I used to have favorite players. My first was Sandy Koufax, followed by Ron Fairly. I loved Willie and Tommy Davis and Ron Cey. For a while, I had no favorites, and then Adrian Beltre burst on the scene. Later, it was Clayton Kershaw, but after that, I really did not have a favorite player because, in some respects, they are like cattle that can be marketed. I know that some people think Miguel Vargas is my favorite, but they are wrong. I like Miguel’s bat-to-ball skills a lot. I like guys with those skills… guys like Keibert Ruiz and Alex Verdugo. Ruiz showed a lot of progress last year, hitting .260 with 18 HR and a .707 OPS, but is struggling this year. Alex Verdugo has not reached my expectations and remains an enigma.
I guess Miguel Vargas falls into that class, too, since the Dodgers ran him out there last year while he was hurt, but he won’t play him when he is healthy. It has been speculated that the Dodgers intend to trade him, which is why he is not playing. Maybe they think his .324 BA in 34 ABs will sway some trade partners. I still think Miguel will be a special player, but Andrew Friedman is in charge and he is never wrong… right? Well, I was right, and he was wrong about Lux being a SS, so there is that. But he was right in trading Ruiz and Verdugo… and Busch, for that matter. Vargas will likely have to blossom somewhere else as well.
However, I do again have a new favorite player. It is Alex Freeland of the Tulsa Drillers. Alex was drafted in the 3rd Round (#105) in the 2022 Draft. Alex is a switch hitter and was a SS at the University of Central Florida… and not many people thought he could stay at SS when he was drafted. I was one of those as well, but I have changed my mind. I think Alex is the Dodgers SS of the future. This was so highly improbable 22 years ago, before Alex was born. An ultrasound revealed that Freeland might be born with a clubfoot, a condition where one or both feet are twisted out of position. He was indeed born with his right foot misaligned and spent his first year undergoing various procedures to correct it.
As an infant,Alex wore tiny casts that he frequently kicked off. At four months old, he had surgery to lengthen his tendons. Three months later, he underwent what his father describes as a full foot reconstruction. Freeland learned to walk with a cast reaching up to his hip, a challenge that has given him a slightly stilted gait… still. Despite all this—every kicked-off cast, every surgery—jump throws from shortstop were a distant dream. He is not without limitations — his right foot and calf are smaller than their counterparts, and he has limited flexibility in that ankle — but he has always managed to overcome them. The Athletic wrote a piece on him and said this:
“But he’s never allowed himself to be defined by his foot, and he’s determined to succeed or fail on his own merit. He’s in the right place to do it. The Dodgers drafted him there because they think he’ll hit and stick in the middle of the infield. They knew his backstory — “We definitely noticed it,” says amateur scouting director Billy Gasparino — and they weren’t concerned.
–– Zach Buchanan, The Athletic
“I’m just another kid playing the game of baseball,” Freeland says. “If I suck, tell me I suck. Don’t blame it on my foot.”
After all, he never has.“
Alex Freeland is a baseball player, a baller, and a shortstop. Being called a “ballplayer” is the highest compliment a baseball player can get, in my humble opinion. Alex Freeland is not going to be a superstar. I have no illusions about that. But I do think that Alex can be the team captain and anchor the infield while hitting .270 with a .360 OB% and .750 OPS. He will come up big in the clutch and play up to his competition.
Alex will likely hit the Show in 2026, so I see Mookie and Miggy Rojas still at SS in 2025. In 2026, Rojas will be in the Dodger’s Front Office, and Mookie will be their 2B. Memo to Andrew Friedman: Do not sign Willy Adames as a Free Agent, because Freeland is going to be the next Dodgers SS. Trade Trey Sweeney. Keep Noah Miller… he’s young! He’s a switch-hitter and very athletic. Yes. Keep him… he’s the next Swiss-Army-Knife.” Freeland will be solid, if not spectacular.
Alex Freeland should not be walking in a straight line, let alone playing shortstop at the AA level at age 22. I am not saying that he’s going to be an All-Star, but he has exceeded expectations in everything he has done – I would not bet against my new favorite player. He’s just a baseball player. He’s a baller!
Why is Joe Kelly on the Team?
Mookie Betts says that Joe Kelly is the guy he would least like to face. Why? Because as he says, “Joe Kelly does not care!” Joe Kelly is an assassin! Getting him healthy and keeping him that way is paramount. He is made for October. Let’s hope he is available.
Rants & Raves
- I hear that the Dodgers do not believe Lipcius can play a credible 3B. Trejo is now playing 3B with Hoese.
- Austin Gauthier is a guy who can also be the new Kike Hernandez!
- A shout-out to Eric, who has been on his best behavior and has added a lot to this site. I like this version of Eric.
- My wife and I watched a great movie last night, and I highly recommend it: CIVIL WAR
X-CITES
Happy Independence Day
Discussion (32)
Disagree, not disagreeable
He left with an injury last night.
well i guess Ole Barnsie earns a star for last night. a single, a stolen base, and 2 rbi. that’s better than the top did! if Im. not mistaken, he has a higher average than Lux, heyward, taylor, biggio, and kiki!
Dogs days….nothing to see here.
Lets win tonight!!!
Hey people!!!!!
Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!
1. Granted that the injuries to Muncy and Betts have shortened this line up but when 5 of your bottom 6 position players are Hernandez, Taylor, Lux, Heyward, Barnes, and Biggio you have made some miscalculations in constructing your roster. Every GM with money would have signed Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts. The last three seasons the Dodgers’ FO has not been particularly good at filling out depth among position players.
2. Of course, their inability to develop position players in their system has been addressed here before. That has definitely contributed to this lack of depth among position players.
3. At this point, play Vargas most nights against lefties and righties. I know we are all yelling into the abyss with this one but he can’t be any worse against righties than Heyward.
4. Given his weak throwing arm and bat, Austin Barnes must be incredible handling a pitching staff. Although in fairness to Barnes, his weaknesses as a hitter are more frustrating when he is batting ninth behind Lux, Taylor, Hernandez, Biggio, etc.
5. Would like to see Kyle Hurt get a chance in the Dodger bullpen soon.
6. Not saying that Padres and Diamondbacks will catch the Dodgers in the West but even with Betts and Muncy back, those two teams would be tough in a playoff series. Dbacks line up is deep and their athleticism and running game are an advantage against the Dodgers.
Diamond backs act like they own the dodgers!! Poor Barnes!! Has no arm!!
wouldn’t it be nice if the dodgers had hitters 1-9 like the d-backs? sorry, didn’t mean to be negative, but damn! i know, no mookie, no muncy. 5-9. awful!
Walk Walker!
I agree about Freeland, Mark.
He’s the goods.
sunday lineup on a thursday?
Why Bradley?? why would you want him. free agent or not , he’s a piece of crap! never a dodger!
Think the dodgers need to look at thirdbaseman and second baseman available that would help them since Mookie said he would move back to the outfield I woild think Centerfield and Muncy would play better at second base then third base.. So guys look for potential second baseman and thirdbaeman and yes I said Alec Bregman. Because he is going to be a free agent at the end of the year. And I thought the Astros weren’t close to the wild card and would be sellers.
9:10 PM ET
Diamondbacks (42-44)
Dodgers (53-34)
SP Zac Gallen R
6-4 2.83 ERA
SP Landon Knack R
1-1 2.08 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
LF T. Hernandez R
1B F. Freeman L
CF Andy Pages R
RF J. Heyward L
2B Gavin Lux L
3B Chris Taylor R
SS E. Hernandez R
C A. Barnes R
82° Wind 9 mph Ou
They’re the two favorites according to him. I hope so
Jon Heyman reporting that it’s down to Mariners and Dodgers for Roberts jr. That should thrill Bear!
Koufax, Kershaw and Wes Parker
why would any true dodger fan want Cheater bregman? i would rather lose without him than win with him! F—k that piece of poop! possibly altuve , bregman, corea, springer, all or a couple of them will be considered for the hall of fame! A slightly different type of cheaters than bonds , clemens, mcgwire, but cheaters just the same!
I have always liked Gavin Lux, but his Dodger career now has a three week runway. If he doesn’t get red hot by the time Mookie gets back, it’s over. Although he has played a good defensive 2nd base, his OPS of .567 qualifies him as one of the worst hitters in baseball. He is literally a soft rollover ground out to the right side. Because of his lack of arm strength, 2nd base is his only position. At the trade deadline he either gets traded or sent down. Disappointing for a former 2nd ranked mlb prospect. Feel bad for the young man.
My concern is with Verlander .
He is falling apart. Currently on the IR for the 2nd time this year already. Has been having shoulder and neck problems.
Bregman would be an excellent pick-up. Struggling a bit compared to his career numbers but he is a very good hitter.
Also has an excellent strikeout % of less than 16% for his career and plays a very good 3rd base
Believe he signed a 5yr. 100million contract in 2023. Don’t believe they ever agreed to an extension that he was looking for this year.
Not sure Astros would consider it as they are in contention for the playoffs.
.
Fans would need to get over his part in the World Series scandal.
Wow so if Betts moves to centerfield and a platoon of Pages and Heyward in Rightfield and Teo Heenandez in Leftfield. Then a infield of Rojas at shortstop Muncy at Second Base and Freeman at first base and will Smith at catcher they need a consistant hitter and good defender at third base and another starter and a closer at trade deadline. Hmm could it be Bregman from
the Astros and Verlander that would shock the heck out of the league if Dodgers get Bregman and ship Lux Outman and a minor league player and pitcher to the Astros. Talk about a lineup wow for the Dodgers then. That’s if Betts really means move back to the outfield and they say muncy plays better at second base then third… I say go for it and see if that wins you a world series.
Dodgers are recalling Nick Ramirez from OKC and optioning Michael Petersen back to OKC.
My favorite Dodger was Duke Snider. I patterned my batting stance after Duke. Since I also hit lefty, this was easy for me. Having your left elbow up like he did allow a straight path to the ball, which is one reason I was more of a line drive hitter. It amazes me that the modern ballplayers do not try to hit line drives. Some of the best home run hitters I ever saw did not hit mammoth blasts like Ohtani does. Hank Aaron was a wrist hitter. He generated his power from his wrists. He hit screaming line drives, so did Mays. Big guys like Howard, McCovey, Stargell, Dave Parker, those were the guys who hit balls a mile. It is all about launch angle now. Of course, Freddie Freeman is old school. He uses the entire field. He does not try to pull the ball, but he can take that inside pitch and launch it. He rarely hits tape measure homers. His three-run shot cleared the wall by maybe six feet last night. Hernandez’s homer was maybe three feet over the wall. What I loved about Mike Piazza was his power to right center field. Mike could pull the ball with great power, but I saw him hit many a ball over the right center field fence. Wally Moon was not really a home run hitter, but he used the coliseum to his advantage and would pepper the left field screen with hits. I have not really had a favorite Dodger since Koufax retired. Have a wonderful 4th guys. Hopefully the Dodgers put last night in the rear view and get some early runs tonight. Brewers come in tomorrow. They will be a real test for this team.
Well.
We now have some more flexibility.
Might have to dust off that outfield glove.
Mookie interviewed yesterday on where he might play when he gets back.
The 31-year-old also would embrace returning to right field, where he’s won six career Gold Glove Awards.
“If they want me to go out there, I can go out there too,” Betts said. “Like I said, at this point I feel like I can do pretty much anything out there. Especially if I can get some work at it. So whatever it takes to have the best team out there.”
Got to love the team first attitude.
Let’s just get the best hitter available, whether it is an infielder who can play (3rd base/ SS or 2nd) or an outfielder.
(Muncy is actually an excellent defensive 2nd basemen.
Preferably this new hitter has good bat to ball skills, good OBP and low strikeout %. Let’s get some balance in the lineup to offset the slug.
1 good bat , Who is that guy? Infielder or outfielder.
And a top starter please.
Go Dodgers!!
Loved Steve Yeager
Well my favorite Dodger was Steve Sax when I was growing up. I played second base and even wore the number #3. I liked how he hustled ran down first base as fast as he could. Was always cheering on his teammates that was me I played ball just like he did. Then after little league and I was in junior high and high school favorite Dodger to watch was Raul Mondesi. Because I played the outfield now and that guys arm oh my gosh he used to throw darts to throw out runners. So that’s what I woukd do build up my arm and throw darts from warning track to second third and first base. Now for my all time favorite player that I always tried to play like. It has to be Pete Rose. Growing up that guy was Charlie Hustle. I watched his hitting videos and fielding videos. He was Mr Baseball. What’s weird is right now I don’t know who my son who is 20 years ol. He played ball since he was 4 year-old and ended playing basebsll in high school two years ago. His favorite player to watch. And videos he watched how to play baseball. Was watching Derek Jeter videos. He loved watching Derek Jeter. Now after he retired who is the player that kids watch to try to play ball the right way. Woukd it be Jose Altuve, or Freddie Freeman or Brice Harper.
Maybe after all, there will be no urgency to trade for a batter, to prioritize finding pitching, because that is not going to improve as the season progresses, the limit is being reached with some pitchers and it is not known at what level. others on the disability list will return
Thursday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Payton Martin) vs. West Michigan (Colin Fields)
5 p.m.: Tulsa (Carlos Duran) vs. Wichita (Kyle Jones)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Alec Gamboa) vs. Las Vegas (Brandon Bielak)
7 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Cam Day) at Visalia (Nate Savino)
“Carlos Duran makes his Double-A debut on the mound Wednesday. The 22-year-old had Tommy John surgery back in 2022 and missed all of 2023. He pitched 13⅔ innings over seven games with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga this season before his promotion to Tulsa on Tuesday”.
The Dodgers are promoting pitchers in the minors at a faster pace than in previous years. My take on that is a major trade is coming to include minor league pitching at or before the trading deadline along with Vargas.
Happy 4th to all the contributors! We must not forget we live in the greatest country in the world!
Excellent outing by River Ryan yesterday.
Would not surprise me if he plays a role down the stretch for us.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
I may be in the minority here but if the Dodgers are able to acquire Garrett Crochet, I bet they find a way to place him on the IL for most of the regular season. Walker sure loves Dodger Stadium.
I like your lineup JV!
Happy 4th of July to all posters. Good lineup Jorge I like it. Get Zac Gallen tonight but I think this is his first start from coming of the IL so hopefully he is a little rusty. Can we maybe pitch around Christian Walker, sheesh dude owns us.
nice piece on Freeland Mark! Starters are looking fatigued to me. … Looked like the dodgers were going to blow the sD-backs off the field early. Then they went into sleep walking mode. Peterson and Ramirez ? yuck! A new day, but i guess it’s a Barnes day! probably kiki, biggio, taylor too! oh well , maybe the fireworks will light a fire under their cold as ice bats! Would it be a bad thing to bring Sweeney up? Can’t be any worse than Biggio , could it? happy 4th!!
Betts should bat second, no more Smith or Teo batting second. It’s just me, but I think once Betts and Muncy return, I’d like to see this lineup…
DH – Othani
2B – Betts
1B. – Freeman
LF. – Teo
3B. – Muncy
C . – Smith
RF – Heyward
CF – Pages
SS – Rojas