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Me Julio Down By The Schoolyard

After yesterday s game, the Dodger s record sits at 7-5 this Spring not that it means absolutely anything. So far a few things have caught my eye, other than the fact that Joc Pederson looks totally lost: Cody Bellinger, Austin Barnes, Kike Hernandez and Daniel Castro (who?) look locked and loaded. Ross Stripling and Rich Hill are being stretched out. There are way too many arms for the bullpen thus the

By Mark Timmons3 min readJump to 122 comments

After yesterday’s game, the Dodger’s record sits at 7-5 this Spring… not that it means absolutely anything. So far a few things have caught my eye, other than the fact that Joc Pederson looks totally lost:

  • Cody Bellinger, Austin Barnes, Kike Hernandez and Daniel Castro (who?) look locked and loaded.
  • Ross Stripling and Rich Hill are being stretched out.
  • There are way too many arms for the bullpen… thus the news about Josh Fields, who isn’t exactly “Chopped Liver.” In three seasons with the Dodgers he was 8-2 with a 2.61 ERA. When he gave up a run it was often on the long ball. He had 16 big flies hit against him in that time, but his 2.61 ERA plays up in just about any bullpen… except the Dodgers. He might garner a low level prospect! He will also be 34 before the end of this season…
  • It’s been over two years since Yimi Garcia had his TJ surgery. I think he is ready to be a lights-out reliever.
  • Floro and Chargois are on the bubble and even if they are good, could be caught in a numbers crunch!
  • MLB. RADIO was talking this AM about Craig Kimbrel signing a 1-year $25 Million deal with the Dodgers. That’s a total rumor and does not originate with the Dodgers. I doubt he would do it… or that the Dodgers would do it, but you never know.
  • I listened to Ross Stripling yesterday who is now embracing his role as a spot-starter and long reliever. He actually sees how valuable he can be. This is a concept Alex Wood could not (or would not) grasp. Chicken Strip said this: “I think you just kind of get used to the ambiguity. It used to probably really bother me to come in and not really know necessarily what kind of role you’re even battling for. I get built up, but do I even really have a chance to be a starter? Now, I know where my value is — the ability to be like the Kiké of the pitching staff.”
  • For this decade, Russ Martin was ranked as the #3 Best Catcher in Baseball by MLB.
  • Carlos Rincon just missed being a Dodgers Top 30 prospects. He sits at #31. This could be a make-or-break year for him. He’s a big RH Power hitter who has hit 43 HR the past two years. Like Peters, he is strikeout machine, but he bears watching.
  • I do not see how the Dodgers can keep Julio Urias off the team at the start of the season. He is the talk of Dodger Camp. He was once a kid when he first showed his immense talent. Now a man, in the best shape of his life and throwing harder than ever at 98 MPH, he has no business in the minor leagues. The Dodgers need him to help win games… like right now. He has Ace-Stuff. As a rookie, in 2016, he was very, very good, now he borders on great. This is a guy who will likely win a Cy Young at some point. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
  • If Clayton is healthy (and it looks like he is trending that way), Buehler, Urias and Kershaw could make a devastating trio at the top of the rotation.
  • Dave Dombrowski of the Red Sox, when asked if his team went backward after losing Joe Kelly and likely Craig Kimbrel said that it 9is a young team and that they could (through growth) be better than last year. The Dodgers also have some young players who could experience some of the same incremental growth. I’m talking about Seager, Bellinger, Barnes, Taylor, Kike, Buehler and Verdugo.

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Discussion (122)

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  1. IdahoalMarch 8, 2019

    I agre with you Mark on Urias. Let him pitch 5 innings or 90 pitches and then pull him. He seems to be stronger and better before the injury. If he needs to take a start off for rest we certainly have Stripling or a spot start for Goslin and others. Urias needs to be on the team.

  3. BumsrapMarch 8, 2019

    Some, including Kershaw himself, over reacted to his early setback but his bounce back and Barnes early offensive production should give us all much more confidence in this team.

    There are a few players that aren’t yet hitting but aren’t flailing away either.

    Is there a team that is really thin in relief depth that would trade an elite reliever for solid relief depth?

  4. 59inarowMarch 8, 2019

    I was just saying that Julio looked pretty thick. He really filled out. I can’t wait to see those big 3 in the rotation together. Bummer, that they’re always on a pitch limit and all have already had significant injuries.

    You can add Joc, Toles (the forgotten man) and Muncy to the list of young guys.

    How good is this pen gonna be when you have to dump a guy like Fields?

    Floro and Chargois each have an option left. The pen is stacked all the way back to OKC and at some point they’re gonna need to make room for Allie.

    Speaking of the bullpen. Alexander looks ready to take a big step forward this year.

  5. peterjMarch 8, 2019

    MT – Thanks for a great video… Got the juices flowing along with my coffee.

    I think #3 MLB is gonna have to wait for an opening… Barnes is on fire…

    Somewhere in that building at Camelback behind LF (I assume) after each game Roberts and coaches discuss their roster… This year probably the most difficult decision making I’ve seen in a long time…

    So many pitchers, so little time!!!

    Off the wall MT, I’ve recently started using CBD oil for a little insomnia after shutting down my oxy regimen and and the arthritic blues… The cost though is quite hefty her in SoCal… Whole dropper for joint pain ???

  6. OC DodgerMarch 8, 2019

    Just got home from attending my first two ST games. Observations: after a day off, the Dodgers looked dead flat against the Indians. Dick Mountain was the exception, looked good on the mound and it was fun to watch Jansen take an inning. Joc, Jansen and Turner look svelt. Fun watching the kids I don’t know play. The new kids struggled fielding and Camelback is quite a wonderful place. The bar however is a bust! Wildly expensive, a lame pour!

    Then to Tempe to watch my two favorite teams. Trout is a beast, Albert a dude! The Dodgers looked great, Kike standing out. Fun to see JT play. The 3rd base play the night before looked like high school! Ross S. Looked solid but got touched up a bit in his second inning. A huge difference in the facilities! Food is better at Tempe, the crowd cordial.

    Final comment is the Dodgers have way more pitching depth than the Angels right now! Hope to visit again next year and left Camelack with a $45 Spring Training hat!

  7. norcaldodgerfanMarch 8, 2019

    I agree with MT’s comment regarding Floro and Chargois. Yimi will be in the BP when camp breaks and look for Schultz to perhaps get a spot on the 25 man roster. That means Floro and Chargois will have to come up with a “mystery” ailment (assuming they are out of options) or be lost on a trade or DFA.

    Could the Dodgers also break camp with Stetson Allie in the BP? At 100 MPH he’s going to miss a lot of bats or do they send him to OKC and use him later in the year? Will Joc get traded?

  8. koufax32March 8, 2019

    Welcome back. I miss your daily posts during Spring Training, during the Season and during the Hot Stove.

  9. Mark TimmonsMarch 8, 2019

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