So far, the OKC Ball Club, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, and now the Great Lake Loons have released their rosters, with the release of the Loons roster yesterday. Tulsa will likely release its roster today. But, right about now, we will introduce the Looniest of all the Farm Teams: The Great Lakes Loons. They are the team I get to see the most, as they are in the “High A” Midwest League, which includes the following teams:
- Beloit Sky Carp (Marlins)
- Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins)
- Dayton Dragons (Reds)
- Ft. Wayne Tin Caps (Padres)
- Lake County Captains (Indians)
- Lansing Lugnuts (A’s)
- Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals)
- Quad River Bandits (Royals)
- South Bend Cubs (Cubs)
- West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers)
- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers)
Dayton, Ft. Wayne, Peoria, and South Bend are all within two hours of me and a few others are three to four hours away. So, I plan to see a few High A games this season.
GREAT LAKES LOONS ROSTER
RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES
X-Cites
Dodger News & Notes
- Heyward to the IL – Trammell to the 26-man Roster
- Dinelson Lamet is officially this year’s reclamation project, and he looks terrific.
- OK, Ohtani got the first one out of the way… there’s about 50 more in that bat.
- The platoons have happened just as I predicted. Outman and Lux will not see many LHP as things stand right about now.
- Miguel Vargas went yard again last night for OKC. He is now hitting .368 with a 1.382 OPS.
- Don’t look for Vargas for a while. Give it time.
Taylor Trammell is a “feel good” pickup. He has a world of talent but has never really tapped it. He will get a short runway to see if the Dodgers can help him reach his potential, but if Miguel Vargas keeps it up, he will be the left fielder by June. His bat is going to play at the MLB level. I took a lot of heat by saying what I have about Vargas and Outman (that Vargas would be a professional hitter and Outman was a 4th or 5th outfielder), but I think the naysayers will be forced to admit I was right. I do like James in CF against RHP… a lot! Progress is not linear… especially when broken fingers are involved. Watch and see!
Discussion (11)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Anyone know what Betts writes in the dirt with his bat before he bats?
https://x.com/DodgersBeat/status/1775940017111831014?s=20
Congrats to the Outmans!
watching the mets and detroit game.(kinda bored! its cold here) nobody can bunt anymore! ghost runner on 2nd and nobody can move him to 3rd.! pitiful! shelby miller pitching, should have kept him! see the A ‘s playing in sacramento next couple of years. they are like a rescue dog nobody wants. Hopefully the Las Vegas experiment works. Taylor does look lost at the plate. But with his contract, how long before they do something? Was hoping for a bounce back year from Chris Taylor, but not starting out very well. I wasn’t on the Hernandez bandwagon, but Kiki is clearly out playing Taylor.. thank God Rojas is starting out great. regarding Will Smith I believe he will replace Max at third after Max’s contract expires although they could extend his contract another year or so if he has a strong year this year.. if that’s the case, maybe left field, but probably 3 moo years at the most behind the plate. hopefully buehler is strong next rehab start! any word on Dustin May? snowing here in va. not sticking but very chilly! mowed sunday in shorts and tee shirt! crazy weather!
I will tell you a player I missed on:
Will Smith!
I had him as a “defense-first” backup catcher.
I am also suspicious of anyone who says they predicted he would be what he is: “An All-Star.”
You can like the guy, but until the Dodgers changed his swing, he was a ZERO.
Any watching the game notice Mookie, Smith and I think Rojas all switched out their gloves. Anyone know what the reason for that was? I thought it was odd, they all did it in the same timeframe.
A bit disappointment that dePaula did not get promoted to high A ball after doing so well last season at RC.
And equally disappointing that Joendry Vargas apparently will not be challenged with low A ball.
No fast track here.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark insisted many times prior to last year that Outman was a 4th or 5th outfielder at best. However he was already proven wrong when Outman played 151 games in the MLB last year with 567 at bats , a 790 OPS, and a 3.6 WAR. He played more games in the OF than any other Dodger in 2023. Now Mark is trying to claim he was right because Outman may be platooned against some LHP this year. Outman was already much more than a 4th OF last year, and was the opening day CF this year. We all miss on our predictions. They are just guesses or in Mark’s case educated guesses. But some of us are willing to admit when we were wrong, while others just change the definition of what a 4th or 5th OF is.
Mark,
On evaluating the West. I believe the dbacks will finish second with pumpkins 3rd but could go either way. Pads 4th.
The giants have some weapons. Soler can carry a team for awhile. Comfort looks really good. Lee looks like a player and Chapman has found his bat. Once Snell gets in(Dodger killer) n they get Ray and the other starter back(sinkerballer) their rotation will match with the best. The announcers kept talking about the bullpen but they have some real nice arms out there.
It is a long season so injuries will factor in but the division is really good on paper.
Happy for Ohtani to get his first bomb. I’m sure it was weighing on him a bit. Let’s watch him take off now.
Keep an eye on Dylan Campbell on the Loons roster. Great kid who has excelled at every level of ball to this point in his career. I have a special place in my heart for him since we attended both the same high school(Strake Jesuit) and University of Texas.
nice to sweep the giants!! that ohtani guy showed up last night! glasnow is only going to get better!! Bobby Miller up next in chicago. Lament could be a godsend!! joe was good last night! mark, if grove continues to be mediocre do the dodgers send him back to AAA? i do worry about lux and his confidence if he never faces lefties, but rojas is earning playing time for sure.! need 2 out of 3 in chicago, all 3 would be sweet!!
I don’t see Bruns,the lefty first round pick on any of the three rosters you have displayed thus far. Is he hurt or will he be pitching for AA Tulsa this year?