Speechless

Sure would be fun to revisit some of those April comments about Vesia!

For Dodgerram, via Eric Stephen:

Also with Muncy out 3 more weeks minimum they aren’t even considering Vargas at 3B (I asked)

This is the good Bluto. Thx. Why don’t we hook up with the Orioles and trade some of our young pitching depth for some of their young outfield depth?

News from Internet:

The GREAT Andy McCullough takes a look at how the trend to finding pitchers “who miss bats” has affected MLB. ($$$$)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5537852/2024/06/24/mlb-missing-bats-baseball-strikeout-pitch-tracking/

Glasnow is featured.

“It’s just really hard to hit a baseball. It was always the hardest thing to do in sports. And then we made it even harder.”

As per Jerry Espinoza:

Another interesting Dodgers arm to keep tabs on, lefty Luke Saber Fox. I watched him ramp up in the spring, saw his debut in late May. 2023 17th rd out of Duke…

He’s now thrown in 4 ACL games, had only given up 1 hit in his first 4 innings of work. He went 3 innings tonight did give up 5H but the Rangers are hitters. He hasnt surrendered an earned run in 7 innings. 7K’s.

Baseball America has updated their MOCK draft ($$$$$)

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2024-mlb-mock-draft-4-0-projecting-the-top-39-picks/

23. Dodgers — Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City (Okla.) HS

Amid speculation on this blog that he may be trade bait, Jay Jaffe took a look at Jack Flaherty:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/a-change-of-scenery-has-worked-well-for-jack-flaherty/

I love Gowdy’s herky-jerky windup and he’s still very effective:

Kevin Gowdy threw a scoreless inning for AAA OKC & lowered his ERA down to 3.34. Gowdy has allowed just 1 run in his last 9 outings (15 IP) & he has 18 Ks in that span

Dodgers’ Korean righty Hyun-Seok Jang, who has struck out 23 in 12 ACL innings after getting a huge bonus from LA last summer rather than go out as the first overall pick in the KBL draft.

https://x.com/KBO_ENG/status/1805050238131916929

Keith Law had a chat:

Alex (CA): Can you shed some insight on what’s going on with River Ryan?

Keith Law: He pitched the other night for OKC. Sat 98 with the cutter at 93-94. Still effectively rehabbing as he didn’t throw any breaking stuff.

Matt: I know that fans and some writers can overreact too early when a young player struggles(like fans who complain that Elly de la Cruz is a disappointment because he didn’t show up as an MVP at 22). Are there examples of teams giving up too early on a young player (a version of MLB ready prospect fatigue)?

Keith Law: Gary Sheffield comes to mind. Brandon Phillips too.

Guest: How does Bazzana as a prospect compare to Matt McLain last year?

Keith Law: Do you mean McLain in his draft year? He had a broken hamate for part of that spring and didn’t get a chance to put up big numbers or even show what sort of power he had.

Jared: Wondering which of the Orioles prospects as you see as the “easiest” for team to move in possible trades, given their glut of talent, current roster construction and which prospects are desirable to other teams.

Keith Law: They could easily trade two outfielders and not even notice – Mayo is the best of them and the one I’d keep if possible, but he has to be in that group with Kjerstad, Cowser, even fringier guys like Stowers if they can fill out a trade. Norby and Westburg would also have a lot of value as guys who could step right into a major-league role but who the Orioles don’t entirely need.

Jerry: If the Astros are in the same place at the deadline, should they give serious consideration to trading Alvarez, Tucker, or Valdez? Seems like those would be the only ones who would bring a substantial return.

Keith Law: I’d really try to extend Tucker and shop the other two. You build around guys like Tucker.

Ben: TWP’s are becoming more commonplace ever since Ohtani’s success. Are there any you have your eye on right now you believe can do well at both hitting and pitching?

Keith Law: TWPs are becoming more commonplace in college/the minors. They are not becoming more common in the majors because it’s next to impossible to do. Ohtani’s a unicorn.

Eric: keith still believing in climate change hoax

Keith Law: How dumb do you have to be to still be a climate change denier? Do you not believe that CO2 and methane levels have increased substantially in the atmosphere, or do you think that there’s some sort of magic here where that doesn’t change the climate? It’s beyond magical thinking. It’s delusion.

Cary Osbourne takes a look at recent call-up Michael Peterson:

https://dodgers.mlblogs.com/the-pride-of-the-u-k-michael-petersen-and-his-long-road-to-the-big-leagues-8823762572cc

“His velocity has long been impressive, but the Dodgers wanted something else out of him — confidence. Confidence in working in the zone and confidence throwing the breaking ball. They wanted him to believe that he belonged.”

Dan Szymborski had a chat:

Jeremy: Odds that one NL playoff team finishes below .500? Odds that two do so?

Dan Szymborski: ZiPS actually had it less than 10%. The average wins for the eventual wild card winners in the last run was 91.8, 88.0, and 85.4 in the NL (in the AL, it was 93.6, 89.5, 86.8)

Yo Yo Mama: Hey Dan – your reference to Jaqueline du Pre tells me you’re maybe a big classical music guy. What’s your top 5 composers power ranking look like?

Dan Szymborski: Yeah, I talk classical music from time to time in the off topic Qs… Looks like my five most listened to, at least from my personal collection, are Mahler, Beethoven, Bruckner, Haydn, Chopin

Baseball America’s Fantasy Podcast took a look at prospects in the COMPLEX league:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-america/id201539011?i=1000659395775

Among the Dodgers discussed:

Eduardo Qunintero, Albertus, Yoandry Vargas, Mesa, Christian Zazouetta (sp?) and Edgardo Henriquez

Leo Morgenstern looks at why we don’t see more 3B steals:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/what-happened-to-all-those-steals-of-third-base/

Jack Harris found a Speakeasy bar at Dodger Stadium, then he wrote about it for the LA Times:

https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2024-06-24/dodger-stadium-speak-easy-right-field-pavilion

“Back in the 1920s, it took a special knock or secret password to gain entry into a speakeasy. It’s more straightforward now. This one requires an online reservation secured by a season-ticket holder using points acquired by spending money on food and merchandise.”

Jay Jaffe had a chat:

Tigers fan: Which current player do you think will have the greatest HOF career/legacy? Trout, Ohtani, Judge Soto etc.?

Jay Jaffe: I think all four of those guys are going to wind up in Cooperstown with impressive but very different legacies. Trout passed the JAWS average for center fielders before his 27th birthday (https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mike-trout-is-now-an-average-hall-of-famer…). Ohtani is a two-way player like we’ve never seen before. Judge’s power is incredible, as is Soto’s batting eye. If Ohtani can return to pitching well while still hitting well, I think he’s the answer but I think that one way or another we’ll be talking about all of these guys 50 years from now (maybe not me, as I’ll be 104 years old).

Guest: You think Walker Buehler can get back on the right track this season?

Jay Jaffe: The velocity is there, but the stuff is down and so is the coommand. I think it’s going to take some time for him to figure out what works now as opposed to what worked 2018-22.

Jack Harris also looked at Bobby Miller’s small town roots for the LA Times:

https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2024-06-24/dodgers-bobby-miller-mchenry-illinois-fiery-competitor

“Miller’s competitive fire belies the quiet, small-town setting he grew up in.

A bedroom community of around 27,000, nestled into the lush rolling hills of northern Illinois, the city of McHenry is partially a distant Chicago exurb, partially a picturesque rural enclave.”

Ben Clemens chat:

Miguel Vargas: This is it, right? It’s my time to shine by living up to my prospect pedigree and saving the world from all of these terrible ABs by Taylor, Kike, and Biggio, right!?!? Infield, outfield, I can do it all! (Except shortstop.)

Ben Clemens: As a longtime Vargas-head, I sure hope so. He’s absolutely tearing up Triple-A this year, and going into the season without a broken hand is definitely going to help. I do think that the Dodgers would be well-served to give him a ton of chances to impress them. Just from a team-building perspective, it doesn’t matter THAT much how the old guys who will be gone soon do, but if Vargas is an impact hitter, that’s a big deal for their roster flexibility and lineup for years to come

Broken Bat: How worried re you? The bottom of Dodgers lineup is a crap shoot, and now Mookie out. Pitching is a large question with so guys coming off injury and now adding Yamamoto to tht list. I think Snakes were getting to bring Lawler up prior to injury. He actually started at 3b. Perdomo a quiet, solid player up and I think Snakes with Carroll waking up can challenge for division. Your thoughts?

Ben Clemens: I’m…. not worried if I’m the Dodgers. Yes, fine, there are some good players on Arizona, BUT they’re below 500! They’re 8.5 back in June. The odds are extremely against them

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Monday that Tatis will be placed on the 10-day injured list with a “slight stress reaction” in his right quadriceps, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Tatis missed the last two games with a triceps injury after being hit in the left arm by a pitch Friday, and he will now be sidelined with a separate quadriceps injury. A stint on the injured list would line up with a return in early July, but it’s possible that the 25-year-old could be held out until after the All-Star break, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Tatis is slashing .279/.354/.468 with 14 home runs and 36 RBI over 345 plate appearances and an .822 OPS.

Kershaw will be shut down for at least one week after feeling soreness in his surgically repaired left shoulder during a bullpen session over the weekend, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw underwent an MRI which didn’t reveal any new damage to the shoulder, so the hope is that this is just a minor setback. He had been slated for his second rehab start Tuesday, but that will be delayed indefinitely. Kershaw was still several weeks away from a return even before the setback and now any timetable would be approximate.

8:10 PM ET

Dodgers (48-31)

White Sox (21-58)

SP James Paxton L

7-1 3.65 ERA

SP Garrett Crochet L

6-6 3.25 ERA

Confirmed Lineup

DH S. Ohtani L

C Will Smith R

1B F. Freeman L

CF Andy Pages R

SS Miguel Rojas R

LF M. Vargas R

3B E. Hernandez R

2B Chris Taylor R

RF J. Heyward L

75° Wind 8 mph In

NO Teo

Bradley loves the dodgers just like the rest of us! His trades may not be realistic, but they are his and he’s entitled to them. Isn’t that what this site is all about??….. Now that being said, i wanted arenado last year. I’m glad they didn’t make that trade now. I would still make the trade for Bichette if healthy. Earlier in the month i too was called crazy for suggesting that trade. It’s a rumor, but not a small one. I would also make an offer to the rockies for Ryan McMahon. They probably say no but i would check! Guy is excellent 3rd baseman! Finally tonight. A very good pitcher on the mound for the sox. A bad team, A good pitcher. Bad combination for our dodgers.

Still speechless?

Kudo’s to Bluto for not responding to Bradley’s comment.

Most of us are adults on this platform that Mark’s so generously provides us, and some are not.

Thanks Bear for the fact checking and timelines on Biggio and JD.

That said agree with Bradley and others that I don’t necessarily understand how a cast-off from a crappy team becomes a major role player for the Dodgers.

Obviously the FO though differently.

Has anyone read the new Scully book? Perfect Eloquence: An Appreciation of Vin Scully by Tom Hoffarth.

Its fantastic, im over half way done and I cant recommend it enough. For any Dodger, Baseball or just anyone in general its a GREAT read.

We were blessed to have this man associated with the Dodgers for over 67 years.

Was weird having a Sunday with no Dodger baseball.

Roberts also provided more positive injury updates to reporters (including Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times) this evening regarding right-handers Dustin May and Brusdar Graterol. The manager indicated that both pitchers have begun to throw bullpen sessions and called the sessions “promising.” While the timelines for each player’s return are still unclear, Roberts expressed confidence that both would return to action before the 2024 season comes to a close.

First hand look at Crochet tonight.

Dodgers have not announced their starter yet.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dodgers picked up a half game on all of their pursuers. Series with the Sox begins tonight with Crochet pitching for the White Sox. LA has not announced their starting pitcher yet. For those of you begging AF to trade for Robert Jr, you should watch this series and see what he does. His line so far is not pretty. .191 BA, 7 homers, 11 driven in, but the most telling stat I see, 36 strikeouts in 89 at bats. His OPS is .737. Sox just got Eloy Jimenez back. Pham has cooled off a lot. Hitting .268 now with just 4 long balls.

Bradley, JD was DFAd less than 5 days ago. The Dodgers picked up Biggio back on June 12th. At that point in time, JD was not an option. JD is not having a very good year. He has a negative WAR, only 4 homers, and is hitting .236. And he is ok at third, but no defensive whiz over there. His OPS is below .700. Taylor is not going to be released due to his contract, which has another season to go. Kike is way more versatile than Davis who basically can play third, first and left field. Biggio also has the advantage of being a left-handed hitter. The Dodgers needed a lefty hitter more than one who hits right-handed. Barnes is a catcher; Davis would never be signed as a replacement for Barnes. Davis is not that big of an upgrade. If you got the player, he was back in 2019 when he hit over .300 with 22 homers, then yes, he would have been a better choice. David Bednar placed on 15-day IL. Arenado pulled with soreness in his forearm.

Yankees pick up JD Davis. Wow! A player that can play thirdbase and 1st base and outfield. He also has power and would have been a good pinch hitter off the bench. They got him from the A’s. And the Dodgers get Biggio. Are you kidding me. When JD Davis could have been a way better choice. Is this better Bluto. I will make it clearer for your little brain. See the A’s had a guy with power and can play thirdbase. And the Dodgers have four guys that cant hit. In Hernandez, Taylor, Barnes, and biggio. The Dodgers should have picked up JD Davis and let one of those four guys go.

I am Bear Paul

I know of a very good starting pitcher who is not on any MLB roster, is pitching in Mexico and has pitched excellently. He would not cost anything, but money and he is comfortable in Dodger blue. Trevor Bauer, He deserves another chance. And he is open to coming back to LA. I thought the new city connect uniforms looked a lot better than the Los Doyers uni. The cap is awesome. So awesome, I ordered one.

Dodgers RHP Justin Wrobleski strikes out 11 in Triple-A Oklahoma City debut

“On the season, between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Wrobleski has a 3.22 ERA in 14 starts, with 73 strikeouts against only 14 walks in 72⅔ innings, the latter more than any Dodgers minor league pitcher this season. Saturday was Wrobleski’s second career double-digit strikeout game. He also struck out 10 batters for High-A Great Lakes on June 14, 2023”.

Sunday Schedule

9:05 a.m. PT (doubleheader): Great Lakes (Payton Martin & Jackson Ferris) vs. Quad Cities (Ben Kudrna & Oscar Rayo)

12:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (TBA) vs. Albuquerque (Peyton Battenfield)

12:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Orlando Ortiz-Mayr) at Northwest Arkansas (Noah Cameron)

2 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Luke Fox) vs. Inland Empire (Barrett Kent)

Luke Fox, drafted by the Dodgers in the 17th round out of Duke last year, will make his Quakes debut on Sunday. The left-hander struck out seven and allowed one unearned run in seven innings in the Arizona Complex League this year.

“Clayton Kershaw starts Tuesday in Triple-A, plan for Walker Buehler still TBD

Plan is for Kershaw to pitch four innings on Tuesday for Oklahoma City, who will play in Reno that night”.

Roberts said there are no plans for Vargas to see time at third base.

“I know he’s been taking grounders over there just to work on his hands and his feet,” Roberts said. “But right now, at this moment in time, he’s going to focus on playing left field versus left-handed pitching.”

maybe i should shoot off at the mouth more about players not hitting! Biggio with 2 knocks last night! Glasnow looks fantastic!

there was a. simple explanation why the blue jays released biggio, he CANNOT hit!! Another loss last night to one of the worst teams in baseball. AT HOME. Pitching is fine. Offense is sporadic. If you look at the previous champs over the last few seasons, the bottom of the dodgers lineup is right up there. Or down there i should say. RVS. needs to get busy!! He’s got work to do!

Wait if they get DeJong and he comes back next year at shortstop komd of loke a bill russel at shortstop can put the ball in place andolay good defense and have a outfield of teo hernandez Robert’s Jr and Pages you think they will go after Rameriz from Cleveland for thirdbase and trade Muncy and prospects to Cleveland in the off season talk about a lineup next year if they get Rameriz and then have to do something with a backup catcher to give will smith rest that Kurt Casale with the Giants he is a very good number two catcher and can pinch hit. Im just saying nice to have guys on bench that can pinch hit. Build that bench up for next year like a good backup catcher a outfielder that can hit both righties and lefties a utility guy and then usually two other players. They get Rameriz then they can work on that bench for next year.

10:10 PM ET

Angels (30-45)

Dodgers (47-31)

SP Zach Plesac R

1-0 4.50 ERA

SP Tyler Glasnow R

7-5 3.00 ERA

Confirmed Lineup

DH S. Ohtani L

C Will Smith R

1B F. Freeman L

LF T. Hernandez R

CF Andy Pages R

RF J. Heyward L

SS Miguel Rojas R

2B Gavin Lux L

3B Cavan Biggio L

83° Wind 8 mph Out

now that could happen Bradley!

Well I said Bregman because the rumors are Astros will try to get prospects before he walks in free agency and rumors are Yankees as a free agent. So at trade deadline rumor waa Yankees or Phillies for him I myself would like to see dodgers get Rameriz from Cleveland in the off season and trade Muncy he gets hurt to much the last three years. I think it’s going to be DeLong Robert’s Jr and Crochet that the Dodgees get at trade deadline. Moving Betts to second and hope that Muncy us back at third.

Bradley, i don’t think you are a moron!! BUT, no way in hell would i want to see Bregman in a dodger uniform, EVER!!!! Smirking little cheater!

Just moronic.

There are more sober minded Dodger discussions elsewhere.

Here’s why not. .716 OPS. But keep tryin Bradley

Ummm if it looks like Muncy is out a long time wouldn’t it make sense to look for a third baseman and outfielder then a shortstop. Hear me out. Okay the Dodgers could get a third baseman for the playoff run. Either Arenaldo or Bregman which I would take Bregman with his playoff history. The dodgers could have a lineup like this with Bregman if it sounds like Muncy won’t be back.

Ohtani dh

Betts 2b

Smith C

Freeman 1b

Bregman 3b

Teo Heenandez lf

Heyward/Pages Rf

Outman / Pages CF

Rojas/taylor ss

I say you do it Bregman will be a free agent next year and then you sign him in off season as your thirdbase man and trade Muncy in off season. For something like a backup catcher or outfielders or a legit shortstop .

When will the Dodgers promote Quintero and Joendry Vargas from ACL to RC ?

Both kids have nothing left to prove in the ACL. Would like to see them put on the fast track.

.

Same for dePaula at RC. Spanning back to last year he has now a full season of low A ball under him . Holding more than his own with a solid .278 average and 6 HR. Power has improved visibly over last season.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohtani hits the ball farther than any Dodger since Piazza.

And his swing is so smooth . .

Friday scores

Albuquerque 4, Oklahoma City 3

Northwest Arkansas 5, Tulsa 0

Great Lakes vs. Quad Cities, ppd. (rain)

Rancho Cucamonga 5, Inland Empire 2

Saturday Schedule

4:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Justin Wrobleski) vs. Albuquerque (Tanner Gordon)

4:05 p.m.: Great Lakes (Payton Martin) vs. Quad Cities (Frank Mozzicato)

5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (TBA) at Northwest Arkansas (William Fleming)

6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Cam Day) vs. Inland Empire (Christian Young)

Does anyone know when Barnes catches and Will is on the bench, what the Dodger’s record is? I bet it’s below ,500. It’s hard to watch his at bats. I hope he stays in the organization as a coach or advisor ,not on the 26 man roster.

Mark left speechless leaves me…. speechless! 🙂

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!