By design, Bobby Miller has not pitched in a Major League Spring Training Game, and I do not think he has played in any minor league or B-Games either, as he allegedly had a “sore shoulder” when he arrived at Spring Training. Allegedly, it is OK now, but the Dodgers are ramping him up slowly. It seems unlikely that he will pitch in the Freeway Series as he did last year.
Of course, Tony Gonsolin is recovering from a sprained ankle, and the Dodgers are not rushing him either, and he will likely not pitch for the first couple of weeks of the season. The Good News is that his arm is fine, but they could hold him out longer just so that he can be stronger at the end of the season. Gavin Stone has only pitched 3.2 innings and has allowed 2 hits and 2 BB and Zero runs. He has struck out 6. When Gonsolin comes back, he will take the place of whoever is taking his place at the start of the season… most likely Ryan Pepiot, who has looked much better than last year after he smoothed out his mechanics.
So, as it stands today, this will be the Dodger’s Rotation to start the season:
- Urias
- May
- Kershaw
- Syndergaard
- Pepiot
At AAA, OKC, after Gonsolin comes back, this will likely be the rotation:
- Miller
- Stone
- Pepiot
- Grove
- Jackson
Righthanders all, but a spectacular rotation. I personally believe that Andre Jackson is best suited for the bullpen, but that will shake out soon enough. The pitcher who has impressed the most in Spring Training is unsurprising, Gavin Stone. He has one of the filthiest changeups I have ever seen! I think the plan is to have him burst upon the scene when Clayton goes on the DL this first time. I think this is the year that Dustin May takes another step forward and tries to take the Ace Role for the Dodgers. Unless Julio Urias wants to remain a Dodger, someone will pay him more after this season than the Dodgers will.
The Dodgers could be an all-righthanded rotation in 2024, with Urias and Kershaw both possibly leaving. Look for Friedman to acquire a couple of lefty prospects this season, as the rotation prospects are all RHP. The only LH Pitchers in the Top 30 are Ronan Kopp (who I also see as a reliever) and Maddux Bruns, who is likely 2 or 3 years away. The fact that lefties are so scarce could force Friedman to spend more than he planned to sign Urias, but Julio is likely looking at a $300 Million Payday.
So, enough about the starters, who are Urias, Kershaw, May, Thor, and Pepiot, what will the bullpen look like? Here’s who I think are locks:
- Alex Vesia – LH (he is one of at least two lefties)
- Caleb Ferguson – LH (he will assume an important role)
- Evan Phillips – RH (as solid as they come)
- Shelby Miller – RH (he is getting better and is on the team)
- Jimmy Nelson – RH (as long as he is healthy, he makes it)
- Phil Bickford – RH (he is looking like he did in 2021 and has no options left)
- Bazooka – RH (he is looking to take a step forward as a pitcher and not a thrower)
- Jake Reed, Daniel Hudson, or Yency Almonte – RH (all three can’t make it)
That leaves Wander Suro, Justin Bruihl, Adam Kolarek, Victor Gonzalez, Rubby De La Rosa, Nick Robertson and several others spread around the minors. Of course, injuries will occur, and there will be a shuttle to and from OKC. It is rumored that the Dodgers are considering installing a “light rail.”
Dodger News & Notes
- Don’t look now, but the Dodgers have the best winning percentage in baseball this Spring at .706. Of course, they have three ties, but they are still the best, no matter how much some fans whine about needing to make trades.
- I don’t wish bad on anyone, but maybe Austin Barnes needs a little rest on the IL at the start of the season. I think he has a hangnail… I would love to see what Hunter Feduccia can do.
- There is soon going to be a roster crunch and what happens to some of the non-roster invitees. What are their opt-out dates, and will they accept going to OKC… or not?
- It’s only one game, but CT3 looked good. Sometimes a good game inspires confidence and that is a big part of hitting.
- It’s Dustin May’s turn today.
Discussion (21)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Surprised no one has mentioned the WBC. TT with a grand slam last night and another HR tonight against Cuba.
Arruebarruena is a name from the Dodgers past. He’s the starting SS for Cuba.
By the end of the season Pepiot, Grove, Miller, Stone, Vargas, Outman & Busch should be graduated as prospects, leaving a possible top ten of:
Cartaya
Pages
Nastrini
Rushing
Sheehan
Ryan
Frasso
Ramos
Bruns
DePaula
Dalton Rushing made his spring debut!
And here I thought he wasn’t even in camp. Anyway, I was happy to read that.
Meanwhile, Gavin Stone strikes out 8 in 3 innings….
I am OK with the Dodgers dealing Grove or Pepiot for a strong UT guy…. because it could quicken Stone’s arrival.
Stone seems to be ready. And his upside seems pretty high.
On many teams, he’d already be in the rotation.
When will Stone be just too good not to be on the roster! Now?
“Don’t look now, but the Dodgers have the best winning percentage in baseball this Spring at .706. Of course, they have three ties, but they are still the best“
So…. do you think they are ready?
Damn I know it’s just spring training, but every out that Stone got except one was a strike out in three innings.
Nelson cannot make the team out of ST. He needs more time to find his release point after not pitching for nearly two years. Safe to say the roster projections for opening day should not include him opening the possibility we see Jackson or maybe Stone on the 26 man roster. I know the Dodger brass want to keep them both stretched out but I definitely see a surprise addition to the BP
What’s up with Jimmy Nelson? Is he working on a pitch or two or is he injured?
What’s the word on Peralta? Nice diving catch in WBC making the rounds. Dude looks way bigger than the 210# he’s listed at. He got the wheels still?
Good interview with Rushing on MLB. He wants to be the best player in the league and he loves the org. I think he’s our best offensive prospect outside Cartaya/Vargas/Pages. The fact he plays C makes him potentially more valuable than Busch, though Busch has put up the numbers at AAA.
Altuve to have surgery on his broken thumb. Profar signs with the Rockies
I am with Eric in Almonte. He looked ready yesterday. To the last batter he faced, he threw 4 very good sliders. He was all smiles in the dogout. In the interview with Kristen, he said the Dodgers told him to go easy with his elbow. Last year, when he injured, they bring him back very slowly and the result was that string of scoreless innings.
But whats really surprises me, is Mark even mentioning Jake Reed name. That’s really a reach and worrisome.
Joe time:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR7WqbhU/
IF (capital letters and I hope not) any starter goes down to season ending injury, look for Gavin Stone to step in. I think the Dodgers plan for Stone is to be a permanent starter, unlike Pepiot (yet). I think Pepiot will be the number 1 fill in guy for the starters, like I think he’s going to do for Gonsolin to start the season. I could be wrong though, because pitching staffs are complicated, but that’s my 2 cents.
4:05 PM ET vs Okakland at Glendale
SP S. Fujinami R
2-0 5.63 ERA 8.0IP 13K
SP Dustin May R
2-0 1.04 ERA 8.2IP 13K
Confirmed Lineup
DH James Outman L
1B F. Freeman L
LF J. Martinez R
3B Max Muncy L
CF T. Thompson R
SS Miguel Rojas R
2B M. Vargas R
RF S. Duggar L
C P. Mazeika L
Cloudy
0% Rain
65° Wind 12 mph R-L
Mark. I’m surprised you have Almonte as only an option for the bullpen on opening day. I think he’s a lock. I read Hudson won’t be ready for opening day but will be back shortly.
I agree Pepiot will fill in for Gonsolin.
David Peralta should be back with the team by tomorrow and should be good to go, as he hit .357 in the WBC with a .971 OPS. Plug him into LF against RHP. CT3 plays LF against LHP. So, the question is: Who plays CF? That is to be decided!
Good piece.
I agree Grove is looking good. Let’s use him while he’s healthy.
Next year’s a long way away. Lux’s injury really made this year a challenge. I think we could struggle offensively at times.
I’ll be looking hard at Pages this season. He’s next man up in the OF.
Mark: You forgot Graderol.