Potter Stewart was an American lawyer and judge who served as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1958 to 1981. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to criminal justice reform, civil rights, court access, and Fourth Amendment jurisprudence. In 1964, Justice Stewart was asked to describe his test for obscenity, and he responded: “I know it when I see it.“
I write this in response to a comment that Duke (Not Snider) wrote yesterday:
“My advice: Take the independent prospect ratings with a grain of salt. They read each other’s ratings and mostly concur with each other. Rarely see an outlier. I’d be much more interested in a glimpse of the Dodgers internal ratings–but they may be screwy too. (Will somebody please explain why Jahmai Jones didn’t get a chance?)
Been over this topic before. Outman NEVER rated highly in prospect ratings, while Vargas and Busch always have. I never saw a ratings list that put Outman, a good outfielder, ahead of Busch, a guy still in search of a true position. (Cartaya always rates highly too, but he’s too young to be considered a peer of those three.) Because they needed an outfielder, the Dodgers brass promoted Outman to the majors before the other two, and his debut was spectacular–and too short.
Vargas, we were assured, was the closest thing to a “can’t-miss” but so far, so bad. The ump probably called a couple of close misses as strikes on that last at bat, but with two runners on and the game on the line, the batter has to swing at the close ones. With a 13-year-old still playing, I probably reminded him and his teammates with two outs to “protect the plate” about 300 times these last few years. Get a piece of it, Miguel. Foul it off. The umps won’t help you when the game is on the line.
Are the Dodger prospects over-hyped? I suspect that’s true, because of the Dodgers’ reputation. The Dodgers, after all, have a winning system, and they have produced more ROYs than any other franchise. So a guy like Vargas may be perceived as the next Seager or Belli or Will Smith. There was more hype surrounding Lux and it took him time to adjust. Vargas will need more time and perhaps a reset in OKC. We can only hope that Outman has started a new hot streak. But overall, I’d say Outman’s rookie season has met or exceeded expectations.
AF can take advantage of this hype in the trade market. When he snagged Sherzer and Trea, the typical story was how the Dodgers gave up “their top two prospects.” My guess, however, is the Dodger brass already valued Cartaya more than Keibert, and perhaps some younger pitchers more than Gray. The Nats needed MLB-ready talent–and both Keibert and Gray were blocked on the Dodgers’ roster.
I like blockbusters. They’re fun. The Scherzer-Trea deal was fun. It’s highly unlikely, but at least one baseball scribe thinks the Sox could put Luis Robert on the market. Big-time talent. What would we offer for Robert and Giolito?
I’d start with Cartaya, because the Sox will need catching and the Dodgers already have Smith and Rushing is rushing. Add Busch, because he has no clear fit with the Dodgers–and his debut was underwhelming. Add DeLuca or Pages or Ramos to replace Robert. Maybe Outman, because Robert strikes out too much too. Add a near-ML arm like Knack or Nastrini, plus a lottery ticket type.
OK, this might be an overpay, but the point is that the Dodgers have the player capital to do something bold.
Hey, the Dodgers could also deal Vargas if they prefer a gracefully aging Mookie at 2B.
Of course this is pure speculation, based on a scribe’s speculation.
But did any of us see AF landing both Scherzer and Trea in a single deal? And Trea had another year on his contract, which helped the Dodgers to a 111-win season and set up the transition to the Lux Era, for which we’ll have to wait ’til next year.
Looking for a strong performance from Bobby Miller today. The Dodgers need to stop losing to weak teams.
I still think the Dodgers will win the division, in part because AF & Associates will learn from their mistakes of ’22 and make a bold trade or two before Aug. 1.”
— Duke (Not Snider)
There is a lot to unpack here, but I think that this raises some very worthy questions. The answer to some of them is the answer that Justice Potter Stewart gave: “I know it when I see it.” So, here we go:
“Take the independent prospect ratings with a grain of salt. They read each other’s ratings and mostly concur with each other. Rarely see an outlier. I’d be much more interested in a glimpse of the Dodgers internal ratings–but they may be screwy too.“
You have to take everything involving prospect development with a grain of salt. I’d like to see you walk into a room of them who make their living doing this and say that. They would bitch slap you to hell. They often do not agree with each other, but they all have strong opinions. Why? Because they watch the players, they are talking about players they have watched… a lot! I will ask Duke the same question I asked Eric: “How many A- A+, AA, and AAA Dodger games have you watched over the past five years?” I am going with the answer NONE! Until this year, you had to subscribe to MiLB.com, which was an extra charge. This year with MLB.com is also delivering the Minor League Games at no charge. So, my question is: “How can you have opinions on players you have never watched develop?
Every team has independent ratings, and they have many, if not dozens, of employees who watch the players play and watch the film of them playing. I read all the top ratings services: Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, Keith Law, and others every year. I have every Baseball America Prospect Handbook ever published that I refer back to, yet I only have a fraction of the knowledge that the organizational employees have because they also get access to all of these employees of MLB teams who are involved in the process.
Player development and predicting player development are not exact sciences… in fact, they are very inexact because only a small percentage of minor-league players will make the Show… perhaps 20-30% and most will not be stars. There are no training schools for scouting and player evaluation. It’s a talent that you develop over time. Generally, it involves “years” to develop this talent as you have to learn by your successes as well as your mistakes… and you will make a lot of them. It also involves whether you have “sight” or “vision.” Can you see what a player can become or just what he is? Do you really watch them develop? Did you read the book (watch the games), or did you just watch the movie (read a summary)?
“Will somebody please explain why Jahmai Jones didn’t get a chance?”
The simple answer is that the Dodgers’ player development people do not value a player who can only play 2B and has little power. When Jahmai was drafted, he was extremely fast, but as he matured, he became “thicker” and slower. His defense is below average, and he has poor plate discipline. Additionally, he will be 26 next month. The Angels, Orioles, and Dodgers have all given up on him. He started out as CF’er, but as his speed declined, he was moved to 2B, where he never really mastered the pivot. The Dodgers elected to replace him with a player who can play all over and maybe equal as a hitter. Jahmai Jones is a good guy who is an AAAA player (that’s my opinion). I do wish him well with Milwaukee, as he is a genuinely good guy.
Been over this topic before. Outman NEVER rated highly in prospect ratings, while Vargas and Busch always have. I never saw a ratings list that put Outman, a good outfielder, ahead of Busch, a guy still in search of a true position. (Cartaya always rates highly too, but he’s too young to be considered a peer of those three.) Because they needed an outfielder, the Dodgers brass promoted Outman to the majors before the other two, and his debut was spectacular–and too short.
Define “Never ranked highly.” In Basedball Americas’ 2023 Prospect Handbook, he was ranked as the Dodgers’ #10 Prospect. He was ranked ahead of Jacob Amaya, Nick Frasso, Josue De Paula, Emmet Sheehan, Eddys Leonard, Ronan Kopp, River Ryan, Jonny DeLuca, Michael Grove, Maddux Bruns, Devin Mann, Landon Knack, Jose Ramos, and several other excellent prospects.
In 2022, he was ranked #15, and in 2021 he was at #40. How do you rank players? Well, I think my question was answered: “Did you watch him in minor-league games? I say no! You evaluate a player by what you see, and Michael Busch just has more “tools.” Even Ray Charles can see it. Now, I am guessing that you and Eric “discovered” James Outman when he was called up in 2022 and went 7 for 13 with a hundred home runs. Baseball scouts laugh at “small samples” and rightfully so. They mean very little. In case you don’t know, “luck” is really a thing in baseball.
Again, in three years, Outman went from #40 to #15 to #10. That’s a great rating, and “Outman is becoming a “good outfielder” in that he frequently misplays balls in CF, but that is just a lack of experience. I think he will ultimately be an above-average Centerfielder. Busch is still in search of a true position because the Dodgers are not sure where they need him, not for lack of athletic skill. Let us not forget that Outman’s swing was just awful in the beginning. He says he “swung like a caveman.”
“Vargas, we were assured, was the closest thing to a “can’t-miss” but so far, so bad. The ump probably called a couple of close misses as strikes on that last at bat, but with two runners on and the game on the line, the batter has to swing at the close ones. With a 13-year-old still playing, I probably reminded him and his teammates with two outs to “protect the plate” about 300 times these last few years. Get a piece of it, Miguel. Foul it off. The umps won’t help you when the game is on the line.”
Well, there is probably no such thing as “can’t miss.” Ranking prospects is an inexact science, at best. One game does not define Vargas, and he has certainly not lived up to his press clippings. Yes, he has had some injuries that have impeded his progress, but it is what it is. However, the reason I know you never watched him or Outman in the Minor Leagues is that you would not write that if you did. Even Ray Charles could see Vargas’ skills. How do you describe it? “I know it when I see it!” I am still high on Vargas and so are the Dodgers – this is a setback, but so far, the Dodgers are sitting him and not sending him back. I have to believe that they know something about him that we don’t. Also, progress is not linear.
Are the Dodger prospects over-hyped? I suspect that’s true, because of the Dodgers’ reputation. The Dodgers, after all, have a winning system, and they have produced more ROYs than any other franchise. So a guy like Vargas may be perceived as the next Seager or Belli or Will Smith. There was more hype surrounding Lux and it took him time to adjust. Vargas will need more time and perhaps a reset in OKC. We can only hope that Outman has started a new hot streak. But overall, I’d say Outman’s rookie season has met or exceeded expectations.
First of all, how are the Dodgers players over-hyped? BA, BP, The Athletic, Fangraphs, and all the others are independent and not affiliated with any team. Do you read about the other teams’ prospects? There is nothing inherently different about the way they write about the players. The fact is, other organizations may have some prospects with more skills, but the Dodgers have a depth that is not apparent with any other team. In other words, it is quite likely that other teams may produce more superstars than the Dodgers due to drafting higher. The Dodgers do not get a shot at players like Elly de la Cruz, so they make up for it with better player development.
James Outman is having a nice season; I predicted he would be a 4th or 5th outfielder. So far, he looks to be a starter. Again, I can see his development from what he was a year or two ago. I had him ranked as the Dodgers’ #12 prospect. It will take two or three years to determine where he lands, but he has exceeded expectations thus far.
AF can take advantage of this hype in the trade market. When he snagged Sherzer and Trea, the typical story was how the Dodgers gave up “their top two prospects.” My guess, however, is the Dodger brass already valued Cartaya more than Keibert, and perhaps some younger pitchers more than Gray. The Nats needed MLB-ready talent–and both Keibert and Gray were blocked on the Dodgers’ roster.
I like blockbusters. They’re fun. The Scherzer-Trea deal was fun. It’s highly unlikely, but at least one baseball scribe thinks the Sox could put Luis Robert on the market. Big-time talent. What would we offer for Robert and Giolito?
I’d start with Cartaya, because the Sox will need catching and the Dodgers already have Smith and Rushing is rushing. Add Busch, because he has no clear fit with the Dodgers–and his debut was underwhelming. Add DeLuca or Pages or Ramos to replace Robert. Maybe Outman, because Robert strikes out too much too. Add a near-ML arm like Knack or Nastrini, plus a lottery ticket type.
OK, this might be an overpay, but the point is that the Dodgers have the player capital to do something bold.
This is the truth, but we shall have to see. AF will not make a move out of desperation. Ruiz and Gray still have not arrived. I liked Ruiz over Smith, but Smith has developed like no one ever imagined! Cartaya is the Wild Card. The Dude has “light-tower power,” but so does Edwin Rios. His development has stalled this season. There could be reasons for this that we are not privy to, or he could simply not be that good.
It has taken Andrew Friedman years to rebuild the Farm System, and while it might be lacking in “Superstar Power” it makes up for that in depth, and there may be some marginal superstars there as well. So it will be interesting to see what he does. I have no clue, but I do think that it may be difficult to get a starter better than Landon Knack via trade without gutting the farm. I think we will see him soon.
In my opinion, the Dodgers do not have to do anything. David Peralta and Jason Heyward improved this season. I can see Vargas doing the same. Michael Busch has a nice bat and is a better fielder than given credit for. Jonny DeLuca is a lefty killer. I could go either way: Trade the farm or stand pat! An argument could be made for both. Making blockbuster trades no longer works like it once did because of the randomness of the playoffs, which makes them somewhat of a crapshoot.
In conclusion, what determines how good a player might be? There are so many factors that we could not list them all, but when you watch a player 50, 70, or 90 times a season for a few years you can see the cream rise to the top. It’s hard to describe, but “I know it when I see it!”
Quick: Which Dodger rookie has the highest batting average? Jonny DeLuca (albeit a small sampling).
Before I sign off, the Dodger Bullpen ERA is up to #24. Hudson is going to help… a lot. Give him a week or two.
Discussion (37)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Nice to wake up and see that Graterol pitched an inning, and good for Vesia. We need either him or Gonzalez to have a much better 2nd half as our 2nd lefty in the pen. Could it be possible that we’re in first place at the all star break?
Landon Knack was suppose to start for Oklahoma City last night,but didn’t. Wondering if he will be brought up and start against the Angels on Saturday.
Look, we all know Muncy can get hot and hit homers in bunches. I would just like to see him be hitting around at least .230 when he is doing it. He kills as many rally’s as he helps. Two homers in the last couple of days does not change the fact that he still A. Strikes out way too much. B. Usually does not have multihit games.
Missed the last two innings as we had a power outage. Damn.
Dodgers now 1/2 game out of first.
Nice to see Urias and the bullpen come through. Max too.
And Freddie was Freddie and Mookie was Mookie.
Is that the Shelton in you talking ?
Get rid of Muncy!
Ha, Ha!
Freddie Wills!
I know Mark has been walking on glaciers in Alaska and selling super water all over but anyone notice how much he looks like the Pirates manager? Could he be moonlighting in his spare time ?
Damn, I am glad that Doc did not bat Muncy cleanup!
Interesting opinions and posts today. Some random thoughts.
1. Don’t see AF going big at trade deadline. A starter, a right handed hitting outfielder, and one or two relief pitchers. Targeting guys who are due to become free agents after the year. I think the biggest need is a starting pitcher who can can slot in with Kershaw and Urias at top of rotation. This, to me, is not a team nor a year, to swing big. It is not the way they approached the off-season and I don’t see them changing their approach at the deadline.
2. I think, and hope, that Knack gets a start in one of the two games this weekend. Nice to see so many of these young pitchers getting their feet wet this year. I think some of them might get a chance out of the pen in August.
3. Has any one heard an update on Pepiot and Feyereisen as to when (or if) they may return?
4. The one big change in the Dodger farm system these last three to four years has been the influx of talented young international free agents. After hiring the scout from the Blue Jays (?) a few years ago they have really improved. That wave is now at AA with plenty behind them. Accounts for a lot of the depth in the system. Many of them are playing at ages that are two years younger or more than the average age for their level.
5. I am not an expert on hitting by any stretch but Vargas seems to be popping up a lot of pitches and is not real aggressive early in the count. In the minors, he was advertised as a line drive hitter with the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. He seems to be feeling for the ball now instead of swinging through the ball. Are the Dodgers trying to get more loft to his swing? Those who saw him in minors like Mark and Jayne may have noticed a difference.
YAY. 6 innings pitched
The Big Dodger in the Sky just intervened and said, “My boy, Miguel needs a little help.”
Roberts finally wised up and didn’t bat Muncy 4th. Is everyone happy now/
Has Austin Gauthier made any prospect lists yet?
Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Hofstra. Middle infielder. Zipped through Rancho and Great Lakes, and now at Tulsa. Over 70s games in 2023, riding GL and Tulsa, his BA is .330, with an OBP of .454 and OPS of .992. His performance has dipped a bit in Tulsa, but he bears watching. Numbers similar to Jorbit Vivas–but Vivas is on the 40-man.
Here we go again with ball/strike calls. Electronic strike zone, electronic strike zone, electronic strike zone, ad infinitum.
If dodgers went and got Hornier Bellinger and Stroman at trade deadline it would give you a second baseman a starting pitcher and Bellinger in centerfield and move heyward and outman to be in leftfielders down the stretch Bellinger fielding wise looks like the only outfieldeer I would want in any of those potential teams to trade with and that Hornier could play third and move Muncy to second base and send Vargas down the fans would like Belli back and if he doesn’t produce he becomes a free agent again or if he does hit them they resign him and have a outfield if Outman Belli and Betts and off season figure out third base and second base shortstop problem. Has any team ever done that traded for a free agent that went to another team and then take him back.
Landon Knack is here in L.A. in case Graterol goes to the IL.
Bellinger was 4-4 today and hitting .298 and the Cubs will probably be sellers. Just sayin
I would not assume that Hudson is done. I guess an MRI will determine how bad the MCL Sprain is. He was out up until now with ACL Surgery. When it rains, it pours.
DODGERS RECALL NICK ROBERTSON & ALEX VESIA
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Nick Robertson and left-handed pitcher Alex Vesia, placed right-handed pitcher Yency Almonte on the paternity list and Daniel Hudson on the 15-day injured list with right knee MCL sprain.
Robertson, 24, returns for his second stint with the club and he is 0-0 with 7.04 ERA (6 ER/7.2 IP) and eight strikeouts. With Oklahoma City, he was 2-0 record with a 2.73 ERA (8 ER/26.1 IP) and 39 strikeouts. He is in his fourth minor league season with the Dodgers, and he is a combined 5-7 with a 3.58 ERA (67 ER/168.1 IP) and 212 strikeouts in 133 games. He was originally a seventh-round selection in the 2019 First Year Player Draft out of James Madison University.
Vesia, 27, returns for his third stint with the team after going 0-4 with a 7.58 ERA (16 ER/19.1 IP) and 30 strikeouts in 23 games with the Dodgers this season. He appeared in 13 games for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, allowing five runs in 13.1 innings with 22 strikeouts. He has been in the Major Leagues parts of four seasons with Miami (2020) and Los Angeles (2021-23) and he is 8-6 with 168 strikeouts in 117.2 innings. He was originally acquired from the Miami Marlins on February 12, 2021 along with right-hander pitcher Kyle Hurt in exchange for right-handed pitcher Dylan Floro.
Almonte, 29, has appeared in 38 games, posting a 3-1 record with a 5.15 ERA (21 ER/36.2 IP) and 36 strikeouts. He has been with the Dodgers two seasons, and he is a combined 3-1 with a 3.13 ERA (25 ER/72.0 IP) and 69 strikeouts. He has been in the Major Leagues parts of six seasons with Colorado (2018-2021) and Los Angeles (2022-23) and he is combined 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA (98 ER/196.0 IP) and 182 strikeouts. He was signed by the Dodgers on March 16, 2022.
Hudson, 35, recorded the save last night, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against the Pirates. He has pitched in three games, allowing two hits in 3.0 innings with five strikeouts. In 15 Major League seasons with Chicago (2009-10), Arizona (2010-16), Pittsburgh (2017), Los Angeles (2017, 2022), Toronto (2019), Washington (2019-21), San Diego (2021) and Los Angeles (2022-23), he is a combined 59-43 with a 3.79 ERA (334 ER/792.1 IP) and 754 strikeouts.
I feel bad for Hudson. AF will probably now go out and sign a couple of more broken down/injured relief pitchers, sign them for the balance of this season and a 2024 contract with the hope they will rehab and be ready for ST. How’s that plan working out for us?
Daniel Hudson has just been put on the IL with a sprained MCL.
I’m guessing this ends his career.
How the hell did he pitch with that last night (or when exactly did it happen)?
10:10 PM ET
Pirates (40-46)
Dodgers (48-38)
SP Johan Oviedo R
3-9 4.61 ERA
SP Julio Urias L
5-5 4.94 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
2B M. Vargas R
CF James Outman L
C A. Barnes R
Clear-day
70° Wind 10 mph Out
Mark do you think it’s better for Vargas to go back to OKC and play everyday and regain his confidence and his swing or stay up and play sporadically and try to figure it out up with the Dodgers?
There is no substitute for seeing a player in person. Usually, it takes several times. I have seen Vargas, Smith, Lux, Busch, and many others dozens of times. Cartaya and Vargas have “IT” – whatever it is, but they are different.
In 2006, I visited the Gulf Coast League Dodgers and watched a few games. I saw no position players that I thought were worth a second look. The farm system was deplorable then.
There was, however, one pitcher who made my heart race. Two other Dodger fans traveled with me the next year to see him pitch in Beloit, WI. The Ball just came out of his hand differently, and his 12-6 curve was jaw-dropping. Clayton Kershaw was the real deal.
I look back at some of those prospects and realize what an abundance of talent the Dodgers now have. It is phenomenal.
Prospect evaluation is relatively easy on the lower levels. I’m no scout, by any means. But my son and I have gone to over 100 CA league games in the last 7 or 8 years. I haven’t much since the CA league dropped to low A from high A. Many of the best prospects often jump from Rookie to high A. (Outman skipped Rancho and went directly to the Loons, for example). So it’s not as interesting anymore.
But evaluating young players at the lower levels isn’t as difficult as one would think. Those with significant talent stand out like sore thumbs. I’ve often used the term “a man among boys”. And that’s a “I know when I see it” thing. It’s athleticism, obviously playing ability but also “presence”. Some players seem like they’re scared of their own shadow. While others you see confidence, determination and focus.
Players come into the lower levels raw. Some don’t impress much but develop over time and become viable prospects. Most players at these levels are little more than roster depth (you have to field 10 players every game, after all). The really talented ones stand out, quite obviously.
First time I saw players like Seager, Bellinger, Urias… they were men among boys. I saw the same thing with Vargas. It was obvious that he had an advanced approach at the plate, made consistent very hard contact and rarely chaises anything. Pitchers in A ball were totally overmatched. And he was confident, outgoing and completely comfortable with where and who he was. My son got to know him when he was down here. You don’t see that often. Will Smith, on the other hand, wasn’t terribly impressive. Especially for a 1st round pick. But he got a lot better as the seasons went on and “figured it all out” AAA. Jaren Kendall was also totally unimpressive when he came to the Quakes. He was also a 1st round pick. Crazy good athlete and a super nice guy (he was my son’s favorite player when he was down here). But he looks out of sorts and pitchers often completely befuddled him. In A ball! His swing made Outman’s look like a work of art. I only had to watch him play a few times to know he was going to have an uphill battle. And, unlike Smith, he never did figure it out. Lux was the similar. Great athlete but struggled with the bat in A ball. But you could see the massive potential. And his makeup was 100% determination. By AA he figured it out and ended up having one of the best minor league seasons in Dodger history between AA and AAA. DJ Peters destroyed CA league pitching. Did reasonably well in AA and AAA but never could shorten his swing and not strikeout nearly 50% of the time. Believe it or not, DJ is now a pitcher in the Tigers org. They began converting him after ST.
My point? There is a reason why many scouts agree on many prospects. Even an untrained novice like myself could pretty much nail who the best prospects are. It gets more complicated by the time players get to AAA and much much more complicated when predicting which good players in AAA can make the transition to success at the MLB level. That’s the secret sauce. And not many can do it. A lot of it is totally unpredictable at that point. Among the top rated prospects the Dodgers have traded, few have found much more than mediocre success in MLB. I think the Dodgers internal scouting is much better than what fans get to see. And much better than most other teams. Ask the Orioles and Rangers. Only a single player we sent to them are still with those orgs or MLB (Dean Kremer).
I still believe that Vargas will find success. It just may take more time. Just as Lux struggled when early on but really figured it out last season before he got banged up. What Vargas has is rare. And his intangibles are off the charts. I still think he will figure it out at the MLB level. The Dodgers are going to give him a long runway this year and next. Just as they did Lux.
And I haven’t given up on Cartaya. If you see him play and meet the guy in person (my son and I did several times) you’d see his potential too. He was also “a man among boys”. He’s still struggling in AA (hitting .200) but hit his 11th home run last night. I also think he will “figure it out”.
Ya know it when you see it. Until AAA. Then I don’t know shit.
Opinions on if AF will go big or stay small?
Good discussion. Duke’s trade scenario is realistic. Albeit, probably unlikely. But if AF does make a big move, that’s probably what it will look like.
I know we absolutely need some length from our starters to take some pressure off the bullpen arms but I would have had the hook out for Miller after he gave up the 3 run homer to Suwinski in the 4th. He looked like he just didn’t have it.
To Doc’s credit, he left him in to sink or swim. And the kid responded getting in a valuable 5.2 innings on 101 pitches.
Nice to see Doc stay with the kid and nice to see him respond.
Show ya what I know.
I said this before to Mark and I’ll say this again since he brought it up again.
1) I watched Outman in 2021 spring training and I saw something I liked.
2) EARLY in the season last year I was calling for Outman to be brought up. I even got into one of my many arguments with Bulldogs because he was calling for Jason Martin (WHO?) and I was calling for Outman.
You keep bringing up the small sample in MLB that Outman had late last year and pointing at it as when I suddenly got on the Outman train. Maybe that’s the case with others but not me.
Double-A: Right-hander Ricky Vanasco, who was designated for assignment on June 30, cleared waivers and was sent outright to the minors. He’s back with Tulsa.
Wednesday scores
Albuquerque 5, Oklahoma City 4
Tulsa 4, Wichita 1
Great Lakes 4, Dayton 2
Rancho Cucamonga 2, Inland Empire 0
Thursday scores
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Maddux Bruns) at Dayton (Thomas Farr)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Landon Knack) vs. Albuquerque (Jeff Criswell)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Kyle Hurt) vs. Wichita (Chad Donato)
6:35 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Peter Heubeck) at Inland Empire (Jake Madden)
A win tonight is huge.
Need Julio to step up and give us 6 solid.
With all the struggles, and all the injuries, we are sitting a game and half back in the division.
I like where we are at, a couple tweaks here and there and we have a good a shot to win this thing as anyone. This Dodger team may have the best Clubhouse as any I can remember. They have shown a knack for not rolling over when they get down…this bodes well going forward.
Nice piece
I could almost fill a book with prospects who were can’t miss or close. Remember Kyle Lewis with the Mariners? He wowed everyone with some stellar catches and hitting well his rookie year. He played in 58 of the Mariners 60 games in 2020 and won the ROY. He has played in 63 games since, is hitting under the Mendoza Line and he is now with the D-Backs. I do not remember him, but Clint Hartung, AKA ” The Hondo Hurricane” was the Ohtani of his era. Power hitter and starting pitcher. He finished 29-29 on the mound with an ERA north of 5. His career BA was .238 and he hit only 14 homers in 5 years. Bobby Valentine was about the closest thing to a can’t miss the Dodgers ever had. He hit .249 in his rookie year and .274 the next, But the Dodgers swung a huge deal with the Angels to get Messersmith and McMullen. They also unloaded Grabarkewitz in the same trade. Valentine’s career was forever altered when he slammed into the outfield wall and broke his leg. He was never the same player again.
In my opinion the Dodgers need a RH bat and a playoff caliber starter to have any chance
Speaking of prospects:
Knack is scheduled today at OKC. If I had my way I would call him up to make a start on Friday or Saturday.
Kid has looked awesom his last few games .
Bullpen needs rest, rest and some more rest. Start him and have Grove ready should Knack struggle.
Now Graterol is ailing with what they call and arm problem . If the luck of our Dodgers continues with pitchers Bazooka will face TJ surgery.:-(
More prospect news:
Josue dePaula continues to rake at RC. 2 more hits yesterday, now batting a more than respectable .260. Again, only 18 years old and facing opponents who are 2-3 years older than him.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!