Dodgers Take it to the Max
Doc just took all the pressure off of Max Muncy by announcing the following: “The results haven’t been there consistently, I’m aware of that. But I do think that stuff under the hood has shown better for me. … I’m going to continue to give him runway. I certainly still expect…
Doc just took all the pressure off of Max Muncy by announcing the following:
“The results haven’t been there consistently, I’m aware of that. But I do think that stuff under the hood has shown better for me. … I’m going to continue to give him runway. I certainly still expect quality at-bats, but right now, I’m gonna ride with Max. … It’s gonna be that way until it’s not.”
— Dave Roberts
I have been calling for Max to sit, and while what Dave Roberts just said is just the opposite, I agree with it. In fact, it might be a stroke of genius. Now, I am not calling Dave Roberts a Genius – I am sure that Andrew Friedman and the Dodger Braintrust we also behind this announcement. However, what it serves to do is two-fold:
- It sends a message to every MLB PLayer that the Dodgers are Loyal to their troops; and
- It takes the pressure off of Max and could just be what he needs to break out of his season-long slump. Time will tell…
Yes, he made an error last night, but Max has worked hard at 2B and 3B after playing 1B most frequently in his career. He has made himself into a solid defender. We also saw that he could turn on a 98+ MPH Fastball as he doubled in the 9th. It very well could be that as awful as Max has been, he could be the guy who drives the Dodgers Bus to a World Series Championship.
Clayton Kershaw Hates Coors Field, and Coors Hates Him Back!
Clayton lost his 3rd game of the year by giving up 3 ER and just one extra-base hit to the Rockies. It’s the Coors Effect. Hopefully, the Catman can right his ship, but Coors is a tough place to do that. Personally, I would make today a bullpen game and push Tony to Monday! Just my opinion, but at least this time, the worst the Dodgers can do is get out of there with a split. I’d rather win and take the series!
Chris Martin: Why?
I think this was a deal that was made for two reasons:
- Chris Martin just might surprise you; and
- I think Andrew felt that McKinstry deserved a chance to play, and this was it.
However, Chris Martin might be on the Andrew Heaney, Tyler Anderson Path. Martin has great control, and that is something you just can’t teach. The Dodger Pitching Gurus (Prior, McGinnis, Bard, Hill, et al.) have proven adept at “fixing” a pitcher. Don’t be surprised to see Martin’s ERA go from 4.13 to 2.20. The foundation is there. His kind of control could result in some amazing changes to the way he pitches.
James Outman is allegedly scheduled to start in RF today. Then he will probably go back to OKC… even if he hits 4 HR!
Future Dodgers Down on the Farm
- OKC was blanked by Sugar Land 6-0
- OKC only had two hits.
- The highlight was a perfect inning by Pedro Baez, who had 1 K.
- Nothing to see here…
- Tulsa lost 7-2
- Tulsa had but four hits.
- Kyle Hurt was beaten like a rented mule: 4 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 5 K, and he now owns a 9.82 ERA. YIKES!
- Never speak of this again!
- Great Lakes was beaten 2-1 by the Lansing Lug Nuts.
- Move along!
- Rancho Cucamonga lost 3-2 to San Jose
- Ronan Kopp gave up two runs in 3 IPs. Nuff Said! He did strike out 5.
- We will call yesterday Bloody Saturday as all 4 top minor league teams lost.
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Discussion (72)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Let’s find Max a new home.
I’m really happy for Outman. A homer in your first AB must just be an unbelievable feeling. I always thought he was very athletic. He’s put up solid numbers in the minors, but nothing eye-popping. But, the word is that the Dodgers did with Outman what they tried to do with Jaren Kendall. Try to completely change his swing. So far, so good. His swing is smooth and fairly compact for a 6-3 frame. He’s also “The Best Fielding Outfielder in the Organization”. I want to see more.
When Eric first suggested bringing him up, I argued that he hasn’t played above AA and he should get some time at AAA before being considered. Just one month in AAA and he had a game of a lifetime. Way to make the most of your opportunity.
I’m not going to discount James as a 4th or 5th outfielder. He has the defensive chops for Center Field and the bar just isn’t that high for offense at the position. He’s got some pop, he’s got some speed and he’s a very good defender. I’m going to say that he can stick at the position. He can be to CF what Will Smith is to C.
But, I must say, it sure looks like an audition for other teams just ahead of the deadline. If he does get traded, I wonder if he’ll turn into the next Jason Worth. If he doesn’t, maybe he’s the guy to platoon with Trace, or put pressure on Belli to make an adjustment, or eventually take his place?
Good luck James Outman! I really rooting for you.
So, Tony G was solid today. Not great, not bad. In the end, 3 runs in 5 innings on 92 pitches is a walk in the park at Coors field. I sure hope he’s getting over the hump. If it weren’t for a weird 3 run third, he looked like his old self.
Less than 48 hours to the trade deadline and there hasn’t been a ton of action around the league, much less with the Dodgers. It feels like they’re big game hunting before committing to filling any perceived holes. They grabbed another reliever that they want to fix. I’m optimistic that they can make him better. He’s got a solid fastball, but none of his secondary pitches seem to work, but they do induce grounders at an extremely high rate. Yes, David Robertson is a better pitcher, but no, you wouldn’t get him for Zach McKinstry.
If this were Christmas, I would be thinking that we might just be on the naughty list this year. I feel like a kid at Christmas. I don’t really need anything, but want something anyways.
When Taylor comes back he replaces Outman. Assuming he isn’t traded, when Rios is ready, (or the Dodgers get another bat) does he replace Muncy? I would think Lamb/Thompson are worth keeping.
Giants trade for Machado!!
James “awesome” Outman!
So who are the ones here who have been touting for Mr Outman to be brought up?
Step forward to receive your honor…..
Who needs Soto when we have Outman
Well I’m not sending him back to OKC until he stops hitting! Who needs Juan Soto!
Eric for GM
Outman’s swing looks like he’ll have a high strike out rate, but also looks like he’ll crush the ball when he does hit it. He’s also very athletic. Perhaps he’s a more athletic Joc for us?
Not a bad start for a 4th or 5th outfielder!
Move em over and get em in. Hasn’t happened a lot this year but two good outs produce an insurance run. And our friend Mr Muncy delivers.
I agree with Tedray. That was a memo that came down from above for some reason. Maybe hoping to give Max one last chance to break out. At this point I’m just scratching my head. Love the guy. But a “runway”? The runway he’s already be given is long enough to get a 747 off the ground with only me pushing it. And there would still be several miles left.
You certainly can’t call the Dodgers disloyal or impatient. That’s to their credit. But Max is a wealthy man who probably should have been out of baseball working a blue collar job the last few year if not for the mystical ways of Dodger scouting and player development. It’s a great story. Unfortunately, I think the last chapter has been written. I hope I’m wrong and he goes on an epic tear and hits 10hrs next month. But the fat lady isn’t just singing she’s getting hoarse, out of breath and is no longer fat from being so overworked.
Max has been a great Dodger. But it’s time.
Have a day James Outman. So awesome to see a first big league hit be a HR.
Perhaps a great start to a long Dodger career
Remember when I was calling for Outman to be brought up.
I don’t think he’s going to be a superstar. I just think that he could be an upgrade over a few of our guys that have an under 700 OPS and have sat there all year long.
* Second base has been a Black Hole for the Dodgers for too long. Here’s what I wrote about the situation months ago. “I find it odd for a team so successful that there has been such a revolving door at 2nd base. Since 2018, the Dodgers have had 18 different players start at 2nd base. Last year Lux seemed to have the job only to lose it. Many hope he’s the answer this year to put this to bed.”
Well, I think Lux has won the position. He’s hit .300 and despite a yip or 2 has been fine on defense. Lux is the guy but Doc / (the Wizard behind the curtain) refuse to put him there and leave him alone.
Now I see the reason for the situation in the past. It’s not that they couldn’t find the “guy”. Doc wants to use the position to get guys at bats and apparently platoon. I like Alberto but he is not an everyday guy. He can be the utility guy in place of CT3 for now.
Now we’re going to add Mookie to the platoon there, I guess. It’s a cute idea and can show off Mookie’s versatility but to be it’s a useless side show. It takes the “stress off his legs?” bullshit. And CT3 will need PT somewhere when he gets back. Doc/Wizard is obsessed with shuffling guys around not because he needs to but because he likes to. And of course he keeps Muncy in the line up somewhere come hell or high water.
* When I suggested somebody to split up Muncy and Belli in the order, I didn’t mean Barnes. The bottom of the order went 1 for 15. And the Rockies dinked Kershaw until the 6th when they teed off.
Play better today.
Bill Russell. R.I.P.
Not Billy. The NBA Legend
I keep wondering whether Soto is everything he’s cracked up to be…. A “generational talent,” and all that.
He’s obviously talented, but the second coming of Ted Williams?
My doubts were spurred in part by one of those “memories” that popped up on FB–something I posted ten years ago :
Baseball fans: The Angels’ Mike Trout, just 20 years old, has now played 80 games so far this season. Projected over a 162-game season (with two days off), he’s on a pace to hit .351 with 228 hits, 156 runs scored, 34 HRs, 62 stolen bases (caught only 6 times) and 106 RBI from the leadoff position… I hope he stays healthy, but maybe I just jinxed him…
So yeah I jinxed him. My point here actually is tha Trout largely lived up to expectations formed by his young glory. He is injured now and has been a few times before. But when he’s been healthy, he’s been one of the best ever, with something like 3 MVPs and other high finishes–yet no postseason run. The Angels failures illustrates just how much of a team sport it is, so I’d be reluctant to trade a team for one guy…. unless that guy is a star at two positions like Ohtani.
Has Soto sustained his excellence the way Trout has? I don’t think anyone has.
I agree it’s highly unlikely that Arte Moreno would deal Ohtani to the Dodgers, however. Maybe there could be an acceptable deal for Soto–but I’d rather keep Cartaya…. And long-term, I’d rather invest in Trea than Soto.
In other news, I’m happy for McKinstry and also surprised and happy for Outman. In spring training his speed and athleticism was really impressive. Seemed like a 4th outfielder at worse.
Pretty cool to see a guy go from Tulsa to OKC to LA in a few months.
Did not see him moving faster than Vargas or Busch.
Several short stops drafted. Is this the case of drafting the best available talent? Or an attempt to address a perceived organizational need?
Supposedly Stone was scratched today. Trade brewing?
2022 Dodgers draft picks
Round Pick Pos Player B/T Age* School Slot value Signed?
2 40 C Dalton Rushing L/R 21 Louisville $1,951,900 $1,959,390
3 105 SS Alex Freeland S/R 20 UCF $582,700 $580,200
4 135 OF Nick Biddison R/R 21 Virginia Tech $435,200 $382,500
5 165 SS Sean McLain R/R 21 Arizona St. $325,400 $322,900
6 195 SS Logan Wagner S/R 18 P27 Academy (SC) $253,400 $600,000
7 225 SS Christopher Campos R/R 21 St. Mary’s College $199,900 $197,500
8 255 2B Taylor Young R/R 23 Louisiana Tech $169,100 $2,500
9 285 LHP Brandon Neeck R/L 22 Virginia $156,600 $27,500
10 315 C Simon Reid L/R 21 Westmont College $149,600 $2,500
11 345 OF Kyle Nevin R/R 20 Baylor
12 375 RHP Jacob Meador R/R 21 Dallas Baptist $125,000
13 405 OF Chris Newell L/L 21 Virginia $147,500
14 435 SS Jose Izarra R/R 20 Florida SouthWestern JC $125,000
15 465 SS Nicolas Perez R/R 17 B You Academy (PR)
16 495 RHP Jared Karros R/R 21 UCLA $125,000
17 525 RHP Payton Martin R/R 18 West Forsyth HS (NC) $125,000
18 555 SS Cameron Decker S/R 18 Evansville North HS (IN)
19 585 OF Chris Alleyne S/R 23 Maryland $125,000
20 615 SS Carter McCulley S/R 18 Pensacola Catholic HS (FL) Yes
Total $4,223,800 -$126,310
*age as of June 30, 2022
15 of 19 2022 Dodger Draftees have signed with the slot and signing amounts listed above. August 1 is the deadline to sign.
Here’s where the Dodgers stand with all their Draft Picks:
All Dodgers Draft signings
2 (40): Dalton Rushing, C, Louisville — $1,959,390 (Pick value: $1,951,900)
After going under slot money with three of their top four picks, the Dodgers were able to secure Rushing, giving him slightly more money than the $1,951,900 value. Despite not having a first-round pick this year, the Dodgers came away thrilled after landing Rushing at No. 40.
3 (105): Alex Freeland, SS, UCF — $580,200 (Pick value: $582,700)
Freeland was a productive player at UCF, hitting .285 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs in college. He gives the Dodgers another shortstop prospect in the organization.
4 (135): Nick Biddison, OF, Virginia Tech — $382,500 (Pick value: $435,200)
The Dodgers turned to many productive college players in the Draft, and Biddison was certainly a productive collegiate player. The outfielder had a breakout ‘22 season with the Hokies, setting career highs in average (.351), home runs (14) and RBIs (47).
5 (165): Sean McLain, SS, Arizona State — $322,900 (Pick value: $325,400)
Two seasons with the Sun Devils was all the Dodgers needed to see out of the Tustin, Calif. native. McLain didn’t hit for much power in ‘22, but he finished with a .333 average, which was helped by a 23-game hitting streak.
6 (195): Logan Wagner, SS, P27 Academy (SC) — $600,000 (Pick value: $253,400)
The Dodgers went significantly over-slot to convince Wagner to sign professionally instead of going to Louisville. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Wagner has impressed scouts with his power from both sides of the plate.
7 (225): Christopher Campos, SS, St. Mary’s College — $197,500 (Pick value: $199,900)
8 (255): Taylor Young, 2B, Louisiana Tech — $2,500 (Pick value: $169,700)
9 (285): Brandon Neeck, LHP, Virginia — $27,500 (Pick value: $156,600)
10 (228): Simon Reid, C, Westmont College — $2,500 (Pick value: $149,600)
11 (345): Kyle Nevin, OF, Baylor
Has not agreed to terms
12 (375): Jacob Meador, RHP, Dallas Baptist
Has not agreed to terms
13 (405): Chris Newell, OF, Virginia — $147,500
14 (435): Jose Izarra, SS, Florida SouthWestern State College
Has not agreed to terms
15 (465): Nicolas Perez, SS, B You Academy (P.R.)
Has not agreed to terms
16 (495): Jared Karros, RHP, UCLA
Has not agreed to terms
17 (525): Payton Martin, RHP, West Forsyth HS (N.C.)
Has not agreed to terms
18 (555): Cameron Decker, SS, Evansville North HS (Ind.)
Has not agreed to terms
19 (585): Chris Alleyne, OF, Maryland
Has not agreed to terms
20 (615): Carter McCulley, SS, Pensacola Catholic HS (Fla.)
Has not agreed to terms
3:10 PM ET
Dodgers (67-33)
Rockies (46-56)
SP Tony Gonsolin R
11-1 2.26 ERA 99,2IP 90K
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
DH Jake Lamb L
LF Gavin Lux L
3B Max Muncy L
CF C. Bellinger L
RF James Outman L
Clear-day
0% Rain
90° Wind 5 mph R-L
Doc is saying to give Mookie a break from right field until the playoffs, he is going to play second base every 7-10 days. If you include a DH day and a day off on the bench that opens up right field for who? Lux will be in left more. The way I read it Thompson will be moving over to play center and right some of those starts. Also opens the door for Outman in right. He has the defense down so now can he hit big league pitching.
DODGERS ADD CHRIS MARTIN
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers added right-handed pitcher Chris Martin to the active roster and optioned right-handed pitcher Jake Reed.
Martin, 36, was acquired yesterday in exchange for infielder/outfielder Zach McKinstry and he has appeared in 34 games for Chicago, posting a 1-0 record with a 4.31 ERA (15 ER/31.1 IP) and 40 strikeouts. He has been in the Major Leagues seven seasons with Colorado (2014), New York – AL (2015), Texas (2018-2019), Atlanta (2019-21) and Chicago (2022), and he is a combined 6-15 with a 4.10 ERA (103 ER/226.1 IP) and 227 strikeouts. In 2020, he posted a career-best 1.00 ERA, allowing two runs in 18.0 innings with one save and 20 strikeouts. He was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 21st round of the 2005 First Year Player Draft out of McLennan Community College.
Reed, 29, made three appearances for the Dodgers, allowing one run in 2.2 innings with two strikeouts. In two seasons with the Dodgers, he is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA (3 ER/8.0 IP) in nine games. He has spent parts of two seasons in the Majors with Los Angeles and New York-NL (2021-22) and he is combined 1-1 with a 6.16 ERA (13 ER/19.0 IP) and 18 strikeouts. He was originally drafted in fifth round of the 2014 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Oregon.