Maybe Monday’s comeback win and Kenley Jansen’s dominant save was what the Dodgers needed to turn around their sinking ship. Last night, the Dodgers won 7-1 behind a dominant seven innings by Julio Urias and 6 up and 6 down by Jimmy Nelson, who is now taking to the bullpen like a fish takes to water. It’s not going to be all fairy dust and ponies right away, but you are witnessing the building of a bullpen. Doc and Andrew have to figure out who is a pretender and who is the contender. David Price may be back in a few days, but he will likely struggle for a couple of outings. The Catman is being stretched as a starter, so it may be a couple of weeks until he is back.
Dodger News
- Josiah Gray is on the shelf with shoulder inflammation, so if he was in the mix to come up and start, he is not now.
- For as bad of a start Max Muncy has gotten off to, he is still a “Superstar” when it comes to OPS at .906. For the uninitiated, an OPS over .900 ranks you as a “Superstar.” HIs OB% is an insane .437. Max is #4 in all of baseball in OB%.
- Gavin Lux has put two 2 hit games back-to-back. He has lost that “deer-in-the-headlights look. Now, is he going to become a weapon? I too am regaining confidence in him.
- I do not put any stock in the Kris Bryant rumors. I think it would create a lot of animosities and the Dodgers have never been about that. A healthy AJ Pollock and a Matt Beaty are going to put up credible numbers, and you are not going to have to give up Keibert Ruiz.
- There is a reason, AF did not trade Julio Urias… and we see it now. The same is true of Ruiz. I told you the same thing about the one who got away: Alex Verdugo (I still hate that).
- Matt “Freakin” Beaty – You can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him.
Dodger Minor League Report
- OKC did not lose, because they did not play!
- The Tulsa Drillers were “drilled 9-2. Michael Grove started and went 2.2 innings, giving up 5 hits and 6 runs, including 2 HR. He walked 3 and struck out 3. His ERA sits at an unpleasant 19.8. Now, I am sure some of you will say “Get rid of the bum!” I have not heard a report, but if his velocity is there, he is just going to need some time to learn how to pitch. I do not see him as a starter, Never have. Donovan Casey got two hits and that is about all there is to say about this one.
- Great Lakes lost 9-8 after scoring 4 in the top of the ninth, to take the lead, but giving up a 2-spot in the bottom of the 9th. Guess who got the loss? Morgan Cooper, who pitched 1.2 innings, striking out 2 and talking 1. The Loons only had 6 hits. It will be interesting to see how Cooper pitches. He was taken in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft and has not pitched until this year.
- The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes were shut out by a bunch of Nuts (the Modesto Nuts, to be exact), 4-0. The Quakes only had two hits. Nothing to see here, folks… move along.
Thanks to Bluto… From Around the Internet
Kevin Goldstein chat:
TT: I know you’re not a big Keibert Ruiz fan, but isn’t it about time we “free Keibert Ruiz!” ?
Kevin Goldstein: To what end? To sit on the bench and watch Will Smith?
Dan Szymborski says: No, We Don’t Need to Worry About the Dodgers
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/no-we-dont-need-to-worry-about-the-dodgers/
Andy Pages has a relatively good arm:
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1392297324542513155/pu/vid/960×444/TARX44VhJvH0iRs2.mp4?tag=12
The mechanics of prospect Andre Jackson and ace Walker Beuhler are oddly similar:
https://video.twimg.com/tweet_video/E1Ka4dgUYAQgC2s.mp4
Emily Waldon on Clayton Beeter:
#Dodgers 2020 CBB pick Clayton Beeter has 12 pitches (six for strikes) through his first frame with a walk and a strikeout. Sturdy 6’2, 220 lbs. Nice 3/4 slot with composed low pitch count to start the night. FB, CV, SL, CH. FB/SL combo is really attractive.
Dodger’s prospect Bobby Miller has future ace written all over him:
https://www.mlive.com/sports/saginaw-bay-city/2021/05/dodgers-prospect-bobby-miller-has-future-ace-written-all-over-him.html
For that guy who posts here and hates the Padres, here are their top 39 prospects via Longenhagen:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/top-39-prospects-san-diego-padres/
For that guy who has an irrational (IMO) dislike of the NY Times, here’s that excellent article on masks:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/briefing/outdoor-covid-transmission-cdc-number.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage
The great Kiley McDaniel has his first mock draft:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/31422161/kiley-mcdaniel-2021-mlb-mock-draft-10-pirates-tough-choice-make-no-1-overall-pick
Ben Kudrna, RHP, Blue Valley Southwest H.S. (KS), LSU commit
Kudrna fits in the Dodgers mold of power arms, and they’ve been tied mostly to prep players, which makes sense given their top-tier development.
Discussion (13)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Things are looking up…
Last I checked Muncy is 2nd in the ML in OPS, and often-overlooked Chris Taylor is 8th (!) and Justin Turner is 12th. And now Beatty is showing up big–not bad for a guy that some bloggers thought wasn’t good enough to make the Dodgers roster.
I still like the idea of Friedman amping up this team with a trade or two. If the Cubs continue to flail toward the bottom, there will be multiple bids for Bryant. His versatility is a big plus. I don’t think it would necessarily cost Ruiz. To get Darvish the Dodgers gave up Willie Calhoun–and Darvish might still be a Dodger if not for the Trashtros….When Dodgers dealt a package to rent Machado, the key piece was (iirc) an OF prospect still years from the majors and some young arms. The dynamics of a half-season rental are very different from a full season, which is why the Red Sox dealt Mookie when they did–and got a nice return. Ruiz would be a better fit in a package for a star under contract (like Jose Ramirez) or maybe similar rising prospect in position of greater need…. which could be a SS if Seager departs. Who will become available?
Impossible to predict how injuries could play into this. If Muncy or Turner go down, Bryant’s value goes up… If Belli comes back strong, and other Dodgers stay healthy, well, which RPs should Friedman target?
In non-Dodger news, check out the mlb.com article on Ohtani. Sure hope he stays healthy. Off to a spectacular start.
I will post it again:
You know, when I hear it is “not well thought out” and you give no logical explanation why except that
“it is not well thought out” and “sorry dude it is not well thought out.” …and you have no rational argument as to why, I call BS! I am fine if you disagree, but as Jim Rome says “Have a take and do not suck.” You presented an argument that sucked… because it was no argument – just an emotional response devoid of reason. So, let’s see if you can argue it or if you are just full of the S in BS!
Use words and form an argument and I might be persuaded… if you can.
The shift should be legal! Let the defense put all their players wherever they want. The offense would have to “hit em where they ain’t”. Maybe some players would learn how to put down a bunt.
Fighter pilots use a heads up display system that allows them to have a view through the bottom of the plane through integration with a camera system. It also provides them with with targeting systems and all kids of other views. They should just strap one of those onto the home plate umpire with pitchfx and kzone superimposed on it. Problem solved! The cost is about the same as having a rookie on the roster. Pony up MLB and fix this problem with crappy balls and strikes. Plus, how cool will it look to have the home plate umpire look like robocop.
If the catcher’s glove moves then call it a ball!
Yesterday I mentioned that it seems like Mookie is getting screwed more on balls out of the zone, called strikes than anybody. Last night Joe Davis reported that it is indeed the case. Mookie leads the league in pitches called strikes that were not. I wonder if that’s just being unlucky?
It’s funny. Taking pitches is now an art form. And players have evidence thanks to K-Zone to support their case. What happened to the advice back in my day “anything close”. if it was close enough to get a strike call, it was close enough to swing at. Not anymore.
Framing is so interesting. I’d love to hear an umpire report if he is actually influenced by framing. It sure looks like it. But theoretically, where and how the catcher catches the ball should have no influence on the call. It’s where the ball crossed the plate and not 3 feet farther back where it’s caught.
Again, I’m all in on the ABS and it can’t come soon enough.
With May recently having TJ surgery and Rios about to have shoulder surgery,both will be added to the 60 Day IL from the current 10 IL. This will clear two spots for the 40 man roster. I’m sure Gray would be one,if and when he’s healthy. Wonder who the second will be? Could a trade be in the offing, a waiver wire pickup or will someone from our minor leagues be added? AF has some work to do.
Didn’t Mark, at one time, say he was retiring from the site? ☺
This is part of an interesting article in the Athletic about the rise in stolen bases. This portion is about Pitch Framing and it certainly reflects on our two catchers. The best framer is also the slowest to release the throw and has the weakest arm, but is preferred by certain pitchers. The article is a good read.
“Base stealers wouldn’t be the first thieves to benefit from a frame job. Data analysis has shown that a catcher who frames strikes well can provide his team with as much as two extra wins a season. Every organization has reacted in some fashion to exploit that advantage.
In some cases, it means that teams are favoring the catcher with framing skills over the rocket-armed run stopper. Catchers considered better than average framers have gone from getting just over 45 percent of the playing time 10 years ago to getting over 55 percent of the playing time now.
Coaching staffs also are instructing catchers to splay a leg or drop to one knee in an effort to frame low strikes, particularly in two-strike counts, even though that setup makes it tougher to block a pitch in the dirt or get into an ideal throwing position.
Baseball America’s Kyle Glaser found earlier this week that only three catchers — Kyle Higashioka, Sean Murphy and J.T. Realmuto — have recorded times faster than 1.9 seconds on throws to second base this year. In 2015, at the beginning of the Statcast era, there were 31 catchers who met that pop-time standard…
And the impact of framing on stolen-base success rates might be even greater than we can measure. As one National League club official pointed out, a catcher who prioritizes showing strikes might not even attempt a throw.”
And Awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay we go…..Jackie was a classic. His portrayal of Buford T. Justice was one of the most hilarious takes in film history,,,,,There is no way, no way, you could have come from my loins, and when I get home, the first thing I am gonna do is smack yo momma right in the mouth,,,,classic…….now back to baseball. Well played game. Julio looked like the highly touted pitcher he has been. Lots of movement on those pitches. He still overthrows sometimes when he is ahead in the count. That showed when he had Hanniger 0-2 and walked him. Muncy is in the zone right now. If it is a strike, he is pounding it. Pollock off of the bench with a bad wheel and still gets a knock. Total professional. Nelson, that is how a reliever is supposed to look. Come in and shut the door. Lux looks more comfortable in the box. Mookie robbed again, ball hit the chalk. Still a little concerned about his K total. Umps still have not learned the strike zone and it has been working against both teams. Lewis was really jawing at the ump after a called strike in the 9th that was obviously way outside.
The Great Jackie Gleason.
There was no billiards double in the classic movie The Hustler.
Jackie Gleason needed no help to portray the real-life Minnesota Fats, the cutthroat pool shark he portrayed in the 1961 film who toyed with opponents before making decisive trick shots to collect from local hustlers.
A two game sweep, a series win, a long awaited winning streak. I can hardly remember the last time we won two in a row. Unbelievable…
Another off day to soak in all the glory of a two game sweep against the Mariners? Geesh. Why do I feel so good about this?
Continuing the homestand against the Marlins is just what the doctor ordered. Then we get the D-Backs. The schedule is smiling on us as we start to break out of this slump.
We’re on the eve of playing 10 in a row without an off day. The bullpen is well rested having used 3 different relievers in the span of 4 days once the next series begins thanks to back to back seven inning starts by Walker and Julio.
It looks like we’re going to need to cover at least one trip through the 5th spot in the rotation until Gonsolin is ready. Is Andre Jackson going to make his debut, or are we getting ready for a dreaded bullpen game now that they got a little rest?
David Price is getting close, I predict he’ll be back before we head out on the road.
Cody Bellinger has been injured just over 5 weeks now. I’m expecting a rehab assignment starting before the end of the weekend.
Now that Rios is out for the year, is Ruiz going to start breaking in a First Baseman’s glove?
What Kris Bryant rumors?
(He would be a great fit here)