It’s always nice to beat SD, but yesterday’s game meant nothing. The Dodgers have to beat them when it counts, and this does not! Noah Syndergaard and Dustin May looked like the best #4 and #5 Starters in baseball, but it was only three innings each. Still, it was encouraging! Gavin Stone saw his first action and struck out 2 in his one-inning pitched. I keep telling everyone…
Will Smith looks to be in regular season form as he went 2-3, and Max Muncy was also 2-3. Miguel Rojas remains hot, as RVS and Aaron Bates are working on his swing. I do not expect him to keep up this pace as he went 3-3 with a double and HR. However, he is tied with James Outman with a .462 BA. Rojas’s best year was 2020 when he hit .304 with a .392 OB% and a .888 OPS. In 2019 he hit .284 with a .710 OPS. and in 2017, he hit .290 with a .361 OB%. The hitting coaches believe he is a lot more than a .260 hitter. Maybe Miguel Rojas is a better hitter than most fans think!
Jonny DeLuca (.329 BA) is doing nothing to hurt his stock, as is Andy Pages (.400). Devin Mann is quietly having a nice Spring (.364 BA). Mann would be a wonderful Swiss Army Knife, but he probably has no shot this year.
The competition is heating up as several players were re-assigned to minor league camp, namely, RHP Dylan Covey, RHP Landon Knack, LHP Robbie Erlin, RHP Nick Nastrini, RHP Bryan Hudson, RHP Jordan Yamamoto, RHP Nick Robertson, LHP James Jones and OF Yusniel Díaz. No surprises here. Tony Gonsolin sprained his ankle (it sounds minor) and will miss his next start on Wednesday. There are just 22 days left for the Dodgers in Spring Training.
The Pitchers
Let’s shift to the pitching, where things are a lot more settled. Tony Gonsolin has a boo-boo, but he will be fine, so the rotation is set with Urias, Kershaw, Gonsolin, May, and Thor. That is an excellent rotation, but what makes it great is that Ryan Pepiot, Gavin Stone, and Bobby Miller back them up. There’s a real chance that if they have injuries, they may get even better! Gavin Stone is my favorite, as he has developed the guts of a cat burglar! Gavin trusts his stuff and puts it in the zone, daring you to hit it. However, Ryan Pepiot has allegedly repaired his mechanics, and the strike zone is no longer a foreign object… his 3.73 ERA wasn’t bad last year, but his walks were. If he corrects that, look out! Then there is “The Right Arm of God,” namely Bobby Miller. The “Left Arm of God” did not blossom until he was 26 years old. Bobby Miller will be 24 this year. All I can say is “Look Out!”
The Bullpen is another story. There are about 20 pitchers trying to fit into eight spots. Something has to give. If Andrew Friedman says that Shelby Miller is on the team, it is because he has information that we don’t because Miller has not looked good as yet (and I am being kind). So, if he makes it, they are seven spots left. Daniel Hudson will allegedly be ready a week or two after the start of the season, so we will leave him out of the mix, as we will Victor Gonzalez, who hasn’t pitched since the Civil War. He needs more time. I think Jimmy Nelson also needs more time.
So, here are those eight spots:
- Shelby Miller
- Caleb Ferguson
- Bazooka
- Alex Vesia
- Phil Bickford (he is out of options, and they will give him some rope)
- Evan Phillips (Potentially the Closer)
- Yency Almonte ( He has not pitched as yet, but until he’s out, I have him in)
The last spot could go to Michael Grove, Andre Jackson, Justin Bruihl, or Jake Reed. But V-Gon, Hudson, and Nelson are hot on their heels. Wander Suero is also interesting.
After tonight’s game, Miguel Vargas will start swinging the bat. This shall prove to be interesting as many of you have been ragging on me for supporting him. I think that Miguel Vargas could be moved to the #2 spot later in the season, as his speed would fit nicely there. If he does not hit .300 this season, he will be close. He will also hit over 20 HR. He is coming into his “man strength,” and he has more power than you can imagine. So does Diego Cartaya. Miguel Vargas is a candidate for the ROY… and so is James Outman. However, there is still talk that James will start the season in OKC. I say that if he keeps this up, he has to make the team!
This is the Lineup I hope to see by June: and new projections:
- Betts RF (.292/28 HR))
- Vargas 2B (.299/21 HR))
- Freeman 1B (.329/30 HR))
- Martinez DH (.308/35 HR))
- Muncy 3B (.275/36 HR))
- Smith C (.288/29 HR)
- Peralta/Taylor LF (.260/38 HR)
- Outman CF (.265/26 HR)
- Rojas SS (.285/10 HR)
If they can come close to that, look out! I think Batting Averages will be generally up all over baseball due to the banning of the shift!
FROM MLBTRADE RUMORS on how the Cubs are paying both Cody Bellinger and Jason Heyward. Those are the kind of mistakes AF doesn’t make!
Heyward’s chances of cracking the roster seem to have increased lately. With Gavin Lux potentially out for the entire season, it seems that Chris Taylor will be spending more time on the infield and less in the outfield. That subtracts from the club’s outfield depth a bit, perhaps increasing the need for a non-roster invitee like Heyward.
There’s also a bit of positive buzz around Heyward in spring so far. Last month, Freddie Freeman told reporters, including Alden González of ESPN, that Heyward had altered his stance and “might have unlocked something.” Heyward has four hits in ten at-bats so far this spring, including a pair of home runs. A few good spring games don’t mean much and it’s dangerous to draw meaningful conclusions from them, but it’s nonetheless encouraging, especially given the club’s penchant for helping journeymen find the best versions of themselves. Jon Heyman of the New York Post wrote last week that Heyward is impressing L.A. officials and expected to make the team.
Again, this isn’t to get carried away. The season hasn’t even begun and a few good spring games shouldn’t make us forget about Heyward’s past six full seasons. It’s entirely possible that he continues to disappoint and this hot spring eventually becomes a footnote. But the Dodgers have little to lose in that case. It might be a bit embarrassing if Bellinger returns to form after they let him go for nothing. But at least they saved his salary, which was projected to be $18.1MM by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz. They were then able to redirect that money into players like Noah Syndergaard and J.D. Martinez, who will cost $23MM combined this year.
The Cubs are perhaps facing a much more cringeworthy worst-case scenario. There is some non-zero chance that they have to watch Heyward thrive in Los Angeles while Bellinger struggles in Chicago, as they pay the salaries of both players. Time will tell whether that scenario is likely or not, but the Cubs have almost forty million reasons to hope it doesn’t come true.
Discussion (31)
Disagree, not disagreeable
8:05 PM ET vs Mariners
Logan Gilbert R
0-0 .00 ERA
Michael Grove R
0-0 .00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF J. Heyward L
SS Miguel Rojas R
3B Max Muncy L
LF Chris Taylor R
CF James Outman L
1B M. Busch L
DH Jonny DeLuca R
2B Y. Hernandez S
C P. Mazeika L
Partly-cloudy-day
0% Rain
70° Wind 7 mph Out
Especially now with the Lux injury, SS is our organizational weakness. Pitching and catching are our strengths. How to figure it out? That’s why AF gets paid the big bucks! Can’t wait to see what he comes up with!
Tho I’d aim higher than Rosario
Your right. Busch is blocked. We need to package him for help
Has anyone heard a report on JT. I can’t find any news
With the Lux injury, our long term need is SS not the outfield. Next year Lux probably ends up at 2nd and Vargas to third. Unless we have a total OF meltdown with the bats by the deadline, I just don’t see Reynolds as a Dodger. A big part of the puzzle will be Vargas and Outman!
Well as of today, Vargas gets to start showing his wares in the batter’s box. So, the debate about how good or bad he is can start in a week or so. He needs at least 25 ABs to get his sea legs under him. So far, Outman has performed very well. Let’s see what he does when he is facing top line pitchers. A lot of guys here, and on other sites too, believe that Reynolds is the answer to all of the Dodgers outfield holes. Get him, he plays left, Mookie in right, and Heyward=Taylor-Outman as the center fielder. Forgetting of course that AF has already signed lower cost-free agents to fill that hole. You might not like Peralta or Thompson, and very possibly one of them ends up getting released or DFAd after spring training. After all, the Dodgers would only be eating some cash. Although he is a very good outfielder, and adds some consistency to the lineup, I do not see Reynolds as a savior. I do not think trading for him makes the Dodgers a better team than the Padres, Mets or even the Braves. Where the Dodgers edge is against all teams is the depth of their minor league system and the ability to trade prospect capital for what they need on the field, they have the ability to plug holes with very talented minor league players, or trade that depth for a star. And I mean a star. Reynolds is very good. And he is the best player the Pirates have. But if I am the Dodgers, I go for a younger more controllable star like say O’Neil of the Cardinals. Right-handed power bat, excellent fielding skills and a speedy runner. Cardinals are loaded with outfielders. And they might be willing to trade the 27 year old O’Neil since their phenom is really showing his wares in spring training.
It’s simple to me, Outman has earned the opportunity. Give it to him.
Promote from within the organization. Let the kids play. See what you’ve got until the trading deadline. and use your prospect capital wisely to improve the roster. With the balanced schedule, nobody will run away and hide in our division. Make the playoffs, be healthy, playing your best, baseball with hopefully power swing and miss starting pitchers with a little luck and anything can happen in a World Series run. That will be the formula for success. Also trust AF with his decisions.
Outman in a 5th outfielder in Mark’s prospect rankings.
He thinks Pages, Ramos, DeLuca and Busch all have more potential than the guy who should make the OD lineup–whether he does or not.
Of course Outman beat them all to the majors–and he beat Vargas too.
And when he homered in his first AB, Mark said it was just dumb luck.
Fortunately, it seems that Outman has been lucky for years. What else could explain his progress? He luckily hit more than 30 HRs in 2022, and for the year outhit his peers Vargas and Busch.
I hope the Dodgers find more lucky players.
Perhaps it also shocked Outman too that he went yard his 1st appearance, Any way it’s looked at it shows the tools are there. What he does forward is yet to be answered. Clayton Kershaw probably was the most stubborn pitcher ever in the game and that’s what made the man. We got to see him find himself and prove to himself. There is the chance Outman has the guts, we’ll see.
I say Outman AND Vargas. We’re better with both. Neither of them is fourth or fifth stringer and they are not competing with each other.
Totally agree Mark
I find it amazing and extremely foolish that I have watched James Outman for two years and feel that he is a 4th or 5th outfielder and that just about EVERY scouting and ranking entity feels the same way, but a couple of people here think I am disrespecting him because I think Vargas is better. Outman had 13 ABs in MLB last year, where he had seven strikeouts but also hit a HR in his first AB and had five more hits. Then he gets off to a hot start, and with a great week, and you chastise me for even daring to think anything other than Puppy Dogs and Kittys about him.
Have you ever watched baseball? I am talking to Duke and Eric! I like James Outman! I hope he does well. I hope he surpasses what I think he will be, but DAMN, why do you take this so personally? He has had two good weeks in MLB out of 4 years! I said that RIGHT NOW, he should make the team.
Miguel Vargas has been rated one of the TOP Prospects by just about every ranking service. Outman has not. You may be right about Outman (or you may be wrong). It’s fine to have favorite players, but damn, what is your fascination with him? I like all Dodger Prospects. I wish none of them anything bad, but I do have an eye for talent, and Vargas has “IT.” But is seems like you are rooting against Vargas, while I hope Outman does well and wins a job. This is almost a sickness! Please get well!
So yesterday people were suggesting don’t trade for Reynolds don’t trade for Rosario. You will give up prospects. Really the prospects aren’t helping us there in OKC. That is why teams trade for good players from other teams. Then they get a chance to play in the big leagues. Look at this lineup. This could be lineup at the trade deadline. Doesn’t this lineup. Look like a world series team! And pretty much would be back in 2024 season. The entire lineup minus the DH who will retire.
Betts rf
Reynolds lf
Freeman 1b
Muncy. 3b
Martinez DH
Smith. C
Outman. CF
Rosario SS
Vargas 2b
That’s why you make trades when you have prospects in the minors to win a world series. Look at you bench with this lineup you have.
Barnes
Taylor
Rojas
Heyward
Duggar
Better bench and maybe you traded Thompson Pepiot stone cataya Busch Peralta grove Jackson. You know why because the LA Dodgers want to win a world series. That’s why they make big trades.
Your outfield is set for the next five years with Reynolds Outman and Betts. You have a shortstop now for the next four years bwcwie he is a free agent Rosario is so in 2024 you move Lux back to second base Vargas goes to third base and Muncy becomes the DH or utility guy because Martinez will retire when they win the 2023 world series. Again that’s why the Dodhee trade prospects get the minors because they are going to just be in the minors so you trade them. And get stats so you go to the playoffs and have a tough lineup. I like that lineup against the Yankees Astros bluejays Braves and Padres. I don’t like the lineup like is saw the other day of.
Betts
Freeman
Muncy
Outman
Barnes
Heyward
Vargas
Taylor
Duggar
Saw cubs v rangers, lots of former dodgers. Moronta was bad, hit hard didn’t’t fool anyone gave up 2 runs. Bellenger 0-3 ground out, fc, f7 at least he hit the ball. Seager had hr and walk. McKinstery one hit.
The last two games we really hit well and the starting pitching gave up no runs
70 years ago today, Stalin died. The first American to learn of his death was Johnny Cash:
https://t.co/bpxWe2W1Ko
At least, that’s what I want to believe
Mark. Your quote about Vargas.
“This shall prove to be interesting as many of you have been ragging on me for supporting him.”
I’m not going to speak for others, just me. I haven’t ragged on you for supporting Vargas. I just ragged on you for dismissing Outman while supporting Vargas. As Outman did better in AA and AAA combined than Vargas. But I will give you credit now that it seems like you have seen the light so to speak about Outman.
——————————————————————————————————MLB trade rumors thinks the same thing I have said all along, that only one of Thompson or Heyward would make the team not both. Meaning Outman was already in (count the position players that are locks before Lux went down, plus one of Thompson or Heyward, plus Outman). But now that Lux went down to an injury, it opens the door for both Thompson and Heyward to make the team together. Here is the quote:
“Heyward’s chances of cracking the roster seem to have increased lately. With Gavin Lux potentially out for the entire season, it seems that Chris Taylor will be spending more time on the infield and less in the outfield. That subtracts from the club’s outfield depth a bit, perhaps increasing the need for a non-roster invitee like Heyward.”
Mookie
Freddy
JD
Max
Will
Hayward
Outman
Vargas
That’s my story andI am sticking to it!
Getting closer to game day! Haven’t posted for awhile. Still want Reynolds but I can wait. If James outman doesn’t
Make opening day roster something is definitely wrong! If it’s Thompson or outman it’s shouldn’t be close! I really. Believe in syndergard, and think if healthy he wins 13plus! Our starters are going to be as good if not better than 90 percent of baseball. But I’m glad I don’t have to pick relievers for opening day! Shelby Miller? Don’t see it. Can’t wait to see opening day lineup! But I know it’ll probably be nowhere near what I’m thinking! Oh well, that’s why I’m on my bar stool watching ACC tournament and those are in spring training. Go hoos!
As a Philly Boy, I have two words.
HOLY shit.
https://twitter.com/dgambacorta/status/1633090968873324544
A falafel? If you want to keep to that average you better make that a burger….. with fries! Happy bday
Happy birthday Badger
Hope you have a great day!
Stone was in trouble first outing and worked out of it nicely and your right about May with runners on. That was the main thing he needs to fix to become elite and believe he will. I could be wrong but I sure see greatness coming in Stone and like Mark said with injuries to current starting staff quite possible the replacements are better
Stone looks about ready. Talk about mound presence.
I say look out for Dustin May. A switch clicks in right direction he could quite possibly become elite
Cmon Mark, give us your projections from last year and the final results! If your projections for this year panned out, we might have 111 wins by mid September! I love the optimism!.
Your projections seem highly optimistic.
But as Stuart Smalley would say, “That’s OK!”
You have 8 out of 9 positions producing more than 20 HRs–including the platoon of Peralta and Taylor producing 38! But that’s the only number that I think is highly implausible.
The others are plausible.
Mookie with 28 is actually low, considering he had 35 last year (while missing about 17 games) and has apparently added 10 pounds of muscle. (If Mookie had avoided injury in 2022, he would have scored about 12 more runs and maybe even flirted with 40 HRs.)
As big as he is, Freddie really should hit at least 30 HRs–but he only hit 21 last year. Will Freddie outslug Mookie in 2023?
I don’t see JDM, at age 35, reverting to his prime. Could happen, but he only hit about 16 HRs last season–playing half his games in friendly Fenway. I’m more optimistic about Max getting back into the mid-30s.
Will Smith probably won’t hit as many HRs as he did last year, in part because he’ll probably get fewer ABs at DH.
At any rate, the offense still has plenty of power potential, even without Lux.
They did not show the speed of the pitches on mlb.tv in yesterdays game as they do during regular season games.
Does someone know how high the fastballs of Thor, Dustin and Stone registered ?
And why has Bobby Miller not pitched in a game so far ? Is this load management ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was Stone’s second outing this spring and I’d call paying 22 million for nothing a huge mistake
NO Dodger scheduled Spring training game today. Back at it tomorrow with Michael Grove replacing Tony G. on the bump.