Sean Linan. He is a 6-foot-tall, 185-pound RHP who is 20 years old and pitched last night for the Great Lakes Loons. His rise from the backfields of Colombia to the bright lights of Triple-A is a testament to both talent and timing. Signed by the Dodgers in 2022, Liñan toiled in relative obscurity for much of his early career, fine-tuning his arsenal in the complex leagues. But by the end of 2024, he had broken through to Low-A, and in 2025, he returned with a vengeance. Armed with a dazzling changeup that dances like a screwball, he left hitters flailing and front offices buzzing. His dominance quickly earned him a promotion to High-A, and when injuries ravaged the upper levels, Liñan answered the call with a pair of spot starts in Triple-A — a glimpse of how quickly potential can meet opportunity.
What sets Liñan apart is that diabolical changeup — a pitch so deceptive it seems pulled from a magician’s sleeve. Complementing it is a four-seam fastball in the low 90s and a developing slider that might one day settle in as average. Thus far, he’s shown a knack for pounding the zone, walking few, and keeping hitters honest. But as he climbs higher, the challenge becomes sharper: advanced hitters may learn to spit on the change and sit on something straighter. For Liñan to thrive, he’ll need to refine his secondary pitches and keep evolving ahead of the scouting reports.
Still, the foundation is strong. With that freakish changeup as his calling card and the Dodgers’ player development machine at his back, Liñan is a name worth watching. If he can continue to miss bats and refine his repertoire, there’s every reason to believe he could grow into a reliable back-end starter — and maybe more, if the rest of his game catches up to the sorcery already spinning out of his right hand.
Minor League Notes
I am not talking about the Big Club right about now. They deserve nothing. The Dodgers farm system is now ranked #3 by Baseball America… and they are the Freaking 2024 World Series Champs. How in the hell do you do that? It’s not fair! The Dodgers have sooo many prospects who have a shot at fame and fortune… and they just keep printing more.
- Also, watch Logan Wagner. He’s a 21-year-old switch-hitting 3B. He is not rated in the Top 30, but he could surprise.
- Zyhir Hope has evidently cut down on his squats as his thunder thighs were getting out of control. I’m just saying…
- Mike Sirota is on the IL for the second time. Is this his kryptonite?
- Jose Ramos is playing at AAA. He finally broke out of Tulsa.
- It won’t be long until Eduardo Quintero is playing in Great Lakes.
Discussion (17)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Snell’s next start would be Tuesday in the Arizona Complex League, when the ACL Dodgers are playing the Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark. Sonja Chen at MLB.com has more. During the major league All-Star break, the top four minor league affiliates are also off until Friday, leaving Arizona as the best option for Snell.
Looks like Quintero has moved to the Loons. Hope and DePaula placed on the temporary inactive list, my guess is because of the futures game. Hainlime with good stats money the loons. Good to see movement
For some strange reason, I have a feeling the Dodgers are going to win today, and it will be the start of another good winning streak….
The only problem that could happen is that today is May Day!
10:15 PM ET
Dodgers (56-38)
Giants (51-43)
SP Dustin May R
5-5 4.52 ERA
SP Logan Webb R
8-6 2.62 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
RF T. Hernandez R
LF M. Conforto L
CF Andy Pages R
2B Hyeseong Kim L
3B Tommy Edman S
61° Wind 8 mph Out
In case you forgot, here is the transaction history of Nick Nastrini:
Los Angeles Dodgers (initial organization):
July 23, 2021 – Signed with the Dodgers after being selected in the 4th round of the MLB draft
Feb 3, 2023 – Invited to Dodgers spring training (non-roster invite)
Feb 3, 2023 – Added to Dodgers roster (non-roster)
Chicago White Sox (acquired via trade):
July 28, 2023 – Traded to the White Sox along with Trayce Thompson and Jordan Leasure in exchange for Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly
Aug 29, 2023 – Assigned to Triple-A Charlotte (from Birmingham)
Feb 8, 2024 – Invited to White Sox spring training (non-roster invite) .
April 15, 2024 – Contract selected; promoted to MLB White Sox .
April 22, 2024 – Optioned to Triple-A Charlotte; activated by Charlotte concurrently .
Michael Chavis signed with the Chunichi Dragons of the JPL. Japan’s version of the Dodgers.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers are bringing back an old friend to the organization.
On Friday, the team claimed right-handed pitcher Nick Nastrini off waivers from the Miami Marlins. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Noah Davis was designated for assignment”.
Thursday scores
Sugar Land 12, Oklahoma City 8
Arkansas 7, Tulsa 5
Great Lakes 4, Lansing 1, make up game for July 9
Lansing 10, Great Lakes 1, regularly scheduled game
Inland Empire 5, Rancho Cucamonga 3
ACL Mariners 10, ACL Dodgers 3
Friday schedule
Lansing (Tzu-Chen Sha) at Great Lakes (Maddux Bruns), 4:05 PM PST
Sugar Land (Miguel Ullola) at Oklahoma City (Justin Wrobleski), 5:05 PM PST
Tulsa (Patrick Copen) at Arkansas (Dylan File), 5:05 PM PST
Inland Empire (Yeferson Vargas) at Rancho Cucamonga (Logan Tabeling), 6:30 PST
I asked ChatGPT this: Do you care to speculate on what the problem could be?
ChatGPT said:
Sure — while it’s speculative, here’s an informed breakdown of what Tony Gonsolin’s elbow issue might be based on the available clues and his injury history:
Clues:
“Elbow discomfort” is a vague term, often used when the team isn’t ready to disclose specifics.
MRI showed intact UCL, which rules out a full tear (i.e., no Tommy John for now).
He was shut down completely from throwing and put on the 60-day IL — suggesting a more serious strain or inflammatory issue.
Gonsolin had a torn UCL and Tommy John surgery in 2023, so this could be a post-surgical complication.
Possible Causes:
1. Flexor-Pronator Strain
Common in post-TJ arms.
Symptoms can mimic UCL pain.
Requires rest and rehab, not surgery.
Fits the pattern of “shut down but no structural damage.”
2. UCL Sprain or Irritation
Could be a low-grade sprain (microtears or inflammation).
Shows up as discomfort but not rupture on MRI.
Often treated conservatively first (rest, PRP injection, then throwing program).
3. Nerve Irritation
Especially ulnar nerve (aka “funny bone”) issues are common post-TJ.
Causes pain, tingling, and weakness.
May require shutdown and slow ramp-up.
4. Chronic Inflammation or Scar Tissue
Scar tissue from TJ surgery can cause impingement or restrict range of motion.
Might need an arthroscopic cleanup — not major, but delays return.
Bottom Line:
The Dodgers’ caution (60-day IL + no throwing yet) suggests they’re guarding against re-injury to the reconstructed UCL or another high-risk structure like the flexor mass. They’re likely waiting to see how he responds to rest before deciding on further intervention (like PRP or surgery).
sorry Matt! i did forget about the Catman! i’m not sure if he doesn’t become trade bait during this offseason. would hate for him to leave, but it’s entirely possible. when healthy,(oh my gosh how many times do we say that about dodgers pitchers?) he’s outstanding! …. i often read things here i don’t agree with. that said, this is baseball! not politics. not personal preference. not religion. not race. not anything but good ole dodgers baseball! i don’t get offended when someone doesn’t agree with my takes on the dodgers. i just read and move on. i don’t feel any smarter or any dumber for my comments! i love the Los Angeles Dodgers! i love baseball! i love posting here on this site! all you guys have great ideas and thoughts about baseball. enjoy the game. enjoy the comradery!
I’d like to see Doc shuffle the lineup tonight. Eliminate pitching around our hitters who are performing.
Watched Snell pitch last night. He would have pitched 2 clean innings. A dropped third strike and a throwing error allowing the runner to reach base marred his efforts. The hit was a bloop single. A passed ball allowed the runners to move to second and third, but Snell struck the hitter out.
Snell will come back with a vengeance! if he and Glasnow can be who they supposed to be, with Emmit, Clayton, and the rest of the bunch, starting pitching will be fine! And no i didn’t forget Yamamoto. I believe he needs a 10 day stint on the il simply for rest. the bullpen? needs an upgrade. now this is just my opinion, but no way would i trade Wrobleski! With Emmit, Wrobleski, Gavin Stone, River Ryan, Dryer, Casparius, Sasaki, the pitching looks so promising for a long time! And no , i didn’t forget Dustin May. i’m just not sure what he becomes. Obviously he’s very talented! But will he be a dodger next season? he’s the guy you hope you don’t regret letting him walk. … Clayton ? this might be the last of the great dodger lefty. what a pitcher! What a human being!.. much needed break coming. i’m not too excited about the all star game. i will watch, don’t get me wrong. It’s lost a lot of its charm for me. but it’s still by far the best among the major sports! home run derby? entertaining? yes, but usually doesn’t get the stars we want to see. Understand why some players don’t want to participate, it has caused issues for some participants in the past. Hopefully Andy Pages gets to be a part of the festivities. he deserves it!
I think the Dodgers have elite prospects, but what does that even mean?
Was Clayton Kershaw an elite prospect at #7 in 2008?
Was Brett Anderson an elite prospect at #8 in 2009?
Was Mookie Betts only the 75th-best prospect in baseball in 2013?
In 2009, Freddie Freeman was only the 5th-best prospect for the Braves organization.
Will Smith was 9th on the Dodgers in 2018.
In my opinion, if you are in the Top 100, you are an elite prospect, and the higher you are ranked, the more elite you are, but that is not everything.
Frequently, higher ranked players flop and lower-ranked ones become stars, but there is no pattern.
I believe that at least one or two of Rushing, DePaula, Sasaki, Ferris, Sirota, and Quintero will be elite players.
My opinion.
SOME GOOD NEWS:
” Blake Snell (shoulder) completed two shutout innings while allowing one hit and striking out four in a rehab outing with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
This was Snell’s first rehab outing and he threw 31 pitches, 23 of which went for strikes. The expectation is that he will require three or four total outings prior to activation, so a return in late July or early August looks realistic”.
J. Dominique seems to enjoy saying that the Dodgers dont’ have elite prospect, he says It at least twice a week.
On another note, I can’t stand two-faced, hypocritical people. The Bear on the other site spoke ill of Mark and said he’d never return to Ladodgertalk, but noe I see him very engaged here, It turns muy stomach !!!
Love the prospect content.