Tony Gonsolin: Dodger Ace?

I tend to believe that in baseball as well as any sport “what have you done for me lately?” rings the bell loudly and that when a pitcher has a 6-0 record, a 1.59 ERA, and a 0.88 WHIP, he deserves to be called “Ace!” This is especially true when that same pitcher leads the NL in ERA. Welcome the much maligned (by Dodger fans), Tony Gonsolin!, Dodger Ace!

Actually, you should have seen this coming. Tony Gonsolin has been pretty dang good throughout his career. In slightly less than 200 IP (193.1) over four seasons Tony Gonsolin has given up just 127 Hits, has 197 Strikeouts, and a 2.51 ERA to go with a 1.03 WHIP. Those stats are close to the “Ace-Zone.” Tony’s only problems were (1) Staying Healthy; and (2) Walking Hitters. Well, this year, he is healthy and his walk rate from 2021 is more than cut in half! I think he will only get better.

In reality, I see Tony as a Really Solid Number Three Starter, but he can be the Ace until Striker and Julio get their acts together. Ok, then there is that Old Kershaw Guy who acts like he can still pitch: 4-0, 1.70 ERA. 0.73 WHIP – Yeah, that there is Ace-Stats! This almost makes us forget about two pitchers: Andrew Heaney who is on the IL, whom Andrew Friedman resurrected from Pitcher Purgatory and is unscored upon in 2022, as well a Tyler Anderson who is 6-0 with a 2.90 ERA. Both Kershaw and Heaney should be back in the next 2-3 weeks.

Those six starters are better (stats-wise) than any other six starters in baseball… by a longshot. Of course, that will be determined by health, but if they are not all that healthy, there are options in the wings. We know the names: Knack, Pepiot, Miller, Stone, and Grove. I think at least one could step-up later this season. Pepiot has shown flashes… maybe Grove. Knack has the stuff right now and Miller and Stone are somewhat underappreciated. When you have the kind of farm system the Dodgers do, you do not block young starters with more older starters… at least in my opinion you don’t.

Mookie Betts: MVP!

Mookie is on that trajectory. It is now clear that Mookie was injured all last year and his declining skills early this season were just “rust” and getting his timing and rythum back. Mookie is playing with the sheer joy of a child and playing like his hair is on fire. He is in line to win the NL MVP… barring injury. Freddie Freeman has not been totally “in sync” all season – wait until he is. Trea Turner is playing for a new deal – and he wants it to be a “Green New Deal.” It’s looking like Max Muncy’s problems were physical and we will see him return at some point in the next few weeks.

Gavin Lux is hitting .280 and we are waiting for his power to develop, but I’ll take what he is right now. Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, and Will Smith have all shown signs of life, but have not consistently been where they need to be. The Dodger engine is not hitting on all cylinders right about now, but isn’t that true with every team? Maybe they will heat up about the time some of the other cool off a bit?

Craig the Closer!

Kimbrel notched his 11th save and showed no signs he was anything but dominant as he disposed of the Mets with 12 pitches in the 9th inning last night. He wore the closer robe well. The Bazooka, Almonte, Hudson, and Phillips have all been spectacular out of the bullpen and the time is coming when the Dodgers will see some more live arms return to action. I am very excited about the pitching prospects, including Carson Fulmer, Danny Duffy, Tommy Kahnle, Dustin May, Victor Gonzalez and I have not even mentioned Blale Treinen, whom I am not counting on this year.

The Bench

It was too bad that Kevin Pillar fractured his shoulder – he might have been a good comeback story. Now, we watch Zack McKinstry who can play just about any position. Zack will help the Dodgers… make no mistake about that!

Down on the Farm

• Ryan Pepiot threw 95 pitches in 4.2 innings for OKC last night as he walked 3 and struck out 7 while giving up just one run (he has a 1.75 ERA) and he just needs to throw more strikes.
• Miguel Vargas was 2-5 with a double and 3 RBI lat night.
• Jacob Amaya dropped into the .270’s from .330 before gong 2-4 last night with a double, while James Outman hit his 12th HR (.290/.967).
• If you want a power bullpen arm, you could do worse than Landon Knack. I think that Mike Grove and Knack would excel in the bullpen in one or two inning stints.
• Diego Cartaya was 2-4 with a double in his 2nd game for Great Lakes (he batted 4th). Will Smith: Better pick it up!
• Rancho Cucamionga tomorrow night!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIobqN3zd-Y