Jedd Gyorko will likely make his Dodger debut this weekend in the ATL. In case you don’t know, he plays every infield position and has logged one game in LF and two at pitcher. At 5′ 10″ and 215 pounds he is best suited for 2B or 3B. At best, he is a utilityman and I am sure the Dodgers hope he is someone who could benefit from the Robert Van Socyoc School of hitting.
He has struck out 22% of the time over his career and has two years where he put up 3.0+ WAR. He could be a nice piece for this Championship Run. He has a $13 million dollar club option next year that the Dodgers will 100% not exercise, so he’s here for the rest of the season (if he can deliver). He is a right-handed hitter and was obviously brought in for his ability to hit LH pitching. For his career, he is hitting .271 with a .345 OB% and has a .809 OPS against them.
Truth be told, he was brought in as insurance in case David Freese can’t return (and his return is at least 2-3 weeks away (at least). It is possible David Freese has played his last game as a Dodger, although I hope not. Jedd has a .290 average in Dodger Stadium over his career, so that bodes well. It should be noted that he is not a fast runner and his glove is average… at best! He does have the hit tool and blasted 30 HR a couple of years ago.
Jedd has never played in the post-season, so this is his chance to become famous. You never know how that can work out. He is not unlike David Freese and has about the same number of career HR as Freese in about half the at-bats. I look forward to watching him play.
Dodger News
- Kris Negron elicited a lot of complaints by Dodger fans when Andrew Friedman acquired him, but this 33-year old who has accumulated just 358 AB’s in the major leagues has shown he is a gamer and is in the discussion for the playoff roster. Of course, it depends upon the health of others (Freese, CT3, and Kike), but the fact that he is in the conversation tells you that he has seized the day as a Dodger. His all-out dive for the ball last night where he “ate turf” shows what he is all about. He is hitting .297 as a Dodger with 2 HR. You gotta’ love this guy, no matter what happens.
- Dave Roberts says that Dustin May will get some time in the pen. Actually, he may be suited for that role as well due to the “dog” in him. Rich Hill is eager to get back, but nothing is a given.
- There’s still time, but Caleb Ferguson and Yimi Garcia have most likely played their way off the Post-Season Roster.
- Nicholas Castellanos is hitting .386 as a Cub with a 1.207 OPS – he is so happy to be on a winning team. I envisioned him hitting like this playing LF for the Dodgers… Oh well… according to most of you, I was crazy!
- I still don’t understand why Gavin Lux has not been called up.
- Alex Verdugo will re-energize this team when he comes back!
- 40 HR and 93 RBI to go with a .317 BA and some Dodger fans can only say “He’s regressing!” I’ll take the regression any day.
- Mark Kertenian: Future Dodger Manager? The Athletic gives you the lowdown.
DC’s 10th Inning
SCORES:
DSL Dodgers Bautista 8 – DSL Rays (1) 4
DSL Dodgers Shoemaker 13 – DSL Cubs (1) 8
AZL Dodgers – not scheduled
Odgen Raptors 1 – Missoula Osprey (Arizona) 7
Great Lakes Loons 1 – West Michigan White Caps (Detroit) 5
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 11 – Modesta Nuts (Seattle) 2
Tulsa Drillers 7 – Springfield Cardinals (St Louis) 1
OKC Dodgers 3 – Round Rock Express (Houston) 5
DSL:
Shoemaker’s Dodgers scored 13 runs. Hector Martinez, Nelson Quiroz, Miguel Droz and Christian Hildago all had two hits. Juan De la Cruz pitched 3 scoreless innings on 2 hits with 5 strikeouts. On the season he has a 1.89 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP along with 49 strikeouts in 33.1 innings and 21 walks. In his last 10 appearances over 15.1 innings he has allowed no runs.
Eighteen-year-old Christian Suarez of the Bautista Dodgers pitched 4 innings on one hit, one unearned run and 3 strikeouts. On the season he has a 1.86 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP over 38.2 innings with 8 walks and 32 strikeouts. With the 8-4 win the Bautista Dodgers are 2.5 games out of a play-off spot.
Ogden Raptors:
After pummeling the Osprey the night before the Raptors fell 7-1 to Missoula. They were held to 4 hits. Jacob Cantleberry continued his strong relief work with 1.2 scoreless innings.
Great Lakes Loons:
Ryan Pepiot made his 6th consecutive start of 2 innings allowing one run with one walk and 3 strikeouts. Zach Willeman followed with a season-high 5.2 innings. He ran into some hard luck with two errors behind him and a double scoring two runs when Joel Inoa relieved him. He was charged with 3 earned runs. Chris Roller had 3 of the Loons 5 hits. The Loons fell 5-1.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes:
Everything worked for the Quakes in an 11-2 cakewalk. Andre Jackson started with a scoreless inning but left the game after throwing 27 pitches. Austin Hamilton gave up a single run in 5 innings while Melvin Jimenez, Darien Nunez, and shortstop Deacon Liput finished up with 3 scoreless innings. Liput recorded the final out and stranded 2 runners. Jeren Kendall had 3 hits, including his 17th home run, and 4 RBI. Rehabbing Chris Taylor went 2-3 with a home run.
Tulsa Drillers:
Edwin Uceta started and went 5 innings on 3 hits, one run, 3 walks and 6 strikeouts in the Drillers 7-1 win over the Springfield Cardinals. In the 5th inning, he had the bases loaded with one out and got out of the jam with 2 strikeouts. Cody Thomas homered twice while Carlos Rincon and Eric Peterson also homered.
OKC Dodgers:
The Dodgers had but 5 hits in the 5-3 loss. Mitchell White pitched 2 strong innings on one hit and with 3 strikeouts. Rob Zastryzny gave up five runs in his 7 innings.
Discussion (47)
Disagree, not disagreeable
This team is not going to fall for the rest of the regular season because there is tremendous competition among players, those who play regularly know that they cannot take their foot off the accelerator because they can lose their position in the team, hello Barnes.
Dodgers are clicking and taking care of business on all fronts. The more I see players like Negron, Kolarek, and Rios & Beaty holding their playing time with efficiency and skill, I realize that AF is a kind of genius player evaluator, or the system that is installed, is the best I’ve ever seen. It’s not luck that we are here and moving forward at a tremendous clip. The skill set that this team has seems destined for the Championship.
I don’t think we are going to see Lux this season. What for? With Muncy at 2B hitting HR’s, a Rios platoon at 1B, and a plethora of OF’s that can interchange at will, the chemistry is beyond good. Addressing the comments about moving Seager or JT should not take place, at least for the rest of this season. Why disrupt the chemistry and make it more difficult for them to adapt to a new position. It’s not like we are making many errors with the stabilization of the IF that has taken place. Muncy has to be in the lineup and the power that Rios and Beaty bring are hard not to like. Granted, JT and Seager are not Gold Glovers and never will be no matter where they play in the IF. Next year, Lux at 2B seems logical. This means 1B is Muncy’s for the losing. What to do next season with the surplus of OF’s and utility guys like Negron, Kike, & Gyorko? Gyorko may be a one and done player here. A rental. Makes sense. But they will have to decide on what happens to players like Beaty/Rios, and even Joc for the future. Will they pay Joc more than he earns now? That could be the decider. 50-50, methinks. The FO love Joc, but their mandate is the bottom line. It’s gonna be an interesting off season to see what is in store for the team. I don’t want to 2nd guess the FO. I’m sure they’ve got a plan, and then some.
Will Smith can’t keep this up!
Will Smith can’t keep this up… can he?
Will Smith might be headed to the HOF if he does.
Can he?
I’m sorry for the detractors but Joc is not going anywhere, his bat is too valuable, just put it in spot # 7 or # 8 and there is no one in MLB that gives you 25-30 HR as # 7 or # 8.
2020:
SP Rigth
CF Verdugo
SS Seager
RF Bellinger
1B Muncy
3B Turner
2B Lux
C Smith
LF Joc
SP Left
CF Verdugo
SS Seager
RF Bellinger
3B Turner
1B Muncy
LF Pollock
2B Lux
C Smith
Another 4 homer game for Dodgers extending their record streak. Beat their best with our #5. That sends a message! Hopefully Ryu shows them why he’s winning a Cy Young tomorrow night and we go for another 4+ homer game. Then Gonzo shuts them down Sunday and Braves understand just how far behind us they are!
Break their spirit!
No need for me to say this, but it also told me the Dodgers won before they did on my tv. 🙂
When Will Smith came up to hit, and the Braves catcher went out to speak with the pitcher, a message popped up on my phone. No doubt that there is a delay on MLB.tv, because the message said that Will Smith had hit a 2-run HR to put the Dodgers ahead 8-3, and not a pitch had been thrown (at least a pitch that I had seen).
I love our offense. Lux next year will make it even better.
That’s a shame (for ATL). They just broke Newcomb’s spirit!
Couldn’t have happened to the better person.
A nice clean inning
It should have been a single
Bailed out by Joc
Urias pitching?
If he doesn’t in this game
He may start Sunday
Kolarek pitching
against a righty this time
Ground ball out to third.
MLB’s Gurnick posted that the Dodgers are moving May to the bullpen with Tony Smokes possibly starting on Sunday. Love these two dudes, kind of like Butch and Sundance. Hope they both make the play-off roster. They are both fearless, which is what we need come crunch time.
Watching Maeda pitch makes me want to turn the TV off. He just is not aggressive. When he gets runners on he slows down. Hard to watch.
And that stupid smile
Failing to get the bunt down
He irritates me
haikus are fun!
I suggested recently that the Dodgers might send Chargois down to make room for another pitcher. I was thinking then that they might do it to provide a fresh arm in the pen, and I’m guessing that that is what they’re doing now. I would have guessed that Gonsolin would be recalled, but maybe the Dodgers would not like for the Braves to see him now, since they may face each other in the playoffs. For the same reason they may not use May in any capacity (start or relief) in this series.
What’s the story with Gyorko? Might be good for him to see some Braves pitching this weekend.
Moving JT to 2nd makes no sense. He played there when he was a bit younger. At this stage of his career he no longer possesses the range to handle 2nd.
No hurry to move Seager to 3B. However, I believe that he has the tools to be an exceptional third baseman. My best guess is that Lux probably profiles best at 2B. If the Dodgers come up with an exceptional shortstop, then then and only then should they consider moving Seager to 3B.
Look for Gonsolin on Sunday possibly. Sborz will get a short stay too I bet. Sadler will be back soon I imagine.
A Dodger haiku:
Chargois been sent down
Sborz recalled to the Dodgers
So how much has changed
A different name
Who’s that throwing in the pen?
Results are the same
A couple of days ago someone suggested that next year the plan should be moving JT to 2nd, Seager to third to make way for Gavin Lux at short. There needs to be way more respect for the legit veterans and more understanding of the pride they take at playing their positions. JT is an all-star at 3rd (despite and occasional errant throw) and can hit .290 falling out of bed. Would he be happy moving? Seager is a former ROY and 2 time all-star who plays a solid professional SS. Not as flashy as a Lindor type but very quality SS. Why are folks continuing to try to move his ass to 3rd? Is he a problem at short? I’m sure Lux will be a great SS or second baseman SOMEDAY but for now I’m not a fan of moving 2 established Major Leaguers to other positions to make room for a kid with ZERO MLB time. A touch hasty for me. Maybe Seager and JT might want to agree too move someday. It should be their call. Let’s appreciate CS and JT for what they do for the team and slow down about moving them.
Gavin Lux had the “yips” early in his career, but he beat that. He does have an above-average arm, but not great. I suppose he could play 3B, but 2B is a no-brainer,
Corey Seager had two major surgeries and missed a full year. He has also missed a month this year as he was just getting his stroke back. He will need a full off-season and Spring Training to be back to where he was in 2017.
In 2020, he may again be the best SS in baseball and he will be there for quite some time.
Those who think Turner should move to 2B and Seager to 3B are either ready for the Funny Farm or drunk on Boone’s Farm.
Next year:
1B – Muncy
2B – Lux
SS – Seager
3B – Turner
LF – Beaty/Pollock
CF – Verdugo
RF – Bellinger
C – Smith
2021:
1B – Muncy
2B – Lux
SS – Seager
3B – Hoese
LF – Peters
CF – Verdugo
RF – Bellinger
C – Smith/Ruiz
They can wait to move Seager to 3rd after they sign Lindor or trade for him after he becomes to expensive.
I agree with you Mark on all of that except maybe LF next year, but I do agree DJ Peters will eventually be our LF.
So do you think Joc Pederson gets traded in the off season or on the bench next year?
So you think Hoese will make it to the big team that quick? I was thinking 2022.
After watching what happened yesterday with the pitching and today with Maeda, I’m reminded of the saying, you never have enough good pitching even if you think you do. In the off season Friedman needs to address the pitching. With Lux starting with the Dodgers next year, all 8 positions are going to be solid and our bench will be solid too. There’s only 1 thing Friedman needs to do in the off season and that is improve our pitching.
Trade a couple of those middle infield prospects we have to a team that lacks middle infield prospects and ask for an outfield and catching prospect and trade those along with Jeter Downs for a solid controllable left handed reliever such as Aaron Bummer and don’t stop there.
DODGERS RECALL RHP JOSH SBORZ
RHP JT CHARGOIS OPTIONED TO TRIPLE-A
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have recalled right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz and optioned right-handed pitcher JT Chargois to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Sborz, 25, has appeared in two games for the Dodgers this season, allowing six runs on six hits in 3.0 innings of work. In 41 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, he is 4-3 with a 4.27 ERA (22 ER/46.1 IP) and 63 strikeouts, including a 2-0 record with a 2.31 ERA (3 ER/11.2 IP) and 17 strikeouts over his last 10 games. The former Virginia Cavalier will make his third stint with the club in his first season on the 40-man roster.
Chargois, 28, has split his time between Triple-A Oklahoma City and Los Angeles this season, going 1-2 with a 2.17 ERA (7 ER/29.0 IP) and 34 strikeouts in 24 games for Oklahoma City and 1-0 with a 6.33 ERA (15 ER/21.1 IP) and 28 strikeouts in 21 games for the Dodgers. He is in his second season with the Dodgers after being claimed off waivers on February 23, 2018 and is a combined 3-4 with a 4.53 ERA (27 ER/53.2 IP).
the bullpen is saved!
Print the tickets!
I am happy with Jedd Gyorko. I have already penciled him in as this year’s Steve Pearce, WS MVP.
Nah, Freese is going to do that. He’s gonna make Gibson look like Kike.
I believe Gyorko has hit over .300 vs lefties the last couple of seasons.
You are correct. .309 in 2018/.327 in 2017.
I thought the same thing AC. WS MVP.
Jedd will be important in the Post Season.
Someone, apologises I have forgotten who, likened Smith’s swing to Utley’s.
I thought that too.
Hope some of the Pitching performances were just a blip yesterday.
I think about DJLM occasionally. But I’d be very happy to have Lux’s bat in the lineup everyday, despite his inexperience. It could be that Lux would enable me to forget about DJLM.
And yes, I do understand that it could be folly to rely too heavily on a rookie with little experience at the MLB level for the playoffs. It’s a risk I’m willing to take. But I realize that the people who make the real decisions probably see it otherwise. And since they know a lot of stuff that I don’t, who am I to argue?
As for Casty, maybe he would have been a welcome RH presence in the lineup. And probably a defensive liability from what I’ve read. On that one, I’m not knowledgeable enough to have a definitive opinion. And although he isn’t the next coming, perhaps Jedd Gyorko provides enough of a right-handed presence with a bit more versatility than Casty.
No Casty, No DLM. Free Lux!
Mark, no looking back at Castellanos or i am going to bring up DJLM again.
DJLM has been amazing but I do have to say that Yankee Stadium is made for him
Via Weisman, Jon:
Jeren Kendall’s past 14 games with
Rancho: 18 for 52 with two doubles, five homers, seven walks and 19 strikeouts (.426 OBP, .673 slugging, 1.099 OPS).
Through July 25, Kendall was at .280 OBP, .393 slugging, .673 OPS.
And last night, as touched on above, 3/4 with a walk
Well thanks.. There goes one of my topics for this weekend. Just kidding.
The question is has he figured it out or is he just feasting on players recently promoted who are much younger than him.
Pretty impressive, but still way too many K’s. Nice to see some progress though.
Does anyone know how Barnes is doing? He was hitting homers every game for a while. Is he catching or playing more 2nd base. And Mark? I love the titles of your articles. Very inventive and clever.
Here you go, mom…
Since the 5 games in a row with a homer, 4-22, 2 singles, 2 doubles, 6 Ks, 6 BB. So, he’s cooled off quite a bit.
In the minors so far, 1 game as a PH, 2 DH, 8 C, 3 2B in 14 games.
Thank you 59.
I think the Dodgers have 5 rookies that have each had a 2 homer game this season. Verdugo, Smith, Beaty, Garlick & Rios. Is this any kind of record? Given the chance Lux could do the same. The talent from the minors is showing when given the opportunity. If their future is not with the Dodgers, definitely good trade chips!
Caste – Looking back is a fool man’s wisdom…
2 month rental + Boras and Company = heartburn…
I’d love a set OF going into 2020, lets say AJ, Verdugo and Belli, but It doesn’t look good for me. Platooning drives me crazy…
Can I really complain??? Not really…
P.S. No one out there didn’t expect Walker to have a few hiccups??? It’s the Bigs…
Cubs have been 7-7 since acquiring Castellanos. He’s a good hitter and he’s a good in RF. We have a surplus of OF’s. They are mostly on team friendly contracts and many have power. The FO were never going to make a serious play for him. Cubs are stumbling. I doubt they get out of the 1st round, at this point.