Shout Out to Minor League Baseball (MiLB)
Minor League Roster Sizes I have always had some difficulty knowing the exact roster size for the minor league affiliates although 25 and 35 were relatively safe numbers. I contacted Jeff Lantz, Senior Director of Communications for MiLB, for exact information. I had not been aware of the years of service restrictions at the lower levels although they make perfect sense. I thought perhaps some LADT posters may be interested
Minor League Roster Sizes
I have always had some difficulty knowing the exact roster size for the minor league affiliates although 25 and 35 were relatively safe numbers. I contacted Jeff Lantz, Senior Director of Communications for MiLB, for exact information. I had not been aware of the years of service restrictions at the lower levels although they make perfect sense. I thought perhaps some LADT posters may be interested in the official regulations regarding MiLB roster sizes.
PCL – 25 players active
TEX – 25 players active
CAL – 25 players active (35 players under control on roster), No more than two players and one player-coach on active list may have more than six years of prior MiLB experience.
MID – 25 players active (35 players under control on roster), No more than two players on active list may have more than five years of prior MiLB experience.
PIO – 35 players on active roster. No more than three players on active roster can have more than three years of prior Minor League service time.
AZL – 35 players on active roster. No more than three players on active roster can have more than three years of prior Minor League service time.
DSL – 35 players on active roster. No players on active roster can have more than four years of prior Minor League service time. No draft-eligible players from the U.S. or Canada may participate.
Field of Dreams
A year ago this past January, the real “Field of Dreams’ in Dyersville, Iowa was badly vandalized causing thousands of dollars of damage. In April 2018, Jeff Lantz took the bull by the horns to lead the restoration of the field.
“I saw the images of the damage that was done on Twitter and it kind of made you sick to your stomach to see it,” he said.
So Lantz enlisted the help of the Iowa Cubs, Cedar Rapids Kernels, Clinton LumberKings and Quad Cities River Bandits. The four teams spent a day fixing up the field. Members of the teams’ grounds crew and even some front office officials helped pitch in to fix everything up. As the article states: “If you rebuild it, they will come.”
This is just a shout out to Jeff Lantz, in particular, who does a remarkable job along with his staff in communicating and promoting minor league baseball.
Attendance
In 2018, Minor League Baseball attracted nearly 40.5 million fans to its ballparks to see baseball’s future stars and experience affordable family-friendly entertainment that has been a staple of Minor League Baseball since 1901.
2019 Average Attendance: Loons 1,137 11th
Quakes 3,255 1st
Drillers 6,155 1st
OKC 6,327 7th
Community Service
Minor League Baseball Charities is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to giving back to and enhancing the communities MiLB teams call home. In 2018, MiLB Charities contributed $45.1 million in donations and gifts-in-kind to organizations in need. Additionally, MiLB personnel volunteered more than 15,000 hours to enhance their communities.
For more information on MiLB Charities and its initiatives
Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is making a difference in local communities across the country through “MiLB Project: Refresh” in partnership with ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and MiLB teams. As part of the initiative, the two organizations will team up to refurbish 15 youth baseball and softball fields in Minor League Baseball communities.
“MiLB Project: Refresh” will impact thousands of baseball and softball players, in 15 states from Florida to Washington. Participating teams, with the help of their volunteers, will be rebuilding pitcher’s mounds, renovating concessions stands, leveling outfields, repairing fences and restoring dugouts, among other upgrades to diamonds and green spaces.
Always Something New
The Birmingham Barons, a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, have started up a tradition at home games. During the seventh inning of home games, the Barons and their fans take a moment to wave toward center field, where patients at Children’s of Alabama Hospital can catch a glimpse of the baseball action. The hospital overlooks the stadium. The adopted tradition started up this season for the Barons, and it may be here to stay.
Emily Jaenson
Emily Jaenson has a career in baseball that has taken many twists and turns, but ultimately landed her in an enviable position. As the only woman holding a position as general manager at the Triple-A level, she is demonstrating to the highest standard that Minor League Baseball is pushing for change in its industry.
Recognized as the highest-ranking woman in MiLB, Jaenson has taken it upon herself to show other women it is possible to not only sit in her chair but also to have everything else they want in life. For that reason, she is proudly a member of the board of directors for Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada.
Good Source of Dodger Minor League Interviews
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFfuS6SDa49gThZ06004mog/videos
Minor League Report by DC
It was a slow day down on the farm. Both the loons and Dodgers were rained out while the Drillers had had a travel day returning to Tulsa to begin an eight-game home stand starting today against the Midland RockHounds.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 8 – Lake Elsinore Storm 3 (Padres)
The Quakes were the only Dodger minor league affiliate in action on Tuesday and enjoyed the afternoon game. They started quickly as Carlos Rincon made Lake Elsinore starter Mason Thompson pay for issuing first inning walks to Donovan Casey and Devin Mann. Rincon promptly hit a three-run home run to left center field. It was his fourth of the season and the second consecutive game in which he has connected. In the bottom of the fourth inning the Quakes picked up two more runs on a home run. Jeter Downs hit his second of the season following a Brayan Morales single. They scored a run in each of their last three innings. In the sixth inning Downs scored on a fielding error following his double. In the bottom of the seventh inning Nick Yarnell hit a solo homer and in the bottom of the eighth Downs scored once again on a sacrifice fly following his second double of the game. Downs with his three extra base hits and Rincon with two had the only multiple hit game for the Quakes.
On the mound Victor Gonzalez had another difficult outing lasting only 1.2 innings giving up two runs on four hits and leaving the bases loaded. Austin Hamilton followed Gonzalez and allowed only one of three inherited runners to score. He finished with three innings picking up the win on three hits and two strikeouts. Unheralded Wes Helsabeck logged two innings of hitless ball while striking out one. Logan Salow gave up one earned run in 1.2 innings pitched and left with two runners on base. Left-hander Justin Bruihl made his California League debut inheriting two runners from Salow and retiring both hitters he faced, the second by strikeout to end the game. Bruihl was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dodgers on July 15,2017.
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Discussion (90)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The Reliever that I would covet is Felipe Vazquez (Rivero).
I know he’s gonna cost a lot, but he is lights out, and a leftie.
Pittsburgh are not gonna win that division with what they have, and will soon be out of contention.
What would it take?
MJ
Hope that Flu you had isn’t dragging on too long?
With all our complaints about Taylor striking out a lot, Bryce Harper is currently striking out 37.4 percent of the time.
On that list from FanGraphs I was most interested in Carlos Duran, Andy Pages and Jerming Rosario. Duran and Shaps made a column on LADT last July 24th but Rosario didn’t.
I’m going through Fangraphs’ Top 35 prospects update. So far in the top ten, we have three potential 2b options:
3. Lux–Throwing issues are still a concern but newfound power/lift added to already solid bat skills = potential All-Star.
7. Downs–Bat-first with no one stand-out tool, but well-rounded and capable of possibly moving to CF someday.
9. Estevez–Short to ball with game-ready pull power; like Downs, has some SS experience in case of utility future.
Bobby–I hope Kimbrel stays out as long as possible. I’d be in favor of giving him a pro-rated one-year deal, let him prove himself [again] in the postseason, then let him test free agency again in 2020.
I think baseball people are smart enough now to know the actual inning a reliever pitches is no longer the sole determinant for how much money he sould make. Andrew Miller and Terry Francona helped shatter this conception.
So, whether it’s Kimbrel setting up Jansen or vice versa, having both those guys in the pen coming closing time in October could help us seal the deal.
I mean, this has to be this year, right? Lucky number 31 points to Yes.
99, could you expand on your lack of pleasure in Kersh’s Cy Young awards…
I know we are way past past individual awards and the only real prize left is a World Championship [or 3].
However, I think it would be pretty cool is Bellinger snagged an MVP in his third season.
I admit I derived not a lot of pleasure from Kershaw’s Cy Young awards [but the MVP was cool].
Always something to learn. Braydon Fisher had Tommy John within the last two weeks, so we won’t see him until late next year. That is, according to FanGraphs.
We all knew Pollack was likely to get injured. Oh well, that is the Friedman way. Take chances on injury prone players. Season isn’t over so can’t judge good or bad yet. An infected elbow doesn’t sound good though. Wishing him good luck and a speedy return to health. Hope it’s not like a drug resistant staph or something.
Who is the best team in baseball?
Dodgers: 11 votes
Astros: 7.5
Rays: 3.5
Yankees: 3
The Dodgers received nearly half of the votes thanks to a “balanced,” “well-rounded” and “deep” roster.
“Their depth makes them so tough to beat over 162,” an NL assistant GM said. “Despite losing six in a row already this year, and not having Clayton Kershaw for the first couple of weeks, here we are at the end of April and they have the best record in the NL.”
“I think they represent ‘team’ better than the others that are winning,” an AL executive said. “It’s exciting baseball; young talent, veteran pitching, strong bullpen and something to prove after falling the last two years.”
Los Angeles’ strong farm system was also cited by multiple executives, both for its usefulness in potential trades and the potential help on its own roster. The team’s positional flexibility was also a key factor for many voters.
“They’re just built to last,” an NL executive said. “They’re so deep, they can line shift on you, they’re very well-run, and their young guys are already established and really good. It’s a good mix of chemistry there.”
Fangraphs has a pretty thorough Dodgers prospect piece up right now. I have it printed out on my desk in an important looking folder 🙂
So happy for Beaty. Never a top prospect. Paid his dues. Got a hit in his first major league at-bat! [on a great team btw]
I like his short quick level swing. Nice stroke, kid.
Tomorrow never knows . . .
Verdugo is performing well enough to be in the conversation. He is contributing to a team that is loaded with talent and expected to go far in the playoffs. Tatis has a starter spot, so he gets a lot more exposure (plus he has some pedigree). Christian Walker has had huge success against Kershaw (in a limited sample size) and this year is hitting well. Walker is 28 years old so that might explain why there is not as much excitement around him as some of the other younger rookies. Verdugo is 22 years old. Cody Bellinger, an early candidate for MVP, is only 23. In fact, I think Bellinger and Verdugo roomed with each other (and Willie Calhoun) at one point when they were in the minor leagues. It’s interesting to compare the two. Bellinger is showcasing really good contact skills this season, in addition to the raw power he demonstrated when he burst onto the scene his rookie season. Verdugo has always had great bat to ball skills and is starting to show some power in his rookie season.
I admit, I’m rooting for Verdugo to get more playing time because I’d like to see him win NL ROY. Julio Urias is also 22 but I don’t believe he is classified as a rookie anymore.
Didn’t I see Joc get a base hit off of a LHP the last time he faced one? Let him stand in as his presence will be felt by any pitcher more than Taylor’s will be felt. Plus, the odds of any LHP going the whole game is small. Man-up Doc!
The Padres are going to start 3 lefties in the upcoming series, that would be 5 straight games for Joc to chill on the bench. CT3, Kike and Freese will play a lot with Muncy and Alex to pick up the slack created by Pollock’s issue. One of those 4 will be on the bench each game plus Joc. More 10-3 games against LHP and teams will stop stacking lefties but for now it’s a thing and Joc is on the outside looking in.
Verdugo is right there in ROY conversation and though it’s early I see Walker on AZ, Tatis and Paddack on SD, Alonso on the Mets and Robles on Wash as the main contenders and the ones getting major playing time and producing.
The bullpen is slowly coming together with Kelly looking better, Garcia pitching for his spot, Floro still ERA of 0.00, Baez having super powers and Kenly looking more like his old self plus Urias and Strip adding length. Wild cards are the lefties with Alexander the DP machine and Caleb and Cingrani on the mend. Not much at AAA so why not add Josh Fields and see if he can stay healthy?
How can you defend Aj Pollock signing by Friedman now ?? What a bad signing.
Great article D C, I am following the Dodger´s minor league teams this year and so far it´s a lot of fun.
I think Will Smith and Tony Gonsolin ( both with OKC ) have a chance to see some time with the Dodgers this year,I was going to include Matt Beaty but he was called up yesterday.
Dustin May and Gavin Lux are off to good starts,and Keibert Ruiz got off to a slow start but in his last 10 games with 37 at bats he has 10 hits, 8 rbi´s 1 hr with 4 so, and hitting .270.
My biggest disappointment so far is DJ Peters and my biggest surprise is Omar Estevez.