideal.
Harlan as 3B of future (sorry, Morales).
One of Ferris/Root/Leiter/Zazueta to be a difference maker.
Serwinowski/Copen to be relief ace.
And alllllll he OF prospects somehow living in harmony.
“Money is not the issue….”
Apparently not to the Dodgers.
Freddie’s walk-off stats brought to mind that crazy season when Andre Ethier was the walk-off king.
So I looked it up.
In 2009, Ethier had SIX walk-off hits, FOUR of which were homers.
My googler said that “The Society for American Baseball Research” says it’s a record.
More detail from mlb.com:
The 404-foot blast also marked Freeman’s 20th career walk-off hit (including the postseason), tying him with Hall of Famer Andre Dawson and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols for the fourth-most since the RBI became an official stat in 1920. Freeman trails only Roberto Clemente (21), Tony Perez (21), Dusty Baker (21), David Ortiz (23) and Frank Robinson (26).
Pretty good company. Walk-offs require a certain amount of luck or happenstance, but with one more Freddie would catch Clemente, Perez and Baker. The walk-offs help explain why Big Papi was such a beloved legend in Boston.
I’m guessing that the old records may not exist. Surely guys like Cobb, Ruth, Wagner, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Williams and Musial had plenty of walk-offs. Is it dumb luck that enable Dusty Baker to outpace the likes of Mays, Mantle, Bonds and Aaron in this odd stat? Perhaps. But it does suggest that certain players have a knack for rising to occasion.
I believe the Blue Jays were in on Tucker.
As for his contract, you have to look at it in this context; your team has the possibility of a three peat. It’s something historic. What can you do as a GM to maximize your ability to reach that goal? You sign the best free agent position player. Yes the contract is crazy but money is not the issue.
1. Agree about Hope being the most likely “Big 4” OF prospect to be traded.
2. De Paula is doing everything to be next big thing.
3. Tibbs and Sirota are real and spectacular.
4. Young starting rotation gives me hope for future, augmented by a couple of high-upside prospect arms.
5. Bullpen is always a work in progress. Who knows who will be the guys in October. But Henriquez, Klein & Hurt have been battling.
Yes
Roki’s splitter looked unhittable. It was also chased all night by a weak lineup.
Skubal already has a 1.5 fWAR. In 43 innings. You know who on the Dodgers has 1.5 WAR in 43 innings? Not Yamamoto in 69 innings. Shohei is higher, in 61 innings. Wrobleski is a bit higher, in 68 innings. Snell and Glasnow? Who knows. They’re ghosts at this time. And Mark’s point about paying Skubal $300 million? Nope. Not if it’s about this year. It’s only $16 million if it’s about 3peating before the CBA mess starts.
If the question is about “why Skubal” the obvious answer is “this year”. That is assuming he’s healthy. There’s no way of knowing who will be 100% in October. Not in the present day scenarios. For all we know all these guys were talking about in June will be having spa days in September/October.
Nice to get one back off of Yates.
Roki’s splitter was fantastic and finished with 10 K’s
Freddie with good defense and a walk off HR. First ballot HOF in my opinion. Hope he can get to the magic 3000 hits milestone.
Miggy Ro, when he hangs them up I think he’s right in the conversation with Ozzie Smith, Omar Vizquel, etc as defensive wizards. Just a ridiculous play.
“Where’s Tibbs?” was my first reaction.
He’s been putting up monster numbers. He’s knocking on the proverbial door…. and yet he is overlooked in this BA analysis.
Is he, “Just another Outman?”
Well, Tibbs was a 1st round draft pick, and I think Outman went in the 5th. If Tibbs gets called up and produces a .790 OPS as a rookie and finishes 3rd in ROY voting, yeah, maybe he’d just be another Outman. Except that Outman also played a quality CF. Tibbs is a corner OF/1B guy who has been DHing lately due to some sort of strain that apparently doesn’t affect his hitting. (This might be why Ryan Ward got the call up and not Tibbs.)
The prospect rankings are always fun but always produce head-scratchers. Young guys crushing Triple A competition get passed over for younger guys down in High A.
Very well pitched game last night! If Sasaki continues to pitch like the last couple of starts, with Yamamoto and Ohtani? Three headed Godzilla! The improvement is obvious. The confidence is evident! The stuff is electric! Keep it going !
Last night was proof of what a lefty can do to this lineup. Detmer pitched a very good game. But he’s not Skubal. Do the Dodgers need him? No. But. If he’s traded I hope it’s to an American League team! But the tigers probably would rather send him to the national league instead. So do they really want him to end up in Atlanta or Philadelphia?? It’s gonna be interesting to see if AF does go hard for him. Again, do they need him? No! But don’t be shocked if it happens.
Freddie is the MAN! Nuff said!
Gracias, Mark.
That factoid about Freddie turned out to be a non-factoid. Mistakes happen.
But 20 walk-off hits is pretty damn impressive.
I wonder what the record is.
Boiling the stats down to the essence of “clutch” would be an interesting exercise.
Can anyone tell me why we needed Kyle Tucker at $240m for four years?
The Dodgers don’t NEED Skubal. But depending on how the market shakes out, and how the Dodgers look, AF & Associates might decide they WANT Skubal.
As I understand it, Skubal should have several starts before the trade deadline. Everyone will have a better idea if he’s the same dominant guy. (Plus, what guarantee is there that Snell will return in good shape?)
My guess is that, if Skubal is healthy, another contender would outbid the Dodgers, and that would be fine by me. But the Dodgers brass sometimes get fixated on object of desire, which seems to be what happened with Tucker. (Who were they bidding against?)
I don’t mind if AF gets fixated on an exceptional target. I might feel Tucker is exceptional if he was putting up a 1.000 OPS right now, but he’s not. Shohei is obviously exceptional–and some LADT folks argued against his signing. ( “Notahni!”) I was wary of the Yamamoto contract, but that looks pretty good now.
I was hoping AF would get fixated on Mason Miller. I banged that drum a long time, because everybody knew it was just a matter WHEN the A’s would deal him. Maybe AF tried and couldn’t beat the Padres offer. Who knows?
To me, Edwin Diaz, who is getting paid a lot more than young Mason Miller is, turned out to be consolation prize…”loose bodies” and all.
))Will someone please tell me why you think we need Skubal?((
Because some people are never satisfied, and then there are others whose collective memories only go back about 48 hours.
Where’s Tibbs on that list? The 23 year old is banging AAA. Is he just another Outman?
Hope: “The left handed batter has plenty of bat speed and boatloads of raw juice, but an uppercut swing makes him exploitable“. Tell that to Freddie. Ted Williams recommended an uppercut. Bat path – plane of ball. Hope’s miss rates do need to be fixed.
3 hits? Against the Angels?
Why do we need Skubal? Maybe we don’t. But my take: you can never have too much excellent pitching. Glasnow and Snell aren’t even there, Yamamoto and Ohtani are possibly being overworked. And, there’s rumors the Phillies, Brewers, and Padres are interested in him. I don’t want the Dodgers to face him in the playoffs. Look what Reid Detmers did to this lineup.
Another great report Jeff. Nice work.
TrueBlueLA wrote this:
“It only takes one swing of the bat to win the deadlocked game in the bottom of the ninth. Freeman accepted the challenge and ended the 0-0 pitcher’s duel with a solo home run against old friend Kirby Yates to walk it off for the Dodgers. It was Freeman’s 20th career walk-off home run.”
That is FALSE.
It was Freddie Freeman’s 20th walk-off hit… not walk-off HR.
As soon as I read it, I knew it was wrong! No way!
… and they will have to give him a new $300 MILLION CONTRACT!
NO WAY!
Due to his resume, Mookie gets a lot of rope, but I am also very concerned. Most of us were wrong about Sasaki. So maybe there is still hope for Mookie. He won’t be at cleanup forever.
Most of us were right about Conforto, however! 😉
BTW, Conforto is OPS’ing .866 for the Cubs.
Go Figure!
Totally agree Andrew
Well, we have all collectively put our positive mojo into Roki, and he now appears to be on the right track. Can we now turn our attention to the Elephant in the room, Mookie. Everyone complains about our .250 right fielder, but Mookie is hitting 60 points below him. Many say he’ll turn it around, he needs more at bats, and I hope so, but dropping him from 2 to 4 has produced very little results. In fact I believe his batting average has gone down. If he gets on a hot streak maybe he’ll elevate to the “Mendosa” line. All glove no bat players do not bat 2nd or 4th. It was only last year when mired in another season long slump that many suggested a standing ovation at Dodger stadium to get Mookie going, maybe another one is needed now. Lots of .250 hitters in the lineup, but the one neon light is the .179 batting cleanup.
Same would go for Diaz and Snell then with the uncertainty.
I wold not give the farm for Skubal but if the price is right I would do it.
A Sheehan,Tibbs, Kopen orsomething similar offer I would be fine with. Would not include dePaula, Siroa and Morales. For me those three are as close to untouchable as it gets with prospects and would not include them for a rental.
ANother argument for a Skubal trade is it would keep him away from another contendder. Would not like to face the Brewers, Braves , Philllies etc. with Skubal in their rotation
Will someone please tell me why you think we need Skubal? Our present pitching staff is the Best in baseball with two Aces on the IL in Snell and Glasnow. Semi Aces Stone and Ryan will also be ready to contribute at some point, If you trade for Skubal ,you CAN’T give him a qualifying offer because of a midseason trade,he’ll want a long term contract for big money and with the new bargaining agreement ,the Dodgers probably will have decrease payroll and you will have to give up controllable prospects in the trade. I feel VERY confident going into the October with our pitching staff WITHOUT Skubal. Also our bullpen will also be improved with Diaz,Phillips ana Stewart working their way back from the IL.I don’t see AF/BG making the trade for what Detroit will want in return. They will be in it and drive up the price to acquire him. AF rarely gives up controllable pitchers in any deal. Andy lastly will he be the same pitcher he was before the scope? HUGE uncertainty!
That slider he incorporated and the increased velo has made a world of difference for Roki. Hope he keeps this up.
Looks more like the pitcher the Dodgers thought they had signed.
dePaula has nothing left to prove in AA. I would move him up .
Can we stop with the Roki Sasaki is a bust?