Power Surge and Pitching

I know it is only exhibition games, and the Dodgers did not face MadBum, Robbie Ray, Zac Gallen, or Luke Weaver, nevertheless, it was an impressive display of offensive prowess over the Snakes.  The DBacks figure to be the Dodgers chief challenger in the West.  I think the Pads will begin to start to strut their stuff, but they are still a year away.  They just do not have the pitching.  They very well could next year, when MacKenzie Gore figures to be at the top of the rotation with Chris Paddack.

While the offense did not face the top SP, that was no slouch offense the DBacks trotted out.  That lineup figures to score a lot of runs.  Calhoun, Ketel Marte, Starling Marte, Escobar, Peralta, and Vargas will do some damage this year. Christian Walker will certainly replace Jake Lamb at 1B giving them another power source in the middle of the lineup.  That makes what Mitch White and Julio Urias did for five innings each very impressive.

White was extremely efficient in making only 54 pitches in 5.0 innings.  He gave up the 1^st inning HR to Ketel Marte, and that was it.  1 run on 1 hit no walks and 2 strikeouts.  After that 1^st inning, White displayed a very good display of breaking balls (curve and slider) and a change to go with his upper 90’s fastball, and his confidence seemed to grow immensely.  White seemingly believed he could get ML hitters out, and he did. He will now go back to USC to continue to stretch out, but he has at least shown that he is in the discussion for next year.

With 73 pitches over 5.0 IP, Urias was not as efficient, but he was still effective.  He had one clean inning (the 3^rd), but seemed in control in his other four.  With a walk and HR in the 2^nd, that was the only inning that he allowed more than one baserunner.  He still nibbles and tries to be perfect, but this year he is in the rotation to stay.  That should give him the confidence to let the ball go because he has the pitches.

KJ was simply outstanding in his one inning.  He looks to be back to his 2017 form.  He gives a great deal of credit to Driveline, and the pitching staff allowing him not to focus on velocity but more on movement and placement.  While the pitching line may not show it, Blake Treinen looked very good last night with his sinker.  If not for his own inability to catch a popup, he would have got through his inning 3 up and 3 down with a K.  He got himself out of a jam.  The Buffalo (Graterol), was popping at 100 (101).  If he can command that fastball and then show that unhittable slider, he will dominate in late inning situations. 

It was only four pitches, but AJ Ramos showed that he may have made it back from his shoulder issues the last two years, and AF may have just found a new Brandon Morrow.  Victor Gonzalez is a year away, but he has shown that he could be a starter or 7^th inning reliever.  I think he relieves, but he may be a left handed Ross Stripling.  Kolarek still dominates LH hitting, but is sooooo very hesitant with RH hitters.  He should make the 30 and will get chances, but he is going to need to show some consistency with the RH hitters to stay on the 28 and 26 man roster.  Dylan Floro still shows that he can get ML hitters out, but he needs consistency.  He was He is another that should make the 30 man, but after that ?????.

In the past, I have been relentless against the Dodgers bullpen. But I think this year, the bullpen could be a strength of this team. The top 8 relievers that will make up the 26 man roster have a chance to be very special. But the proof is in the results. Let’s just say that I am more encouraged going into this season with this bullpen than at any time in the past several years. Yes, I know what the skeptics out there are saying. “But wait, Doc will screw it up.”

Offensively, the hitters should have punished the Snakes, and they did.

Player	H-AB	DBL	HR	BB
———-	———-	———-	———-	———-
Mookie	3-6	1	1	1
Muncy	2-5	1		2
JT	2-3	1		1
Belli	4-7		1
Corey	4-5	2		1
AJ	2-8
Joc	3-7	1	1
CT3	3-5	1	1	1
Other 10	5-23			2

The first eight batters went a combined 23-46, with an OBP of 29-52 (.558).

Belli’s 1st inning GS on Sunday was nice to see, but it was his other hits that were impressive. He absolutely scorched his other two hits Sunday. Mookie and Seager look absolutely dialed in and ready to go. Joc absolutely unloaded on Taylor Clarke, but his other two hits were against LHP, including the one he scorched last night off Andrew Chafin.

The one question thus far seems to be Gavin Lux who appears to be assimilating a deer in headlights, both offensively and defensively.  Is he overmatched right now?  Perhaps.  But with CT3, Gavin can afford to take some time.  If this were ST, Gavin would be reporting to OKC, but he probably needs to stay with the ML club for development during a 60 game abbreviated season.

We get to see another in a line of projectable starters tonight when Jo Jo Gray takes the bump against another potentially deep lineup with LAA.

The Dodgers have posted their “official” 60 man player pool.  It is actually 59 with 3 on the IL.  One name thought to have been on the list, but is not currently, is Jake Vogel.