Get Used to Seeing Joc at 1B
Some Dodger fans are up in arms that the Dodgers have moved Joc Pederson to 1B in the middle of the season, of all things! He has had flashes of good, but mostly he looks like he has never played there before (he hasn t). The early results have not been great. The Dodgers knew that and were/are prepared to ride through the storm. It makes sense to me for several
Some Dodger fans are up in arms that the Dodgers have moved Joc Pederson to 1B… in the middle of the season, of all things! He has had flashes of good, but mostly he looks like he has never played there before (he hasn’t). The early results have not been great. The Dodgers knew that and were/are prepared to ride through the storm. It makes sense to me for several reasons:
- David Freese’s leg injury may take longer to heal than expected;
- With Joc platooning at 1B and Corey Seager and AJ Pollock returning, it allows the Dodgers to get Joc’s bat in the lineup against LHP and keep Muncy at one position (2B) where I believe he will be solid;
- It allows the Dodgers to field what may arguably be the best defensive outfield in baseball;
- It allows AJ Pollock to be an everyday player, which was why he was brought in; and
- You have to find a way to play players who have OPS of near .900 and above.
Now, I have already said that I am not a big Pollock fan and that I would leave Verdugo in CF, but Friedman, Roberts and the coaches know a heck of a lot more than I do, so I will defer to what they do. That’s exactly why I think the Joc Pederson to 1B move will work. The good news is that Joc wants to play there and has been working at 1B for a few weeks, however lately, he is taking hundreds of reps there. Practice is different from “game speed” so the ramp-up will be slow. There will be some pain, like yesterday (no pain, no gain), but the Dodgers have that luxury.
I suggested yesterday that we could evaluate the move after 30 games to which someone said we don’t have 30 games. They are right: we’ve probably got 45 or 50 games! The key words are “Don’t Panic!” Joc will get better every game incrementally. Yesterday was just “one of those games.” Not very many played well. It happens a few times a year.
The Dodgers infield was recently rated the Best in Defensive Infield in Baseball. Of course, that was with Corey Seager at SS, Kike Hernandez, and CT3 at 2B and Max Muncy at 1B. I happen to believe that Max Muncy can be a pretty good second-baseman… IF YOU JUST LET HIM PLAY THERE. Max is not a “super-utility guy.” He is solid and will work at getting better wherever you leave him. His bat plays well at 2B. Give him the stability of knowing where he will play every day and he might shock you as to how well he might do.
Joc is the “work in progress” and he drives some fans crazy, because as Rudy Byrd said: “Joc is a one-dimensional player. He can’t hit for average, he can’t run, he can’t throw, and he can’t catch. Plus, his baseball mentality is minimal, at best.” Probably all true… to an extent which may mean that 1B is his best position. David Freese is an average defender at 1B and I hope Joc can rise to that. However, he has the “want to” mentality that can result in some very good things happening… on both sides of the ball.
I don’t know how long the Joc Movement will last, but warts and all, the dude puts up close to .900 OPS. His struggles have been monumental, but his career OPS is .805. He should only play against RHP and Kike should play 1B until Mr. Freese returns. I am a progressive, outta-the-box thinker, so this stuff is right up my alley. That’s what I love about Andrew Friedman… and it’s what some of you hate. Many people hate change. I embrace it. The running joke at US Water Systems is “Don’t worry about it – it will change.” Change is life and growth. Getting stuck is death and dying. We shall see what happens.
The Bullpen Progress
- If you look at the box score, you might think that Gonsolin and Ferguson need to pack their bags for OKC. In my opinion, just the opposite is true: both are very close to the execution of their pitches. Patience Grasshoppers. Gonsolin is going to be very useful. He is an MLB pitcher and so is Caleb Ferguson.
- The Dodgers are still #11 in bullpen ERA at 4.09, right behind the “awesome, legendary” Yankee Bullpen (4.01 ERA). Before the season, just about everyone picked the Yankees to have the #1 bullpen. They had Chapman, Green, and Betances and added Britton and Ottavino and still have a 4.01 bullpen ERA.
- The Red Sox whose World Series bullpen was ranked #17 last year in ERA were roundly criticized for letting Kimbrel and Kelly walk and essentially standing pat (they signed Eovaldi to be a starter, but he has been injured most of the season), have the #8 ERA in baseball as a result. You just never know with bullpens.
- Stop with the trade talk for Brad Hand already! It ain’t happening. The Indians are #1 in bullpen ERA, thanks to Hand, Tyler Clippard and a bung of “guys.” They didn’t go out and spend what the Yankees did. They grew their own. Kluber is due back, the team is starting to hit and they will likely be “buyers” at the trade deadline.
- Yimi Garcia has his ERA down to 3.90 and if you look at his WHIP (0.80) there is a lot to be optimistic about him). In his last 7 games, he has a 1.23 ERA with an otherworldly 0.14 WHIP. He is suddenly relevant again.
- In his last 15 games, Joe Kelly has a 3.77 ERA and in the past 7 games, it is 1.13 with a 1.00 WHIP. He also is gaining relevance, to say nothing of confidence.
- Pedro Baez has a 2.57 ERA in his last 15 games and a 1.29 ERA in his last 7 games with a 0.86 WHIP.
- Kenley Jansen has stumbled (a little) in his last 7 games, but overall, in his last 15 games, he has a 1.76 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP.
- Those 4 bullpen arms, I just mentioned above are solid ones, in my opinion. Ferguson will come around – he’s close. I wonder when Hill comes back if he won’t go to the pen (voluntarily) to reduce stress on his arm? Floro has been a trainwreck the last 15 games after being outstanding before that, Will the “real” Dylan Floro stand up, please?
- Sometime in mid-to-late July, Julio Urias will return to the rotation. You can bet on it. They are only using him in relief right now to limit his innings. He is part of their playoff rotation, which will be Kershaw, Buehler, Ryu, and Urias.
- The Dodgers won’t trade Rich Hill – he’s part of their heart and soul, but Ross Stripling and/or Kenta Maeda could be trade candidates. Ross really is best suited to starting, but he won’t start with the Dodgers. Maeda wants to start too, so if Tony Gonsolin shows he is ready, which will take a few more starts, then both Ross and Kenta could be trade bait. Two starters could yield a few solid pieces, including a lockdown reliever.
- There are still too many teams on the “cusp” of making the playoffs, that I do not see a trade being made until late July. Just my opinion.
- This bullpen is not far from being much better… internally. Add in some external options and they might become elite.
Minor League Report
The OKC Dodgers were beaten 3-1 by the New Orleans Baby Cakes. How embarrassing is it to be beaten by a baby? Logan Bawcom pitched well enough to win, giving up 2 runs in 6 innings pitched (both on HR). Jake Peter hit his 5th HR for the Dodgers only score. Lewis Brinson hit one of the HR’s – He’s the Marlins Top Prospect (.953 OPS).
Tulsa did not play and as Gavin Lux and Dustin are headed to OKC.
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes were smoked 5 to Zip, as they only managed 4 hits. Move along folks, there’s nothing to see here.
The Great Lakes Loons game with Bowling Green was suspended tied 2-2 in the 5th inning. No need to report what happened until it’s over.
The Ogden Raptors topped the Rocky Mountain Vibes 12-5 as the Wulff was at the door… well actually the plate. Brandon Wulff hit a Grand Slam for the Raptors, while Jordan Yurchak was 2-3 with 3 BB. He is OPS’ing 1.263. Wulff is OPS’ing 1.400. 18-year-old Andy Pages was 4-6 with 2 HR and 4 runs scored.
The AZL Dodgers Mota beat the AZL Athletics 20-5 as they scored 11 runs in the 5th inning. Gold Diego Cartaya had back-to-back two-hit games and is off to a fast start and hitting .375 through four games in the Rookie-level AZL. The 17-year-old makes hard contact and has a good feel for the bat, especially for a player yet to turn 18. He could make Kaybear expendable, but the Dodgers would have to get a “haul.” Rehabbing Omar Estevez played SS and had two hits as did just about everyone else (23 total hits for the Motas).
The DSL Shoemakers beat the DSL Cubs 5-3 as Luis Izturis had a HR and went 3-5. Brayan Rodriguez was 2-5 as Carlos Duran went 5 innings allowing 2 unearned runs and striking out 5.
The DSL Bautistas beat the DSL Rays 9-8. Going into the bottom of the 9th inning, they were behind 8-2 and scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win it in walk-off fashion. 18-year-old Axel Acevedo pitched the final 3 innings, allowing no hits to get the win, his 3rd! They did it with just 5 hits in the game to go with 7 walks and 3 errors on the Rays. There were no HR’s in the 9th.
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Discussion (66)
Disagree, not disagreeable
In a few words, I HATE when the Dodgers play at Coors.
Sorry Mark, but this is one time I cannot avoid the forbidden “H” word.
Totally agree.
And a big Up Yours to all the Kike and CT3 haters! BooYah!
Taylor is playing well. When Pollock comes back, you have to consider playing Taylor at second and Muncy at first. Joc does not play first well. It is time to trade Joc for a reliever.
Ok Mark, as head of this site, I have a request . For the next four games, including tonights, you need to declare a ban on Bitchin about the Dodgers Pitchin’. With the warmest weekend in Coors field this year, this is survival for everybody on the pitching staff. No way anybody on this site can make a fair judgement on our pitchers with the way I’m watching Bueller strugglebusing with his pitches. It’s all about our offense outhitting the Rockies. If we get a split in this series, I will be doing cartwheels down my street. This series is going to be a tough one.
Gotta love Joe Davis after Mad Max goes deep in the 7th. “Arena baseball continues!!”. This ballpark is a friggin graveyard for pitchers. Him and Orel said it best, the most uncomfortable place in Coors Field is the bullpen, hoping you aren’t called in. Damn, so true.
Rosscup is probably a temporary move until the Dodgers can do something else. They probably thought Ferguson was better off at OKC for now, and didn’t have another lefthander at this time to replace him. Guaranteed there are perfectly logical reasons for doing this. We’re just unaware of what those reasons are. Other player moves and/or trades are probably being contemplated. Rosscup is probably just a placeholder for now. If anyone is a closet Rosscup fan, don’t get too excited. He may hang around for a while, or he could just as easily be gone as quick as he got here.
It looks like Hunter Pence is going to be the AL DH All Star beating out JDM. It will be interesting to see if it holds. Great story.
And just like that the Rosscup legacy takes on its second tour with the Dodgers. While I like Caleb Ferguson a whole lot more, I think for the time beginning ZR might (fingers crossed) give us some better results.
I’m also okay with Rios. I think he provides a much more serviceable bat than Mark does. He started off the year very slowly. But in an interview yesterday, he acknowledged his disappointment in being so close to the majors, only to be sent down again and how that affected his swing and mental outlook. I think that explanation is valid. Moreover, recently he has definitely been on the upswing (no pun intended). I look forward to him joining the fun our other band of rookies have provided.
To join the ongoing discussion, it’s not my call, but I just don’t get the Joc at 1b experiment at this time of the year (or at any time for that matter).
Today’s lineup
Joc (1b)
Verdugo
JT
Belly
Muncy
Beaty
CT3
Barnes
Buehler
Showcasing?
DODGERS RECALL INF RÍOS AND SELECT LHP ROSSCUP
GONSOLIN, FERGUSON OPTIONED TO TRIPLE-A, POLLOCK TRANSFERRED TO 60-DAY IL
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled infielder Edwin Ríos and selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Zac Rosscup. To make room on the 25-man roster, the Dodgers optioned pitchers Tony Gonsolin and Caleb Ferguson, while transferring A.J. Pollock to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.
Ríos, 25, earns his first assignment with the Dodgers and his next game will be his Major League debut. In 70 games with Oklahoma City, he slashed .249/.308/.475 with 14 homers and 48 RBI. In five minor league seasons, he has hit .293 (452-for-1542) with 78 homers and 283 RBI. The Puerto Rican native was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of Florida International.
Rosscup, 31, is selected after signing a minor league contract with the Dodgers on June 12. The southpaw made seven appearances for Oklahoma City, tossing 6.0 innings, allowing six runs and striking out ten. He started the season with the Seattle Mariners, going 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA (5 ER/14.0 IP) in 19 games before being designated for assignment on May 17. This will be his second stint with the Dodgers organization after going 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA (6 ER/11.1 IP) and 20 strikeouts in 17 games for the Dodgers in 2018.
Gonsolin, 25, made his Major League debut yesterday, suffering the loss, allowing six runs, four earned in 4.0 innings of work. He recorded his first Major League hit in the third inning off Taylor Clarke. The former Gael is a combined 19-11 with a 3.11 ERA (88 ER/255.0 IP) and 296 strikeouts in four minor league seasons.
Ferguson, 22, has appeared in 22 games for the Dodgers this season, going 0-1 with a 5.48 ERA (14 ER/23.0 IP) and 28 strikeouts. In two seasons with the Dodgers, the Ohio native is a combined 7-3 with a 4.13 ERA (33 ER/72.0 IP) and 87 strikeouts.
Pollock, 31, was originally placed on the injured list on April 30 with left elbow inflammation. Prior to going on the injured list, the outfielder batted .223 (23-for-103) with two homers and 14 RBI. In his eight Major League seasons, he has slashed .279/336/.461 with 76 homers and 278 RBI.
Not only is Rios coming but also Rosscup. Fergie to OKC.
Friedman announces that he now has his lefty and no longer has need for Vazquez (yes, I’m kidding, but Rosscup is coming).
Joe Kelly has been looking better. I think he actually had a clean inning the other night. Like Mark said, Yimi has been quietly improving in low leverage situations. I’ve always liked Yimi, but when he misses he tends to be prone to dingers. Baez has been solid for the most part. I believe in Ferguson bouncing back. Floro is a ROOGY im my opinion. Urias may or may not be heading to the rotation at some point this year. Alexander and Chargois throw the ball and hope. Kenley isn’t the old Kenley but better than most. It was good to see his velocity tick up, but I do wonder how much of that was Arizona. It seemed like Broxton always hit 100 MPH in that park. Seems like everyone’s velo was up a tick. Under the best of circumstances with Maeda and either Urias or Hill in the pen come post-season, it still appears to me the Dodgers still need an arm. So, would people on here deal Ruiz for Vasquez considering his team friendly and controllable contract? We’ve only seen a bit of Smith. AC loves him. Cartaya is supposed to be the best of the bunch, but is only 17 years old.
I am happy with the big lead the Dodgers have in the West, but in the back of my mind I still remember 1951 and Bobby Thompson! Don’t think anything like that will happen this year, but I didn’t think it would hap[pen that year either. Probably most of you are too young to remember 1951, but for those of you who were Dodger Fans then will never forget!
Speaking of “suits,” will look for Mr. Suit behind home plate in the stands when Dodgers return to LA. If he is not there, I am going to worry he is ok. Miss his presence.
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Rios is a guy to give a shot. He can play first and third and has had some experience there. He may or may not be ready but we need to find out what we have. He has power and maybe better defense at first than joc or freese or maybe not. He may be better at third than muncy as a backup or maybe not. I’m happy they are giving him a chance. He is not known for his glove but maybe he is a better option than we currently have. Time will tell but I agree with AF that it is time to find out.
Hawkeye, where did you see/hear that Rios was coming? Haven’t seen it anywhere online since you posted.
Zaiti and the Giants can’t compete with the Dodgers now and can’t in the future either unless the future is changed.
Giving up Bumgardner and Smith won’t hurt the Giants but if Zaiti can extract some of the Dodgers future and get it for himself, he should do it.
Who can the Giants extract from the Dodgers for Bumgardner and Smith? I am sure it would have to be future players.
First the requisite disclaimer before any comments –
* “Yes, I’m aware that the Dodgers have a ____ game lead and can afford to piss away ____ games while trying an experiment by putting players out of position and having try-outs at mid season.”
* I am not impatient.
* I do not “hate” change. I am always interested in making players and games better. I am, however, opposed to stubborn, unnecessary and stupid change just for the sake of it. which I think this Joc experiment is.
* It’s always some mystery thinking with Bellinger. Last year he “couldn’t hit left handed pitching despite the fact he did the year before. So he didn’t play against lefties. Yes he has improved his swing some but It’s hard to hit em when you don’t face em. This year, he can’t dive at first. Last time I checked right fielders dive for balls too. Tell him not to.
* Why all this fuss over Joc getting in the line up? Is he that much of a factor? Maybe the suits need to package him up in a deal for some relief pitching and hope Pollack is the guy you traded for when he comes off the IL?
Mark great intro today summarizing all the thoughts on Joc at first. I think folks here, especially 59inarow and Bumsrap are spot on and made great points. The “metrics crowd” may have numbers to support Belli in right improving the defense but my eye test says we are not better with Joc kicking it around the yard at first base. Will that improve enough so we are all confident come play off time (and there is no big cushion)? I don’t think so. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It ain’t broke. Belli at first when Joc plays. Right or center when he doesn’t. Pitching and defense wins playoff games and I’m not confident right now in Joc at first or Muncy at second for that matter, and very likely won’t be in October either. This is just unnecessary.
I’m sure Cody is working with Joc because he loves RF and doesn’t want to go back to 1B. Doc says he’s not going back. That’s all folks!
Joccis due for another hot streak. I’m predicting 4 hr’s in the Colorado series! And zero errors!
I think the Dodgers have won three out of 4 games Joc has started at first base.
I think (hope) that Joc at 1st is a move designed to boost his trade value and it is part of a plan to get his bat out of our lineup altogether. Leave Bellinger in right field for the rest of his career — the way he’s playing why would anyone consider a change a good idea. Muncy may or may not realize a similar benefit being the everyday 2nd basement, but that is at least an experiment worth continuing. I felt that too much platooning last year was a part of the horrible RISP production. Let’s have a more settled lineup and see if that results in a World Series win.
Edwin Rios is being called up by the Dodgers. Hmm….
I have no idea why the Dodgers are playing Pederson at 1B, they think this is a way to keep Pederson in the lineup when Pollock returns?, if that is the case what happens with Taylor when Seager returns? The Dodgers with an outfield of Verdugo, Pollock, and Bellinger defensibly as Mark points out will be one of the best but Taylor is starting to hit, so be moves to the bench,so Muncy plays 2B and they move Pederson to 1B.
I would like to see Taylor at 2B who is hitting .290 with 5 homers and 20 RBIs in his last 30 games and Muncy who is hitting .282 with 7 homers and 19 RBIs in his last 30 games to Pederson´s .247 with 6 homers and 13 RBIs. The defense with Taylor at 2B will be much stronger and Muncy at 1B is much better then Pederson, offensively and defensively.
It is time the Dodgers stop their love for Pederson and his power and trade him. The Dodgers have better options then Pederson.