Great Lakes Loons 2019 Version
The Loons kick off their 2019 season on Thursday, April 4 away from home against the Lake County Captains. They play the Captains again on Friday before returning to Midland for a six-game home stand, two against Lake County and four against the South Bend Cubs. It should not be too difficult to get a better start to the season after the 2018 season in which they went 7-13 in
The Loons kick off their 2019 season on Thursday, April 4 away from home against the Lake County Captains. They play the Captains again on Friday before returning to Midland for a six-game home stand, two against Lake County and four against the South Bend Cubs.
It should not be too difficult to get a better start to the season after the 2018 season in which they went 7-13 in April with six postponements due to inclement weather.
John Shoemaker returns as Loons manager while pitching coach Luis Meza, hitting coach Justin Viele and fourth coach Jason Bourgeois are new to the Loons although Meza and Viele are in their third year as coaches in the Dodgers minor League system.
The Loons continue to play at Dow Diamond which is rated as providing one on the best minor league experiences for fans.
Stadium Journey Review: Dow Diamond is a great minor league ballpark. Everything is set up for fans to have a wonderful time at the game. This is both a large park, and a cozy park. The concourses are wide, and the leg room in the seats is a little better than average. There are two fireplaces found behind the home plate area and two fire pits in the outfield concourse. Both are fantastic for cool summer nights, or downright cold spring night games.
The 2019 roster has not yet been released by the Dodgers, so it is probably folly to try to produce one in advance of the official announcement. One thing we do know is that the Dodgers tend to push their young players along as quickly as possible. It is not unusual for teenagers to play as regulars with the Loons. Secondly, the early spring weather in Midland causes the Dodgers to hold some of their young pitchers back in spring training until the weather warms up. Let’s hope for a warm spring, unlike 2018. Thirdly, with an emphasis on players being versatile and not stuck to one position it is difficult to know who might unexpectedly emerge in a new position to start the upcoming season.
Ten players from last year’s draft class played with the Loons in 2018. – LHP John Rooney (22), 2B Devin Mann (22), LHP Bryan Warzek (22), 3B Luke Heyer (22), OF Josh McLain (22), SS Deacon Liput (22), RHP Stephen Kolek (21), C Hunter Feduccia (21), LHP Austin Drury (21), OF Matt Cogen (23). Josh McLain was the first to arrive in Midland having done so on June 18 following the draft in early June. Do those players move up or remain with the Loons to begin their second year of professional ball? Is the move age dependent, perceived skill dependent, or performance solely dependent? Or, are any of them simply required to fill spots with the Quakes?
Not knowing the answer to those questions it is almost like throwing darts at the dart board covered with names. So, here goes as I see it and for some to be as I hope it to be. That is, what I would do for the opening day roster.
Starting Pitching:
This is not as easy as it seemed yesterday. My personal preferences do get in the way. I agree with AC that Michael Grove, Braydon Fisher and Robinson Ortiz will remain in Phoenix in extended spring training. The weather in Midland may be a factor plus the Dodgers are being careful with these arms. I would put Julian Smith in that class also. I expect at the minor league level there is not as much attention given to a right-left pitching staff balance. However, at some point Grove and Ortiz will join the Loons as left handers.
RHP Zach Willeman (23)
RHP Jose Chacin (22)
RHP Alfredo Tavarez (21)
RHP Jesus Vargas (20)
RHP Orlandy Navarro (19)
RHP Andre Jackson (23)
Relief Pitching:
I am promoting left-handers Bryan Warzek and Austin Drury to the Quakes and I think Warzek will be moved into a starting role. I am also moving right-hander Stephen Kolek to the Quakes as well as underappreciated left-hander Devin Hemmerich. I thought seriously about holding Melvin Jimenez with the Loons as a closer, but he was so lights out once he moved to relief with the Loons that I moved him to Rancho Cucamonga. Plus, he really minded pitching in the cold spring weather in Midland.
RHP Josiah Gray (21)
RHP Drew Finley (22)
RHP Elio Serrano (20)
LHP Justin Bruihl (21)
LHP Jose Hernandez (21)
RHP Nathan Witt (22)
Catchers:
Marco Hernandez and Jair Camargo are not ready yet, so the question is if 21st round 2018 selection Trea Todd is. He had only 68 at bats in 2018 with the Raptors. Hunter Feduccia should move to Rancho Cucamonga as either Steve Berman or Connor Wong should move up to Tulsa. I think that Jordan Procyshen was signed to team up with a young catcher with the Loons. However, maybe that role will once again fall to Garrett Hope.
Ramon Rodriguez (20)
Jordan Procyshen (26)
Infield:
I can see Deacon Liput, Brock Carpenter, Jeter Downs, Luke Heyer headed for the Quakes. I am not so sure about Moises Perez or Devin Mann. I reluctantly kept Mann with the Loons instead of Kenneth Betancourt of Jefrey Souffront, both of whom should join the Loons at some point in the season.
1B Dillon Paulson (21)
3B Miguel Vargas (19)
SS Jacob Amaya (20)
2B Jeremy Arocho (20)
2B/3B Marcus Chiu (22)
2B Devin Mann (22)
3B/1B Justin Yurchak (22)
Outfield:
At age-23 Matt Cogen needs to make a quick impression with the Loons. Starling Heredia remains a mystery.
Matt Cogen (23)
Daniel Robinson (22)
Niko Hulsizer (22)
Starling Heredia (20)
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Discussion (56)
Disagree, not disagreeable
For those who subscribe to The Athletic, Lars Anderson has another article – this time on MiLB players and their transition from ST to the regular season.
Open on theathletic.comhttps://theathletic.com/896793/2019/04/01/lars-anderson-the-trickiest-time-of-the-season-for-a-baseball-player-the-in-between-week/I definitely think the players that are taxi players in AAA should make more, as well, as the other minor league players in baseball too.
And now that steroids are strictly enforced, the players union should find a way to get the younger players good money sooner, because not many players will be making that much after their prime years.
2Demeter2 although I know kidney stones can be very painful as it is, I hope your procedure has put that pain in check for good.
So, I don’t think we’ve really learned anything substantial after the first series. You could say we learned our offense has amazing potential but I think you need to take their [admittedly impressive] performance with a grain of salt. Arizona might have a terrible pitching staff this year and if they end up with 100 losses, celebrating one dominating series against them early in the season might seem foolish in retrospect.
Similarly, reaching any conclusions about our bullpen after four games is premature. Sure, we gave up a ton of runs and our shiniest acquisition [Kelly] didn’t shine in his debut. But, again, give these guys some time to adjust to their roles, process all the information that they are no doubt given by the management; and, understand that with our starters going so few innings, the bullpen will always strained to a degree. That’s why we’ll do so much “load management” and rotating throughout the year.
Much has written about the early performances of Joc and Bellinger and nothing can be taken away from what they did. But what if they go stone cold next series and Chris Taylor goes off? It’s best not to form too strong of impressions if they can change 180 within the week. However, a couple performances in the first weekend do provide real hope for 2019: Austin Barnes looks vastly improved at the plate and A.J. looks like a legitimate addition to the lineup.
On the down side, we can already worry about Robert’s short leash on starters, the ever-present risk of injury, and the inconsistency of our daily lineups. I haven’t watched them that closely to speak on their defense or intensity, but I have to think they are highly motivated and play with a serious “Eff You” attitude toward the rest of the league. They know they are best and they don’t have to concede anything because of their overall talent and depth.
Now let’s smack the Giants around a bit. They truly do suck so why even play with them. Unless is Bumgardner, nobody should be dominating us. They just don’t have the horses to hang with us.
It has to start somewhere. Maybe this is a start. Even with a 50% increase, it is not very rewarding financially as they only get paid for the time they play.
Open on www.cbssports.comhttps://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/blue-jays-will-reportedly-increase-minor-league-salaries-by-more-than-50-percent/I’ll pose the question. Who feels Joc needs to get an opportunity tonight against a lefty knowing that Taylor is still hitless and we’re going to see 3 lefties in a row? I want Joc in there. Taylor can play against MadBum tomorrow.