Some players burst onto the MLB scene and seem to be ready to play in the Show in their first game. Witness one James Outman! With other players, it’s a process. I watched Miguel Vargas struggle for a month or six weeks every time he went up a level. Gavin Stone flew through three levels of baseball last year, but has struggled at AAA and for the Dodgers this season. Houston Mitchell had this to say about it:
In 10 major league innings, Gavin Stone has given up 23 hits and 17 runs (16 earned), while walking seven and striking out five. His pitches had tremendous movement in spring training but aren’t moving as much now, and when they do move, they move into the heart of the zone. He’s not ready for the majors yet. No shame in that, he still has a promising future. But he doesn’t need to make another start for the Dodgers right now.
— Houston Mitchell
Baseball is a funny game. As much as you think you have it figured out, you don’t. I picked Miguel Vargas to be the ROY this year… and I still stick to that. I think he will do what he has done at every level… Figure it out in four to six weeks! His progress was impaired by two hand injuries early in the year. I think he is ready to bloom. I also said that James Outman was a 4th or 5th outfielder and you might have thought from some people’s reactions that I beat him up and stole his lunch. I wish I were wrong about James, but right about now, he is struggling mightily. A temporary move back to OKC may be in his future. There is still time and even if he goes down, he can still be a quality outfielder… maybe even a starter.
I thought Gavin Stone was ready… he’s not! He needs to improve his slider and control. Today, it’s Miller Time, and Bobby who struggled earlier in the year may have flipped the script. You never know. This is a funny game – even Andrew Friedman makes mistakes. Here’s what Houston Mitchell says about that:
“Then we turn to Noah Syndergaard. He’s 1-4 with a 6.27 ERA. He also doesn’t need to make another start right now. Unfortunately, the Dodgers don’t have a lot of options unless they want to pitch Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin and Bobby Miller on two days’ rest.
—Friend of newsletter Jon Weisman pointed out that, before Sunday’s game, Trayce Thompson and Austin Barnes were a combined 13 for 130 this season, good for a sparkling .100 batting average.
But now the good news. Despite all of that. Despite the rotation being in tatters. Despite an erratic bullpen. Despite having multiple players hitting below their weight, the Dodgers are still in first place in the NL West.
If you think you have it tough as a Dodgers fan, just look at the Padres, closer to last place than first. You have to believe that at some point, the Dodgers will figure out five solid rotation members, at some point, the bullpen pieces will come together, at some point, some of these slumping players will start hitting, or the Dodgers will find others who can. I fully expect a trade at some point this season. When? Don’t know. Andrew Friedman doesn’t rush into things or make panic moves.
But in the meantime, it’s Memorial Day. Why are you spending any precious time worrying and fretting over the Dodgers?“
I second that!
Discussion (26)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Today’s game leaves me with two thoughts…
Go with Mookie at SS. Just do it. His presence there alters the chemistry in an exciting way, Heyward in RF is almost as good as Mookie with the glove and better than Rojas with the bat. With Mookie at SS, the Dodgers could pass on the SS market at midseason and target a bat instead.
Dodgers have a new ROY candidate in Bobby Miller, who is living up to the hype. He just needs to keep it up.
Here is a trade that of the Dodgers want to win world series and the league goes wow oh no look who they got now. If they go for Mike Trout and some pitching look at that lineup by just adding Trout for say like the next three or four years. You would have outman in Leftfield Trout in centerfield and Betts. In Rightfielder. A infield of Muncy third Taylor and Rojas. At shortstop. Vargas at second base. Freeman at first base and Smith at catcher with the DH being Martinez. Why this could happen because Trout wants to be on a world series contender and likes playing with Betts. Then next year we get Lix back at shortstop and the Dodgers will again be favorites to win it all. That’s why I think it’s time to get him. And the Angels know time is running out to get something good for him. It still leaves question marks in starting pitching but dam that lineup would be good with adding him.
In a LA Times interview today, Clayton Kershaw said he disagreed with Dodgers decision to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during next month’s Pride Night
As a response, he sought to announce the team’s relaunch of Christian Faith & Family Day.
Those here that were saying Dodgers wouldn’t even get into playoffs even as a wildcard didn’t believe their own words. So why were those words spoken? You didn’t believe you were correct because I offered a bet that Dodgers would win the division offering the field but no takers. I was willing to put my $ where my mouth was but sadly for me nobody took that bet. Were you saying Dodgers didn’t have a chance because you actually had hopes of them failing? The real race is for the most wins in the season. MLB turned the post season championship into something far less important. It would be cool to win it all without looking back and the Dodgers are very much still in that race and they won’t do it by wildcard. Dodgers are nobody’s little brother!
Impressive 6th for Miller. Running on fumes he fought through it to complete that inning. Pitched his slowest breaker to finish off the last batter. It’s just the Nats, but that was still a convincing outing for him.
Freeman hands down is the preeminent hitter in all of baseball.
He looks like a better ROY candidate now than Vargas or Outman. Love those 6th inning curves. He needs a little more horizontal break on his slider.
Bobby Miller might be staying up for a while. I think.
I hope everyone found a way to honor the men and women who sacrificed all for this country.
On another note, I wish someone would take the gum away from the players during the national anthem. It’s disrespectful to be chewing even though I’m sure they don’t mean to be gum especially on a day like this. I know the spitting and Chewing gum is fairly common by a few players
Sorry, but it just sticks in my craw
Trade for Stroman? That could be interesting. He’d give the Dodgers a different “look” and the brass seems to like that. The Cubs are kind of mired below .500, so there is also talk that they might be willing to flip Belli (!) for a good offer.
There’s a lot of chatter about the Tigers’ Eduardo Rodriguez being traded. Having an excellent season, and he is expected to exercise his opt-out. So the Tigers may want to get a couple of prospects back rather than have their ace depart with just draft-pick compensation.
The White Sox should be sellers. I doubt that they’d deal Cease. Giolito might be nice, but I think Lynn would bring an intensity that the Dodgers need.
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Max Muncy said his left hamstring feels good. No MRI scheduled until he is examined. He feels confident it was just a cramp yesterday. #Dodgers
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Hudson will be returning to Camelback Ranch after this week to continue rehab . #Dodgers
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Daniel Hudson is here at Dodger Stadium to get different eyes on him. Still needs to throw a few more bullpen sessions and face hitters before #Dodgers activate him.
Okay so what pitchers do we look at. Do they go after Grienke Chapman and outfielder from the Royals. Because there’s got to be a better outfielder then Thompson. That guy needs to be in AAA or play like for the Royals or As. They do need another outfielder and and closer the Dodgers do. But who for the Dodgers for this playoff run?. I heard McCutchens name brought up as a good clubhouse guy and pinch hitter for the playoffs. But, who from the Pirates for pitching do they have. They have a good closer the pirates do have in Bedhar as a closer. I said Grienke just because well he was good Dodger. And think as a fourth guy pitching in rotation he be okay over these rookies. And for Chapman well he has playoff experience.
Sunday scores
Oklahoma City 8, Sacramento 3
Tulsa 4, Northwest Arkansas 1
Great Lakes 6, Peoria 2
Rancho Cucamonga 3, Lake Elsinore 2
Tuesday schedule
4:35 p.m. PT: Great Lakes at Beloit [Marlins]
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City vs. Reno [D-backs]
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Landon Knack) at Wichita [Twins] (Blayne Enlow)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Chris Campos) vs. Inland Empire [Angels] (Leonard Garcia)
All four affiliates are off Monday. Next week (on June 5), the Arizona Complex League and Dominican Summer League start their seasons on Monday.
9:10 PM ET
Nationals (23-30) Last pace NL East 9.0 GB
Dodgers (32-22) First pace NL West
SP Trevor Williams R
2-2 4.32 ERA 50IP 37K
SP Bobby Miller R
1-0 1.80 ERA 5.0IP 5K
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
2B M. Vargas R
CF James Outman L
3B Chris Taylor R
Partly-cloudy-day
0% Rain
67° Wind 11 mph Out
Je, Marcus Stroman has going a no hitter thru 6 to Tampa Bay!
Bradley – I will repost my thoughts from the 25th. And I haven’t changed my mind in 4 days, although the Sox did lose 2 or the next 3 games.
“The Sox are playing much better and they have some pitching. Kopech was great yesterday, going a strong 7 on 92 pitches, 2 hitter with 9 K’s. They have a good staff. Joe Kelly has been good out of the pen.
They’ve won 8 of their last 11.
I am not a Tim Anderson fan so I hope we have no interest him. Very athletic. Makes web gems and boots routine stuff. Can be a .280 hitter. But I hate is body language and arrogant attitude. Seems like a selfish player to me.
He’s making 12.5 million and has an option for 2025 at 14 million. I think he will want 20 million. I wouldn’t be remotely interested in him, even packaged with Lynn or Giolito. Lynn is 36 and has an 18.5 million contract. Not interested. Giolito is 28 and more attractive at 10.5 million per. He is a FA after this year.
I’m not willing to pay the kind of money or give up the talent it would take to swing a deal with the Sox, who are getting better and may want a fortune.”
My friends from Chicago would love to see the Sox get rid of Grandall. We have plenty of catching prospects.
The Dodgers aren’t going to be the White Sox West.
Grandall, no way! Was awful 1st time around, better hitter than Barnes but defensively not good. And Freddie ain’t coming off 1st! I’d take giollita, but not Lynn, rather have cease, but as mark said would be expensive. A good outfield bat is a necessity and a starter. Bullpen is ok for now
If dodgers trade with Whitesoxs. Could they really get Anderson Giotta Hendricks and Grandal that would fix some of the problems and make the bench stronger for the playoffs. Then they could release Thompson carry three catchers and Grandal can play some first base and DH. Hendricks the ninth any closer and Anderson the everyday shortstop with Taylor and Rojas on the bench goe late any defense and Taylor can play the outfield over Thompson. Giotta or Lynn as a starting pitcher one of them but Giotta is younger but Lynn has playoff experience. I know I am spelling Gioattas name wrong but he is a LA guy grew up here in LA.
100% agree with
Norcaldodgerfan.
Who was the executive that wanted to have the weird transgender men disrespected Catholics
100% agree with Mitchell – the Dodgers surely make a trade (or two) by the deadline…and it will be major.
Always grateful to those who gave their lives for America.
Today we don’t celebrate we remember the sacrifice of some very brave men and women who sacrificed their lives so we can enjoy ours…. who sacrificed their tomorrows so we can have our todays.
Never forgotten! God Bless America
Nick Frasso was dominant for Tulsa last night returning to the mound after a 3 week absence. He pitched 3.0 innings with 35 pitches (24 strikes). He pitched to one over the minimum due to a batter reaching on an error. He struck out 4. The right-hander lowered his season ERA to 0.91.
Sheehan relieved Frasso and allowed one run in six innings He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out nine. Sheehan lowered his ERA to 1.64.
Pitching help is a ways off but definitely on its way.
Remember the fallen. A hearty much respect to my brothers in arms who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow man. Stone is a kid. He will go through growing pains like most rookies do. Pitchers have figured out Outman and have his number. He needs to be at AAA to get his confidence and swing back. He is not even hitting loud foul balls any more.
Outman has that deer in the headlights look right now. Vargas is starting to look like the hunter chasing the deer! Is there a starter out there we could possibly acquire maybe to plug the dam . Find me somebody to pitch, find me somebody to pitch, somebody somebody can anybody find me, somebody to pitch. Closest I’ll ever sound like Freddie mercury! Happy holidays everyone!
My eyes got wet when I looked at that picture.
Does she really sleep on the grave of her husband who served in the military and died in acton with the two children ?
That is hearbreaking but just as much heartwarming.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!