Next Man Up!
In all the years playing all kinds of sports (at an amateur level), I did not have a hamstring strain until I was 52 years old, and it was a doozy! Grade 3, which is the worst. My wife was making fun of me, saying, “Rub some dirt on it.” However, the next morning the whole back…
In all the years playing all kinds of sports (at an amateur level), I did not have a hamstring strain until I was 52 years old, and it was a doozy! Grade 3, which is the worst. My wife was making fun of me, saying, “Rub some dirt on it.” However, the next morning the whole back of my upper thigh was black and blue. I feel Teoscar’s pain – a hamstring bite isn’t fun. Depending on which grade it is, he could be out up to three months. His may not be that bad. Let’s hope not!
Alex Call, Jack Suwinski, JT3, are all in the mix, but Call is already on the roster. Kim can play there, but he does not have a bat. Could Sirota or DePaula get a call? Not now, but maybe in a month if one or both are hot. It’s just “next man up”. The keyword is “Don’t Panic!”
This afternoon, I head to Dayton, Ohio, which is a two-hour drive from Indy, to see the Loons play the Dayton Dragons. My son had to fly to Phoenix this AM, and my son-in-law is headed to NY, so I am taking one of US Water Systems’ salesmen and his 11-year-old son. It should be fun. This is a guy I met one month ago at a convention in Miami. He worked for Watts Water, and as I walked by their booth, he stopped me and said, “I have watched all your videos.” We talked for about 15 minutes, and I gave him my card and said, “If you are ever interested in a change, let me know.” He called three days later. He and his older son (who also worked at Watts) came in for an interview, and he hired them both for our Penguin Water wholesale division. Funny world we live in. It turned out he lives 3 miles from me and we had never met!
I will give you a full report tomorrow or Saturday.
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros) 5 – OKC Comets 3
LHSP Jackson Ferris made his first start since May 6, coming off the IL due to a hip injury. He completed 2.0 innings on 39 pitches (20 strikes). He allowed 1 single, 1 BB, and registered 2 K. Still too many pitches, but grinded it out.
LHRP Garrett McDaniels relieved Ferris in the 3rd. 2 walks and a single gave Sugar Land a 1-0 lead. RHRP Ryder Ryan relieved McDaniels with 2 outs in the 3rd and retired the side. In the 6th, Ryan got the first out but walked the next batter. Ryan was replaced by LHRP Ronan Kopp. The runner stole 2B, and advanced to 3rd on a balk, Kopp walked the next two batters to load the bases. One run scored on a ground ball fielder’s choice.
With LHRP Josh Hader on a rehab assignment entering in relief, RF Ryan Fitzgerald reached on a fielding error and scored on a 2-out 2-run HR from C Chuckie Robinson (2) to tie the score.
RHRP Chayce McDermott entered in the 8th. Sugar Land’s first three hitters went double, RBI single, 2-run HR, and a 5-2 lead. He got the next three batters, but the damage was done.
In the 9th, OKC got one back. With one out, SS Noah Miller singled, and Robinson drew a BB. With 2 outs, CF Zach Ehrhard singled for his 4th hit to score Miller. But that was it.
• Zach Ehrhard – 4-5, 1 RBI, 2 doubles (12)
• Ryan Fitzgerald – 2-4, 1 run
• Chuckie Robinson – 1-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (2)
Tulsa Drillers vs NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) Game Postponed
Game to be made up May 28 as part of DH.
Dayton Dragons (Reds) 3 – Great Lakes Loons 2
The Loons lost a tough one in walk off fashion. Four GL pitchers completed 8.0 scoreless innings on 1 hit, 4 BB, 18 K. Yes, 18 Ks in 8.0 IP.
LHSP Zach Root started and completed 4.0 scoreless innings allowing the one hit (double), 2 BB, and 9 K. RHRP Joseilyn Gonzalez (1.0 IP), RHRP Alex Makarewich (1.1 IP), and RHRP Dilan Figueredo (1.2 IP) completed the next four innings without allowing a hit, 2 BB, and 9 K.
Makarewich was particularly effective. He faced five batters and none of them put the ball in play. 1 BB and 4 K. Figueredo wasn’t far off. He faced 6 batters and only one put the ball in play, a groundout to end the 7th.
The Loons scored solo runs in the 2nd and 7th inning. In the 2nd, RF Kole Myers led off with a BB. Myers moved to 3rd on 2B Eduardo Guerrero’s single. Myers scored on a DP, and a 1-0 lead.
In the 7th, 1B Samuel Munoz led off with a single. SS Jose Izarra forced Munoz at 2nd. Izarra stole 2nd and scored on 3B Emil Morales’ RBI single.
The Loons took a 2-0 lead in a game their pitching dominated into the 9th with RHRP Nicolas Cruz coming in for the save. The first three batters reached on a single, BB, and E3. One run scored on a ground out, with runners moving up to 2nd and 3rd with one out. The lead runner was thrown out at the plate by Morales at 3B. Cruz hit the next batter to load the bases. Cruz balked in the tying run, and then made a throwing error on the next batter allowing the winning run to score.
Kole Myers and Eduardo Guerrero were the two Loons to have two hits.
Visalia Rawhide (Dbacks) 13 – Ontario Tower Buzzers 5
RHSP Hyun-Seok Jang started but could not get out of the 1st inning. Jang threw 36 pitches before he was relieved with 2 outs in the 1st. First 4 batters – BB, single, HBP, 2 run double. Jang struck out the next batter but the third run scored on 3B Chase Harlan’s 11th error. He allowed another RBI single before RHRP Seamus Barrett entered to get the final out of the inning.
Barrett and 2 other relievers combined to allow 6 runs on 8 hits, including 3 HR, 5 BB, with 4 K.
Ontario was down 10-0 when they batted in the 5th. DH Kellon Lindsey singled and moved to 2nd on a throwing error. CF Jaron Elkins tripled (3) Lindsey home, and scored himself on a ground out.
Visalia scored 2 more in the 6th to move the lead back to 10.
3B Chase Harlan hit a leadoff solo HR (6) in the 8th. Visalia got the run back with a HR in the 9th.
Elkins hit a 2 run double in the 9th to finish the scoring. He was a HR shy of hitting for the cycle.
• Jaron Elkins – 4-5, 1 run, 3 RBI, 2 doubles (8), triple (1)
• Chase Harlan – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (6)
ACL Dodgers 10 – ACL Reds 5
ACL Dodgers scored the 10 runs on 11 hits, including 3 HR.
The Reds scored 4 unearned runs off RHSP Jose Tavares in the 2nd.
In the 3rd, 1B Oswaldo Osorio singled and moved to 2nd on a ground out. CF Jhon Gil singled Osorio home.
In the 4th, DH Daniel Mielcarek hit a 2-run HR.
The Reds got one in the bottom of the 4th for a 5-3 lead. The Dodgers scored got the run back in the 5th on 4 BB.
In the 5th, 2 BB, single, and a grand slam HR (2) by SS Aidan West. Back to back doubles by 1B Cameron Decker and 3B Moises Bolivar scored a 5th run in the inning.
C Euri Rosa hit a solo HR in the 7th to complete the scoring.
• Jhon Gil – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
• Oswaldo Osorio – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (1)
• Jose Gonzalez – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run, double (4)
• Doubles – Cameron Decker (1), Moises Bolivar (2)
• HR – Daniel Mielcarek (4), Aidan West (2), Euri Rosa (1)
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Discussion (73)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Let’s hear a round of applause for Jeff Dominique – His minor league report is spectacular!
Agreed. Btw, I’m hearing a lot about Ward or Thomas or Fitzgerald but I want Tibbs or Suwinski. Nice to see Kim can handle LF in a pinch but don’t really want to see him starting there
Jeff,you’re the BEST in reporting Dodger minor league game actions and summaries.NOBODY better!!
I would like to see a left handed bat from Oklahoma City get promoted to platoon with Call that is defensively proficient,NOT Ward who is basically a first baseman.
I think a standing ovation is in order! I have said it for years that Jeff provides us with the best Dodger MiLB player analysis and game breakdowns that can’t be found on any other blog. I have no proof of that, but I can’t imagine another team blog providing better coverage. I don’t believe any of the national reporters can match Jeff’s talent as well. So, with Mark providing a outstanding platform for Dodger fans’ thoughts, Jeff’s prospect and MiLB coverage, and Bear’s incredible historical Dodger profiles, I ask you…..who has it better than us Dodger fans? NOBODY!!
It appears the Dodgers are getting younger whether they want to or not. Teo, Kiki, Mookie, injuries forcing the Dodgers to get young guys on the roster. I wrote yesterday (disappeared on me, didn’t post) the fact that slumps (like Rome) weren’t built in a day. AND slumps don’t end in a day. Let’s hope Mookie’s prolonged slump ended the other night and was not a “Blind Squirrel ” apperation. I truly am a Dodger fan, but I’m a realist, and although pulling for Mookie one night doesn’t end the slump, unless it did. The criticism of rookies is that they lack consistency! The same must be applied to older players, maybe more so as they have experience. I believe when many here and on podcasts and articles lobbied for Mookie to move down in the lineup it wasn’t to move him to cleanup.
Kim may not be a LFer but made an excellent athletic play over the wall. Despite his average hitting (.260), he can play litterly anywhere with his speed, glove and arm. Probably the best defender on the team but he expendable because he doesn’t hit homers and has options available.
What a shame that Kiki’s return was so short lived. With a torn oblique he might have strained it the first game back. If that’s the case, then why didn’t he notify a trainer or coach about the issue? I can understand him not wanting to being that he just returned from a long recovery from surgery. But, an strained oblique doesn’t get better with continued play. And, because of his possible bad judgment, it may have lead to a tear. I can see his season being over or maybe an appearance in the postseason at best. A strain is bad enough as we have witnessed in the past with Max, but a tear? I wouldn’t be surprised if Kiki’s career with the Dodgers as a player may be over. With Teoscar, it could be a case where an aging player is prone to have hamstring or other muscle injuries. He can into the season in good shape and had dropped some weight hoping to avoid this type of injury. That’s probably why he was so upset in the dugout. There has been no announcement of the severity of the injury, but from his reaction I’m not optimistic. Being older the recovery time is going to be longer than it would be for a younger player. And this happens just as Teoscar is breaking out at the plate. Two devastating injuries in two days. It’s not only their baseball skills that will be missed, but their clubhouse and field presence and leadership. The Dodgers have enough veterans who can help fill that void. I hope AF brings up one of the three OF at OKC and not go bargain hunting in the free agent market. I’d like so see JT3 or Suwinski get a opportunity to platoon with Call in LF. Carry on.
Amen. I read em all. Great job Jeff! Damn MLB blackout. I’m snowbirding I in NEPA and the Phillies games are blacked out. Planning to drive down the turnpike on Sunday and see the game and grab some soft pretzels, maybe a cheese steak at Pat’s or Gino’s.
Could Tibbs Wally Pip Teo? Cmon, give the kid a shot! Like probably going on 60 day IL
My favorite nugget in Jeff’s always-excellent farm report is the improvement shown by Zach Root. Also nice to see that Emil Morales continues to progress on the path to eventually succeed Max. As for (temporarily) replacing Teo, the OF will often read Call-Pages-Tucker. My guess is that Suwinski will be called up, but it would be more fun to see what Tibbs can do. Alex Thomas is on the 40-man now (I think) but he’s been sent to Arizona to work on his hitting. Teo bats righty, and both Suwinski and Tibbs bat lefty. Either could platoon with Call, if that’s how it shakes out. If Pages keeps hitting, he may bat right behind Shohei for the rest of the season.
I don’t think handedness matters. Just bring up the best option. My prediction is Suwinski.
“Kim can play there, but he does not have a bat“ He’s hitting .260. You know who isn’t hitting .260? Will Smith, Max Muncy, Kyle Tucker, Alex Freeland, Dalton Rushing , Mookie Betts. In 43 games, 131 at bats, Kim has .6 WAR. Compute that over a full season. You know who else has .6 WAR? Will Smith. In about 50 more at bats. You know who doesn’t have .6 WAR? Mookie Betts. Yeah, I know, it’s a long season. Kim is the best defender on this team, the fastest runner on this team, and with only 277 sporadic at bats in his career is still trying to figure this league out. With Maury Wills gone apparently there is nobody in this all or nothing organization that can teach him how to bunt or he’d be hitting .280. He’s a backup player and the Dodgers are lucky to have him. Now that I’ve said all that watch him go 0fer every game this week.
Kike supposedly knew he was still hurt when he was activated and he tried to push through it. Second time in two years that a no-hitter was broken up with Scott on the mound. Happened last year in one of Glasnow’s starts. Ohtani’s ERA is 0.82. My two cents about a call-up, I prefer Suwinski. Reason? He can play all three outfield positions and plays them well. He is a definite power threat, something the bench does not have.
He is not on the 40-man, calling him up now might not be the best idea. He still strikes out a lot, and he is basically a right fielder.
And he will be back in AAA as soon as they activate Edman in about 3 weeks.
Jorge Castillo on the MLBPA’s initial offer, MLB is expected to, he writes, respond with their first proposal today. Expect a cap. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48893571/mlbpa-makes-1st-proposal-collective-bargaining-negotiations “The proposal included sharing more local television revenue than the current CBA stipulates, a “competitive-integrity tax” for low-spending teams that mirrors the competitive balance tax for top-spending clubs, a raise of the base competitive balance tax threshold from $244 million to $300 million and nearly doubling minimum salaries.”
I like Kim but he shouldn’t be starting in LF. I don’t really think Call should either. Would like a full-time LF to replace Teo. Give Tibbs, Suwinski or even Ward a chance. Sleeper is Fitzgerald. I forget which one.
Ward makes sense
Do you really think the players will go for some type of cap? I don’t
I’m assuming his defense has improved. Bring in Call or Kim later in games for defense.
Ward has mostly been playing 1B.
If Kike goes on the 60 day IL then Dodgers can bring up Tibbs. Anyone can play LF. Give the kid a shot!
Ward has mostly been playing 1B and is OPSing .797. Suwinski is OPSing .962 with 12 HR and can play all 3 outfield positions. Did you know? Suwinski is a year younger than Ward! Call and Suwinksi would be a nice platoon in LF. The only problem is that Suwinksi is not on the 40-man. Someone has to go to the 60-day IL or be DFA’ed.
I like JT3, but I don’t trust his power numbers in the PCL. Suwinski can hit them out anywhere. But, I’m down with Tibbs 3 too.