Let's Play Two!

In the immortal words of Mr. Cub himself, the great Ernie Banks is known for saying “Let’s play two!” Ernie Banks played for the sheer joy of it! He always had a smile on his face and played the game like a little boy. Ernie Banks has been gone since January of 2015, but you can still feel his presence above and around Wrigley Field… especially during doubleheaders.

What the Future Holds

The more I think about it and read sound bites and consider the totality of the circumstances, the more logical it is that the LA Dodgers will not sign Trea Turner. In fact, I would not be shocked if they declined to offer him a contract. We have been through those reasons, and they still make the most sense. The Dodgers already have a major league-quality defensive shortstop on their roster who has a high baseball IQ in Jacob Amaya.

I, for one, questioned his hitting, but progress is not linear, and while he has shown flashes of his hit tool in the past, this year Jacob has it on display. I am beginning to believe he can play in the major leagues and be a solid hitter. I have watched him a lot this season.

As I write this, Miguel Vargas is hitting .298 as the third-youngest player in AAA. He has a shot at making the Show THIS season, depending upon what happens with JT and/or Max Muncy. I will be the first to tell you that Vargas is not a finished product as a 3B. But he is a willing learner, and I believe he will grow into a solid defensive 3B. Footwork can be learned and improved upon. He is not a slow runner, so while it may take a year or two, I think his defense will tick up. He already shows why he is a natural-born hitter. It may take a year or two for his “manpower” to arrive, but he already knows how to work a bat.

When I look at Mike Busch, I can’t help but see a LH Jeff Kent. Hopefully, he can field a little better than that, but I can also see him in LF.

How about this lineup in 2023?

1. Betts LF
2. Lux 2B
3. Freeman 1B
4. Smith C
5. Bellinger CF
6. Vargas 3B
7. Busch LF
8. Muncy DH
9. Amaya SS

I know, you are thinking THREE ROOKIES? Well, it might only be two if one of the three gets the call after the All-Star Break in 2022. Don’t forget, there is still CT3! However, the Dodgers are poised to win it all this year too, so let’s see how this plays out.

Dodgers News & Notes

• Kevin Pillar went 4-4 last night (with 2 HR 7th) and is hitting .329 with a 1.105 OPS. He could get a
  “look-see” I suppose… especially if someone gets hurt.
• Ryan Pepiot went 4.2 innings last night and gave up 4 H and 2 ER. He did not have good control and walked 3 while striking out 7. His ERA still sits at 2.05.
• The battle of the Varlands did not turn out in favor of Gus as he went to 0-3, giving up 8 hits and 6 runs in 3 IP. Mike Busch supplied all the offense with his 9th HR, a 2-Runs blast!
• Jacob Amaya was 1-3 (.306/1.137 OPS).
• The Drillers also lost game 2 of their doubleheader 10-0, as Amaya got one of only four hits. Clayton Beeter took the loss, but he went 4 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 ER. He walked two and struck out eight!
• At Great Lakes, Eddys Leonard continues his hitting, going 2-4. Valera was 2-4 with 3 RBI and his 4th HR.
• Cole Percival went 5 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 run. He walked 2 and struck out 3. His ERA sits at 2.18.
• At Rancho Cucamonga, 19-year-old Jeremy Rosario went 5 perfect innings and struck out 6. That is quite an accomplishment in the Inland Empire.
• Damon Keith continues to look like a man among boys as he was 3-4 and is hitting .388. He has to be GReat Lakes Bound!