Do You Remember

… when the Dodgers could have traded for Cole Hamels for SVS and JDL?  (Neither do I, but some insist it is true.)

… when every Dodger fan wanted Sonny Gray?

… when Dodger fans wanted David Price?

… when Dodgers fans were upset that Zack Greinke was not resigned by the Dodgers?

I remember…

…when FAZ signed Anderson, McCarthy and Kazmir?

… when FAZ got Barnes, Hernandez, Grandal, Taylor, Muncy and Kemp (re-cycled).

All the Dodgers have done is just win the division every year and go one step farther every year.  Anderson, McCartney and Kaz were bad signings, but the three combined don’t equal how bad many other single free-agent signings were. FAZ has stuck to the script.   I think they will do much the same this year.  Another lockdown reliever would be nice, but right now the asking prices are at the sellers price.  If the prices become more realistic, the Dodgers will likely make a move.  If not, they will ride with what they have and it’s not nearly as bad as some think.

A bunch of injured pitchers are due back in the next week, two weeks and three weeks:  Buehler, Baez. Cingrani, Fields, Ryu, Urias.  There area some difference-makers there. The cavalry is coming… let’s hope they can hold off the bandits until they arrive. Who here doesn’t think a healthy Buehler, Ryu, Fields, Urias and Cingrani can’t help immensely?  Notice I left off el Gasolino?  There is plenty of doubt about him…

In the last 15 games, check out the ERA and WHIP of Alexander and Hudson:

• Alexander – 2.20 ERA /1.04 WHIP
• Hudson – 0.50 ERA / 1.06 WHIP

Also, Caleb Ferguson has pitched 9 innings out of the pen and has a 1.00 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP.

I can’t see how there can be any talk about Jacob deGrom when the Dodgers have a glut of starting pitchers and deGrom is going to start declining at 30 years old.  The Dodger starters now lead the NL in ER and are 2nd only to the Astros in all of MLB baseball.  Why does anyone think they need another starting pitcher? That is a real strength of the team.  Let it alone. Check this rotation out:

1. Buehler
2. Wood
3. Hill
4. Stripling
5. Kershaw
6. Ryu
7. Maeda
8. Urias (I doubt that he will start this year)

Then, there are Ferguson, Santana and many others up and coming. The Dodgers should not trade for a pitcher who is only 90 days younger than Clayton.  Who goes to the pen if all are healthy is a great problem to have. Ryu is the only one who likely will not be with the Dodgers in 2019. What I am saying is “NO dope-fiend moves!” Let the process work.

Rants and Raves

• Kike Hernandez does Sooooooo Many things well!
• One of the moron announcers on FOX yesterday said “When the Dodger starters all get healthy and Stripling goes back to the pen, he will be a nice weapon.” Hello… Chicken Strip is not going back to the pen!
• Edward Paredes is good for one… maybe two LH batters – don’t push your luck, Doc!
• I am getting a feeling that Yasiel Puig is about to go off on the baseballs… sending them out of park at an obscene rate!
• News on international signings:  https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/dodgers-to-sign-catcher-diego-cartaya/c-283475518
• Andrew Toles has started the past few games in CF – he now has 8 games in CF!
• Will Smith should be in AAA. Of course, he is a good catcher, but he’s OPS’ing .946!
• Dustin May had another 7 inning start with just 2 runs allowed.  After a horrid start, his ERA is down to 3.13.  He should move up too, as should Bannon and Lux who combined for 6 hits yesterday.

 

Minor League Report by AlwaysCompete

 

OKC – 6-5 Win over Round Rock Express (Rangers)

 

OKC entered the bottom of the 8^th down 5-2.  After a strikeout, Andrew Toles singled and was followed by a walk to Connor Joe.  Kyle Garlick then loaded the bases with a single.   Edwin Rios forced in one run with a bases loaded walk.  After another strikeout, Travis Taijeron also walked forcing in run #2.  Angelo Mora then followed with a 2 run scoring single to take a 6-5 lead going into the 9^th.

Manny Banuelos was reinstated from the DL, started and went 5.0 innings.  He allowed 4 runs on 9 hits and 4 walks with 7 K’s.  Zach Neal pitched the next three innings allowing a single run (HR) on 2 hits and 1 walk, with 4 K’s for the win.  Brian Schlitter pitched the ninth for his 11^th save.

Kyle Garlick went 3-4 and Connor Joe went 2-3 with Kyle Farmer slugging his 4^th HR.

 

Tulsa – 7-6 Win over Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers)

 

Will Smith (13) and Drew Jackson (8) were the offensive stars each hitting solo HRs.  Both Smith and Jackson along with Errol Robinson each collected 2 hits for the Drillers.

Andrew Sopko and 4 relievers pitched the team to a victory with Stetson Allie getting the win and Dylan Baker getting the save.

 

Rancho Cucamonga – 14-6 Win over San Jose (Giants)

 

Behind yet another steller outing by Dustin May and an 18 hit attack, the Quakes won for the 12^th straight game.  May had a 7.0 IP start, surrendering 2 runs on 6 hits and 1 walk, with 5 Ks.  Orlandy Navarro was just promoted from AZL to RC (quite a jump), and survived, pitching the final two innings and surrendering 4 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk, and 2 Ks.  It may not look pretty, but for a 19 year old from Maracaibo, Venezuela in the US for the first time, he made the jump and survived.  They let him pitch, and I hope they continue to give him chances.  He could be a good one.

Offensively, the Quakes were led by Gavin Lux 3-4, Rylan Bannon 3-7, Omar Estevez 2-5, Cristian Santana 2-6, and Zach McKinstry 2-5.

 

Great Lakes – 7-1 Win over Dayton Dragons (Reds)

 

Max Gamboa started and went 5.0 innings for the win.  Melvin Jimenez had another outstanding effort allowing 1 hit in 3.0 IP with 4 Ks.  After what was considered a very poor start to the season, Melvin has come on strong once he came off the DL.  I look forward to more great pitching out of Melvin Jimenez.

SS Deacon Liput had another 2-4 day including a double and RBI. He also had his 1^st  SB and error.  2B Brandon Montgomery had a 3 run HR (6) and a sac fly.  DH Brock Carpenter and 1B Eric Peterson each hit solo HRs.

 

Ogden Raptors – 5-4 Loss to Grand Junction Rockies

 

20^th round draftee, Caleb Sampen, had a tough outing after his first two solid efforts.  He allowed 4 runs on 5 hits in 2.1 IP.  18 year old Cuban 3B Miguel Vargas continued his strong hitting going 2-4.  18^th round draftee, RF Nico Hulsizer had his 4^th consecutive 2 hit game, 5 out of his last 6 games, and has now hit in 7 consecutive games.  Brandon Montgomery provided most of the offense needed with a 3 run HR, his 6^th on the season.

 

AZL Dodgers – 10-3 Win over AZL DBacks

 

19 year old RHP from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Gerardo Carrillo started his 1^st game in the US (4^th appearance) and pitched 3.0 innings, allowing only 1 hit with 5 Ks.  For the season at AZL, he now has pitched 11.0 innings surrendering 1 run on 6 hits, 1 HBP, 1 BB, and 14 Ks.  He has compiled 0.82 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and a .154 BAA.

19 year old RHP from Maracaibo, Venezuela, Juan Morillo pitched the final three innings to get the save,  allowing 2 walks with 4 Ks.

DH Frank Sanchez went 3-4, while 3B Kenneth Betancourt went 2-4 with a triple (3).