A Few Random Rants Raves

• I watched OKC last night and while Clayton Kershaw was obviously a little rusty, he was throwing free and easy. While they don’t show the radar gun in AAA, it looked to me that Clayton was around 90 MPH. He’s ready and I think he will be pitching for the LA Dodgers in 5 days.
• If Edwin Rios can hit at the Major League level (I am not convinced he has enough bat speed), I think he can be a decent third-baseman. He has improved dramatically.
• I really did not expect the Dodgers to hit this well coming out of the gate. I thought that going from the traditional Turner Ward to the New Age Psychic Robert Van Socyoc was going to take some time. I am cautiously optimistic but what can we expect in two more months? This could really be amazing.
• I hear some people complaining that the Dodgers got rid of Josh Fields, but he is pitching at AAA as you read this. No one else thought he could be a difference-maker on a MLB team.
• Will Smith looked much more comfortable with the bat this year at AAA than last year. The defensive skills are unquestioned. He remains a valuable trade piece.
• What happens to Kenley Jansen in Denver may have a large impact on the Dodgers prospects for 2019. I have no opinion as to what happens. We shall see. Let’s hope it is good!
• I am very impressed with Daniel Castro. He could serve as a utility man for many teams, even though he is 27. He is very solid in every phase of the game.
• Kyle Garlick should be a 4th or 5th outfielder for some team in the near future. He is also trade bait.
• I happen to believe that Joc or Max could be traded because I thunk the Dodgers need another RH bat. I did not say Nick Castellanos, but I was thinking it. I think RVS can do wonders with Nick….
• This just in from the Reds who fleeced the Dodgers over the winter by stealing 3 great sluggers: Puig is hitting .150; Kemp is hitting .077; Farmer is at .000. Turner Ward is a ____________ (you fill in the blank). Of course, they were so important to the Dodgers’ offense… I say dripping with sarcasm!

Minor League Report

• OKC lost 5-3 in Kershaw’s debut. Kyle Garlick hit a HR off old friend Josh Fields. Justin had a Grimm ending (see what I did there? Justin Grimm… ok, never mind) as he gave up 3 runs in the 9th to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Will Smith was 1-2 with a walk.
• Tulsa lost 6-4, but Dustin May pitched 5 innings of 2 hits ball while walking just 1 and striking out 9. Spitzbarth, Somsen and McCreery coughed up hairballs after that. Reks and Parmalee homered and Lux and Peters doubled. Lux was 2-5 and Estevez was 2-4.
• Rancho Cucamonga lost 4-1 and leadoff man, Jeren Kendall, struck out 3 out of 4 at bats. RC had only 2 hits. Liput had one of them. Nothing to see here, folks…. move along!
• Great Lakes continued the theme, losing 4-0 in John Shoemakers re-debut. The Loons had 5 hits and 2 errors. Not much too see here either as the Dodger Minor League teams were all beat like rented mules. Better days are ahead.