Here We Go!

It is August, and the annual let’s get crazy season has started. It never fails this time of year. Fans begin to lose their collective minds. Why? Well, I really have no clue. I just sit back and watch.

What amazes me most is that fans who have followed the team and the game for years really have no idea how the roster is set up or how it is changed come September and then playoff time. They changed the rules a couple of years ago only to allow two callups on the first of September. It used to be the roster could expand to all 40 players if a team desired. Baseball now wants more teams involved. So they limit the roster. What they also limit is the cup o coffee many minor leaguers used to get at that time of year. Recently, the Dodgers did it with Lux. Before him, they did it with Seager and Pederson. Even when they were in tight pennant races, the also-rans used September to see what their prized prospects might bring to the table. Won’t happen much anymore.

Naturally, as fans, we like to think that we know who should be on the roster better than the GM or the manager. The Dodgers work a little differently than most teams. They pretty much decide roster options by committee, with the final word resting with Friedman. Of course, he listens pretty intently to all parties. I am pretty sure that in 2020, the decision to use Urias to close after Jansen’s blown save in Game 4 came from up top.

We all like playing armchair GM. Right now, the biggest debate on this site, and a couple of others I read, is what to do with Kimbrel. I have no clue how the final decision on him will be made, but I am pretty confident that Kimbrel is going to get the majority of the next month to iron out his issues or be replaced. The only real option to close is close to coming back, Treinen. Urias is not an option this time. He is locked into the starting role. They have a couple of guys I think could do the job well and should be given a shot at closing a game or two. Ferguson and Phillips. I also think, and don’t laugh, that Heaney could very easily step in and have a lockdown inning.

Of course, there are so many different opinions out there. Most of our posters have very definite ideas of how they think the Dodgers should play it. One thing I know for sure. If healthy, the first four hitters are going to be Betts, Turner, Freeman, and Smith. With a little Muncy, maybe. Those four guys are the most consistent players on the team. Look for Freeman and Trea to go off again, especially when the calendar turns to September.

I am not big on predictions. But I have to believe that Muncy is going to get better as the season goes on. He has at least shown he can keep it going for longer than a couple of games. He has been pretty good since August rolled around. Gallo is going to pop one out once in a while and strike out when we least need it. I have no idea what to expect from Bellinger at this point. I think they will keep Lux low in the order simply because you cannot have all your worst hitters at the bottom of the lineup. Trace, Hanser, and Taylor are all going to have to step up some more. Taylor is very valuable with his glove, but right now, his bat is a sieve. Austin Barnes will continue to give Smitty a day now and then and may even hit one out again. Overall, the team is clicking, and we as fans have to like that. They go home now to play the Marlins, who, despite their record, have a very good pitching staff. Then they get Milwaukee again before facing the Marlins and Mets on the road to end the month.

My least favorite Dodger ever next to Tyler White. Granny is actually on base in this photo taken on the 4th of July a few years ago from the third deck. Anyway, make your own decisions and see how close you can come to naming the 26-man postseason roster for the first round. The hardest choices will come in the bullpen.

Future Dodgers Down on the Farm (MT)

• OKC was postponed due to rain.
  • Tomorrow they play 2 with Gavin Stone starting his first AAA Game. Andre Jackson starts game 2.
• Tulsa won 7-3
  • Ismael Alcantara, who hit .183 at Great Lakes and was moved to Tulsa as a reward (sarcasm alert), was 1-3 with a 3-run HR.
  • Andy Pages hit his 22nd HR.
  • In his first AA Game, Nick Nastrini retired the first 17 batters he faced, threw 6.2 innings of 1 hit ball and allowed just one run while walking two and striking out 8.
  • Leonal Valera was 2-4 and is hitting .303. In my opinion he has passed Eddys Leonard and Jorbit Vivas on the utilityman depth chart.
• Great Lakes beat Lansing 12-3.
  • Damon Keith finally woke up and realized that he was in A+ Ball so he hit two HR and a triple as he was 3-5.
  • Jose Ramos drove in two runs as he pushed to get 100 RBIs. He’s 11 shy!
  • Eddys Leonard was 2-4 with 3 RBI as he also hit his 12th HR. Jorbit Vivas was also 204.
• Rancho Cucamonga lost 11-6.
  • Dalton Rushing is a man among men as he was 4-5 with 2 HR, 3 RBI and 3 Runs scored.
  • Peter Heubeck was roughed up – In 3 IP, he have up 5 Hits nd 3 ER

Dalton Rushing should be in Great Lakes and Diego Cartaya should move to Tulsa. 19-year-old Yenier Feernandez should be doing most of the catching at RC. It’s just my opinion, but Andrew does not consult me on these things.

Top 100 Prospects

As you probably know, Baseball America just released their Top 100 Prospects, and the Dodgers are ranked #2 in MLB Farm Systems. That is an incredible feat for a team that has won more games than any other in the past ten years. The only team ranked better is the Baltimore Orioles, who have not won since Christ was in Camden Yards.

The Dodgers have 7 Top 100 prospects (the Cards are the only other team with 7), but by next season, the Dodgers could add two more. Right now, they have these players:

• Cartaya – #9
• Miller – #22
• Vargas – #24
• Busch – #47
• Pepiot – #51
• Stone – #53
• Pages – #75

I believe that Dalton Rushing will make the list next year as well as Nick Nastrini… and Emmett Sheehan could also be close. Enjoy this while you can because some team will make a run at Andrew Friedman and offer him ownership. Bet on it. Of course, some fans will say, “Friedman has only won one championship.” Well, it should have been two, but now with the expanded playoffs, it becomes so much harder. Teams can get hot like the Braves last year and win it all on momentum!