The Dodgers throughout their long history, have been involved in many historic baseball moments. Not only their own history, but major league baseballs as well. Their first was winning the pennant in the first year of the National Leagues existence. There was no World Series as we know it now back then. Manager Bill McGunnigle had some pretty good players on his team. Some really great baseball names too.
Back then, players did double duty. The entire roster was 17 players all year for a 129-game schedule. Dan Foutz and Adonis Terry, both also played positions on the field as well as pitching. Terry was an outfielder, and Foutz played 1st base. Thomas “Oyster” Burns was as Vinny would say, their butter and egg man. 13 homers, 128 RBIs led the league. Hub Collins, the 2nd baseman, led the league with 148 runs. George Pickney, the 3rd baseman, hit .309 and had 150 hits.
Tom Lovett 30-11, Terry 26-16 and Bob Carruthers 23-11, were the staffs’ starters. Mickey Hughes, Dan Fouts and Lady Baldwin were the relievers. They had 4 catchers: Tom Daly, the starter for 82 games, Bob Clark 43, Don Bushong 16, and George Stallings, a rookie who got into 4 games. A nice start for the franchise. It would be 1916 before they won the pennant again.
Prior to Brooklyn joining the National League in 1890, there had been three no-hitters in franchise history. The first was thrown by Sam Kimber. It was the first thrown by a RHP, it was also the first one thrown at home. It was one of 18 career wins for Kimber. Adonis Terry threw 2 no-hitters for Brooklyn. The first was in July of 1886 against the St. Louis Browns. He allowed 5 base runners. In 1888 against Louisville, he allowed just 1 runner.
The first no-hitter as a member of the NL came on June 22, 1891, as Tom Lovett beat the New York Giants, 4-0, allowing just 1 runner. Con Daly was his catcher, and the team was managed that year by John Montgomery Ward. It was thrown at Washington Park in Brooklyn. On July 20, 1906, Mal Eason threw the first no-hitter on the road, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 at Robison Field in St. Louis. He allowed just 2 base runners.
On September 5th, in 1908, Nap Rucker became the first Dodger lefty to throw a no-hitter. He beat the Boston Braves 6-0 at home. He allowed 3 baserunners. It came in the second game of a doubleheader. It would be 17 years before another Brooklyn pitcher threw a no-no. Dazzy Vance threw the first no-hitter in the live ball era for Brooklyn at Ebbets Field on September 13, 1925. The Robins won 10-1over the Phillies. It is tied for the largest margin of victory in a no hitter and is the only no hitter where the opposition scored a run.
As noted in an earlier post, the team’s first World Series homer was an inside-the-park homer in the 1916 series with the Red Sox by Hi Meyers. It was also their only homer of the series. They were the first 14 innings of Babe Ruth’s record setting 29.2 consecutive scoreless innings in a World Series streak.
In the 1920 World Series, which was a best of nine format, several firsts took place. The Indians had dedicated the series to their SS, Ray Chapman, who had been killed when hit by a pitch in the head earlier in the season. Cleveland won game one, and Brooklyn came back and won games two and three. All those games were at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn lost game four to tie the series. Then came game five.
Burleigh Grines started game five for Brooklyn against Jim Bagby Sr. In the bottom of the first, Charlie Johnson singled. Bill Wambsganss singled. Grimes fell while trying to field a bunt by Tris Speaker loading the bases. Elmer Smith then hit a 1-2 pitch over the right field wall for the first grand slam in Series history. In the bottom of the 4th, after a single and a walk, Bagby homered over the center field fence, the first pitcher to homer in a World Series. In the top of the fifth, the first two Robins reached on singles. Up to the plate stepped reliever, Clarence Mitchell, who was 6-16 as a pinch hitter during the season. He hit a line drive towards left center, Wambsganss moved slightly and jumped catching the ball in his glove, he then easily doubled up the runner at second by stepping on the bag, he turned to throw to first base, and saw Otto Miller stopped right in front of him. He reached out and tagged him for the first and only unassisted triple play in Series history. Mitchell would also hit into a double play in the eight. Brookly lost 8-1 even though they outhit the Indians 13-12. They lost all four games in Cleveland ending the series. It was Cleveland’s first major sports championship and was the last time two teams who had not won faced each other in a World Series until 1980. Brooklyn hit no homers in the 7 games.
In 1930, Babe Herman hit .393, the all-time high for a Dodger hitter. On June 15th, 1938, the Dodgers were to play their first ever night game at Ebbets Field against the Reds. On the mound for the Reds was left-hander, Johnny Vander Meer. Meer had no-hit the Braves in his previous outing on June 11th. It wasn’t perfection, far from it, Vander Meer walked 8 Dodgers and struck out 7, but he became the first and so far, only, pitcher to throw back-to-back no-hitters in MLB history.
In 1941, the Dodgers under manager, Leo Dueocher, finally won their first pennant in 21 years. They would lose to the Yankees in five games. But not without drama. In game four, Pete Reiser became the first Dodger to actually hit a ball over the fence in World Series play for a homer. But the drama came in the top of the 9th. Leading 4-3 and needing just one out to tie the series at 2 games each, Hugh Casey threw a wicked curve ball that Tommy Heinrich swung at and missed, but Dodger catcher, Mickey Owen failed to catch the ball. Heinrich reached first and the Yankees rallied for 4 runs with 2 outs to win the game.
In October of 1945, the Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson to a contract with their Montreal AAA team. Branch Rickey had been considering several Negro League players. He settled on Robinson because of his college background and seeming mental toughness. It was a historic moment as the commissioner fully backed his decision. The repercussions of his signing would be felt for years if and when he made it to the majors.
In 1946, the Dodgers were involved in another historic moment. They tied for the National League pennant with the St. Louis Cardinals. So, a so-called best of 3 playoff ensued. Brooklyn lost the first two games played. The first game in St. Louis was won by Howie Pollet 4-2 over Branca in St. Louis. Murray Dickson beat Joe Hatten 2 days later at Ebbets Field 8-4. Brooklyn would be involved in the 2nd playoff in 1951 and lose that to the Giants.
1947 would be a historic year for the Dodgers, and for Major League Baseball. On April 10th, Jackie Robinson signed a major league contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Thus, ended segregation in major league baseball. Robinson would play his first game at Ebbets Field against the Boston Brave on April 15th, which today is celebrated as Jackie Robinson Day all around the league. He was 0-3 with a sac-bunt. He scored a run and played 1st base. He would get his first hit 2 days later against the Braves, and he hit his first homer on April 18th, against the Giants. He would be named the Rookie of the Year, first time that award was given and he finished 3rd in the MVP vote. The NL ROY award is now known as the Jackie Robinson trophy. His path would not be easy; he faced threats to his life and racial slurs from opponents. There was even a petition by some of his own teammates saying they would not play with a Negro. To top it all off, his manager, Leo Durocher, was suspended just before the season began and replaced by Burt Shotton. Brooklyn would end up winning the NL pennant and losing their second straight World Series to the Yankees. But Jackie was firmly established as a star for the Dodgers. He opened the door for players like Larry Doby, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks.
Over the next two seasons, two players, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe would join the Dodgers after being signed from the Negro Leagues. Both would be vital pieces of the 50’s Boys of Summer Dodgers. The 53 team set a franchise record with 105 wins. Campanella’s bat did not initially play large. But his defense, well that is another story, especially his skill at throwing out base stealers. In 48 he threw out 66.7% of runners trying to steal. In 49 the number was 58.5. In 1950 he threw out 62.5%. in 51, 69.4, and in 52, 64.7. He led the league all five years. He was also the MVP in 51. He would win that award twice more, in 53 and 55. His career caught stealing Pct is 57.4. An MLB record that no one has come close to matching. Not Bench, Pudge Rodriguez, nor Molina. One of the outcomes of Campy’s success was that Hodges, originally a catcher, was moved to first base. That moved Jackie Robinson to second. So, Brooklyn’s infield at the beginning of the 50’s was Hodges at 1st, Jackie at 2nd, Reese at SS and Billy Cox at third. Brooklyn’s pitching staff was led by Preacher Roe, Newcombe, and cagy RHP, Carl Erskine. Oisk as Brooklynites called him, threw two no-hitters in the 50’s. He was the first Dodger pitcher with more than one. He also set the World Series record for strikeouts in a game with 14 against the Yankees in game 3 of the 1953 series. Sal Maglie would also throw a no-hitter for Brooklyn in 1956.
Newcombe would win the ROY in 49, then in 1956, he won the first ever Cy Young Award and the MVP. Of course, he would implode in the World Series against the Yankees. Newcombe, as good of a pitcher as he was just not very good in the post season. He was 0-4 with an 8.59 ERA in World Series play. He was the starting pitcher when the Dodgers lost game 3 of the 51 playoffs to the Giants.
Two more Negro League players would become ROY’s for Brooklyn. Joe Black in 1952 and Jim “Junior” Gilliam in 1953. Gilliam would play his entire career with the Dodgers and coach the team until his sudden death in 1978 just short of his 50th birthday. Gilliam was the Dodgers first real super utility player. He came out of retirement twice, 65-66 to help LA win a pennant.
1955. The Dodgers won the pennant and finally beat the Yankees in the World Series. Brooklyn lost the first two games at Yankee Stadium. They then won the next three at Ebbets Field before losing game six to Whitey Ford 5-1. Johnny Podres, 22-years old in his 3rd season, started against Tommy Byrne. Brooklyn would eventually take a 2-0 lead. Hodges drove in both of the runs. In the 6th inning, with Brooklyn having just scored their second run, the Yanks had runners on first and second with one out. Sandy Amoros had replaced Jim Gilliam in left field that inning. Yogi Berra hit a line drive down the left field line, Amoros raced over and caught the ball just in front of the fence, he wheeled and fired the ball to Reese who turned and fired the ball to Hodges, who tagged out McDougald before he got back to the bag. Podres shut down the Yankees the rest of the way and the final out was a grounder to Reese who fired to Hodges for the win. The Dodgers won what would be their only Championship in Brooklyn. Podres was named the MVP of the series, the first time that award was made and won a Corvette from Sport Magazine.
The Dodgers won their last pennant in Brooklyn in 56, but in game 5 of that series, they were beaten by journeyman pitcher, Don Larsen, who threw what is and has been the only perfect game in World Series history. Clem Labine beat the Yankees 1-0 in 10 innings in game six to keep Brooklyn alive, but Don Newcombe imploded and the Yanks won going away 9-0. Rumblings were starting about the Dodgers maybe leaving Brooklyn unless they got a new ballpark. They would play 7 games at Roosevelt Field in New Jersey in 57. On May 3rd, O’Malley made the move official. The National League owners approved the move, and the Giants move to San Francisco. Roy Campanella would be paralyzed in a car accident in January and would never play again.
Most of us know the history of the team since they made the move. A seventh-place finish in 1958, then a pennant and World Series win in 1959. The record crowds at the coliseum in games 3-4-5. Over 90,000 for each game, and the six game win over the White Sox in LA’s second year. Larry Sherry getting the series MVP win with 2 saves and 2 wins. Duke Snider’s 11th and final World Series home.
The first ROY in LA history was Frank Howard in 1960. The Cy Young was still given to just one pitcher, not in each league in 1962 when Don Drysdale won it. Sandy Koufax for the first of his no-hitters in 62, a 5-0 win over the expansion Mets at Dodger Stadium. Koufax was also the winner in the Dodgers first ever win at Dodger Stadium, a 6-2 win over the Reds. Duke Snider’s single was the first hit. The first homer by a Dodger was hit by Jim Gilliam during Koufax’s win. Koufax won his first ERA title with a 2.54 mark. Tommy Davis became the first LA Dodger to win a batting title, and Maury Wills broke Ty Cobbs stolen base mark with 104 and was the NL MVP.
1963 saw the emergence of Koufax as a true ace. He was 25-5 with a 10.7 WAR. He struck out 306 to lead the league his ERA was 1.88, again best in the league, and he won the Cy Young and the MVP. He pitched his second no-hitter against the Giants in May, winning 8-0. That season began the awarding of Cy Youngs in both leagues. Davis won his second batting title. LA swept the Yankees in the World Series with Koufax and Drysdale both throwing complete games in their starts. The bullpen logged just 2 3rds of an inning as Podres went 8.1 in his start. Koufax broke Erskine’s World Series strikeout record with 15 Ks in game 1. They held the Yankee offense to a .171 average with just 2 homers.
Koufax was derailed by injury in 64, but managed his 3rd no-hitter, beating the Phillies in Philadelphia, 3-0. He allowed just 1 base runner. He also won his 3rd ERA title with a1.74 mark. The team rebounded in 1965; Koufax would win 26 and lose 8. he led the league in ERA with a 2.04 mark. He led the league in complete games with 27. Amazingly he struck out 382 batters. He won the Cy Young award. Jim Lefebrve won the ROY. LA would beat the Twins in seven games, with Koufax throwing 2 shutouts in a 4-day period. He won his second series MVP award. On September 9th, Koufax tossed a perfect game against the Cubs, winning 1-0. The Cubs pitcher, Bob Henley, allowed just 1 hit, and it was not part of the scoring. Sandy struck out 14, including the last 6 batters in a row. For the record, Koufax struck out 18 batters twice. The first time on August 31st, 1959, he broke Dizzy Dean’s NL record of 17 and tied Bob Feller’s MLB record of 18. The second time came against the Cubs on April 24th, 1962, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Sandy would retire after the 66 World Series sweep by the Orioles. His arthritic left arm almost useless.
In the three years following the retirement of Koufax, the Dodgers finished 8th, 7th, and then 4th when the league split into divisions in 1969. Even with the lack of results on the field, LA had some historic moments. In 1968, Don Drysdale set a then MLB record for the most consecutive scoreless innings at 58, breaking the record of 55.2 set by Walter Johnson in 1913. Big D’s record would stand until 1988 when Orel Hershiser broke it with 59. On April 7th, 1969, Bill Singer relieved Drysdale on opening day and was credited with the first recorded save in MLB history. The save had been approved by MLB in the winter of 68 as an official stat.
The draft of 1968 would prove to be a boon for the Dodgers and in the early 70’s their fortunes began to improve. Bill Singer became the first Dodger RHP to throw a no-hitter since Maglie in 56 when he no-hit the Phillies at Dodger Stadium on July 20th, 1970. His catcher was Jeff Torborg, who also caught Koufax’s perfect game 5 years earlier. LA would not see another no-hitter for 10 years. In 1969, Ted Sizemore became the Rookie of the Year. He was the first since Lefebvre in 65.
They finally broke through and won the 1974 pennant, winning their first ever championship series against the Pirates 3-1. They then lost the World Series to the A’s in five games. Mike Marshall set a record for appearances by a relief pitcher in 74 with 106. He finished 83 games to lead the league, and he led in saves with 21. Steve Garvey won the MVP award, the first for a Dodger since Koufax in 1963, he was also the MVP in the All-Star game. 1974 was also the year that “the infield” began their run as the longest running infield to stay together. Alston would retire during the 76 season, with 2040 wins and was replaced by 3rd base coach, Tommy Lasorda.
LA would win pennants in both 77 and 78. The 77 team was historic because for the first time in MLB history, 4 teammates on the same team hit 30 homers or more. Steve Garvey 33, Reggie Smith 32, Ron Cey 30 and Dusty Baker 30. Baker hit his 30th on the last day of the season off of JR Richard of the Astros. LA lost the Series in both years 4 games to 2.
In 1979, Rick Sutcliffe was named the Rookie of the Year. That started a four-year run of Dodgers rookies of the year. Howe 80, Valenzuela 81 and Sax 82 followed. Jerry Ruess became the first Dodger lefthander in LA not named Koufax to throw a no-hitter. He beat the Giants 8-0 in San Francisco. The Dodgers were forced to play a 163rd game in 1980 after tying for the division with the Astros. Dave Goltz got the start and lost the game.
The strike year of 1981, saw the Dodgers begin the era of Fernandomania. The kid from Mexico got the opening day start and shut out the Astros 2-0. The kid would lead the league in shutouts with 8, complete games 11, strikeouts 180 and games started 25. LA then had to beat Houston 3-2 in the Division series, Montreal 3-2 in the Championship series and the Yankees 4-2 in the World Series. Valenzuela won the ROY and the Cy Young. No pitcher has ever matched that. The World Series saw Tri-MVPs for the first and only time. Cey, Yeager and Pedro Guererro were recipients.
They would win the West in 83 and 85 and lose the LCS both times. Then came 1988. Led in pitching by Orel Hershiser and on the field by eventual NL MVP Kirk Gibson, they would beat the Mets in the LCS after losing to them 10 times in 11 games during the regular season. Hershiser finished the season on a roll with his 59 consecutive scoreless inning streak breaking Big D’s record. They then met and defeated the mighty A’s of the Bash Brothers in 5 games.
That would be the last hurrah for many years. The 90’s did produce five straight Rookies of the Year. Karros in 92, Piazza 93, Mondesi 94, Nomo 95 and Todd Hollandsworth 96. No other team has ever had more than two in either league. LA would get two more in 2016-17 when Seager and Bellinger went back-to-back.
LA pitchers threw four no-hitters in the 90’s, Valenzuela 1990, Kevin Gross 1992, Ramon Martinez 1995, and Nomo 1996/ They would not have another until 2014. The strike in 1994 had the Dodgers first in the West when the strike started. They won the division in 95 but were swept in the LDS, they made it as the wild card in 96 but again were swept in the LDS. They set an LA franchise record for losses with 99 in 1992.
Peter O’Malley sold the team to FOX in March on 1998. They then infuriated Dodger fans by trading Mike Piazza to the Marlins. Fox as an owner had no real success on the field, so they sold the team in 2004 to parking lot mogul Frank McCourt. LA made the playoffs in 2004. They would go to the playoffs four times in McCourt’s tenure.
In 2008, the team traded for slugger Manny Ramirez and Mannywood in left field was born. He had an amazing 53 game run for LA hitting .396 with 17 homers and 53 driven in. He then hit over .500 in the two-playoff series against the Cubs and Phillies with 4 homers and 10 runs driven in. As we all know, McCourt ran into financial troubles amid a nasty divorce and was forced out by MLB. He sold the team to the Guggenheim Group in 2012 and the run since has been historic for the franchise.
They still had not won a World Series since 1988 when finally broke through in the pandemic shortened season of 2020. But there was plenty of excitement along the way. Seager and Bellinger winning the ROY in 16 and 17. No hitters in 2014 by Josh Beckett and Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw falling one short of Koufax in winning four straight ERA awards from 2011-2014. Kersh winning Cy Young Awards in 11, 13. 14 and adding the MVP award in 14. Bellinger winning the MVP award in 2019. Going to the World Series in 2017 and 2018. Both of those series were disappointing. In game 3 of the 2018 World Series, Boston and the Dodgers set a record by playing 18 innings before LA won on a walk off homer by Max Muncy. 7 years later, they would do the same in game 3 of the 2025 series against the Jays winning on a walk off homer by Freddie Freeman.
The 2020 team had to win more post season games than any other Champion, 13, in order to win the title. They had to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the LCS. The 2019 Dodgers set a Dodger season record for wins with 106. The 2021 team matched that number. The 2022 team smashed it with 111.
The arrival of Shohei Ohtani in 2024 changed the face of the franchise. Trading and signing Mookie Betts in 2020 to a 12-year deal was the first move. Adding premium free agents over the next few years would be the norm. Freddie Freeman came aboard in 2022. Retaining important pieces was also part of the strategy. But Ohtani, simply from a marketing standpoint was genius. Shohei set then beat the Dodgers season HR record with 54 in 24 and 55 in 25. He has won back-to-back MVP awards. Something no Dodger had ever done.
The Dodgers have led the league in attendance many times since they moved from Brooklyn. But in 2025 they cracked the 4 million threshold with 4,012,470. They are on that kind of pace again this year. So, when will the next historic moment occur? Will they threepeat? Becoming only the third team in MLB history and the first in the NL to do so? Only time will tell.
Reno Aces 9 – OKC Comets 4
LHSP Jackson Ferris continued his miserable season. He allowed 7 runs in 2.2 IP. He allowed 7 hits and issued 5 BB. With 2 outs in the 3rd, RHRP Carlos Duran relieved Ferris and got out of the inning.
OKC scored a run in the 2nd. 3 straight 2-out singles by DH Jack Suwinski, SS Noah Miller, and C Griffin-Lockwood Powell for the run.
OKC scored another in the 3rd. LF Teoscar Hernández drew a BB. 3B Ryan Fitzgerald then singled, and CF Alek Thomas followed with a RBI single.
Duran retired the side in order in the 4th.
1B James Tibbs III homered (21) to inch closer.
There was some nice relief pitching from RHRP Nick Frasso and RHRP Nick Robertson. Frasso completed 2.0 scoreless innings with 0 hits, 1 BB, and 5 K. Robertson pitched a scoreless inning, with a BB and 1 K.
RHRP Keynan Middleton wasn’t as sharp. He allowed 2 runs, on 2 hits, and 2 BB in his 1 inning.
In the 9th, Fitzpatrick singled and Thomas doubled (2) him home.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick – 4-5, 1 run
- James Tibbs III – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (21)
- Alek Thomas – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 RBI, double (2)
Tulsa Drillers 8 – Corpus Christi Hooks 2
RHSP Payton Martin pitched his best game of the year, if not his career. He pitched 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits, issuing 3 BB, and striking out 4. He threw 93 pitches (53 strikes).
2B Sean McLain broke the 0-0 game with his 5th HR with 2 outs in the 4th.
In the 5th, CF Mike Sirota hit a 1-out single. That was followed by LF Zyhir Hope’s 2-out single, a BB for 3B Jake Gelof, and a DH Chris Newell grand slam (14).
In the 7th, SS Elijah Hainline and Hope drew walks, and Newell slugged his 2nd HR (15) of the night for 3 runs.
RHRP Lucas Wepf entered in the 8th for Martin. He allowed a solo HR to break up the shutout.
With RHRP Cam Day relieving Wepf in the 9th, he walked the first three batters he faced. After a pop out, he walked a 4th batter forcing a run home. RHRP Antonio Knowles relieved Day with the bases loaded. He got a strikeout and lineout to get out of the inning, and get the win.
- Josue De Paula – 2-4, 1 BB
- Chris Newell – 2-4, 2 runs, 7 RBI, 2 HR (15)
- Mike Sirota – 1-3, 2 BB, 1 run
- Zyhir Hope – 1-2, 3 BB, 2 runs
- Elijah Hainline – 1-2, 3 BB, 1 run
- Sean McLain – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (5)
Great Lakes Loons 12 – Lansing Lugnuts (As) 8
RHSP Brooks Auger is 24 years old. He was a 6th round draft pick from Mississippi St. and is quietly putting together an excellent start to the season.
Auger had pitched 5.0 innings once this year, He reached 5.2 IP this game, allowing 1 run, 3 hits, 2 BB, 1 K. For the month of June he has now started 4 games, 17.1 IP, 2 runs, 9 hits, 11 BB (yes, too many), 20 K. His season ERA is down to 2.19.
Meanwhile Great Lakes scored a bunch. In the 2nd, they batted around and scored 8.
- 3B Chase Harlan singled
- SS Eduardo Guerrero forced Harlan at 2B
- LF Samuel Munoz singled, Guerrero to 2nd
- K
- 1B Cameron Decker RBI single, Guerrero scored, Munoz to 2nd
- 2B Jose D. Hernandez walked to load the bases
- CF Charles Davalan doubled home all three baserunners
- RF Eduardo Quintero singled home Davalan
- DH Logan Wagner walked, Quintero to 2nd
- 3B Chase Harlan hits a 3-run HR, his first in A+
- Out #3
The Loons picked up 2 more in the 4th thanks to Harlan’s 2nd HR of the game, a 2-run shot.
Quintero hit a solo HR (4) in the 6th, for an 11-1 lead.
After Auger got the first two outs in the 6th, he was replaced by RHRP Reynaldo Yean. 2 out, nobody on when Yean came on. A walk, 2-run HR, another walk, and RBI double, and Yean gave up 3 runs. Yean’s ERA is now 10.62.
GL picked up a 12th run in the 7th. Decker drew a 1-out BB, followed by a single by Hernandez. PH Chase Adkison, batting for Quintero, hit an RBI single.
After retiring the Lugnuts in the 7th, RHRP Seamus Barrett came back out in the 8th. He gave up a 1 out single and walked the next batter. The bases were loaded after the 2nd baseman booted a ground ball. A double brought home 2. LHRP Justin Chambers came in to relieve Barrett. He gave up a run scoring ground out, followed by a RBI single.
RHRP Alex Makarewich relieved Chambers for the 9th. He walked 2 but did not give up a run.
- Chase Harlan had a GREAT night. He went 4-5, with 2 runs scored, 5 RBI, a double (2), and 2 HR (2).
- Eduardo Quintero – 2-3, 1 BB, 2 RBI, HR (4)
- Jose D. Hernandez – 2-3, 2 BB, 1 run
- Charles Davalan – 1-6, 1 run, 3 RBI, double (17)
Ontario Tower Buzzers 5 – Visalia Rawhide (Dbacks) 3
Just turned 20 year old RHSP Jesus Tillero, who I am still eager to follow his development, pitched 6.0 excellent innings. He allowed 4 hits, NO BB, and struck out 8.
Ontario put up 4 in the 1st. 4 of the first 5 batters reached and scored. CF Jaron Elkins singled, and so did 2B Mairo Martinus. Elkins moved up to 3rd on the single, and Martinus stole 2nd. After a K, 3B Easton Shelton, hit a 2 RBI single. SS Joendry Vargas followed with a 2-run HR.
With 2 out in the 5th, RF Ching-Hsien Ko singled and Shelton doubled him home.
In the 7th, RHRP Jholbran Herder relieved Tillero. He gave up a single and issued a BB before getting the first out of the inning. Herder’s fielding error loaded the bases. A walk forced in a run, and the bases remained loaded with just one out.
RHRP Dailoui Abad relieved Herder. A force out and throwing error scored 2 more. There was a third error of the inning, but it did not lead to runs.
RHRP Accimias Morales and RHRP Jecsua Liborius each pitched a scoreless inning to preserve the win. Liborius recorded his 5th save.
- Jaron Elkins – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run
- Mairo Martinus – 2-4, 1 run
- Easton Shelton – 2-4, 1 run, 3 RBI, double (15)
- Joendry Vargas – 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (1)
ACL Royals 9 – ACL Dodgers 6
- CF Abel Lorenzo – 2-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (8), HR (3)
- 1B Moises Bolivar – 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (8)
- 2B Sam Mongelli – 1-2, 2 runs, double (2)
- SS Reyli Mariano – 1-4, 1 RBI, triple (4)
DSL LAD Mega 9 – DSL LAD Bautista 4
LAD Mega
- SS Antoni Urena – 1-1, 4 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (2)
- LF Jesus Villaflor – 2-4, 3 runs, 1 RBI, double (4)
- DH Edgar Sanchez – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run
- CF Erny Orellana – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI, double (6)
LAD Bautista
- RF Fran-Jean Haseth – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (4)
- 2B Ezequiel Melburne – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (1)
- 3B Ariel Reynosa – 1-4, double (3)
Discussion (83)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Good on Sheehan today. Saved his spot in the rotation. Why Gray? We’re 10 games up and he’s not pitching in October.
Dryer isn’t pitching in Oct either. The lefties in our post season bullpen will be Scott, Vesia and Wrobo. Tho I’d add Chapman to the pen in a heartbeat
We can’t be certain who is pitching in October.
Sonny Gray?
No!
Emmet Sheehan?
YES
I am ambilalent about Chapman.
Why not Gray? So far this year he’s way better than Sheehan.
Chapman’s ERA and FIP are quite low and his K9 is quite high. I’ve known you a long time. I’ve never known you to be ambivalent about anything.
Because he’s not way better. He’s marginally better for the playoffs, because he’s not going to start ahead of the other four starters and you only need four.
1.1 vs. 1.3 WHIP is that worth trading prospects and cost certainty? If there’s a fifty percent chance he doesn’t start in the playoffs? Of course, not.
Similarly Chapman’s role, if any, if what? Fifth or sixth inning work? Is that worth an overpay?
-0.3 WAR to 2.0 WAR. 5.03 ERA to 2.69 ERA. 4-5 to 9-1. 1.26 WHIP to 1.112 WHIP. 72 IP to 83 IP.
Not close.
I say again we don’t know who is going to be available for the playoffs. To have a guy like Gray available makes the team better. And it’s my opinion Chapman is a no brainer.
I have no idea what it might cost but I doubt it would take a handful of the very top prospects. And it’s about THIS year. With the Dodgers, it’s always about this year.
Kendall George is rehabbing at Ontario. He is hitting .111 in his 3 games so far.
I was wondering about his rule 5 status too. George stole a base which is a good sign.
MJ and I got along great.
Machado showed up. Bogaerts with 2 hits. Nobody else on that team threatened.
Sheehan with 1 earned in 5. I’ll take that anytime.
Gray and Chapman. Yeah, that works. What would it cost?
Count me in on Gray and Chapman over Skubal.
Nice to go 5-1 on this 9 game road trip with 2 series wins.
What roles exactly would Gray and Chapman be filling?
The team already has Stewart, Scott, Vesia and Diaz slated for high leverage spots.
And the team has the best record in baseball with a 6 man rotation missing two starters who will get playoff starts.
Gray takes Sheehan’s (could be moved in the deal) or Roki’s starter spot and Chapman is another lockdown reliever, taking Dreyers spot. Just a guess is all. Trade deadline guessing is just that. Kind of like your trade simulator.
I would take Chapman in Dreyer’s spot any day. I am going to watch Operation Hail Mary tonight. It is streaming on MGM +. Then I might watch Avatar, Fire and Ash.
It’s great, Bear.
If he stays, does Dreyer pitch in any post-season game?
I’m not sure.
Great win. LA now 10 games up on the Madres.
SD now fighting for last Wildcard spot
Nice job escaping that 8th inning by Scott.
That was a get-ready-for-October bullpen move by Doc. Put Scott in the 7th vs a tough leftie to keep the lead.
Pages needs to have his ability to challenge strike calls 100% taken away. Doc is not doing his job if they don’t deal with this. In addition to Pages being horrible at batting 2nd.
Agreed. Me. I put Edman there. Contact hitter.
Hello Patch – good to see you posting again. Always enjoy your takes.
Her name was MJ.
She absolutely loved Mookie, and it was a great shame she passed before he came to us.
A very nice lady.
Yes! That’s it! Thank you!
And good to see you! Any time you’re in Orange County again, I’d love to show you the great spots.
MJ was a sweetheart. She and I kinda became pen pals for a short time before she passed.
Wonder if Sheehan has another poor outing if he’ll be in the starting rotation much longer? As a recall Doc’s post game comments after his last start, when asked, were neither fully supportive of a continued turn in the rotation but rather centered on Sheehan needs to figure it out.
If he is optioned who would take his spot in the rotation or do the Dodgers continue to roll with him until either Snell or Glasnow are back? I really want the kid to get it right but it seems the Dodgers are going to let Sasaki grow up in the big leagues, can they do the same with Sheehan?
Why not?
They’re not lacking for pitching. They’re having great success with a six man rotation.
that was l somewhat facetious, they do need a reason to get River Ryan sometime. But he’s injured, I know nothing, but see them just sticking with Sheehan until an opportunity or excuse for Ryan arises.
Great article, Bear. You have a special talent.
I’ve been seeing Sonny Gray’s name now bandied about as a trade target. Again, I have to ask why. Unless you really think Snell or Glasnow are not going to be available for the playoffs, where and when are these trade targets going to pitch? And with Sonny Gray, like that Joe Ryan guy, I mean they’re having decent years, but they’re not exactly studs, either. Even if the Dodgers do go out and get a starting pitcher, and I’m not convinced they actually need one, at least go out a get a true difference maker, which means you’re going to spend a lot of prospect capital to get Skubal.
I’d prefer the Dodgers go out and get a guy like Chapman and somebody else and load up on stud relievers. I think that gives a playoff Dodger team a lot more flexibility and good options.
BTW, who was the former poster here who loved Sonny Gray. She was a female, and she always wanted the Dodgers to go out and get Sonny Gray when he was with Oakland. She also was very fond of Andrew Toles.
She disappeared for a while, and Mark did a little sleuthing and discovered that she had died of cancer … and also that she was in a serious auto accident many years ago. I forget her username. She was a regular here for a long time. She’s not forgotten, by me, anyway.
Was it Dodger Blue Mom?
I don’t think she was a mom, though I think there was a poster by that name. I also think there was a Marcia?
Her real name was Michelle.
She battled with Frank Hamm and often said she thought I at times commented under that name.
She also always rebutted anything I said about Joc. Hint, I always supported Joc.
She is missed.
I think that came up when Mark dug into what happened with her. I remember her as MJ (thx Watford), and I do remember she would butt heads with you. I think she thought you had multiple aliases.
Anyways …. the talk of Sonny Gray made me randomly remember her.
Thanks Patch. The reason I mentioned Gray is simply because I am not of the mind that AF will go after Skubal. If he seeks a starter at all, it will be someone on the fringes with a pitcher who has had some success and can eat innings. Much like he did with Flaherty. Plus Gray could be packaged with Chapman if the Dodgers want to bolster the pen much cheaper than Skubal will cost.
Not sure why you think a package of Gray with a record of 9-1 and an ERA below 3.00 PLUS Chapman, one of the best relievers in baseball, would be MUCH cheaper than Skubal.
Detroit wants MLB ready players. Boston would lean more towards prospects. maybe a 5-2. Detroit is going to want at least 4 players for Skubal alone.
Mookie Betts last 18 games (80 PAs)
.311/.363/.568/.930 w/5 HR.
Thank you
Old friends McKinstry and Vargas have already homered.
Another nod to the team’s player development.
Speaking of old-friends….
Feinsand on the decisions the Tigers face. Notes they could also get a return by moving Mike, old-friend Flahrety and others….
“I’m not sure how they can keep [Skubal] and not realize for the long-term health of the organization that they need to trade him,” an AL executive said. “It’s not a World Series team, and that should be what they measure that trade by.”
https://www.mlb.com/news/tigers-trade-candidates-for-2026-deadline?partnerID=web_article-share
I can’t believe this didn’t make Michael’s article:
https://x.com/BBGreatMoments/status/2071030441558135061/video/1?s=61
Not sure Lasorda would last a season these days
More of an infamous moment along with his rants about Dave Kingman and Kurt Bevaqua.
4:10 PM ET
Dodgers (53-30)
Padres (43-38)
SP Emmet Sheehan R
3-5 5.32 ERA
SP Michael King R
5-6 3.33 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
CF Andy Pages R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Mookie Betts R
3B Max Muncy L
LF Tommy Edman S
RF Kyle Tucker L
2B A. Freeland S
C C. Robinson R
68° Wind 10 mph Out
I move Pages out of the 2-slot and put Edman there. Contact hitter over a perceived slugger who thinks he is frippen Maury Wills. Thrown out again last night.
I move him down too.
Why does Pages keep doing that? Is he being given permission? The message should be clear – get on base and we’ll tell you if we want you to run.
Dodgers facing an ace today. It should be a stiffer challenge than yesterday.
Agree 100 %
Tommy being a switch hitter and having a great eye would be perfect. He also has good speed.
Tatis is not someone I would want on my team. His 5 star rating has probably dropped to a 3 so far this season. His arm is his strength. He looked good lying on the ground after not catching that hit by Max! I agree wholeheartedly with Jeff, no steroids, no all star talent.
Max ? Wow what a good season for him. An all star? How sweet for him. And to everyone who thought he was not worthy a while back,(including me). Congratulations! I just hope he stays healthy! He looked like he had never fielded a ball on that play at third until you watched the replay! Weird weird hop! The Dodgers defense is outstanding. I say Rojas deserves a lot of credit for that infield defense. He would be a great defensive instructor, but probably will go way above that level. Maybe,(more than likely) a major league manager in a few years.
Dalton may have learned a life lesson last week, his whole makeup looked different last night! I’m not on board with trading him! His talent behind the plate is so hard to find. My 12 year old grandson has had issues controlling his emotions at times. A spot on the end of the bench has helped immensely! A wonderful young man whom I love dearly. A little love, and a lot of discipline can go a long way! If someone wants to play more than anything in the world, they figure it out pretty quickly! Dalton will!
Really need this game today! Continue to show the friars who’s the boss! Tough guy on the mound for the pads. Emmit needs to figure it out today.
I knew the Dodgers had a Babe and a Preacher and a PeeWee, of course. But I don’t think I’d ever heard of Lady Baldwin. (Please tell me that wasn’t a typo of Laddy.)
Cool report, Bear. Baseball history starts in the dead-ball era, which coincided with the advent of still photography. (Roughly the Civil War to the early 20th century.) The beauty of the game was marred by the Black Sox scandal.
Then baseball muscled up as a business with the live-ball era, led by Babe Ruth and other sluggers. Fortunately for us, this coincided with film and motion pictures. The great taint on the game then was Jim Crow segregation. So we have only a rough idea of how Josh Gibson compared to Ruth, or whether Ted Williams could hit Satchel Paige. Every baseball record before integration carries an invisible asterisk.
Television was young when Jackie Robinson broke the color line., and it became a golden era with the Boys of Summer. Without integration and technological advances, we’d never vicariously witness Jackie Robinson stealing home and Yogi Berra screaming in protest.
Some 40 years ago, I had the honor of briefly meeting Rachel Robinson. She was in her 60s then, and now she is now 103. I’ve since learned how, over the years, that she and Yogi would jokingly continue the argument of whether Jackie was safe or out. I’ve seen that replay many times–and I could argue either side. Today, the video replay would be scrutinized. Was there enough evidence to overturn the call?
In more recent Dodger history, it was nice to see Kyle Tucker’s bat come to life. Sure hope he can keep it up. When Teo and Smith get back, this lineup will be ridiculous.
Lady Baldwin, real name Charles B. Baldwin. Pitched 6 years in professional baseball. 1884-1890. His no-hitter was his only win for the Brooklyn’s. He was 1-0. Career record 73-41.
From the videos above, it seems to me Chase Harlan is tremendous power.
I appreciate all of the nice comment’s guys. I love history as most of you can tell. Yoshi made one bad pitch last night. I was more concerned with Hurt’s performance. He can be erratic at times. Nice job by Vesia though. I normally really dislike position players pitching in blowouts. Miggy’s first pitch to Tatis Jr. though was priceless. Rushing not seeing the ball and getting plunked in his jewels was hilarious. What was amazing was that it took Miggy just 5 pitches to get 3 outs. The pitchers could learn something from that.
Well, maybe not hilarious to Rushing… but that was a damn funny clip. (I expect we’ll see that over and over again in baseball blooper reels.)
As for Chris Newell, yes, he might be the next Ryan Ward–passed over for years, and finally getting his mome nt.
And I think we should all give ourselves a pat on the back for sending Kyle Tucker those inspirational vibes. We criticize because we care.
Great job, guys!
That is what he gets for not paying attention !
How many like me think that Chris Newell will eventually be a MLB player… even if for a “cup of coffee?”
It won’t be with the Dodgers, but yes, I can see Newell and his power get that “cup of coffee”. He is a good defensive OF, and can steal bases. Many teams can use a good LH bat coming off the bench with power, speed, and good defense.
Sunday Dodger Affiliates’ Schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Tyler Gough) at Lansing (Nathan Dettmer)
12:05 p.m.: Ontario (TBA) at Visalia (Dean Livingston)
4:30 p.m.: Tulsa (Patrick Copen) vs. Corpus Christi (Brett Gillis)
6:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Ryder Ryan) at Reno (Tommy Henry)
Can’t wait till the first three games after the All Star Break against the New york Yankees in the Bronx. I hope Doc doesn’t use either Ohtani or Yamamota in the All Star game as manager so either one can pitch in the Yankee series. All the sports radio stations back here are already hyping it up.
History. It’s always interesting to me how it’s interpreted.
That picture of the Coliseum brings back great memories. I can see myself in that crowd. As I have mentioned, through his work at the Hotel Bel Air my grandfather was well connected and given tickets frequently. We spent a lot of time together going to games and talking baseball.
Last night was a fun game to watch. Could be very different today.
I still believe Mookie is slowing down but his bat does appear to be getting better. Hope he can last until November.
Sure is a lot of print, and video, regarding Rushing and his temperament. He’s still young, showing some immaturity, but he sure wants to win. I’m glad he’s there.
Tatis is puzzling to me. He’s a guy I wanted a few years ago. 5 tool players like him are rare. There are times he looks like he’d rather be somewhere else. At 27 he’s still in his prime, but his best year, age 22, 6.8 fWAR, feels like it was a long time ago. He’s signed at $36m a year until age 35, so unless SD chooses to move him, the Dodgers will be seeing him several times a year for a long time. Machado? Does anyone like him?
Players coming off steroid or drug use Never seem to be the same player. I think Machado is starting to show his age with his performance. The Padres are stuck with some BAD contracts and their farm system is ranked either 29th or 30th by all the MLB sources. The future looks pretty dim for the Padres.
It’s possible that only Manny likes Manny.
I have revised my opinion of Mookie. I can see him hitting .265 with a close to .800 OPS – that is solid.
On Rushing: “I’d rather rein in my lions than teach my sheep to hunt!”
Rushing is the best backup catcher in baseball.He would be starting for more than half the clubs in MLB.The Dodgers will handle his anger,immaturity and intensity.
BANG!
The homer last night was a real uplifting event especially with the congratulations from Ohtani in the on deck circle. Looks like he is THE catcher rather than the backup for the near future. Also encouraging is Tucker’s renewed power and play. If these two guys continue to progress, this lineup is going to scare the hell out of baseball’s pitchers
Enjoy the NY games AVF. My cuz is from the Bronx and my Dads family is from Manhattan and Brooklyn, so we have a bet of a case of beer on the yearly record between the Yanks and the Dodgers. I spend the summer in the Poconos. Neither of us follow the Mets or other minor league teams. I know what you’re saying about the rivalry.
Ben Franklin had a slightly different perspective on that. He said “Democracy is two wolves and a sheep were voting on what to have for dinner, liberty is a a well- armed sheep contesting the vote.”.
But I agree. That dinger he hit last night couldn’t have come at a better time for him. Ohtani gave hit a firm attaboy which he probably appreciated.
Awesome quotation.
I remember my first Dodger game there. Would have loved your seats. We were WAY down the RF line.
Great job Bear! The long drought from 88-2020 was draining! The last 6 years have been something special!
Who kidnapped Kyle Tucker and replaced him with that imposter last night? More of that please! Every starter had at least one hit except for Freeland. Sheehan today? He’s pitching for the right to stay in LA as far as I’m concerned. He needs 6 solid innings to remain in the rotation.
Kyle Hurt seems to have hit a wall. He was sure having trouble hitting the strike zone last night! Vesia again put out the fire!
Hernandez has one foot out the door, and the other one is quickly following. Bullpen needs an upgrade and soon!
How many would be on board with a trade for Sonny Gray and Aroldis Chapman? Saw that proposed somewhere. Probably not Gray, but Chapman? That might happen. If Diaz comes back healthy, along with Scott, Vesia, Phillips? Pretty lethal wouldn’t you say?
Yamamoto made Manny look completely stupid last night! Love it! Sheets on the other hand is a tough out. Probably the best hitter the friars have right now. Fernando ain’t really scaring anyone right now either. 3 homers at the halfway mark? His arm in right field is his biggest weapon at this time.
King today. He was simply very good last time the Dodgers faced him. I wonder if they could move him at the deadline if they fall even further behind in the standings? I’m sure they would gladly package him with Tatis if they could find another team willing to take on his massive salary. Quietly Tatis’ contract looks worse all the time! Peeler at his finest!
I’ll eat crow again this morning! I thought the west would be better than this! The giants are a cluster***k! The dbacks aren’t much better. The Rockies are the only thing keeping the giants out of last place! The other two divisions are way better! Well the METS! Looks like a sh*tstorm is brewing! Terrible signings. Terrible trades. Terrible all around! Mendoza should send the Mets flowers and a thank you card for firing him! I guess Pete Alonzo was washed up, right? Nimmo was cooked, right? Look what 760 million bought the Mets!
In my personal opinion, Kevin Cash is a top 5 manager in the game. Somehow he has the Rays in first place again with the lowest payroll in the division. Amazing!
The Red Sox? Another MESS! They should start unloading right about now! My only question is? Will they trade with the Dodgers? Track record ain’t to favorable on the Sox side!
Maybe, just maybe, Tucker is showing some life. Pages and the top of the order crushed the Pods to “Let’s go Dodgers” chants from half the stadium.
7 games with SD, win at least three and we escape with no damage. We are looking good for the AS break with some fun for 5 Dodger AS’s and rest for the rest. After that, maybe a shake up with the bench and the pen.
With even a little more production Tucker could end up with a 100rbi plus.
Yes, his other numbers should be better but 100 rbi is still a benchmark.
And that’s what we got him for.
I anticipate a rise in homers and doubles from him as his confidence goes up, maybe batting him behind Ohtani against righties. Look at the top 5 hitters numbers yesterday. What pitcher wants to face that?
Enjoyed the banter with ya!
Nice post, Bear! What a great piece of writing.
And the minor league reports by Jeff are unparalleled. Fantastic job!
Good to see the Dodgers slap the Madres and their fans right back in the face after the Friday loss.
How much longer can you keep Siorat and dePaula down at AA ? Time to make some trades and create some space at AAA.
And Tillero finally with a superb outing .Was about time. Too much talent there to have numbers like he does.
Concur. Great history of Dodgers, Bear.
Making room makes sense. Trade some of the MILB OFs for some lower level high ceiling players or international money. Forget the big dollar FAs and trades, let contracts run out or trade aging players and promote from within. We have so much excellent stock in the warehouse, we don’t need to go shopping. I doubt there is an international stud what wouldn’t want to sign with the us so we should take advantage of it.
Thanks guys, I love doing this.
I think I need to pack my bags…
😉
U R the engine that keeps this excellent site running, Mark. Best site on the web for our beloved blue crew. Thanx.
Bear and Jeff are outstanding!
They are. So are you. That is what I wanted to say.
The third triumvirate so to speak. 🙂
Thanks Mark, but you write awesome stuff too. And I still remember the interview you did with Andrew Freidman. That kind of thing I could never do. Keep it up.
Thank you.
Great. Another Jesus Tillero follower. I still believe he can develop into a MLB pitcher.
Great job Bear and Jeff. I realize it’s early but can someone post what minor league players will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this season., if they’re not added to the 40 man roster. Thank you in advance.
I just asked ChatGPT:
Assuming you mean the December 2026 Rule 5 Draft, the first-time eligible groups are:
players who signed at 18 or younger in 2022, and
players who signed at 19 or older in 2023.
And some notable Dodgers prospects are already protected because they’re already on the 40-man, including Alex Freeland, Ronan Kopp, and Ryan Ward.
My best read right now: the main Dodgers minor leaguers to watch for 40-man protection after 2026 are
Likely / near-lock protection candidates
Josue De Paula — signed by the Dodgers on Jan. 15, 2022, which puts him in the 2022 under-18 international class. He’s the clearest “must protect” position player in the system if he’s still not on the 40-man by then.
Jackson Ferris — drafted out of high school by the Cubs in 2022 and now in the Dodgers system. Because he was a 2022 prep signee, he lines up for Rule 5 eligibility after 2026, and he’s exactly the kind of lefty arm another club would try to stash.
Patrick Copen — drafted by the Dodgers in 2023 out of Marshall, so he falls into the 19-or-older/2023 bucket. Given his prospect status and strong upper-minors performance, he looks like a very real protection candidate.
Strong bubble candidates
Samuel Muñoz — signed on Jan. 15, 2022, so he is also first-time eligible after 2026. Whether he becomes a must-add probably depends on how much he hits and how close he gets to the upper minors.
Logan Wagner — a 2022 high school draftee by the Dodgers, so he is also in that first-time eligible bucket for Dec. 2026. He’s definitely a name to watch.
Adam Serwinowski — drafted out of high school in 2022 by the Reds and now in the Dodgers system. If his stuff and upper-level progress continue, he could force a protection decision.
Repeat-eligible names (not first-time eligible, but still possible protection calls)
Chris Newell — a 2022 college draftee, so he was already in the earlier eligibility wave; if he breaks out enough, he could still be a protection candidate.
Noah Miller — a 2021 high school first-rounder who was already eligible before; he remains a name to monitor, though the Dodgers already left him unprotected once.
José Rodríguez — another repeat-eligible name to keep in mind, especially if the Dodgers think another club could carry him in a bullpen role.
Important “not yet” names
A few big Dodger prospects do not need to be added after the 2026 season yet:
Eduardo Quintero signed on Jan. 15, 2023, so he’s not in the 2022 under-18 group; barring something unusual, his Rule 5 clock points to after 2027, not after 2026.
Zyhir Hope was signed by the Cubs in 2023, so he’s also not a post-2026 case.
Mike Sirota came out of the 2024 draft, so he is not close to Rule 5 eligibility yet.
Bottom line
If I had to predict today, the Dodgers’ core post-2026 protection list would be:
Josue De Paula
Jackson Ferris
Patrick Copen
Samuel Muñoz
Logan Wagner
Adam Serwinowski
And if you want the shortest answer, the three I’d call the most likely must-adds right now are De Paula, Ferris, and Copen.
Now AI is known to be wrong on occasion, and I would trust Jeff more than ChatGPT, so there is that!
If there is a lockout, what are the odds of that not happening, there will not be a Rule 5 draft. No one will have to be protected this offseason. That will create the 2026 and 2027 class needing protection after the 2027 season
This is going to be an in limbo issue. The Rule 5 draft takes place in December, but the 40 man rosters are set in November. December 2 (midnight) is the potential lockout date. In 2021, the Rule 5 draft was indefinitely suspended, and then canceled in March 2022.
However MLB teams were required to protect Rule 5 eligible players in November. The Dodgers protected Jacob Amaya, Jorbit Vivas, Eddys Leonard, Michael Grove and James Outman.
Thank you Matk
Thanks John, it is a work of love of history.