It was great to have AC’s minor league article on Tuesday. When he produces a column it is like MLB. That is, Minor League Buffett. So much to digest. In his smorgasbord he did mention some young players I have been following.
Today I am going to just highlight a few hitters who seem to be busting out in June after a bit of a slow May. Today it is hitters only. Next time some young arms.
A baseball season is just like the tide that goes out and comes in. Hitters have streaks when the baseball looks like a basketball and streaks when it must look like a golf ball. Quite often hitters are slow to get going in the spring with pitchers seemingly ahead of them. Perhaps it is just the cooler weather in the spring or the lag effect of the off season or off year such as 2020. I watched a number of players who early on seemed to be overly matched but now are hitting their stride so to speak.
Jonny DeLuca
https://www.milb.com/player/jonny-deluca-676356
DeLuca was selected by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2019 draft out of the University of Oregon. He had previously been selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 39th round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft but chose not to sign out of high school.
He did not have a particularly distinguishing two years at Oregon with a two-year triple slash of .226/.296/.354 over 111 games. He did have a very successful 2018 summer with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League which most likely boasts stronger pitching that regular college leagues. With the Red Sox, he slashed .296/.369/.368.
To me DeLuca is a bit of a puzzle. He was signed in the last minutes of the draft deadline according to Jim Callis. The Dodgers pursued him right up to the deadline signing him for a bonus of $300,000. His signing bonus ranked seventh – that is not a typo – for the Dodger signees just below right-hander Jack Little’s signing bonus as the Dodgers sixth overall selection.
What enticed the Dodgers? Perhaps his athleticism which was considered to be the best in the Dodgers 2019 draft, perhaps just above 24th selection, outfielder Chet Allison. In college, DeLuca was a two-sport athlete with track and baseball partnering. In the long jump, he reached 23’ 8” in a dual meet against Newbury Park setting one of the top early-season marks in the state.
He is a switch hitter and the 5’11”/196 lb. native of Agoura Hills, California is well suited to patrol center field. His slash line with the Arizona League Dodgers in 2019 was .273/.342/.384 over 26 games. He struck out eight times and walked seven. He stole nine bases and was caught once. Currently with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes the 22-year-old DeLuca had stolen 11 bases and been caught once. He has struck out 23 times and walked 18 times.
During the month of May he slashed .197/.338/.393 over 17 games. In 12 games in June he has a triple slash of .413/.471/.783 with four home runs, 10 runs scored and 10 runs batted in. He has reached base by hit or walk in 21 straight games, dating back to May 18. He is now hitting .290/.392/.561 and is tied for the team lead with six home runs.
DeLuca will turn 23 in July so hopefully his all-out charge will continue and he will earn a promotion to Great Lakes by mid-season.
Ryan Ward
https://www.milb.com/player/ryan-ward-669899
Outfielder Ryan Ward was selected by the Dodgers in the eighth round – 251st overall – of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
“We are excited for Ryan!” head coach Steve Owens said. “He has performed at a very high level for two years and is a talented player. His aggressive style of hitting is impressive, as is his mature approach. He is a complete baseball player and a very good person and teammate. Success will continue in his future.”
After missing all but two games of his true freshman season with a broken wrist in 2017, he put together two of the most prolific seasons in Bryant history in 2018 and 2019.
In 2018 he gained more than a little attention when he hit .409 with 101 hits and 157 total bases on his way to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Co-National Freshman Player of the Year honors. He finished in the top 15 nationally in toughest to strikeout the last two seasons and is tied for second in DI program history with 23 home runs.
In his final year at Bryant in 2019 the onslaught continued as he collected 95 hits, 15 doubles, a DI program-record 13 home runs, 51 RBI and 59 runs scored. He added 30 walks and struck out just 17 times on the season. He also became the quickest player in program history to record 200 career hits, ending the 2019 season with 206.
Gasparino’s Take: “Ward was one of our favorite college left-handed bats. Hit over .400. Hit for power this year. Hit in the Cape. It’s kind of just like one of those hitting gene guys that can play the corner outfielder. Whatever you think of him, we think he can hit.”
Ward’s first season in the Dodger organization was in 2019 with the Ogden Raptor’s. In 49 games he slashed .271/.340/.415 with four home runs and 23 runs batted in. Not eye-popping for sure but there was something about him. He hit the ball hard on a line and while he struck out 30 times he walked 19.
Ward did not waste his time during the 2020 pandemic year. He explains what he feels is an improved approach at the plate and in the field.
“I feel my plate approach has grown greatly,” stated Ward. “Just learning and understanding my strengths and really keying in on those while in a game has helped me avoid chasing and I’ve been able to see the ball well.”
His ability to not chase is important, as pitchers command their pitches better at the High-A level than in college and the Rookie League.
“The pitchers have better control and command at this level,” explained Ward. “They’re able to throw any pitch, in any count, in any spot. It’s becoming a real chess match at the plate in every at-bat.”
Focused on more than just hitting, Ward put extra work in during the 2020 layoff to improve his defensive game.
“My range in the outfield has improved,” said Ward. “It’s been a key focus of mine to improve my outfield and defensive play in general. Having the past year off to get into the weight room to become faster, stronger, and have the ability to be explosive in first steps, I believe is going to help me greatly in my outfield play.”
Ward had a bit of a slow start to his 2021 season with the Great Lakes Loons but actually much better than a number of his teammates in May. He might not belong on this list but perhaps it is time to introduce him. In May he had a very respectable season going with a slash line .272/.381/.420 along with two home runs and 15 runs batted in.
Actually he missed six games in June but in the other six he slashed .381/.481/.667 with an OPS of 1.148. On the season with two out and runners in scoring position the 23-year-old, 5’11”/200-lb. left-handed hitter is hitting .538.
Zac Ching
https://www.milb.com/app-firstpitch/player/zac-ching-687852
The Dodgers selected infielder Zac Ching with their 10th round selection in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft – 311 overall – out of Virginia Commonwealth University. The native of Lubbock, Texas had a signing bonus of $2,500.
In his senior year at Virginia Commonwealth in Richmond, Virginia he played 56 games hitting .310 with an OPS of .906. He hit six home runs and drove in 42 runs. In 229 at bats, he struck out 49 times and had 31 walks. He also stole 17 bases.
Gasparino’s Take on Ching: “A nice senior. He can play shortstop and second. We even talked about making him a catcher. A really good swing. He has an idea in the box of how to conduct an at-bat, and his defensive versatility is key. We liked him a lot, a nice middle field, defensive versatility player with a good swing.”
He debuted with the Ogden Raptors on June 17, 2019 and on the season played 49 games in the Pioneer Rookie League, 43 of which were at shortstop.
On the season he slashed .316/.407/.469 with four home runs and 38 runs batted in.
Drafted as shortstop, Ching has played primarily second base for the Great Lakes Loons this year but has played a few games at third base and shortstop.
Now 24, the 5’9”/180-lb. right-handed hitter got off to a slow start with the Loons in May. He didn’t hit his weight in 13 games with a slash line of .116/.170/.186. Thus far in June his triple slash is .420/.453/.640. He has two home runs and 10 runs batted in and an OPS of 1.093.
With his multi-hit game on Tuesday Ching had 21 hits in the month of June, which leads the High-A Central.
As with all minor league players, Zac Ching has lost an important development year. His advancement to a more age-appropriate Tulsa Drillers will depend on how he continues to fare against High-A pitching.
June is Busting Out All Over -Rogers & Hammerstein
Note From Mark Timmons
I will be in Las Vegas June 19-21 and will not have a lot of access. My wife and daughter-in-law have a convention in Vegas (International Beauty Show), so since it is Father’s Day and my son’s birthday, the whole family is flying there. My daughter has never been there, so she is coming too.
That said, I will be check e-mails and the blog periodically. I can get stuff posted, but may not have time to post my stuff until Tuesday. It’s only supposed to be 155 Degrees F this weekend… but it’s a dry heat! 😉
Discussion (23)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Oh how the mighty have fallen. “If the season ended today” we would be all but screwed. Imagine going into the postseason with Seager, Muncy and Belli all on the IL.
I wanted to put that in perspective though…
We’ve played just 68 games, there’s 94 remaining. There’s 23 games between now and the All-Star Break.
Heading into the break, we play the Nats 4 times, the Marlins 4 times and the D-Backs for 3.
Coming out of the break, we have 6 games against the Rockies, 5 against the Giants before the All-Star break which is a day early this year.
If the season ended today, the Padres will have missed the postseason.
What if the season ended at the All-Star break?
Our entire team will be healthy by then, barring new injuries. Except Knebel.
I like our chances at having a big lead and the best record in baseball after looking at July’s schedule.
The end of June is going to look really ugly if we don’t get Muncy and Belli back during the Padres series.
Honestly Eric, it is too early to even think about trades. It is mid June. Teams have not even decided if they are going to be sellers or buyers yet. Some like AZ and Colorado, most likely will be sellers. But then again who are they willing to trade. Anyone who has any time left on their deal will bring back a bigger package. The really good ones who are free agents after the season and there fore rentals, will probably cost a lot too. I do not think the Cardinals are going to be sellers. SO the reliever you wanted to trade for will most likely not be available. I would think AF will do what he always has done so far, find bargains, and not trade for a major name unless he thinks the price is reasonable.
And Seager is more productive than Lindor just by being on the IL. For all those Lindor lovers!
The biggest thing we need is for the Giants to come back to Earth!
C
With a long way to go I think we could use an innings eater to save everybody else. I think we are an injury away from a serious situation. Urias has not pitched a full season so he will be carefully monitored. If they were going to stretch price out why haven’t they? We have nobody in the minors. Gray is not even pitching in 3a so he is not an option. Gonsolin looks like he did in the playoffs with no command. I can’t believe we have this much money invested, reigning world champs and we have nobody to call up.. The further we get the more apparent this will b. After the all star break mb Gray will b ready.
News From Internet:
FanGraphs interviews RYAN PEPIOT
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dodgers-pitching-prospect-ryan-pepiot-on-his-devin-williams-like-changeup/
Ben Clemens chat:
Question: Are Mookie Betts best days behind him? He seems to have dropped from challenging Trout to merely pretty good.
Ben Clemens: I mean, if you’re asking whether I think he’ll outdo his 2018 season, I’ll say no
If you’re asking whether I think he’s still a 5-6 WAR player, I think yes
When he signed his extension, ZiPS had him in the top 10 for projected WAR over the next 3 years, 4th or 5th I think?
And I’d guess he’s still right around there… I do not think he has that extra gear, but he only really had one year where he was TRULY Trout-tier. Like, 2016 was a great year too but that was more high-volume than high rate
great rate, but also 730 PA
Question: Why dont more hitters choke up?
Ben Clemens This is a simplification, but because they aren’t confident in their ability to make solid contact and fielders are SO good these days. If you hit weak batted balls, it’s not THAT much better than striking out
Found this Youtube channel, Dodgerheads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W9NkVcG-90
-> Host Jeff Spiegel was joined by Justin Lorber to discuss the Minor League season, Keibert Ruiz, Diego Cartaya and more Los Angeles Dodgers prospects, plus reported targets for the 2021 MLB Draft, and more.
From Kevin Goldstein Chat
Question: Bring Back Mookie (and Jeff): So what exactly do you guys mean when you say Jack Leiter is trying to “price himself down” to Boston?
Kevin Goldstein: He’s throwing out, or going to throw out big bonus demands in order to scare the three teams picking ahead of Boston.
Tom: How is Gavin Lux looking at SS in your opinion? Would you be comfortable playing him at SS long term if Seager were to leave in FA?
Kevin Goldstein: I think he’s below average but not a disaster.
Ridiclously great article on DeGrom.
->Hint: Batters shouldn’t even swing.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/hitters-shouldnt-swing-against-jacob-degrom/
Baseball America on the Dodgers embarrassment of riches at catcher:
Smith, Ruiz, Cartaya and Barnes…
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/baseball-america-prospect-report-june-15-2021/
2019 video of new Dodger Kevin Bautista
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yRwpa2N-Pk&t=6s
-> Generally unranked when it comes to Texas Ranger prospects, Bautista signed at 18 out of the Dominican. The diminutive lefty struck out 46 in 29 innings across two rookie levels in 2019. He just turned 21!
Five Rancho hitters are in the top 23 in wRC+ in the Low-A West (min. 50 PA’s) this year, more than any other team in the league: 1. Diego Cartaya (200 wRC+) 10. Jonny Deluca (148) 14. Brandon Lewis (136) 18. Eddys Leonard (133) 23. Jorbit Vivas (126)
Andy Pages over last 25 games:
Slashing .303/.381/.667 with nine homers and a 173 wRC+.
Over in low-A Braydon Fisher’s K-BB% rate is 27.8%, 9th in the league.
NPB’s Orix Buffaloes Sign Rangel Ravelo
By Mark Polishuk | June 17, 2021 at 3:57pm CDT
First baseman/outfielder Rangel Ravelo has signed with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball, according to reporters Francys Romero and Yusseff Diaz (Twitter link). Ravelo had previously been on a minor league contract with the Dodgers, but the two sides worked out a deal for Orix to purchase Ravelo’s rights earlier this
According to MLB TRADE RUMORS
Definitely F
I would be worried if the season ended in a week, but there is still a long way to go,
What do you need?
What reason?
What is the rush?
How do you know what they will need in a month?
How do you know that a new player will make the difference?
How to know that whoever comes to the team is going to play better than those who are already on?
POLL
Dodgers need at the trade deadline?
A) Everyday left-fielder
B) Everyday second-baseman
C) Starting pitcher
D) High leverage reliever
E) Dodgers have multiple needs. Explain briefly.
F) Dodgers don’t need anyone
Dodgers Roster: Garrett Cleavinger Activated, Luke Raley Optioned
Dodgers News: Dennis Santana Traded to the Texas Rangers
by Brook Smith
The Dodgers made a deal on Thursday morning that ended with a familiar face departing. Dennis Santana was sent off to the Texas Rangers in a deal that returner them a minor league arm. This deal comes soon after Santana was designated for assignment by the Dodgers.It ends an 8-year run with the team after Santana was signed as an international free agent by Los Angeles back in 2013 out of the Dominican Republic.
In exchange for Santana, the Dodgers acquired LHP Kelvin Bautista from the Rangers. Bautista is about to turn 22-years-old and has yet to play above rookie ball with the pandemic stopping the 2020 minor league season.
Gavin Lux is hitting .284 against RHP and .130 points lower against LHP. Yikes!
If you told me at the beginning of the year that Lux would have similar stats to Betts after the first 2 and half months I’d have been pretty excited. Unfortunately Betts has come down to Lux’s level and not the reverse!
*This injury problem just gets worse and worse in MLB. Last evening, I watched Jacob deGrom overpower the Cubs the first time through with 8 strikeouts and a fly ball. Touched 101 a few times and his stuff was unhittable. Then he can’t answer the bell for the 4th, leaving with right shoulder soreness. This is about the third different injured body part he’s had this year. An absolutely fun game, great weather, excited crowd and it’s ended with such disappointment. Then I watch the Dodgers without Seager, Bellinger, Harper and the rest. I have heard all the theories and have a couple myself but this is ridiculous. I really would prefer to watch the Varsity.
* CK had no fastball. Averaging 90 now he has to locate with it and use his fastball as his changeup. He’s basically a slider pitcher now, and it’s a good one. He still managed to only give up 2 runs and had 9 K’s. Good enough to win most games.
* I can see why the club likes about the Bickford kid. He has good stuff. Aside from 2 of his 12 outings which ballooned his ERA, he’s done a nice job.
* The bullpen threw a shutout again last night.
* So the Phils roll out this Alvarado guy in the 7th who promptly lived at 99 to Mookie with a 5 pitch mix. Who’s is this guy? I don’t remember him with the Rays but his stuff is nasty. Stats say he may struggle with walks. I’m thinking where’s this guy been?
* Orel claims that when the crowd was doing the “Wave”, he timed his pitches home to match when the wave would be in the batters eye. Really Orel? Just another of 100 things he claimed to analyze prior to throwing a pitch. This one rates high on my Bullshitometer.
Kinda hard to take your laptop in the pool with you to blog? The AC units work pretty good. The bloody marys at Mandalay Bay are awesome…for breakfast. Low to mid 80’s in Huntington Beach this weekend if you can’t take the heat. I think the flights are pretty cheap, do you think they’ll notice if you bail out?
Zack Wheeler is a very good pitcher. The Dodgers lineup without JT, Seager, Belli, Muncy and Smith is not very good. The combo resulted in the Dodgers first shutout on the receiving end since 2019.
Kershaw was good, but not good enough to win when your team doesn’t score. Go figure.
I guess the Dodgers could have had Smith in the lineup with an off day tomorrow. Or, Pujols in the lineup after two hits yesterday, but that didn’t happen.
I guess they could have “Doubled UP” with JT’s off days against a much weaker team in the Diamondbacks instead of the Phillies. That didn’t happen either.
The last 30 Days
Lux 21 Runs 28 Hits 5 HR 18 RBI 13 BB 26 SO 264 AVE 350 OBP 473 SLG
Betts 21 Runs 28 Hits 4 HR 14 RBI 16 BB 20 SO 246 AVE 356 OBP 465 SLG
Bickford had a nice couple of scoreless innings last night in the 7-8 innings of a two run game. I like what I’m seeing from him. The slider / 2 seam combo on his glove side is pretty deadly when he’s painting black.
Bauer, Bueller and Catman on deck for the D-Bags series. The Diamondbacks are really bad against right handers this year, so the stars aligned for this series.
It sounds like Belli will be back from the IL after the minimum. The news isn’t as good for Muncy. Translating Doc-Speak, I have no idea how long he’ll be out, but he won’t return when he’s eligible.
Seager is getting closer, rehab assignment possible mid to late next week. So, we will be missing these three for the first game of the Padres series and Muncy and Seager won’t be available at all.
Yu Darvish had a season low ERA of 1.75 on May 23. It now sits at 2.57. Spin rate or Coors effect?
I’ve been seeing a lot of comments from position players and pitchers alike on baseball’s sticky situation. It seems that the consensus is that pitchers should be able to use rosin, rosin mixed with sunscreen, even pine tar to improve grip and that the real problem is using these super substances to give them a competitive advantage. So, what does MLB do? Ban everything.
11.2 scoreless in their last 12.2 innings. Does our bullpen still suck?
Great Work, DC.
I enjoyed every minute.
UPDATE ABOVE:
Morgan Cooper the Dodgers 2nd round pick in 17 got released. Beset by injuries his career got derailed. Best of luck to you Morgan in the next chapter of your life
Highlights from Last night’s Loons game.
First baseman Justin Yurchak had his fourth consecutive 3-hit game. He is a good candidate to add to the June busting out list.
Miguel Varges was promoted to Tulsa yesterday. Twenty-year-old Yhostin Chirinos from Valancia, Venezuela filled his roster spot. Chirinos was hitless in the game while Vargas did not play with the Drillers.
Twenty-two -year-old Jose Martinez pitched six innings of one-hit ball. He struck out only three but induced 10 ground ball outs.
James Outman stole his 15th base and had his fifth triple which leads the league.
Drillers highlight – Michael Busch led Tulsa with two hits in the ballgame, his fifth multi-hit game of the season.
Quakes highlight – Jonny DeLuca extended his hitting streak to 13 with an infield single in his final at-bat with one out in the ninth.
OKC Dodgers did not play.
Oregon Ducks developing a nice little baseball program in Eugene.
Going fishin, no game tonight, so I am going to go listen to some live music
I love these minor league updates. Thanks DC, keep up the good work. These guys are a little long in the tooth for A ball, it will be interesting to see how fast they move up the system. The year off certainly didn’t help. DeLuco has some serious wheels. I love the low strikeout rates, or will the Dodgers “fix” them trying to add power?
Nice. I do not follow the minors as much as I would like. Just knowing who these kids are helps. Well, including the playoffs, last night was the first time the Dodgers have been shut out in 162 games. Got that info from Davis, so if it is wrong blame him. HR ball bites Kersh again. But he pitched pretty well. Offense just never got anything in. They had their chances. Nice to see Souza get a hit even if it was a infield job. D-Backs lost again. Chomping at the bit to play those guys. One word of caution, they may not be winning, but they have been scoring runs. 7 last night and 9 the night before.