Not so many games in the minor league scene today as teams at the Low-A, High-A, and AA levels have Mondays off. Triple-A has Wednesdays off. The Arizona Complex League and the Dominican Summer League both have Sundays off.
So I thought I would take a look back at the week that was. That is, July 19-25. The Loons four-pitcher no-hitter on July 23 has already been featured on LADT.
During that week the Dodgers had two MiLB Players of the Week.
In the six-game series with the Lake County Captains that moved the Loons into first place in their division and with a run differential of +103, Ward collected eight hits. His triple slash was .308/.357/.923 along with 1.280 OPS. Six of his hits were for extra bases – 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 4 home runs. He now stands fifth in the league in RBI with 51 and fourth in home runs with 14.
Keibert Ruiz – Oklahoma City Dodgers
In his last six games, Ruiz had 12 hits in 27 at-bats. He had four home runs, including a three-homer game, and drove in 10 runs. He struck out twice and walked once. In the month of July over 77 at-bats he has posted a triple slash of .351/.412/.701 along with seven home runs and 21 runs batted in. He has struck out 24 times and walked 23.
Fun Fact
While listening to an OKC game I learned that only two minor league players at this point have at least 16 home runs and 16 doubles. One is the aforementioned Ruiz and the other is 20-year-old Andy Pages with the Loons. Pages seems to have come out of his hitting struggles and has hits in six of his last seven games including three doubles and two home runs.
Baseball America 100 Top Prospects
Five Dodger prospects are included in the top 100 with Baseball America.
39 Keibert Ruiz
52 Josiah Gray
67 Michael Busch
87 Diego Cartaya
98 Bobby Miller
Temporary Inactive List
Earlier this week one LADT poster asked about Diego Cartaya who has been missing in action since July 16th. He is included in the Temporary Inactive List. The reason is not stated but may well be from the list below or be a way of juggling rosters by the Dodgers.
The Temporarily Inactive List is for minor league players only. It is essentially an in-season excused Leave of Absence, and it is used for Paternity Leave, Bereavement Leave, and Family Medical Emergency Leave, as well as when a player is delayed reporting to a new club, or is attending college, or is incarcerated, or has returned home for personal reasons.
Only minor league players (including players on Optional Assignment to the minors) can be placed on this list.
A player on the Temporarily Inactive List does not count against his club’s Active List, but he does count against the club’s Reserve List.
An Interesting Fact
The Dodgers currently most likely have the best array of catching prospects of any MLB club. AC has mentioned and I have mentioned that if we did not have Keibert Ruiz and Diego Cartaya to follow we would see Carson Taylor with the Loons as a catcher of the future. This guy is a player and after a very slow start in May has hit as well as any catcher in the league. His triple slash is .286/.404/.442 in 42 games with five home runs and 30 runs batted in. He has struck out 29 times and walked 30.
However, I digress. My interesting fact was to mention that the Dodgers have four of Venezuela’s catchers in the pipeline. Besides Ruiz and Cartaya they have Jesus Galiz and Yeiner Fernandez.
Galiz is better known than Fernandez. He was signed by the Dodgers on January 15, 2021. Still 17-years-old, Galiz was considered to be the best catching prospect during that international signing period.
According to MLB Pipeline, “Galiz dreamed of being the next Gleyber Torres and for most of his childhood, followed in his countryman’s footsteps as a middle infielder.” But Galiz’s path changed two years ago when he began working behind the dish.
His “quick feet, strong arm, and high baseball IQ,” alongside the overall athleticism that he displayed as a middle infielder, have helped him elevate to the top of the international prospect rankings. He still has the soft hands of a middle infielder, but now he uses them to receive and block pitches. “The internal clock and quick release he used to throw runners out from shortstop now make him a threat behind the plate.”
“Galiz also shows advanced skills at the plate. The teen features a quick and compact swing with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He also projects to have plus power in the future. Galiz still models his overall game after Torres, especially in the batter’s box,” MLB Pipeline writes.
It was an emotional signing for Galiz. His father, Edgar Perez, died on Nov. 4, 2020, at the age of 46 from complications caused by COVID-19. He was Galiz’s idol, first coach, and No. 1 supporter. It was Edgar who first introduced Galiz to baseball when he was three.
Moments after Galiz slipped on his new Dodgers cap and No. 14 jersey, he walked over to his mom in the corner of the room and hugged her as tight as he could. He cried through his mask.
The Dodgers may have lucked out. Galiz wanted to sign with the Yankees and was prepared to do so. Somehow the deal fell through and when he had no team with which to sign the Dodgers quickly moved in and signed him.
He has played seven games with DSL Dodgers (Bautista) and has seven hits.
Yeiner Fernandez was signed by the Dodgers as an international signing in the same class as Diego Cartaya. There is not much written about him. He will play the entire 2021 season as an 18-year-old and is currently with the Arizona Complex League Dodgers where he has collected 13 hits in 43 at-bats including two doubles and one home run. To date, he has handled 62 chances without an error and has thrown out five of 14 base stealers.
Fernandez was a star in the 2015 Little League World Series for Venezuela, and according to FanGraphs, his deal with the Dodgers was one of the first done in the class. Fernandez adds another catching prospect to watch to a system already loaded with them, and he’s good enough behind the plate to stay there for the foreseeable future.
He’s not super physically projectable at 5’11, 189 lbs., but is toolsy enough already that it isn’t so much of a concern.
In the 2015 Little League World Series, he was a pitcher who could hit. With the game tied 2-2 with Australia in the top of the sixth inning, Fernandez hit a three-run homer that turned out to be the game-winner.
He also flashed a power arm in relief, striking out four batters and touching 77 mph with his fastball — the equivalent of 100 mph when adjusted for the shorter distance between the pitcher’s mound and home plate.
Davidson hit his team-leading 17th homer of the season — a three-run home run — in the third inning as he tied his season-high mark with three RBI. Davidson has now homered in five of his last seven games and has eight homers in his last 11 games, 13 homers in his last 20 games, and 15 homers in his last 26 games. He has also hit safely in a season-high eight straight games for his longest hitting streak since the 2018 season when he was with the Chicago White Sox.
Message From Mark
Thank you, DC for a wonderful article and coverage of the Minor Leagues. It never gets old. I have something that I want to share with everyone. I received a card in the mail yesterday from “George.” I have no idea who that is, but the card is an amazing thing. Start reading in the right column and finish on the left side. Here it is:
DC and Bear, send me your addresses and George will buy you some coffee. Every now and then nice things like this happen that make it all worthwhile. George, I will match your $100 and donate it to Mission 22. Thank You very much!
Discussion (51)
Disagree, not disagreeable
US is leading the medal count in Tokyo. Whoopee!
Blaming Bellinger is pure BS. Not his fault Trienen lost the strike zone and walked the first two hitters. No need for the throw at all if Trienen does his job. They get runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, and then the dreaded contact play is put on, but the only player on this team that scores on that play is Betts. Raley sure as hell wasn’t going to. He was out from me to you. Games like this are hard to watch. Wasted performance by Urias and an anemic offense is what cost them the game. Not Bellinger’s error. Normally steady Turner pops one to short right, rally over. But the worst, the absolute worst was McKinstry’s at bat that inning. He swung at a pitch a snake could not hit. Just an awful at bat. Well, in my book, the next two games are must win games, and AF not only needs a starter and BP help, he needs someone who can drive in runs. And do not look now, but the Giants are talking to the Cubs about Bryant. I do not want to see AF have to do a punch, counter punch type of deadline.
Another very winnable game pissed away. Oh but not to worry there are (fill in the blank of an ever diminishing number) of games left to play!
In games with a very close score, the thread will always be broken by the thinnest and will be exhibited, this year the weakness of the team is the defense, not only the errors, but also the plays that they do not make and that should be made.
Headline: DODGERS MISSING MAGIC- – Monumentally Mediocre in Loss to Giants
The so-called depth proclamation of the Dodgers as the deepest roster has been greatly exaggerated.
Raley, DJ Peters, Neuse, McKinney, McKinstry, Beaty, have all been underwhelming. This roster does have serious flaws and lacks speed, fundamental baseball acumen (often-not always) and cannot seem to create any offense sans a HR.
Several years ago the Dodgers fired Sue Falsone after a rash of injuries and might need to rethink that same fate with Rampe and Porterfield (I believe that’s the name of the sports science director) because a non-surgical hand fracture should not take 11 weeks to recover from.
Can’t win it every year and I’m not tossing in the towel on a division crown just yet, but the uninspired malaise has infected this entire team. While I want to give TB the benefit of the doubt here’s a big FU for being a weirdo who’s into kinky sex and whose actions have let a team down. Can’t wait until he gets jettisoned off the roster.
Poor defense this year plus the inability to avoid SBs has led to roughly 8-10 losses, that number of losses is what I remember, I also remember three more losses by plays that Seager couldn’t make.
I know DR loves his players but not pinch hitting for Bellinger in the 9th inning with a lefty on the mound and AP in the dugout was felony stupid.
I can’t put any blame on Bellinger. If he makes makes a good throw the runner is likely out. Who’s to say he wouldn’t have thrown the ball away at 2nd base? It was a physical error, not mental. The main culprit in this loss was the Dodgers’ inability to put runs on the board, plain and simple.
The Dodgers are missing Seager, missing Mookie, and unless he begins to find himself they’re also missing Bellinger’s bat. Name me any team in baseball that could lose that kind of fire power and not be adversely affected?
The magic is missing for the 21 Dodgers!
This team, as it is currently constructed, does not deserve to be in first place.
The moronic plays and self destruction this year has been amazing. Yes Neuse should have stretched last week but Taylor should have never thrown there.
McKinstry swinging at ball four at a pitch that was a ball out of his hand.
Treinen going from 0-2 on Posey to walking two batters. Hey, Cody the out at second was just as good as third. Freaking stupid.
I’m not sure it’s a slump. I’ve never been overly impressed by McKinstry. Has always seemed to me that he hits the fastball well, but has a problem hitting breaking balls.
McKinstry cost them a run. He’s in an awful slump,
The Pirates/Phillies trade involving Tyler Anderson fell through and Seattle stepped in. Apparently Pittsburgh was concerned about the medicals on one of the prospects, and Philly did not want to make a counter. No word yet as to who Seattle will be trading. Anderson has 103.1 IP with a 4.35 ERA/4.42 Siera and a 1.200 WHIP.
I am stepping off my high horse when it comes to Seattle. I love the City but I have no positive or negative feelings towards the team at all. I have no idea why I got so exasperated with the Graveman trade. I think I have a ton of empathy for a fan base that has not been in a playoff in 20 years, and they went backwards while the two teams they are chasing improved. I have already declared that I am not much of a Tyler Anderson advocate. But maybe he will thrive in Seattle. I will let their fans rant. I know I would if Anderson was traded to LAD.
I’m in Vegas.
Jeff is in charge and DC, 2D2 and a Grizzly Bear are his bodyguards.
Jeff has my proxy to have anyone committed to the psyche ward.
Luke raley my gosh can they give Mark a uniform?
Butt ugly uniforms
“The Mercury News declared they “look like a bottle of Glacier Freeze Gatorade,” a lifelong season ticket-holder at SFGate writes that they’re “unfortunately hideous” and “uninteresting, uninspiring and underwhelming all at once.” The Chronicle rages the new uniforms “violate the sanctity of baseball itself.”
No gray area there.
I also noticed Bellinger has had two strikes on him 93 times and struck out 47. Striking out about 50% of the time in that situation seems awfully high to me. BTW, Lux is 136 and 74. Hitting with two strikes is an art these three don’t have it.
I have posted something like this before…. but again.
Justin T has been our most valuable player so far this year, but something happens to him when he gets behind in the count. According to MLB.com, he has had two strikes on him 189 times this year and has struck out 102 times on those occasions. You would think there is something he could do to begin putting the ball in play when he gets two strikes on him.
Oh, now you have to add one more strikeout to that total.
There has been a lot of talk and wishful thinking about getting Max Scherzer. I really won’t believe it until it happens. It’s been said that he wants to go to the west coast to play and yet only 3 teams were mentioned. What about the other 3 teams on the west coast?
Today is his 37th birthday and even though he is a future HOF how many years does he have left. Yes, I know there was a few who pitched into their 40’s but how many of them were successful and threw hard like MS does. Yes, I would be happy if we got him but I would also temper my joy with the expectation of something happening because of his age. Just my opinion.
Well, calling it a night. Going to go in and watch the game. Stay safe guys.
Jeff. The Pirates beat writer for the Athletic said that the Dodgers were working on a deal for Chad Kuhl. Make any sense to you? He also said they were close to trading Rodriguez to the Blue Jays.
I’m not giving up on Lux. He really struggled his first year in minors then took off. I’m ready to give him a shot in 22 either at second or short if we don’t resign Seager. If he ever plays again for us!
It might mean nothing, but, Trea Turner was pulled from the lineup against the Phillies after one at bat. Reported by Jon Heyman.
I just got to read the more recent comments, I appreciate seeing the up-to-the-minute status. I will just say that if the Dodgers do not get Scherzer because they want to hold on to Ruiz, Ruiz had better help them win several titles, because Scherzer would give them a great chance to win this one, and next year too, if they can sign him. I don’t know what a catcher who has had a few at bats in MLB, can get you in terms of titles, particularly when you already have a fine catcher now. Ruiz must be the next Johnny Bench or Yadier Molina. It’s not like we have won more than one title in 33 seasons, and we have had a large number of prospects during that period. Play Smith at catcher, and then if Cartaya is really great, you can see about moving him to prolong his career. But why in the world would we try to move him off his best position, for a rookie? Ruiz is that essential, even if keeping him would mean that we do not get Scherzer and lose in the first round of the playoffs to a team with better starting pitching?
Mariners have just traded Kendall Graveman, a very good reliever and Rafael Montero (whom the dfa’d) to the Astros for Joe Smith (ERA over 7.00) and infielder Abraham Toro (batting barely above .200).
I can’t believe we couldn’t have done better than that.
Jeff, if you’re out there, could you please explain this from the Mariners viewpoint. Makes absolutely no sense to me. I guess they must really like Toro whose minor league stats are pretty impressive. He sure hasn’t done anything in the majors, but he’s only 24.
Tonight’s Lineup:
SS: Chris Taylor
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
C: Will Smith
1B: Cody Bellinger
CF: AJ Pollock
RF: Billy McKinney
LF: Luke Raley
P: Julio Urias
Yep, gonna be a wild ride. The Dodgers are casting a wide net for pitchers, so the rumor mill will be cranked up to full speed.
Read that Ruiz won’t be traded for a rental. This makes sense. Better get a couple of years of top shelf talent if you’re gonna give him up.
Is Raley a better option in tonight’s lineup over McKinstry in LF? I’m so frustrated that Raley and Recks both put up lofty numbers in OKC and can’t hit any better than our Starting Pitchers! Maybe Bueller and Urias can pick up a glove and help out in the OF?
I sure hope this team grows a pair and beats up on the Giants without our two best players from last year’s postseason run. I know it’s a big ask, but they owe me after giving the Giants two games during the last series.
Notes from Internet:
There was this dodo on another Dodger board who used to call Dave Roberts a moron, or stupid or something. If we every run into that guy or someone else who shares his opinion don’t show them this from the great Jon Weisman:
https://www.dodgerthoughts.com/2021/07/27/dave-roberts-dodgers-manager-hall-of-fame-record-be-kind-on-twitter/
If you’ve had a child, this piece on Chris Taylor is just awesome:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/chris-taylor-puts-the-super-in-superutilityman/
Jim “lazy” Bowden on the Dodgers & Trade deadline ($$$$)
https://theathletic.com/2733817/2021/07/27/mlb-trade-deadline-lightning-round-jim-bowden-answers-22-questions-on-buyers-sellers-big-names-and-more/
What are the trade deadline priorities for the Dodgers? — Vinicius B.
I am hearing they are in on both starting and relief pitchers, and have touched base on the very best players available at both positions.
Josh Thomas on Twitter takes a look at Tsutsugo and what the Dodgers are doing with his stroke.
1) Barrel – he’s around the ball already on the left, still well inside of the ball on the right
2) After the shorter path to the ball, shoulders look better, head down longer, driving it > rolling over
https://twitter.com/jokeylocomotive/status/1419429137085714436
Devan Fink on Pujols’ role with the Dodgers
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/with-dodgers-albert-pujols-finds-a-role-by-bashing-lefties/
Rosenthal on a bunch of good stuff including Sherzer: ($$$)
https://theathletic.com/2732480/2021/07/27/rosenthal-trevor-story-max-scherzer-mlb-trade-deadline/
The acquiring team would not catch a similar break in its luxury-tax payroll, which is based on players’ average annual salaries. The luxury-tax hit would be approximately $10 million, a figure that might discourage some clubs. But the Dodgers would not necessarily be deterred
Jon Morosi cites “Sources” with this report: Twins discussing José Berríos in trade talks with multiple teams, including Padres and Dodgers
Ben Clemens chat
Adam: If I set the qualitative over/under on the Dodgers’ trade deadline acquisitions at “Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy,” which side you taking?
Dodgers signed UDFA Gaige Howard from New Orleans.
Ben Clemens: Over, I think. I haven’t heard any specific rumors, but the Dodgers have always done a good job (in my eyes) of understanding the leverage of adding pieces. And they’re in a very high-leverage spot right now
Kevin Acee from the San Diego Union Trib reports:
It looks like if Eric Hosmer goes, so does one of the Padres’ top four prospects.
That’s what is being discussed.
FanGraphs on the exquisite hitting in the NL West:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/swinging-less-is-better-at-least-in-the-nl-west/
I always get nervous this time of the year. Twitter is so strange, you do not know who to believe, so I just do not believe any of it. There have been two tweets in the last 30 minutes that have said the Dodgers were close to getting Scherzer. Me, I will believe it when I see it posted on the Dodger web site and not a moment before.
Belli back in the lineup playing 1st base. Taylor SS, Muncy 2B, Turner 3B, Smith C, Bellinger 1B, Pollock CF, McKinney. RF, Raley, LF Urias P.
Now there is a report that says the Pirates-Phillies trade for Anderson has hit a snag. Anderson in the Pirates pen warming up. per MLBTR.
If the Dodgers are interested in Trea Turner it could be as a centerfielder. Betts is out and we have know idea when he will be back. Getting Turner would allow Bellinger to play right field.
I know he bats left but what about Schwaber to come off the bench?
Matt Adams released by the Rockies.
I think that for the Dodgers for the rest of the season what they need most is to strengthen the bench, they still cannot replace Joc and Kiké, guys like Culberson and Josh Harrison, I’m not saying that they if not players like them to avoid putting in the field of play to the Neuse and AAAA company, and wait with an experienced bench for the missing players to recover their health, what has damaged the team is obvious that they are injuries but what has damaged the team the most is that the substitute players this year have not done the job, we have always had injuries but in the past the substitutes did not miss the headlines while they were in the IL, and thinking in October the priority is a first-class closer, and if they also get a good SP, then it is Welcome.
I don’t think the Dodgers are going to trade Lux, even a 5 year old can see that he is a diamond, maybe an unpolished diamond but a diamond after all, he is going nowhere.
True Lux doesn’t have a lot of trade value right now. But I think you guys are giving up on him to soon as he is only 23. He struggled at each level in the minors when he moved up. Eventually he figured things out. I’m thinking he is going to settle down and end the season into the playoffs with a solid dependable bat.
I think Milwaukee will be very difficult to beat in October, their three SP are very good and the bullpen is tough, their players on the field also play good defense, it is a team that will be very difficult to beat in October.
To be concise, I don’t think that the Dodgers have much of a chance to win a league championship next year, unless they somehow add major players. I think they should go for the title now, because it’s going to be harder next season. Therefore, I want them to make a major effort to add Scherzer and Kimbrel, and if both are simply not feasible, then Scherzer, because we might have enough relievers to back up very strong starting pitching.
Without another top starter, we are looking at Buehler, who is great, but is pitching a lot of innings. Kershaw, who has been good though not spectacular, and is injured right now. Urias, who is still somewhat of a question mark regarding his ability to pitch six or more innings in playoff situations, but we can hope he does. And then what? Price and Gonsolin? You may only need four starters, but we don’t have four reliable ones. With Scherzer, we have the best staff in the league and that might be enough.
We know that other teams will make acquisitions. SD will, and SF will likely make one key addition. The Mets and Brewers will. I will concede simply to avoid argument on it, that Ruiz could be a fine player here, depending on one’s definition of that. There aren’t many catchers who are offensive stars. Smith could be another Carlton Fisk, maybe that is optimistic. But in order to keep Ruiz, we are going to not get a major piece in trades, and we are going to move Smith to the infield, where he might not be adequate, and risk him being unhappy and going to free agency? All for a catcher hitting a bit over .300 in the minors? I could see Ruiz being the starting catcher here, hitting .270 or so, on a team which doesn’t make the playoffs for a few years. We’ve seen Dodgers teams like that.
Get Scherzer, and there’s no reason he could not be good for the next two seasons,. If Kershaw leaves or retires or gets hurt again, we don’t have enough quality starters. If SD gets him, they are clearly better for the next few seasons. So it should be obvious. Give up Ruiz and Pepiot if necessary. Neither of these is considered a top ten prospect, for what that’s worth. Get Scherzer and Kimbrel, and even if we do not win the title this year, we will be one of the top favorites next year. Do not get either, and we will be looking up at SD, SF, NYM, and Milwaukee, at least. But at least we would have Ruiz, to move Smith to some infield position, and we could root for us to get to 90 wins, though I don’t think it would be likely, without Seager, with Turner declining, Bellinger iffy now, Betts a questions mark as to physical condition, Kershaw gone or not even as good as this year. We need an infusion of top talent now, as strange as that may look in print.
Still rooting for Trev but one thing’s for sure – it’s certainly totally messed the Dodgers up, which a cynical person might imagine was the intention all along.
Once something of this nature became a Police matter, the outcome was never going to be swift.
I’m happy to be wrong here, but I’m quietly confident that Bauer will not be charged with anything but this circus will ultimately have served its purpose.
Bauer’s administrative leave extended to August 6 (smh).
Without the Dodgers last night, I watched the Angels and Shohei Ohtani which I have wanted to do but didn’t get around to it. I felt I’d been missing something special.
I was. He is special. He threw 7 inning, 5 hit ball with 1 earned. Went 1 for 4 at the plate, scored a run a stole a base.
What dawned on me is that he had to be from another country to be given the chance to be a 2 way player in the Big Leagues. And the Angels have given him the opportunity to do so.
Baseball scouts and brass can be a pretty conservative lot and stuck in their ways. I’m not sure how many organizations would have forced him to choose pitching or position player. I know if he had entered MiLB as a quality college, 2-way player, or certainly from high school, he would have had to choose. Being allowed to do both at a high level in Japan helped his case with the Angels. There have been a number of US kids who were good enough athletes and players to do both in pro ball but were forced to decide. John Olerud comes to mind. He was an Ace at WSU and ended up a very good pro first baseman but wasn’t allowed to try both. I could name more.
I’ve had some friendly arguments with scouts about many things and most are convinced they know everything about how baseball and how it should be played. Most are very stuck in their ways. I bet there weren’t many who would have supported an everyday 2-way player.
MLBTR just put out a list of 60 trade candidates, and some on the IL that should be watched. New report says that Scherzer prefers the west coast and want’s to go to a winner. That leaves the Padres out! LOL. Rumors flying all over the place. Market will get more crowded if Atlanta decides to deal. Right now they look like a buyer.
A little more information on what the Cubs received in the Andrew Chafin trade.
Greg Deichman – 26 year old OF. He is rated as Oakland’s #9 prospect by MLB, Baseball America, and FanGraphs. Bats left, throws right. He was the 2nd round pick in 2017 by Oakland out of LSU. He is a bit older for a prospect this high. He will be 27 next May 31. His slash line at Las Vegas was .300/.433/.452/.885. He has a MLB scouting grade of Hit – 40, Power – 55, Run – 40, Arm – 55, Field 50, Overall 45. He has a 40+ FV from FanGraphs. A lot of nagging injuries. He profiles as a power hitting corner OF, although he only had 4 HRs in the Las Vegas launching pad this year. He has been assigned to AAA Iowa.
Daniel Palencia – 21 year old RHSP. In 2021 in the California League (Low A), he has started 6 games, with a record of 0-2. He has pitched 14.1 innings, 14 K with 6 BB. 6.91 ERA with a WHIP of 1.60. He has surrendered 3 HRs in those 14.1 IP. He is not ranked by MLB or Baseball America, but is #12 with FanGraphs with a 40+ FV. His fastball sits at 96-98 with a potentially plus curve. He will be a long term development project, but could end up as a high leverage late inning reliever down the road. He has been assigned to Myrtle Beach (Low A)
Possible LAD comp – DJ Peters and RHP Michael Martinez.
That is the cost for Andrew Chafin, who is having a fine year and will fit in nicely with the A’s bullpen.
Bowden says we should trade Pepiot and Cartaya for Scherzer. Somebody here thinks we already traded for him. I don’t know what’s next. I’m prepared to be surprised.
Kaybear was 3-4 last night with his 18th double. He is hitting .313 with a .385 OB% and a 1.027 OPS. He also has 16 HR and has struck out 25 times in 201 ABs. That and an 8% strikeout rate.
By way of comparison, in Will Smith’s last year at OKC, he had 270 ABs. He hit 20 HR and had 11 doubles. He batted .268 with a .381 OB% and struck out 49 times (13%).
Using those metrics, Kaybear would appear to be superior to Will Smith offensively. Yes, Smith is a good defensive catcher, but so is Ruiz. I would not trade Ruiz. He would be the catcher next year, while Will Smith moves to 3B and JT becomes the DH.
Ruiz could be a star or borderline star! No way I trade him!
Corey Knebel went 1 inning last night at OKC, struck out 2, and allowed Zero hits and Zero BB.
Nunez went 1.2 innings and struck out 4.
Garrett Cleavinger pitched 2 perfect innings, striking out 4.
I am high on all three pitchers, but Nunez and Cleavinger may have to wait until next year!
Very nice! Thanks to George for taking care of the writers. Nice touch.
I love the farm updates, thanks DC. Glad to see that the farm is looking pretty stacked at the lower levels. It’s amazing that this team continues to reload considering where we pick. There’s so many good catchers in the system, it’s hard to keep track of them.
AC, I was directing the naive comment yesterday about those who say the Dodgers should cut bait at all costs. I support your argument that MLB should $%it or get off the pot. It’s completely unfair to keep handing out administrative leaves as opposed to a suspension unless they ultimately fold, of course.
I mentioned before that I think the Dodgers are treated differently by the MLB. Kelly’s suspension and Urias’ suspension are recent examples. The Utley rule, 3 hitter rule, reduction of September rosters can all be loosely connected to our team. So, it’s right on form that MLB and Manfred is screwing us here.
I think Bauer is at the least a little off and is more than likely on the spectrum. I don’t like his antics on the mound like doing the McGregor walk (I hate McGregor for the walk) and the sword celebration. But, I also acknowledge the good that he does, like working with the other pitchers and his kindness towards that bullied kid at Dodgers stadium.
I’m not sure the legal battles argument has much to do with culpability by the accused and probably says more about the accuser. It sure looks to me that the restraining order was a ploy by a sleazy lawyer to push this out into the public after seeing that the PPD saw this for what it was, as setup. I mean, what the hell do you need a restraining order for when you live over 100 miles away and he hadn’t contacted her for a month?
I realize that the clock is not on our side it comes to Trevor. But, I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that he will be gone next year. I think Andrew is pragmatic and will only make a move if it makes sense for the team. He only got rid of Puig when he finally had better options for the outfield and was able to extract a couple of really good prospects and Puig had a longer list of indiscretions than just about anyone.
BTW, thanks for the info on the Shingles vax. I got chicken pox from my son when he was little and it was brutal, but a cakewalk compared to the Shingles.
This morning I find myself wondering if AF will pull the trigger on a big arm for the rotation. I think he’s going to do something, if just to show the players that he’s going to improve the team somehow. I just hope he doesn’t wait too long and wind up without a chair when the music stops like he did in 19 when he failed to solidify the bullpen.
There’s absolutely no chance Bellinger gets traded at the deadline. I would say that Lux is also a safe bet to stay because of the impending free agency of CT3 and Seager. It also makes zero sense that the Nats would trade Turner and Scherzer in the same deal and AF already said that he’s not focusing on bats. Why would you when you have the best offense in the NL and your position players have rarely played together?
XlNT work DC… – I’m going to try and get out to Rancho Cucamonga after they get back from the road. Great venue and alot of bang for your buck…
Yesterday good post for awhile and then my mind wandered… Easy today in my golden years, even while I continue to snort Prevagen…
OK, by now I gotta say it!!! Friday cannot come fast enough… I covet Ruiz and a few others, but I’m powerless over the front office’s machinations…
Got to sit down and watch several hours of taped Olympic stuff… Always a thrill for me…
Go Blue… Go get em Julio
41 days and a wakeup till my beloved Fighting Irish tangle with Florida St…
Thank you George who ever you are, and Mark, I emailed my address. DC as always great stuff. Unfortunately I cannot afford the cost of both MLB and MiLB coverage, so I just check the scoreboards late at night. I honestly think Davidson would be a better option than Reks or Raley. Neither has shown anything, and Davidson at least has some MLB chops. When they got Neuse from the A’s, one of the players included in the deal was Cody Thomas. I know that many did not consider him a MLB type player because he struck out too much. Me, I have a hard time forgetting those HR’s he hit in spring in 2019. Getting traded was probably the best thing for him, but he is mashing at AAA Las Vegas. Hitting .289, with a .385 OBP a.667 slg, and a 1.051 OPS. He has 18 dingers and 52 RBI’s. He still strikes out a lot, 78 out of 218 Ab’s. But the guy has some serious power. Good luck to him. He is playing better at AAA than the guy we got for him.
Zeke – I subscribe to MiLB.TV and can listen to and watch any minor league games I choose. Just go to MiLB.TV and subscribe.
Mark thanks for posting that note.
Thank you George. You just made my day, week, season. I often wonder if many folks follow the minor league articles. Now I know.
I have a quick question about the Minor Leagues. I must admit I only follow what is posted here and other sites about the Dodger MiLB system. It seems like according to posts by a few of you that you can access either the TV or Radio coverage of these affiliates? Do any of you care to share on how you are able to access these broadcasts? Thank you in advance.