Report from Camelback Ranch
It was a fun week with the family in Arizona. We went to two games at Camelback Ranch and went to the Aquarium as well as frequenting some amazing restaurants. My sons’ kids are 2 and 5 so, this is a special time. I met Paul Vu, a longtime LaDodgerTalk.com reader who doesn’t “…
It was a fun week with the family in Arizona. We went to two games at Camelback Ranch and went to the Aquarium as well as frequenting some amazing restaurants. My sons’ kids are 2 and 5 so, this is a special time. I met Paul Vu, a longtime LaDodgerTalk.com reader who doesn’t “comment much, but I read it every day and agree with you 99% of the time.” He is obviously a very smart man.
I also watched the second game with old friend and former Dodger Beat Writer, Tony Jackson, who still lives in the Phoenix area, but is retired from baseball. and Paul Vu, longtime LaDodgerTalk reader. Paul is an amazing person and maybe a story for another day. Currently, we have about 11,000 readers a day. US Water Systems is a company that my wife and I started in our garage about 25 years ago. Our son is now the CEO and we are opening a branch in Tampa, Florida on April 1, 2026. The reason we are in Arizona right now, other than the Dodgers, is that we are planning to open a warehouse in Phoenix in 2027. He plans to move his family here then, and we will likely buy a condo here sometime time after that, and winter in Arizona. I am looking at places close to Camelback Ranch. It was great to see Tony again.
It’s Early… Some Takeaways
- Hyeseong Kim looked much better in CF than last year. I don’t think there is any way he doesn’t start the season in a platoon with MiggyRo at 2B. Beyond that, what happens when Kike and Tommy Tanks come back is up to him. He hit a nice HR today, but his power is not evident most of the time. He’s the Swiss Army Knife, but he may spend some time THIS YEAR in OKC, when Kike and Tommy get back. Miggy and (maybe) Kike will be gone in 2027, so there is that. Kim’s homerun yesterday was impressive, but the rest of his hits have been “soft contact” and his strike zone recognition needs to get much or MLB pitchers will eat him up. Doc was clearly upset that he was not staying in camp… but he understands.
- Gavin Stone and River Ryan could both be in the rotation. They are both looking outstanding.
- Josue DePaula has always had a great eye and pitch selection, but his defense and running have improved dramatically. He can play RF or LF with a high degree of skill. He could be a factor THIS YEAR, but where does he play? Hint: Injury replacement.
- Look for Andy Pages to be an All-Star in CF. He is taking another step forward.
- Teoscar Hernandez and Max Muncy look to be in the best shape of their lives.
- Noah Miller is taking a step forward. He is a MLB SS defensively already… can he hit? He is right now.
- Edgardo Henriquez and Roki Sasaki did not look good. It’s possible both start in OKC or Sasaki goes to the pen. I am not convinced he is a starter.
- Justin Wrobleski and Alex Vesia should be locks.
- Zyhir Hope continues to impress with how hard he hits the ball. He hits it “Ohtani hard.” He is also a great athlete, but I worry about all those muscles. It’s almost “freakish.” But, man does he whack that ball! His legs are about the size of Willie Calhoun’s.
- Tyler Glasnow looked awesome and has clearly put on some muscle. This may be his year to be Cy Young.
- Out of the gate, this could be the rotation: 1. Yamamoto; 2. Glasnow; 3. Stone; 4. Ryan; 5. Sheehan; 6. Wrobleski… with Ohtani and Snell integrated back in slowly. This is going to create a pinch for a while. Fortunately, they have the arms.
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Discussion (44)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Hernandez and Sasaki going down to OKC opens up the door for a couple of prospects. Who are the front runners? Stone and Ryan are probably already the first two, then what?
It’s only one outing for Edgardo Henriquez and Roki Sasaki. Patience! A long way go till the final 26 man roster. I am one of the few here who says Kim WILL be on the 26 man Opening Day roster. His versatility to play the OF and IF makes him the better choice. We HAVE to start an infusion of youth on the roster.
It’s ironic that Will Smith hit the last home run of 2025 Season to win the World Series and after almost 6 games of the 2026 Spring Training Season hits the first one. The guy is on the road to the Hall of fame without a doubt. One of HOF AF’s best draft picks.
Hurt for sure. He’s right on the outside looking in for me, but given the opportunity he might stick.
I love it
Treinen deserves a shout out.
I think there is no doubt Kim will be on the opening day roster. I am just wondering what happens when Edman and Kike come back.
Keekay might just replace Call. Edman, who knows . . .
Updates above!
It’s really embarrassing the “wealth of talent” this team has on the major league level and will have on our other minor league teams this season and beyond. Depth no other team has. The Dodgers could probably field a second team at the major league level that would be better and outperform the Rockies.
“The Dodgers will be playing shorthanded, and they’ll be without other key players soon. Shohei Ohtani was the first to leave for the World Baseball Classic. Kim departed Thursday night, followed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto after his Friday afternoon start. Smith and Edwin Díaz will leave sometime after this weekend. That’s not to mention that the team has yet to play Mookie Betts, who has still not seen Cactus League action as he ramps up slowly”.
The final bench when Kiki returns should be Rushing,Rojas, Kiki and Kim. Call goes to Oklahoma City. Edman will be the starting second baseman.
Kike Hernandez was watching several innings of the game from the outside dining area above the Dodgers’ Clubhouse. He was in full uniform but not on the field. This was strictly a pleasure trip and I made no contacts or interviews with anything Dodger, even though I have their cell numbers. Tony Jackson was the closest I came. Paul Vu is an inspiring story. If he allows it, I would love to tell it.
We looked at a house that is walking distance or “golf cart distance’ from Camelback Ranch. That would be my ideal place. We’ll see… First, we have to get Tampa up and running well. I will be there in April and May and my book is in the final draft phase… In about 2 hours, we head to the airport and get back about 9:30 tonight. It’s 63 in Indy today. Of course, it is 93 here.
Or trade bait at the trade deadline.
My opinion is that Kim could have great value.
That was a hell of a catch by Kim at the wall. Smooth footwork. I didn’t care for the comments from Roberts about Kim leaving camp and management considering the weak competition he will face. Almost like he is setting up an excuse to send Kim down to OKC
Don’t sleep on Suwinski. He could very well make the opening day roster. Call would be the casualty if he does.
Just a thought. If Call is hitting .280ish with good defense, maybe a little more power than last season, does Kike automatically get his spot? Not advocating for any of this, just curious. To Bear’s point, Kike hasn’t exactly been ripping the cover off the ball. To Mark’s point, he is beloved in the dugout! At what point does production override sentiment? At some point Kike will no longer be needed. I’m sure the front office isn’t looking forward to that day. Sasaki to the minors? Maybe. If Stone and Ryan continue to shine ( where does Emmit fit in?), would they even consider trading Sasaki? You never know. But I’m sure he would not like being sent back down. But neither would Stone or Ryan! Lots to think about between now and opening day! Good problem to have!!!
Doc will not make that decision. It will be a group decision.
100% agree, although they may try to stash him at OKC to work on his swing.
Kike will take somebody’s place when healthy. I can certainly see a trade or two coming down the pike… DePaula is also knocking on the door! The Dodgers would have to overwhelmed to trade Kim and/or Sasaki, but it could happen.
HOF AF doesn’t trade controllable assets,especially pitchers.
3:05 PM ET Dodgers (93-69) (6-0) Giants (81-81) (4-2) SP Y. Yamamoto R 0-0 .00 ERA SP Robbie Ray L 0-0 .00 ERA Confirmed Lineup SS A. Freeland S 2B S. Espinal R C D. Rushing L 3B Nick Senzel R DH Keston Hiura R LF Ryan Ward L 1B James Tibbs L RF Zach Ehrhard R CF M. Siani L 89° Wind 2 mph Out
Chase Utley Working In Front Office Role With Dodgers During an appearance on “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh,Chase Utley described his role and said it gives him the flexibility to continue being around his family, via AM 570 L.A. Sports: “I’m still trying to feel it out. I have a young family that I enjoy being around and enjoy spending time with. So right now, I’m happy with what we’re doing, which is spending some time with the Dodgers, the front office, and their players, but also have some time for my family. So right now, we’re in a good spot.”