The Will Smith Era

The Will Smith era has officially begun.  In his first game as the primary catcher for the LAD, he caught Clayton Kershaw.  There were no noticeable miscommunications between the two.  Kersh got off to a rough start, but settled in nicely for still another QS.  Offensively, you could not ask for a better game.  3-3 with 2 doubles, a HR, sac fly, and 6 RBIs.  This new offensive threat for the Fresh Prince has never before been displayed.  In three years of college he had 1 good year and a total of 9 HRs in 3 years.  The power did not seem to come until Tulsa in 2018.  Hitting 11 in the California League is nothing special, but 19 in the Texas League is an accomplishment.  But those offensive talents did not continue on to OKC in 2018.  Then in 2019, Smith has taken off.  He has been an incredible offensive threat all year.  Is it sustainable?  I don’t know.  I do not know what has changed…his approach, his mechanics, his recognition??? 

Every observation says that Smith is a tremendous teammate, and does not take himself too seriously.  He does not come across as entitled.  I do not think everything has come natural to him, but more importantly he has worked his tail off to get better.  Again, will the learning curve slow down, and the pitchers catch up?  Inevitably, sure.  Will he be able to make adjustments?  Maybe not in season (he did not in 2018), but in the off season, YES. 

Does this change my impressions of Austin Barnes?  Not in the least.  IMO Austin was always a backup catcher, and he excelled in that role in 2017.  Did he deserve the demotion?  Absolutely.  The disrespect? NO.  He has been a good teammate that has busted his butt at every opportunity.  He had an exemplary work ethic who communicated very well with the pitchers.  He never made excuses.  He was just in over his head as a LAD primary catcher.  No shame in that.  What do I hope for Barnes?  I hope he is traded because I do not think he will ever get a fair shake with too many fans.  I still believe that Detroit would be a good place for him to land. 

What do I expect?  I see Barnes as the LAD backup catcher to Smith.  If K-Bear is not traded, he will be going back to OKC next year to play the role Will Smith has done this year.  As many have said, it is not a good use of team assets to have both Smith and Ruiz on the 25-man at the same time.  They both look to be primary catchers, and there is room for only one on a team. 

On 7/23, Cassidy asked the following:

For AC. It would be interesting to see how many relievers who had good Seasons last year also having good seasons this year vs how many who are having bad years. It would speak to the unpredictability? of relievers. Make for an interesting write up before trade deadline.

This was a challenge.  Who are the best relievers?  Closers?  Setup?  Specialty multi-inning (Andrew Miller).  I went ahead and looked at all of the relievers who registered 20 or more saves, and setup/middle relief with holds of 23 or more, and used that as my standard. 

Based on saves the top 20 are as follows:

Edwin Diaz – 57 saves – 4 blown saves , 1.96 ERA, 5 inherited runners and 3 scored

Wade Davis – 43 saves – 6 blown saves, 4.13 ERA, 8 inherited runners and 1 scored

Craig Kimbrel – 42 saves – 5 blown saves, 2.74 ERA, 16 inherited runners and 5 scored

Kenley Jansen – 38 saves – 4 blown saves, 3.01 ERA, 12 inherited runners and 3 scored

Blake Treinen – 38 saves – 5 blown saves, 0.78 ERA, 19 inherited runners and 6 scored

Felipe Vazquez – 37 saves – 5 blown saves, 2.70 ERA, 24 inherited runners and 12 scored

Brad Boxberger – 32 saves – 8 blown saves, 4.39 ERA, 9 inherited runners and 1 scored

Aroldis Chapman – 32 saves – 2 blown saves, 2.45 ERA, 6 inherited runners and 0 scored

Shane Greene – 32 saves – 6 blown saves, 5.12 ERA, 5 inherited runners and 2 scored

Brad Hand – 32 saves – 7 blown saves, 2.75 ERA, 23 inherited runners and 2 scored

Raisel Iglesias – 30 saves – 4 blown saves, 2.38 ERA, 24 inherited runners and 8 scored

Bud Norris – 28 saves – 5 blown saves, 3.59 ERA, 23 inherited runners and 4 scored

Cody Allen – 27 saves – 5 blown saves, 4.70 ERA, 24 inherited runners and 7 scored

Ken Giles – 26 Saves – 0 blown saves, 4.65 ERA, 6 inherited runners and 1 scored

Sean Doolittle -25 saves- 1 blown save, 1.60 ERA, 9 inherited runners and 1 scored

Fernando Rodney – 25 saves – 7 blown saves, 3.36 ERA, 13 inherited runners and 1 scored

Sergio Romo – 25 saves – 8 blown saves, 3.88 ERA, 36 inherited runners and 16 scored

Keone Kela – 24 saves – 2 blown saves, 3.29 ERA, 10 inherited runners and 4 scored

Brandon Morrow – 22 saves – 2 blown saves, 1.47 ERA, 12 inherited runners and 3 scored

Roberto Osuna – 21 saves – 1 blown save, 2.37 ERA, 5 inherited runners and 2 scored

Based on holds, the top 16 holds are as follows:

Adam Ottavino – 34 holds, 2.43 ERA, 18 inherited runners and 3 scored

Archie Bradley – 34 holds, 3.64 ERA, 32 inherited runners and 8 scored

Tony Watson – 32 holds, 2.59 ERA, 26 inherited runners and 8 scored

Yoshihisa Hirano – 32 holds, 2.44 ERA, 30 inherited runners and 5 scored

Chaz Roe – 31 holds, 3.58 ERA, 28 inherited runners and 6 scored

Jose Alvarado – 31 holds, 2.39 ERA, 50 inherited runners and 12 scored

Alex Colome – 30 holds, 2.53 ERA, 16 inherited runners and 7 scored – 12 saves and 5 blown saves

Tommy Hunter – 25 holds, 3.80 ERA, 22 inherited runners and 4 scored

Steve Cishek – 25 holds, 2.18 ERA, 60 inherited runners and 17 scored

Matt Barnes – 25 holds, 3.65 ERA, 14 inherited runners and 1 scored

Jordan Hicks – 24 holds, 3.59 ERA, 34 inherited runners and 9 scored

Craig Stammen – 23 holds, 2.73 ERA, 33 inherited runners and 12 scored

Carl Edwards – 23 holds, 2.60 ERA, 21 inherited runners and 8 scored

Dan Winkler – 23 holds, 3.43 ERA, 24 inherited runners and 10scored

Joe Jimenez – 23 holds, 4.31 ERA, 16 inherited runners and 6 scored

Lou Trevino – 23 holds, 2.92 ERA, 38 inherited runners and 13 scored

Current Year Save Stats:

Kirby Yates (SD) – 31 saves – 2 blown saves, 1.02 ERA

Brad Hand (CLE) – 27 saves – 2 blown saves , 2.47 ERA

Aroldis Chapman (NYY) – 26 saves – 5 blown saves, 2.50 ERA

Kenley Jansen (LAD) – 25 saves – 4 blown saves, 3.67 ERA

Will Smith (SF) – 25 saves – 2 blown saves, 2.38 ERA

Sean Doolittle (WSN) – 23 saves – 4 blown saves, 2.72 ERA

Josh Hader (MIL) – 23 saves – 2 blown saves, 2.13 ERA

Roberto Osuna (Hou) – 23 saves – 2 blown saves, 2.68 ERA

Edwin Diaz (NYM) – 22 saves – 4 blown saves, 4.81 ERA

Shane Greene (Det) – 22 saves – 3 blown saves, 1.22 ERA

Alex Colome’ (ChiSox) – 21 saves – 1 blown save, 2.33 ERA

Felipe Vazquez (Pitts) – 21 saves – 1 blown save, 1.87 ERA

Ian Kennedy (KC) – 19 saves – 3 blown saves, 3.40 ERA

Hector Neris – 18 saves – 4 blown saves, 3.92 ERA

Greg Holland – 17 saves – 5 blown saves, 3.51 ERA

Raisel Iglesias – 17 saves – 3 blown saves, 4.60 ERA

Luke Jackson – 17 saves – 7 blown saves, 3.12 ERA

Sergio Romo – 17 saves – 1 blown save, 3.58

Current Year Holds Leaders:

Adam Ottavino (NYY) – 24 holds, 1.59 ERA, 31 inherited runners and 8 scored

Ryan Pressly (Hou) – 23 holds, 2.03 ERA, 17 inherited runners and 4 scored

Craig Stammen (SD) – 21 holds, 3.54 ERA, 23 inherited runners and 8 scored

Tony Watson (SF) – 21 holds, 2.68 ERA, 12 inherited runners and 5 scored

Zack Britton (NYY) – 19 holds, 2.57 ERA, 13 inherited runners and 4 scored

Tommy Kahnle (NYY) – 19 holds, 2.66 ERA, 22 inherited runners and 5 scored

Jake Diekman (A’s) – 18 holds, 4.75 ERA, 22 inherited runners and 5 scored

Ty Buttrey (LAA) – 18 holds, 2.77 ERA, 27 inherited runners and 8 scored

Adam Morgan (Phi) – 18 holds, 3.21 ERA, 17 inherited runners and 4 scored

Pedro Baez (LAD) – 17 holds, 3.26 ERA, 25 inherited runners and 9 scored

Matt Barnes (Bos) – 17 holds, 4.24 ERA, 19 inherited runners and 6 scored

Sam Dyson (SF) – 16 holds, 2.52 ERA, 14 inherited runners and 6 scored

Will Harris (Hou) – 16 holds, 1.82 ERA, 18 inherited runners and 5 scored

Andrew Miller (StL) – 16 holds, 3.57 ERA, 26 inherited runners and 5 scored

Alex Claudio (Mil) – 16 holds, 4.15 ERA, 25 inherited runners and 8 scored

Notes: 

Pitchers who were save leaders last year and also this year:

Edwin Diaz (nowhere near as dominant as last year, but still a leader)

Felipe Vazquez

Kenley Jansen

Aroldis Chapman

Brad Hand

Shane Greene

Sean Doolittle

Raisel Iglesias

Sergio Romo

Roberto Osuna

Those having good years but not quite at the leader level:

Ken Giles (14 saves – 1 blown save, 1.59 ERA, 4 inherited runners and 2 scored)

Blake Treinen (16 saves – 1 blown save, 4.29 ERA, 8 inherited runners and 2 scored)

Wade Davis (15 saves – 2 blown saves, 5.64 ERA, 9 inherited runners and 1 scored)

Others:

Fernando Rodney – having a very down year with the Nats. 29 games, 25.0 IP, 7.20 ERA, 2 saves, 2 blown saves, and 6 holds

Craig Kimbrel – signed FA contract late with Cubs.  Off to a very slow start.

Keone Kela – has been injured and after being reinstated was suspended after he got into an altercation with Hector Morales, their director of cultural readiness and peak performance coach

Brad Boxberger – released by KC and signed minor league deal with Nationals

Cody Allen – Released by LAA and signed minor league deal with Twins

Bud Norris – Signed minor league contract with Toronto at beginning of year, and released.

Brandon Morrow – On IL all year

Pitchers who were holds leaders last year and also this year:

Adam Ottavino

Tony Watson

Alex Colome’ ( Part if saves leaders in 2019)

Matt Barnes

Craig Stammen

Pitchers with close results:

Joe Jimenez – 3 blown saves, 15 holds

Chaz Roe – 4 blown saves, 15 holds

Lou Trevino – 4 blown saves, 14 holds

Steve Cishek – 7 saves – 3 blown saves, 10 holds

Jose Alvarado – 5 saves – 2 blown saves, 6 holds

Yoshihisa Hirano – 1 save – 2 blown saves, 10 holds

Not as close:

Archie Bradley – 2 blown saves, 7 holds

Tommy Hunter – Out most of year on IL – 5 games pitched in 2019

Others:

Jordan Hicks – Out with TJ Surgery on June 26, 2019

Carl Edwards Jr. – Optioned to AAA

Dan Winkler – Optioned to AAA

How well relievers are doing between years is very subjective.  There are a number of relievers who have had back to back decent years, and some who have improved this year after a good 2018. We can all draw our own conclusions.

AC’s MINOR LEAGUE LOWDOWN

OKC Dodgers 4 – Memphis Redbirds 9 (Cardinals)

Dennis Santana was hit around again.  He surrendered 8 runs (7 earned) on 7 hits including 3 HRs.  Edwin Rios continued to hit with a 2-3 night including his 21^st HR and 18^th double.  Connor Joe went 2-5 with his 21^st double.  Kyle Garlick (18) and Zach Reks (16) also hit doubles.  Gavin Lux had the night off, while DJ Peters went 1-4.

Tulsa 9 – Midland RockHounds 0 (A’s)

Rob Zastryzny pitched a masterful 7.0 shutout innings on 3 hits.  Michael Boyle and Ryan Moseley completed the shutout victory with an inning each.  The Drillers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1^st, and broke it open with a 6 run 4^th.  They added a run in the 6^th for their 9 runs.  Omar Estevez and Zach McKinstry led the offense with 2 hits and 3 RBIs.  Omar’s hits were doubles (14).  I would like to have seen what Omar might have done had he not been injured early on.

RC Quakes 3 – Stockton Ports 7 (A’s)

The Quakes jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the 2^nd, only to have the Ports score 7 unanswered runs until Jeter Downs had a 2 out 2-RBI double in the 9^th.  Gerardo Carrillo started for the Quakes and lasted 3.0 innings. He allowed 3 runs on 4 hits.  Austin Drury and Sven Schueller restored order for 3 scoreless innings, but then second baseman Brandon Montgomery took the bump and gave up 3 runs and 4 hits in .1 inning.  This was Brandon’s 3^rd appearance as a pitcher, and this was the first game he has allowed a run or hit.  Dillon Paulson and Deacon Liput each had 2 hits with Paulson hitting his 1^st Quakes double.

Great Lakes 6 – West Michigan Whitecaps 2 (Tigers)

20-year-old RHP from Caracas, Venezuela went the first 6.2 innings, surrendering the 2 runs on 5 hits.  While Justin Hagenman pitched the final 2.0 innings for his 5^th save.  Martinez took his record to 8-1 in the Midwest League.  The offense was supplied by Jacob Amaya and Romer Cuadrado who each had 3 hits nights.  Amaya (24) and Cuadrado (11) each had doubles.  Chris Roller had a 2-hit night including his 7^th triple.

Ogden Raptors 14 – Orem Owlz 1 (LAA)

Ogden continues to put up runs in bunches.  But last night also saw some outstanding pitching.  19-year-old LHP Antonio Hernandez from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, started and went 5.0 scoreless innings.  Drew Finley, Mark Mixon, and Yeison Cespedes pitched 3 shutout innings.  Hunter Speer allowed the sole run in the 9^th to spoil the shutout.  Offensively, Ryan Ward had 3 hits including 2 doubles (8) and 2 RBI’s, Andy Pages had 2 hits including his 10^th double and 3 RBI’s, and Sam McWilliams had 2 hits including his 11^th HR and 2 RBI’s.  Brandon Wulff chipped in with his 2^nd triple.

AZL Dodgers 26 – AZL Padres (2) 17

In this pitcher’s duel, the two teams scored 43 runs on 43 hits.  The Lasordas took a 7-0 lead after 2 ½, only for the Pads to score 4 in the 3^rd and 4 more in the 4^th to take an 8-7 lead.  The Lasordas scored two in the 5^th to take back the lead 9-8.  Not to be outdone, the Pads scored 5 in the 5^th.  The Lasordas tied it up with 4 more in the 7^th.  The Lasordas scored 2 in the 9^th and 10^th only to be caught both times by the Pads.  After a scoreless 11^th to catch a breather), the Lasordas got serious and scored 9 in the 12^th,  and the Pads could not answer.  There were plenty of offensive stars for the Lasordas.  CF Rolando Lebron was a single shy of hitting for the cycle.  He had three hits; double (6), triple (2), and a 3-run HR to break the game open in the 12^th. Jorbit Vivas, 18-year-old 2B from ,  Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, went 4-7 with a triple (2), and is now batting .376 after 85 ABs.  Another 2B find?  The Dodgers seem to have a bundle.  Aldo Espinoza also went 4-7 with a double (7).  Yhostin Chirinos  had three hits, while both Yunior Garcia and Aldrich De Jongh each had a pair.  Besides Lebron’s HR, both Edwin Mateo (2), and Garrett Hope (1) hit HRs.  Andres Noriega hit his 1^st double.  We can miss the pitching discussion for this game.  Okay except 2 hitless and scoreless innings with 3 Ks for Riley Ottesen.

AZL Dodgers Mota 2 – AZL Indians Red 5

The Indians broke a 2-2 tie with 1 in the 8^th and 2 in the 9^th.  Zach Plunkett allowed an unearned run in the 8^th to suffer the loss, while Carlos De Los Santos allowed a 2-run HR in the 9^th to conclude the scoring.  18-year-old RHP, Jose Rodulfo (Anaco, Venezuela) started and pitched well for 5.0 innings allowing 2 runs.  Cyrillo Watson (one of 261 relief pitchers drafted this year), pitched a hitless and scoreless inning.  Watson has not yet been scored upon this year (very small sample size).  Imanol Vargas had two hits.  Kenneth Betancourt (3), Albert Suarez (8), and Daniel Castro (1) on a rehab assignment each had doubles.

DSL Dodgers Bautista 4 – DSL Royals (1) 6

Amin Valdez hit a 3-run HR (1) giving the Bautistas the 3-0 lead after 3.  The score remained the same until the 5^th when 18-year-old Dominican RHP, Axel Acevedo allowed an unearned run.  Jose Mendez came in and shut down any further threat.  Albert Moya surrendered 5 runs in his 1.1 IP, before Carlos de Avila (.2) and Denis Portes (1.0) closed out the game.  Jose Ramos and Joel Ibarra each had 2 hits, with Ibarra collecting his 5^th double.  Darwin Arainamo hit his 1^st double.

DSL Dodgers Shoemaker 5 – DSL Indians 1

Three Shoemaker pitchers scattered 3 hits for the p.  Eli Moron pitched 4.0 scoreless, 1-hit, innings for his 4^th victory without a defeat.  Moron is a 17-year-old pitcher from Cartagena, Columbia.  Marion Cairo had 2 hits including his 7^th HR, while Hector Martinez (6), Vladimir Perez (8), and Julio Enrique (9) each had doubles.