The Dodgers Farm System

From MLNTR: The Dodgers announced their minor league coaching staffs on Thursday, with two recently-retired MLB players joining the ranks. David Dahl is joining the Triple-A Oklahoma City staff as an outfield coach and assistant hitting coach, while Michael Hermosillo will be an outfield and baserunning coach for the high-A ball Great Lakes Loons. In Hermosillo’s case, the news seems to act as a retirement announcement for the former outfielder, who just turned 31 last month. Hermosillo hasn’t played anywhere since suiting up in the Mexican Winter League during the 2023-24 offseason, and his last taste of affiliated ball came in the form of 66 games with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate in 2023. A 28th-round pick for the Angels in the 2013 draft, Hermosillo spent his first three (2018-20) big league seasons in a Halos uniform. The Angels outrighted Hermosillo following the 2020 campaign, and after signing with the Cubs, Hermosillo made 47 appearances for Chicago over the next two seasons. All in all, Hermosillo hit .167/.268/.283 over 229 Major League plate appearances. While not considered a top prospect during his time in the minors, Hermosillo got himself onto the radar with some strong numbers on the farm, including a .262/.355/.492 slash line, 56 home runs, and 42 steals (in 59 tries) over 1194 PA at the Triple-A level. Between his speed and all-fields ability in the outfield, Hermosillo seems well-suited to impart his wisdom with the next generation of Dodgers prospects. We at MLB Trade Rumors congratulate Hermosillo on his career achievements, and we wish him in the best in his coaching endeavors. Dahl announced his retirement in December, officially closing the door on a career that included seven MLB seasons and an All-Star nod in 2019 during his time with the Rockies. This coaching gig is Dahl’s second stint in the Dodgers organization, as he signed a minor league deal with the team in June 2023 that didn’t result in any big league playing time, but Dahl did play in 54 games with Oklahoma City.

The “tick rule” in MLB’s Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) System refers to the requirement for a pitch to touch any part of the strike zone to be ruled a strike. This rule specifically applies when the system evaluates a pitch using its 2D strike zone configuration. 2D Evaluation Point: Unlike the traditional 3D “cube” above home plate, the ABS system measures the pitch at a single two-dimensional plane located at the midpoint of home plate (8.5 inches from both the front and back edges). Strike Requirement: If any part of the ball—even just a “tick” or a sliver—touches any part of the designated rectangular zone at that midpoint, it is recorded as a strike. Zone Dimensions: The 2D zone is 17 inches wide with a height based on the individual batter: the top is set at 53.5% of the player’s height, and the bottom is at 27%. Aesthetic Adjustment: The move to a 2D midpoint zone was partly intended to make automated calls look more “natural” to viewers, as full 3D tracking often called strikes on extreme breaking balls that “clipped” the very front or back of the plate but never looked like strikes to the human eye.

Haha!

So my recollection of a 2-D zone is correct. Then what is the tick rule you reference? I appreciate your information/clarifications.

Why 3D was rejected Although the official MLB rulebook defines the strike zone as the 3D space directly above home plate, the initial 3D ABS trials were abandoned for several reasons: “Aesthetic” Accuracy: 3D zones often called strikes on breaking balls that “nicked” only the back corner of the plate after clearly appearing outside to the batter and fans. Consistency: The 2D midpoint zone ensures that the call matches what is seen on broadcast “K-Zone” graphics, which are 2D representations. Fairness for Pitchers: A 3D zone could inadvertently reward “wild” breaking pitches that technically touch a rear edge but are not competitive strikes in a traditional sense.

Under the rules for the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System debuting in 2026, teams are managed as follows in extra innings: Unused Challenges: Any team with challenges remaining at the start of the 10th inning simply carries them forward; they do not receive an additional challenge for that specific inning. Replenishing Challenges: If a team enters the 10th inning (or any subsequent extra inning) with zero challenges remaining, they are awarded one new challenge for that inning. Subsequent Innings: This replenishment rule continues for every subsequent extra inning; if a team exhausts its challenge in the 10th, they receive another at the start of the 11th, and so on.

It seems to me that it will be a lot easier to clear waivers when teams have to be down to 26 than for 40 which might be the plan for Ben or since Rushing has options they could always send him down if they feel he needs more consistent AB’s. Not a fan of the challenge system. Either call every pitch that way or none. Two challenges for a CB Buckner game? They won’t get out of the first inning.

No clue. I guess it’s fun to play with other people’s assets. I personally don’t mind predicting FA signings but trades are too hard to figure. Only one I remember that was telegraphed start to finish was Mondesi for Green.

Two questions; 1. “ Extra Innings: If a team enters an extra inning with no challenges remaining, they are awarded one challenge for that inning. This resets for each subsequent extra inning if the challenge is exhausted”. If a team has 1or 2 challenges left after 9 innings, do they get any extra challenges in extra innings? If not, then one exhaust their allotment before regulation play. 2. “ The “Tick” Rule: If any part of the ball touches any part of this three-dimensional zone, it is considered a strike”. It is my understanding that the strike zone is based on a two dimensional plane at the mid point of home plate, not a three dimensional plane. Has this been changed? And if so, why?

Why are some on this site so trigger-happy on pulling a trade when the season hasn’t even started and this team is constructed more solidity roster-wise with more depth than the previous two World Championship teams? Patience gentlemen!!!

Haha

For the 2026 MLB season, Major League Baseball is officially implementing the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System across all 30 ballparks for Spring Training, the regular season, and the postseason. Unlike a “full” robot umpire system that calls every pitch, 2026 utilizes a hybrid challenge format where human home plate umpires continue to make initial calls, but specific players have the right to appeal to the automated technology. Core Challenge Rules Initial Challenges: Each team starts every game with two challenges. Retention: If a challenge is successful (the call is overturned), the team retains that challenge. If the call stands, the challenge is lost. Extra Innings: If a team enters an extra inning with no challenges remaining, they are awarded one challenge for that inning. This resets for each subsequent extra inning if the challenge is exhausted. The Challenge Process Who Can Challenge: Only the pitcher, catcher, or batter currently involved in the play may initiate a challenge. Managers and dugout personnel are strictly prohibited from intervening. The Signal: To signal a challenge, the player must immediately tap their cap or batting helmet. Immediacy: The request must be made instantly after the call to prevent players from receiving signals or data from the dugout. Review Time: The entire process—comparing the pitch to the automated zone and displaying the result on the stadium videoboard—is expected to take approximately 15 seconds. The 2026 Technology and Strike Zone The system uses 12 Hawk-Eye cameras and AI software to track the ball’s location with a margin of error of approximately 1/16th of an inch. Customized Zone: Each batter has a personalized strike zone based on their officially measured height. Vertical Limits: The top of the zone is set at 53.5% of the player’s height, and the bottom is set at 27%. Horizontal Limits: The zone is 17 inches wide (the width of home plate). The “Tick” Rule: If any part of the ball touches any part of this three-dimensional zone, it is considered a strike.

Why trade Rushing in favor of Rortvedt? Simply because the Dodgers could get more in trade for Rushing, a potential star blocked by Smith, than for Rortvedt, who evidently made a big impression in a short time with the Dodgers in how he handled the pitchers and played defense. Those skills are more valuable in a backup catcher than simply hitting. Rortvedt’s return could lead to a trade, but the Dodgers may also send Rushing back to OKC to play full-time. (Rushing still has options; Rortvedt doesn’t.) Or perhaps Rortvedt is DFA’d again and the Dodgers hope he passes through waivers and can be sent down to OKC. With the obvious exception of Skubal, I can’t think of a plausible trade target now that could clearly improve the Dodgers in ’26. The Banda DFA surprised me too, though some Dodger watchers had suggested it could happen. He was solid for two years, even leading the staff in appearances in ’25. Just another sign of how deep this team is.

Why trade Rushing in favor of Rortvedt? Simply because the Dodgers could get more in trade for Rushing, a potential star blocked by Smith, than for Rortvedt, who evidently made a big impression in a short time with the Dodgers in how he handled the pitchers and played defense. Those skills are more valuable in a backup catcher than simply hitting. Rortvedt’s return could lead to a trade, but the Dodgers may also send Rushing back to OKC to play full-time. (Rushing still has options; Rortvedt doesn’t.) Or perhaps Rortvedt is DFA’d again and the Dodgers hope he passes through waivers and can be sent down to OKC. With the obvious exception of Skubal, I can’t think of a plausible trade target now that could clearly improve the Dodgers in ’26. The Banda DFA surprised me too, though some Dodger watchers had suggested it could happen. He was solid for two years, even leading the staff in appearances in ’25. Just another sign of how deep this team is.

FROM MLBTR: Dodgers Designate Anthony Banda For Assignment By Darragh McDonald | February 6, 2026 at 2:25pm CDT The Dodgers announced that they have designated left-hander Anthony Banda for assignment. That’s the corresponding move for their claim of catcher Ben Rortvedt, a move that was previously reported. It’s a little bit of a surprise to see Banda losing his roster spot. He’s been a serviceable member of the Dodger bullpen for a couple of years now, even making multiple playoff appearances over the past two years. The Dodgers also tendered him a contract for 2026, agreeing to a $1.625MM salary last month. But there were also some worrying trends in his 2025 performance. In 2024, he had given the Dodgers 49 2/3 innings with a 3.08 earned run average, 23.9% strikeout rate, 8.6% walk rate and 44.4% ground ball rate. His ERA mostly held steady last year, climbing marginally to 3.18, but with more concern under the hood. His strikeout rate dropped to 22.8%. His walk rate shot up to 12.7%. He only induced grounders on 39.4% of balls in play. His ERA would have climbed more if not for a .227 batting average on balls in play and 83.1% strand rate, both very fortunate numbers. His 4.52 FIP and 4.39 SIERA suggested he deserved far worse. He then got lit up in the playoffs, allowing six earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Dodgers also have plenty of other lefty options. Banda probably wouldn’t have pitched in the playoffs so much if not for Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia being unavailable, Scott due to injury and Vesia due to a family matter. Both Scott and Vesia are expected to be back next year. The Dodgers have also seen young guys like Jack Dreyer and Justin Wrobleski take steps forward. On top of Banda’s performance and the other lefties on hand, Banda is also out of options, which surely helped nudge him off the roster. The Dodgers tendering him a contract perhaps suggests they are hoping to pass him through waivers unclaimed, which would therefore allow them to keep him as non-roster depth. It wouldn’t be the first time they tried that this winter. They signed Ben Rortvedt and Andy Ibáñez to modest deals of just over $1MM then later put both on waivers, seemingly hoping that no other club would take on the modest salaries. It didn’t work in either case. Rortvedt was claimed by the Reds in November, though the Dodgers claimed him back today. Also earlier today, Ibáñez was claimed by the Athletics. It seems likely that Banda would be claimed as well, despite his shaky 2025. He has some major league success and the salary is not massive. He could also be retained via arbitration for the 2027 season by any acquiring club. Given the weak bullpens of some clubs around the league, especially the rebuilding ones, it seems unlikely that 29 clubs would pass on him. DFA limbo can last as long as a week. The waiver process takes 48 hours, so the Dodgers could take five days to field trade interest. If the interest is decent enough, perhaps they can find a club willing to part with some cash considerations or a lottery-ticket prospect. If they plan to put him on waivers, they should probably do so sooner rather than later. The 60-day injured list opens up next week, which will give most clubs some extra roster flexibility for moves such as waiver claims.

Correct.

I think he overvalued his head!

No need for Scooby or Shaggy… But like Lola in “Damn Yankees,” whatever AF wants, AF gets. One reason I like trades, especially blockbusters, is to give prospects blocked on the Dodgers the opportunity to shine. (One reason the Dodgers landed Tibbs and Erhard is that they were blocked on the Red Sox. ) The Dodgers have a lot of talented prospects who would benefit from a trade.

Maybe he’s like actual insurance snd hope to never use him.

I’m not sure, but I think acquiring Rortvedt is mainly because the Dodgers don’t have another catcher on the 40-man roster.

My dad always said he was a million dollar talent with a ten cent head.

Yasiel Puig is facing 20 years in prison after being convicted on Federal Charges.

We will have to see how this plays out.

So what happens to Rortvedt then if they don’t trade Rushing? My understanding is he doesn’t have any minor league options. They won’t carry 3 catchers. Are they planning on releasing him later hoping that no one will pick him up because of full rosters, and then send him to AAA?

“Tweaker”