MiLB- Odds and Ends
Time to check in again with a bit of an update on some Dodger minor leaguers. I can’t help but believe that the pipeline misses the rookie league plugged in between the Arizona Complex League and single A. There just seems to be too many players for the ACL. Dominican Summer League The start of the international signing period that usually starts on July 2 has shifted to January, but
Time to check in again with a bit of an update on some Dodger minor leaguers. I can’t help but believe that the pipeline misses the rookie league plugged in between the Arizona Complex League and single A. There just seems to be too many players for the ACL.
Dominican Summer League
The start of the international signing period that usually starts on July 2 has shifted to January, but this month remains one of the most important periods on the baseball calendar.
The Dominican Summer League, the first foray into professional baseball for most young international prospects, resumed play for the first time since the summer of 2019 on July 12 in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.
“We are excited for the return of the DSL on July 12, and to welcome hundreds of new international players into the professional game,” said Morgan Sword, MLB’s executive vice president, baseball operations. “Due to the pandemic, these players have waited a long time for this opportunity. We wish them the best as they begin their journeys to the big leagues.”
Prior to the pandemic, the 72-game Dominican Summer league would start in June and end in late August. This year’s version of the DSL, which will feature more than 45 teams across six divisions, runs through early October. There will not be a DSL postseason this year.
Currently, the DSL Dodgers (Shoemaker) are 2-5 while the DSL Dodgers (Bautista) are 5-2. Stats on players are still sketchy and too soon to see any patterns.
Player of the Week – High-A Central – Brandon Lewis
Lewis continues to make a name for himself. He was named High-A Central player of the week after hitting .417/.462/.917 (10 for 24) with four home runs and 11 RBI in six games against Dayton. Lewis hit his fifth home run in his last five games for Great Lakes. In 2021, Lewis has nine with the Loons and 18 since the beginning of the season. Lewis sits 14th in the High-A Central with his nine HRs at the High-A level in just 74 plate appearances, more than half less than anyone with nine or more home runs at the level.
Player of the Week – ACL – Jose Ramos
The 20-year-old outfielder Jose Ramos was signed by the Dodgers in 2018 as an international free agent out of Panama. During the week he was 10-for-16 (.625) with nine RBI in five games for the ACL Dodgers. His big game came last Saturday, when he had five hits, including a double, plus a hit by pitch, scoring twice and driving in two in a 12-8 win over the White Sox at Camelback Ranch. On the season he has a triple slash of .383/.464/.633 and an OPS of 1.097. He has driven in 15 runs in 15 games with three home runs and has struck out 14 times while walking seven.
Loons All-Time Home Run Leader
James Outman’s seventh-inning home run for Great Lakes (36-31) broke a 12-year record for most career Loons long balls in franchise history on Tuesday night, beginning a six-game series against Lake County (37-30) with a 7-5 loss at Classic Park. Kyle Russell, a member of the 2009 Great Lakes Loons, formerly held the record with his 26 home runs in 2009, a mark that Outman tied with a home run on July 15. Outman had a slow start to his 2021 season but has heated up in July slashing .318/.451/.667 with an OPS of 1.118 along with five home runs and 12 runs batted in over 17 games. He has 21 stolen bases in 23 attempts.
Dodgers Undrafted Free Agent Signings
The Dodgers have signed six undrafted players.
Adam Scoggins LHP
Griffin Lockwood-Powell C
Jonathan Edwards RHP
Orlando Ortiz RHP
Austin Gauthier SS
Max Hewitt C/INF
Today just a brief look at catcher Griffin Lockwood-Powell, a graduate from Central Michigan University.
He joins the Dodgers organization, which already boasts a former Chippewa in Zach McKinstry. The 2016 graduate was a 33rd round pick by the Dodgers after graduating and is currently a member of their major league roster.
The Sioux Falls, South Dakota native played 156 games for the Chippewas and ranks in the program’s top 10 in career runs batted in.
As a freshman in 2018, Lockwood-Powell was named first-team All-Mid-American Conference after ranking second on the team in batting average (.311) and home runs (4) to go with a .432 on-base percentage.
His best season was his sophomore year as part of the 2019 team that upset Miami in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. That year, Lockwood-Powell was named ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Region. He hit 11 home runs, drove in a program single-season record 74 runs, and was named the most valuable player of the MAC Tournament after hitting a home run and driving in six runs during the three-game stretch.
Lockwood-Powell hit .297 in 17 games during the 2020 season before it was shut down.
He went undrafted in the five-round 2020 MLB Draft and turned down contracts from organizations as an undrafted free agent to return for the 2021 season.
His 2021 season was hampered by a broken thumb limiting him to 33 games. He did not hit as hoped for and perhaps expected because of the nature of the injury. During NCAA Tournament play, Lockwood-Powell returned to form going 6-for-16 with two home runs, and three RBI. That was not enough to get him selected in the 2021 draft but perhaps enough for the Dodgers to scoop him up. Billy Gasparino, Dodgers Scouting Director, is on record as saying the draft did not have enough rounds.
The now 23-year-old catcher played in 126 games with Central Michigan. During his four years he struck out 100 times and walked 82 times helping him to a career .443 OBP. He ended his career with 19 home runs and 138 RBI while maintaining a .313 batting average.
Lockwood-Powell was no doubt disappointed not to get selected in the 2021 20-round draft but understanding the nature of the hill that has to be climbed to get to MLB he is more than willing to accept the challenge.
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Discussion (201)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Parting Shot: Will we get the Kimbrel of THIS year or the last two years? You never know….
How about Ruiz, Miller, Hoese (he’s from near Chicago). and a couple of prospects like Reks, and Amaya for Kimbrel, Bryant, and Heyward?
It would drive the payroll way up.
Two absolute pitching Gems were wasted by Buehler and Urias.
The closer role has to be resolved. I think they can be fine with Buelher, Urias, Kershaw, Price, Gray, and Gonsolin as starters… especially if they could get Cole Hamels to sign.
I was able to live with a blown save now and then, but these last three have sealed Kenley’s fate. Give him a mop!
I’ll tell you why Doc brought in Jansen to close it out:
I am certain that the Dodgers Front Office and Roberts wanted to see what Jansen could do and they found out.
NOTHING!
He will be removed as closer today and Friedman will be looking for a new closer. For a while it will be closer by committee.
Kenley has had a very good season, up until the All-Star Game. In fact, he was All-Star worthy, but we have seen this before and right about now, it is Kenley’s fault that the Dodgers are not in first place. He evidently can’t handle the pressure of a high leverage situation.
Goodbye to the Closer role. Welcome to mid-game relief.
Now, Friedman is going to have to overpay for Kimbrel. Will he be willing to take Heyward in the deal? If so, it will cost him less in player capital.
Since they won the first 4 against SF, they are 3-6 against them. They have 54 games left and SF has 56. They are 4 losses down in the lost column and 2 losses down on the win side. They have only 6 games left against the Giants to make up the ground face to face. They are going to have to hope some of the Giants opponents can decrease those numbers before they play them. The need to sweep Colorado simply because the Giants are playing one of the leagues worst teams, the Pirates in the series before the Dodgers get there next Monday. Then they really need to put the hurt on the Giants in SF where they are 3-0. There is time left to catch and pass, but not a whole lot of time. If they are going to do it, they are going to have to get some real help ASAP. Most likely by a trade since what they have in the minors is proving to be zilch.
OK, now that I’ve seen the highlights, or lowlights, it’s clear that the Dodgers got screwed by the 1st base ump.
But, as Roberts pointed out in the post-game interview, they also screwed themselves on that forceout. Muncy failed to stretch–but also Taylor failed to make a crisp throw. Poor fundamentals. Ugh. More examples of defensive weakness even when there is no error.
Still, a bit more second-guessing is in order on the RP situation….
Treinen got two outs with seven pitches.
So why not have him pitch the 9th? He couldn’t have been tired. We know Kenley has been struggling, and Treinen has plenty of experience closing.
This is the latest of example of a Dodgers practice I simply don’t understand. For all the talk about “pitch counts,” and all the “bullpen games,” Roberts will routinely yank a reliever after one efficient inning. (Sometimes talk about starters in terms of innings, sometimes in pitch counts. Why?) It’s especially maddening, of course, in a situation like this, when Kenley could use anday off. Instead it’s “get back up on that horse, Kenley. You’re our guy!”
Whether or not AF makes a big move (Kimbrel), Dodgers need to rethink this stuff.
The “high leverage” reliever position is all the more critical now with the new rules for extra-innings. Pitching with no outs and runner on second is a lot different than nobody on. Two or three “closers” may help. Getting Kimbrel may do it.
That game was an INSULT to Dodger fans. This board’s going to be burning up tomorrow. Some of these guys were already hot about The previous fiasco but this one takes the cake.
Those responsible for the defeat are 50% Neuse and the other 50% the Umpire.
If Neuse stretches at 2B as a first baseman to catch Taylor’s ball is out and the game ends 3-1, Neuse is terrible at defense. If the umpire decides correctly, it is the third strike and the game is over 3-2.
This time it would have been a very ugly save game for Janse but it would have been a save game after all.
Been about an hour since that mess ended, and I have had some time to cool off. But it does not change the fact that I am totally disgusted at this point. But as to nonambumfan’s assertion that the F the piss ant’s it’s easy to beat a team that beats itself. Well it is also hard to beat a team that takes advantage of mistakes. And that is consistently what the Giants have done time after time this year. And right now, injuries cannot be an excuse. The Giants are missing 3 of their starting infield, and a guy who figured to be one of their best all around players. One thing they definitely have over the Dodgers right now is 2 pitchers who alternate closing, and better starters at the end of the rotation. Dodgers again had DeSclafani on the ropes and let him off. First 3 hitters get hits, and then the next 3 make outs. They still are not doing well with runners in scoring position lately. Bellinger, when in a spot in the lineup where his 2019 bat is really needed, is not there. I agree, if he is nothing more than defense, put him in the 8 hole, Maybe he will get lucky and find a nut because he is simply the weakest link in the chain right now. I have no confidence in guys like Neuse. Why should I? What he did at AAA means nothing up here, all you need to know in that equation is that not one single AAA call up has been above the Mendoza line when called up to the big club. The Giants? Their replacement SS is hitting well over .300. They are getting much better production from their scrubeenies than we are. And also important is the fact that Roberts is being out managed by Kapler. I would not wanted to have been in that clubhouse after a loss like this if Lasorda was the manager, but you can bet ol pal Dave will be in there stroking their wounded egos. Who strokes the fans? Not my ego that is hurting I will tell you that. It is having to watch a meltdown like that twice in a row. All the euphoria from the Smith bomb two games ago is long gone now. I just feel like someone ran over me with a truck. Right now, my feeling is they have to sweep the Rockies and do it convincingly. Price, Gonsolin and Gray have a lot on their shoulders the next 3 games. They all need to go as deep as possible with good results. Go into SF on a roll. If not, this team is going to be battling to stay in second. Getting Betts and Seager back will help.
Wow! Those numbers are sobering. Makes you wonder. WS hangover or better scouting or coaching staff not able to help or???? Age may be a factor with Jansen but Bellinger? He is struggling so badly now it seems counterproductive to keep putting him out there and letting him sink lower and lower. I know they need all hands on deck now but maybe getting him away from these consistent frustrations should be considered.
I’m sitting in the uber lot at Dodger stadium waiting for a ride. Definitely a memorable game. Such an unnecessary loss.
Let’s Buehler hit to them yank him. Treinen threw all of 7 pitches. The entire stadium was yelling no when he put Jansen in. Taylor threw to the wrong base. He throws to first the game is over. He had plenty of time. The ump blows strike three and he leaves Jansen in forever. Just brutal.
This team has built its record on the Dbags and Rockies. Very mediocre against the rest.
verdaderamente siento una gran pena por KJ y un enorme coraje conta Roberts por su pobre gestión y no me queda más que asimilar desde ahora que SF es mejor equipo que nosotros, sin embargo ni con Doc a cargo del equipo hará que disminuya mi cariño por nuestros queridos Dodgers.
Belli Watch:
Season – .152/.269/.255/.524
Last 30 games – .136/.248/.223/.471
Last 15 games – .073/.175/.127/.302
Last 7 games – .038/.167/.038/.205
For July he has 5 hits (1 HR) – .081/.183/.129/.312
He is now 0-27 against SFG pitching, with 5 walks. .000/.156/.000/.156
KJ Watch:
Season – ERA 3.05, WHIP 1.30, SO/W ratio 1.69, 21 saves, 5 blown saves
Last 30 games – ERA 3.21, WHIP 1.39, SO/W ratio 1.72, 16 saves, 4 blown saves
Last 15 games – ERA 5.14, WHIP, 1.79, SO/W ratio 1.88, 8 saves 3 blown saves
Last 7 games – ERA 12.71, WHIP 3.35, SO/W ratio 1.17, 1 save, 3 blown saves
Those are not championship performances.
why am I getting this sinking feeling that Zaidi was the real brains behind the Dodgers success and now he’s doing the same with the Giants? He’s got the right guys in the right places and we keep picking up dud after dud. Hope this isn’t a long-term trend!
What was that all about, staying close to Giants or restoring KJ’s confidence? Well it didn’t work. Would love to know who’s idea this was. Where was Kelly ? What about his confidence ?
Hard to watch, hard to understand the rational.
You also have to give props to the Giants. They’re the better team!
What was Roberts trying to do tonight? Give Jansen a shot at redemption? Even I know you don’t pitch Jansen two days in a row. And now instead of redemption he’s got a closer that has blown three straight saves. I guess he can just keep putting him out there until something good happens but that doesn’t sound like a great managerial strategy to me.
Robert has some serious issues to deal with and they aren’t all due to injuries.
Well hell. What a revolting turn of events. You take a great start by Butane, and then Jansen totally screws it up. Yeah, they got jobbed on the check swing call, but that did not cost them the game. What cost them the game was Jansen not throwing strikes when he had to. He was all over the place with his last 4 hitters, and Roberts left him out there. Lasorda would have been out there chewing the scenery after a performance like that. 1 blown save is acceptable, 2 in a row, not so much. 3 is a trend. I don’t send him back out for a save with anything less than a 3 run cushion, and even then, I am limiting him to 3 hitters. No more than that no matter how good he might look. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory two nights in a row. Thanks a lot Gas Can.
Well, that sucked.
The best argument for the Dodgers to go get Kimbrel is being made by Kenley..
Sad, because he looked so good early in the season.
KJ was robbed on the non check third strike call, but he is utter garbage. Some can claim he shouldn’t be booed but he is utter garbage right now and Doc’s “pussy footing” around by using him again to re-gain his confidence or some other BS reason shows why Doc managerial skills are just so-so.
Bellinger with another 0-4 night with a BA now at .151. He should be booed also. Can’t wait till tomorrow’s post where we know who will claim we’re all not to believe our eyes, that it’s all OK in Dodger land and we’re all crazy. Cite me all the career stats you want but KJ should not see a close game opportunity for the future. Our closer is Treinen. KJ is utter garbage.
Not much to say, if you watched the 9th there isn’t a need for an explanation, it’ something you just had to see to believe.
Taking bets on Bellinger’s 0 for streak. Can he get to 50?
Jansen has to be removed from this role. I don’t care what his numbers are. Even Joe and Orel play it up that its going to be a ride when Jansen is coming in……..with a 2 run lead!
What a joke! Leaving him in as long as he did was criminal.
Horrible missed third strike call! Brutal for Jansen! There’s just something special about this Giant team!! They just refuse to lose! They are certainly the better team right now!