Just a bit about the week that was knowing that there are only two more weeks of the weeks that were in the 2021 season.
Oh my!
MiLB Players of the Month for August
It is no small feat to be selected as the MiLB Player of the Month in their division as there are many good prospects throughout the leagues. Miguel Vargas may well be selected as the Dodgers MiLB Hitter of the Year. Ryan Ward might be one of the biggest surprises within the Dodgers system although his junior year at Bryant might have suggested he could hit with some power as he had 15 home runs in 58 games with the Bulldogs.
Double-A Central – Miguel Vargas
Tulsa Drillers (Dodgers) third baseman Miguel Vargas led the league in average (.410), runs (24), hits (41), and on-base percentage (.470), and was second in total bases (62) and OPS (1.090) and third in slugging percentage (.620). Vargas recorded 15 multi-hit games, including three stretches of four straight multi-hit games. Vargas, 21, was signed by the Dodgers as an International Free Agent out of La Habana, Cuba, on September 7, 2017.
High-A Central – Ryan Ward
Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers) outfielder Ryan Ward batted .323 led the league in runs (27), home runs (10), total bases (67), and RBI (25), and was second in slugging percentage (.698) and third in OPS (1.107) He had nine multi-hit games and homered in four straight games August 12-17. Ward, 23, was selected by the Dodgers in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Bryant University.
Draft Update – 2021
The Dodgers still have four members of the 2021 draft class who have not yet surfaced – RHP Peter Heubeck (1), LHP Justin Wrobleski (11), RHP Madison Jeffrey (15), RHP Gabe Emmett (19).
Billy Gasparino helps explain why some of the 2021 draftees will not pitch during the regular 2021 season.
“Seventeen pitchers is about what we’d take in a 40-round draft,” Gasparino said. “Some we’ll shut down until instructional league because they’ve already thrown a lot of innings this year. There will be a place for them all next spring.”
During the past week, fifth-round selection RHP Ben Casparius made his debut with the Arizona Complex Dodgers pitching a scoreless inning with one hit and three strikeouts.
RHP Ryan Sublette (7) debuted with the Quakes on September 1 and has now pitched two scoreless innings at the Low-A level.
Left-hander Adam Scoggins, an undrafted free agent, debuted with the ACL Dodgers and has pitched two scoreless innings with two hits, two walks, and six strikeouts.
The two most active pitchers from the 2021 draft class have been LHP Lael Lockhart (9) and RHP Michael Hobbs (10), both now with the High-A Loons.
Lockhart has pitched eight innings with the Loons posting a 1.13 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP while striking out 15 and walking two.
Hobbs had pitched 4.1 innings with the Loons over four appearances striking out eight with two walks while posting a 2.08 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP.
Both of these young pitchers were signed by the Dodgers for $2,500 while 11th round selection Justin Wrobleski signed for $197,500.
With Lockart and Hobbs, the Dodgers were able to sign them to these deals because both pitchers were college seniors and effectively had no leverage to negotiate.
It must be disappointing for the players and it takes place around the league, so until the system is changed, teams will continue to take advantage of college seniors.
Carlos Duran – Standing Tall
Carlos Duran made his High-A debut with the Great Lakes Loons on Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits in 4.1 innings, and managed runners well with his four walks.
On March 8, 2018, the Dodgers signed free agent RHP Duran to a minor league contract. His bio indicates that at age 16 he stood 6’7” tall and weighed 230 pounds. Oddly enough he is still listed with the same height and weight dimensions.
The native of Nagua, Dominican Republic is now listed at No. 17 on the Dodgers Top 30 list.
He spent his first two years of professional baseball playing in the Dominican Summer League but moved to the Arizona League midway through the 2018 season.
During the 2018 season, he attracted some attention as a 17-year-old posting a 1.50 ERA over 42 innings pitched along with a 0.76 WHIP and 30 strikeouts while walking only 3.
Things changed in 2019 as Duran experienced some control issues walking 20 in 40 innings while striking out 39. He also gave up more than a hit an inning elevating his WHIP to 1.64.
During the current season, he has pitched 78 innings over 19 starts and has struck out 112 while walking 28. His ERA is 5.19 which too is elevated by just four outings that have not been all that successful.
His scouting report indicates he has averaged 95 mph with his fastball this year, topping out at 98 with run and sink. His slider is even better, sitting in the low 80s with a sweep that eats up right-handers, and it grades as well above average at its best. He also has an upper-80s changeup that lacks consistent velocity separation from his heater.
The skinny is that he needs to improve his changeup and refine his command to succeed as a starter, with his fastball/slider combo giving him a chance to become a high-leverage reliever.
He is fun to watch out for on the mountaintop in the middle of the diamond. He is now the fourth 20-year-old on the Loons along with Andy Pages, Jorbit Vivas, and Eddys Leonard.
Fun Fact: Three top Dodger prospects signed as international free agents were all signed at bargain-basement prices, although Lael Lockhart and Michael Hobbs might not agree. Miguel Vargas, Andy Pages, and Carlos Duran all signed for $300,000.
On the Road Again
Dodgers #1 prospect Bobby Miller pitched for the first time since July 23rd after a stint on the injured list throwing 2.2 scoreless innings with the Loons last Thursday. That helps explain why, until now, he has not been promoted to the AA Tulsa Drillers.
Justin Yurchak played in four games in the most recent series with the Springfield Cardinals after being activated from the Injured List and went 9-for-16 with 7 RBI. His average with the Drillers is now .431 in 18 games. He spent 14 days on the IL.
Eddys Leonard has now played seven games in center field for the Loons after having played in the infield for his entire minor league career.
Locked-in and Loaded – Michael Busch
It’s not easy to follow up a four-hit night, let alone top it, but Michael Busch did exactly that on Saturday. The third-ranked Dodgers prospect mashed a pair of home runs, doubled, reached base four times, and drove in six for Double-A Tulsa. The 2019 first-round Draft selection hit a two-run blast in the second, a three-run jack in the fifth, and lifted a sacrifice fly to left in the third. Busch brought his tater tally to 19 on the season with the Drillers and has 61 RBIs over 99 games. Busch had two more hits and two RBI on Sunday.
On Monday Busch was selected as the Double-A Central Player of the Week for August 30-September 5.
Invisible Man
Does anybody remember Christian Santana?
He is still around and has had a bit of a slow season, for him, with the OKC Dodgers.
Santana was signed at age 17 by the Dodgers out of the Dominican Republic in the spring of 2014.
He played his first two seasons in the Dominican Summer League before coming stateside for the 2017 season in which he hit eight home runs in 42 games.
He began the 2017 campaign with the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League and after 10 games in which he was hitting .537 with five home runs, he was promoted to the Great Lakes Loons where he slashed an impressive .322/.339/.460 with another five homers over 44 contests.
During the 2018 season with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, he posted a triple slash of .274/.302/.447 with an impressive 23 doubles, 24 home runs, and 109 RBI. He earned Cal League Player of the Week honors in early August and was named a MiLB organizational All-Star at the season’s end.
Santana moved up to the AA Tulsa Drillers for the 2019 season slashing .301/.321/.436 over 102 games.
Now 24, with the OKC Dodgers this year he maintained his consistency at the plate. Limited to 71 games, Santana’s slash line is .297/.321/.414. He has five home runs and has driven in 33.
He has played mostly third base during his minor league career with some at first base. On defense, some already believe he has the capability to be an above-average defender at the hot corner. He has excellent quickness and range, and his arm strength is probably his best defensive asset. In addition, his ability to handle multiple infield spots could potentially boost his acceleration through the system.
His next step may well depend on plate disciple. In 2021 he has struck out 56 times and walked nine.
Another Invisible Man
This young man was just named the Low-A West Player of the Week for August 30 – September 5. In his last six games, his triple slash is .364/.400/.606 with an OPS of 1.006. He has four doubles, three home runs, and 11 runs batted in.
On the season he is in or close to the top 10 in the league in most offensive categories. His 31 doubles lead the league while he is second in the league with 79 runs scored. His other stats include .297 BA (10th), 66 RBI (8th), .379 OBP (11th), .503 SLG (7th), .882 OPS (7th).
The 6’0”/178-lb. right-handed hitter has played primarily at second base with some time in the outfield.
If you guessed Sam McWilliams you are correct.
No, not the Sam McWilliams that was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies and now pitches with San Antonio Missions. The Sam McWilliams who was selected by the Dodgers in the 19th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Meridian Community College in Meridian, Mississippi.
Discussion (47)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Geez , I can’t imagine where the Reds will be without Castellanos next year.
Out pitched and out hit. Some bad fielding and Greene giving up a late homer. Just not their day. Gonsolin will be activated to start tomorrows game. No starter named yet for the Cardinals. Castellano’s avg down to .317, so Turner now leading the league with a .320 avg. 22 games left, and the Giants do not play tomorrow, so they can pick up a half game before they head home or they can be 2 1/2 back with 21 to play.
Sorry but Dodgers are not Giants…..in this season… after Smith..only bad hitters..no way they can hit timely
Rick,
I could not get into the site from my laptop, until I had it rebooted.
I responded to your e-mail from my i-Pad when I was not on the deck.
Post it now.
OK, I rebooted the server for the website after I could not log in.
Post what you want… but play nice and do no call me a dirty rotten scoundrel.
Did you see the Giants announcer Dave Fleming’s comments about why Buehler and Urias can’t get the Giants out? Hope they post that in the dugout! Maybe that’s why Their ace Glausman sucks so much now. Fleming thinks he is a real expert. Ever hear him call games? Love to have WB shove those words down his throat in the playoffs
Wow – I have been censored. My post deleted. What happened?
I guess I’m no longer wanted here – don’t let the door hit you on the butt on your way out I guess.
Later all
Why didn’t someone fault DOC for not walking Molina?
Sosa was clearly out of the base path. Now why isn’t that reviewable?
I remember back in the 60’s the Cardinals having a shortstop named Dal Maxvill. I think his career batting average hovered near the Mendoza line but he always seemed to be in the Cardinals lineup because of his defense. I cringe when Cody comes to bat but for me, I’d take Cody’s superior centerfield defense and put up with his bat for the remainder of this year rather than play Beaty in left and Pollack in center or Taylor and Pollack. Taylor’s not the CF Cody is and lately, his bat isn’t much better either. Cody’s bat will come back next year. If we’re lucky, it shows up this year in the playoffs.
Not smart to send Betts with one out and Smith coming up
Posts are being deleted. That’s the ultimate elitism.
If you don’t agree with me I will shut you up by deleting your post.
Very good post, dodgerrick.
Agree with everything you said.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good post dodgerrick
1 I think that is called elitism/being an elite.
I had to watch the Cardinals broadcast yesterday. They showed Albert working with Bellinger on his mechanics. Specifically, the way Cody’s front hip flies open every single swing.
Oh well….too bad the game wasn’t 8 innings long…..they would have about 20 more losses….
I am so impressed with their heart to win and never give up attitude that I’m going to say something unpopular probably…..I hope they win the WS if we don’t. They deserve it, if we don’t.
Besides, I hate the Astros and Yankees and Red Sox, so why not the Giants? Their GM is pretty good you know.
A lot of pression for dodgers to win today. 2 games rear the way the Giants have been playing is todo much
Those SF bastards cheating like Houston did? It’s just that it’s not possible for them to continue winning those kinds of games …. It was enough to see that they continue to win each fucking game in a different way each time …. Send Bellinger there, I’m sure he’ll stop being a mediocre hitter with them!
ROCKIES score four in 9th ! Yes I am on drugs !
Did God direct you to post this TM???
Is your Higher Power providing you the insight and knowledge of playing this game??
Another day, another Giants rally in the 9th inning. Man, I could throw up in my mouth.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!1
Dang midgets
Giants have the bases loaded with no outs in the 9th. Wade singles, 2 runs score 5-4 SF still no outs.
Bobby Miller is now listed on the Tulsa Drillers roster. He will start the game tonight against Amarillo.
Go Bobby!
Promise someone a day off tomorrow and see what they do today.
Eric Stephen
@ericstephen
Dodgers are pushing Julio Urías and the rest of the starting pitchers back a day, so it’s Urías, Buehler, Scherzer against the Padres
Gonsolin gets bulk innings Thursday against the Cardinals
Dave Roberts said Clayton Kershaw will rejoin the rotation early next week
3-0 Rockies top of the 6th
Tonight’s winning lineup:
HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG
T. Turner2B 161-503 58 21 26 .320
M. Muncy3B 106-416 78 30 2 .255
M. BettsRF 99-374 47 19 9 .265
C. SeagerSS 75-267 39 8 1 .281
W. SmithC 98-359 68 23 3 .273
C. TaylorLF 124-473 71 20 13 .262
A. Pujols1B 61-255 49 17 2 .239
C. BellingerCF 45-277 33 9 2 .162
M. WhiteP 0-13 0 0 0 .000
No JT
Wouldn’t it be nice to see Colorado win this afternoon game?
0-0 into the 5th inning. DeSclafini v Gray
Doc was called a liar because Corey Seager did not come back as soon as was originally reported. Some on here even questioned Seager’s manhood for a “little break”. Those fans did not see the X-Rays, but they were all knowing and Doc was a liar. Now we have learned that NYM manager Luis Rojas and acting GM Zach Scott have been telling everyone that after reviewing the MRIs of Jacob deGrom’s right elbow, there was nothing structurally wrong. However, last night Sandy Alderson spoke to the press and informed them that deGrom had “lowest-grade partial tear” possible in his right ulnar collateral ligament. He will not require surgery. It is now reported that after two months rest, the ligament is “perfectly intact”.
Managers advise as to how they are advised. Maybe deGrom did not want anyone knowing that he had a low grade partial tear. That is his right. We do have HIPPA laws. Just as I am certain that Doc does not intentionally deceive (or lie as some of you like to call him) nor did Luis Rojas. They are given a script as to what to say to potential questions as to the health of their players. Just because we are fans of a certain team, we are not entitled to know the health/injury status of any player. And before anyone says, then don’t say anything, how far is that going to go with the press? They will undoubtedly read what they want into the non-disclosure. There are those who have speculated that Clayton Kershaw was about to undergo TJ surgery even though there was no medical update so advising. Why? Because forearm inflammation is code for UCL tear (or so they believe).
So you think Belli is bad. Since joining NYY, Joey Gallo is batting .130 with 61 k’s in 123 ABs.
The Dodgers are 88W – 51 L, apart from that ugly 5-15 at the end of April they are 83W-36 L for a .697, the Dodgers all year have played for .697, this team is incredible !!!
“Pile on the crippled guy. Beat the hell outta him!”
Just like the bullies in grade school.
There may be better videos to use but the point is – show Cody the mechanics involved when felling a tree with an axe:
https://youtu.be/nK8h2DmM0Ww
Now take that into the batters box.
It was so fun seeing the reactions of Albert’s teammates. You can see how much they admire and enjoy him. Great send off for him after a wonderful career!
* Well played and managed game. Nice work Doc handling the bullpen. Max’s outing the day before sure helped the bullpen yesterday and today, I hope.
* Stringing 9 pitchers together with only 2 earned runs and only 2 walks has become sort of par for our bullpen staff. It’s quite amazing really that we do this without 1 or 2 having a poor outing. It is not that easy.
* I watched the Cards broadcast for a change and they of course paid tribute to Albert. It’s awesome to see the warm welcome he got from their fans and former teammates. I knew of his greatness in his 11 years in St Louis but I’d forgotten just how great. How about averaging .328 / 1.037. Both BA and OPS would be leading MLB today. And he did that for 11 years. Remarkable. And then he goes yard in his 1st AB. Great moment in baseball history.
ON THIS DATE IN 1965:
Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax tosses a perfect game against the Cubs, becoming the first pitcher to throw 4 no-hitters.
The only other pitcher to eventually match that mark is Nolan Ryan (7).
Last 29 games. 23-6. Bullpen era 1.91. 148K’s 146 innings. Despite AF not being able to build a bullpen and Roberts not being able to use it! Mark what do you do with Bellinger come the playoffs if he can’t come out of this funk.
The Albert Pujols home run was one of the top moments of the MLB season so far.
The introduction and respect he received from the fans and from Molina were awesome!
And just an amazing story to have Albert hit a HR in his return to St Louis.
Pujols seems to be a great asset in the clubhouse, and all of the players have been extremely complimentary of his presence. Nice to have Albert on the team as one of the many pleasant surprises this year.
He is one of the best hitters of this century, yet still cares enough to be a contributor off of the bench, and a great teammate. Very rare for a true superstar to show this level of humility and unselfishness.
And I also need to compliment the Dodger team for bouncing back with two straight road wins in St Louis after a disappointing series in SF and a ridiculous travel schedule imposed on them. The team has so many true professionals. I sometimes focus too much on the areas for improvement, but need to recognize that despite so many injuries, the Dodgers are on pace for 103 wins. The Dodgers have won 15 more games than the Padres, and if not for the crazy performance by the Giants, the Dodgers would be coasting to a division title. They need to keep grinding for a division title, but also we need to have a little perspective on their season to date.
Yesterday Sam McWilliams continued his attack on Low-A West pitching. He hit his league leading 32nd double, his 13th home run and was a triple short of the cycle.
It was mentioned yesterday that Yadier Alvarez has surfaced again with the ACL Dodgers. According to the box score he struck out three on nine pitches. At 25 striking out three is not unusual. Throwing nine in a row that at least look like strikes is unusual for Alvarez.
In his carer Alvarez has been able to limit hits giving up 177 in 211 innings. He has struck out 249 but has walked 119.
He has been a $32 million dollar experiment. Maybe it will finally click this time. Here’s what he said in February, 2020.
“There are times when something goes wrong for you in a game and you think, ‘Man, with all that training, all those things go wrong in games for me, forget this, I don’t want to play anymore,’ ” Alvarez said. “You think that sometimes. Baseball is like that, but I couldn’t deal with it. I acted like a child.
“At the end, I wasn’t working hard. I didn’t put in the effort. And it hurt my velocity. And when things went wrong I’d say, ‘All that work for nothing.’ And it was all a lie. I wasn’t putting in the work. I didn’t have the focus at the ballpark.”
Alvarez left the team without speaking to the Dodgers.
“I just left without thinking,” he said. “I ran out and left.”
Alvarez spent time in Miami, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and sought advice from trainers, current players and former players.
“They asked me the same question: Why did you leave? What happened?” Alvarez said. “I explained to them and they said it was immaturity. They explained why I should return to baseball, but they told me not to come back like this, that I should see a psychiatrist first.”
Maybe this time it will work for him and the Dodgers. I wish him well.
A little off base but I had to report it here. Early this morning my wife was skimming over the news channels and one of them(she doesn’t remember which) reported that MLB has now decided have China make the baseball bats.
Could this be true and if it is WTF is going on. Will they also make the baseballs, uniforms, gloves, etc too?
Has ANYONE heard or read the same thing?
Another win and another day of comments about Bellinger…
There was some magic last night. A standing ovation, an old buddy and former teaming giving a returning star time to enjoy his welcome reception and a blast to follow. It was a storybook beginning of the game for Big Al. Miracles happen, just ask Souza Jr. who chipped in with a RBI double. No magic for Belli who drove a ball to the warning track in Center Field and made a play where his throw was just late to throw out a runner after fielding a ball off the wall.
The bullpen did it’s magic magic last night by combining for 2 runs allowed. Feliz looked dirty closing it out pounding the zone with strike after strike. Just five Ks through 8 innings and 2 of those came from Treinen. It was a different kind of game than we’re used to seeing.
There’s going to be some difficult decisions for the bullpen once the postseason begins. There’s just too many good arms to include all of them on the roster.
The addition of Steven Souza will serve as a capable outfielder to spell Bellinger against lefties at times to give him an extra day to work on things. If the law of averages plays out as expected, Belli will have a historic run in the playoffs. Wouldn’t that be something?
I’m looking forward to seeing Mitch White on the hill tonight. He’s been a bit inconsistent, but the overall results have been pretty solid standing tall with a 3.49 ERA on the season. Some people find it a little later than others.
Corey Seager made a hell of a play making it look very easy on a Bader grounder to the 6-7 hole. Not as flashy as it was effective, most Shortstops don’t have the tools to make that play.
I have no new opinion on Bellinger. He must have medical clearance or he wouldn’t be in there. The hitting coaches must be ok with his stand straight legged hands behind his looping head bobbing White Rabbit late swing (or something would be done about it) so I’m thinking what we’ve seen all year is history and his next at bat will be the one. It’s exciting really.
I believe I was the one who said this bullpen would be historic. I had no idea how right I would be. I’ve never seen anything like this and I’ve been watching MLB since 1956.
I still see us winning the Division, though my crystal ball is a bit cloudy. Must be all the smoke in the air out West. .
Still beating the same ol dead horse.
I hope we are trying to work with either VARGAS or BUSCH to also play the OF. They both can’t play 3B so it would be nice to see one can play the OF. I’m very excited to watch their progress.
Go Baby Dodgers!
TM
It seems like there always needs to be a whipping boy on this blog. Currently, it is popular to bash Cody Bellinger.. and he is an easy target because he is not hitting at all.
Earlier in the season, it was popular to bash the bullpen and many of you were exceptionally good at it! You were also incredibly wrong. Some of you wrote eloquent diatribes about how Andrew Friedman could not build a bullpen and blah, blah, blah… until the Dodgers’ Bullpen made you shut up!
Lesson learned? No, you just go on to the next thing. What a miserable existence!
By the way, I will rub your nose in it… The Dodgers bullpen is now #3 in ERA in MLB, just a few points behind the Giants and Rays… and due to injury, the Dodgers bullpen now has a lot more innings under their belts than the two teams above them.
AF did know how to build a bullpen and you knew ZILCH!
Signed, I TOLD YOU SO!
We will discuss Bellinger later, but did you see Belli’s teammates mob him in the dugout when he drove in a run? Bad attitude? Won’t listen? I think that was totally debunked when I saw that!
Finally, what a HR by Albert Pujols! I was sitting in a restaurant and turned it on to see his AB – I just knew he was going to do something. Incredible. I have a feeling we are going to see some more Albert Moments in the playoffs.
Will Belli snap out of his slump this year? I have no idea, but they are giving him every chance… and he deserves it!
Excellent coverage DC. It is very interesting to watch these youngsters develop. I happen to think there are some real gems here.