The Dodgers have amazing depth in their system, both at the major league level and the minor league level, so it leaves me a little puzzled when I hear fans berate the depth or lack thereof. Of course, those who do not believe in the depth are also puzzled when I say the depth is “amazing.” What’s the disconnect? Why did the Dodgers bring in players like Albert Pujols and Yosi T (I can’t spell Tsutsugo), if they have that much depth? First, let me say that they were brought in for different reasons: Albert was brought in the serve as a “role model” so to speak for these young guys. Even with his diminishing skills, he plays the game the right way. He hits behind runners and does what is necessary to drive in runs.
It should not be lost on anyone that he has played two games for the Dodgers and they have won both of them. His persona tends to elevate people around him. He showed last night why he is not an everyday player, but if the team around him elevates their game, his job is done. “Depth” is not unequivocal and depth and success are not mutually exclusive. The Dodgers depth is geared to be able to deliver two to three rookies a year, but when you suddenly have to rely on 12 or 13 rookies in a season, no amount of depth will handle that. There’s “depth” and there is “understanding depth” and finally there is “depth of understanding.” The Dodgers started the season with four or five rookies on the squad, but when you push and push that number, any team’s depth is going to be crushed because it takes too long for the youngsters to become major league pitchers or hitters. Albert Pujols can improve that process with his mere presence.
Yoshi on the other hand is tantalizing. He was great in Japan and a bust in Tampa Bay. This is a total “flyer” by Andrew Friedman, and when Pollock, Bellinger, McKinstry, and Seager are back, he had better be hitting bunches of home runs or the gig is up. Why not see if they can “fix” him? It’s the typical Andrew Friedman, low risk, high reward type of transaction… which probably won’t work out… but it could!
Dodger Rants and Raves
- The Dodgers have 12 players on the IL. Wow!
- Betts, Smith, and Lux are heating up at the right time. Look out!
- Chris Taylor continues to be All-Star Team worthy!
- Count Gavin Lux “Wally Pip” Corey Seager?
- It’s great to see Julio Urias finally grown up and it all happened right before our eyes.
- Oklahoma City should get better on Friday as Cody Bellinger and Zach McKinstry are headed there on re-hab assignments. Belli will play CF if that says anything!
- The Dodgers are now #2 in MLB in team ERA at 3.06. Only the Padres are better at 2.74 with Darvish pitching out of his a$$. The Dodgers are #1 in WHIP at 1.07 vs. 1.11 for the Padres.
- The Giants are #1 in Starter ERA at 2.64 (I’ll bet big money that won’t last). The Padres are #2 (2.83) and the Dodgers are #3 (2.86). The Dodgers starters have pitched the most innings, however.
- Don’t look now, but the Dodgers are up to #7 in MLB is Reliever ERA at 3.61. They were really horrid at one time (13 blown saves) but that is in the rear-view mirror. Someone here told you it would get better. Before the end of the year, the bullpen will be TOP THREE and may include Darien Nunez!
- Clayton goes tonight against TBD (I have never herd of that guy).
Dodgers Minor League Report
- OKC BOXSCORE– As usual, OKC lost 6-1. All they managed were 4 singles. Mitch White and Pazos pitched clean innings and that was about it. Move on… nothing here but a crime scene.
- Tulsa BOXSCORE– Tulsa improved to 7-6 by bringing out the heavy lumber. Mike Busch was 1-3 with2 BB and 3 runs scored. Ryan Noda was 2-4 with 4 RBI, including a 2-run HR. Carlos Rincon continues to mash (.357 BA/1.140 OPS) as he went 2-3. Hunter Feduccia was 2-4. Michael Grove started and went 3.2 innings, allowing 2 ER, 2BB, and 3 K’s.
- GL BOXSCORE– Great Lakes also brought out the lumber, winning 10-6 over Lake County. Pages, Outman, and Wald (all outfield prospects) combined for 5 hits. Miguel Vargas was 2-6.
- RC BOXSCORE – The Quakes beat Lake Elsinore 8-6, behind 11 hits and 7 BB. Jake Vogel was 2-4 with a BB at leadoff. 21-year-old Sauryn Lao was 3-5 with a HR and a triple. Watch switch-hitting Edwin Mateo was was 2-4 with a walk and 3-runs scored (.333 BA/.841 OPS).
Discussion (28)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Hate the bullpen game tonight just before the Giants series (they begin to concern me, they are not letting up and getting fantastic work out of their pitching staff).
This essentially will make us shorthanded for the first two games in SF. IMHO it would be better to settle on a guy like Nelson and stretch him out . Over the long run I would turn to Price to be our Nr .5 starter for the regular season.
Should Gray be able to return he would be an option to at the Nr. 5 spot.
Dodgers depth is very good at the MLB level, not so good at AAA and it shows in the OKC record.
Peters needs to break threw which would help at multiple fronts: Power off the bench, good baserunner, superb outfileld defense.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
Hawkeye – Kelly has always had filthy stuff, that’s why he is getting paid, but you are absolutely right. He, Treinen and Knebel will hopefully lock down the later innings come Playoff time.
Having Kenley pitch like he is at the moment is also a massive boost.
Suddenly the Pen is looking a lot better.
Pete, Badger, Bums, – hope you boys are keeping well, and B&P enjoy the Wedding.
PS – Mark – you’re doing a sterling job. Thanks for all the effort. Much appreciated.
Nice job by the pen. If we could see that Joe Kelly consistently it would help a lot. He was filthy. I have to remind myself it’s the Dbags he was facing.
CK needs 105 K’s to catch Sutton.
Angry Kenley we all so sorry for ever doubting you. Love that slider tonight! And 96! If only we could see that every outing
Combined, Pujols & Peters are a whole player.
I am glad to see doc use Gonzalez consistently in the eighth innings in high leverage. At least it seems like he is. Who knows I may be wrong.
With the way the bench is not hitting and that the bullpen isn’t very good I would have kept Kershaw in the game.
My point is those guys are not ready now. That is obvious. It is also bad that these unproven players are placed in the pressure cooker when regulars are not high performing either.
Mark to your point about talent developing. I have never seen anyone look worse entering the majors as Javier Baez. He was the most undisciplined hitter I have ever seen. Swing at anything, hit nothing, kkkkk but while still a free swinger he is not too shabby lol.
Sheldon Neuse compares to Max Muncy at the same age. In fact, he is better. He has a .218 BA i n MLB. Max Muncy was worse than that at age 26.
I told you Yimi Garcia would be good. It just took a long time and you can’t keep everyone. It’s easy to see the issues with DJ Peters swing, but I ain’t good enough to tell if Raley or Neuse will be any good or not, however, I do see a lot of potential.
Alex Bregman started his career 1 for 22.
In Aaron Judge’s first season (95 AB’s) he hit .179. The next year he hit 52 HR and batted .284.
I can cite dozens of other cases, but I won’t.
I just kind is comical that major league managers, scouts and GM’s don’t know as much as you all with those keen eyes for talent. Ha Ha Ha Ha! It’s way beyond moronic. It’s little kid-silly!
WE don’t know jack-shit about players before at least a 100-150 AB’s.
Most of you wanted to throw Yimi out… now look what he has grown into. Ditto, Julio Urias.
Stick to your day jobs!
Stuff found on Internet:
Jay Jaffe on how the Pujols addition makes sense:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-dodgers-addition-of-albert-pujols-didnt-make-sense-until/
Clayton Beeter’s 2 Ks from his perfect inning. This season, 4 scoreless IP,2H, 1 BB, and 8Ks.
He lasted until the 66th pick.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1395153611550695424/pu/vid/480×270/TWhDk6VzLzPOSSRM.mp4?tag=12
How the Dodgers are working to retool Tsutsugo’s swing:
https://www.ocregister.com/2021/05/18/dodgers-think-they-can-help-yoshi-tsutsugo-find-his-old-swing/
More Beeter, this time against Tigers’ prospects Parker Meadows, Spencer Torkelson, Dillon Dingler, and Andre Lipcius.:
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1394343472392458240/pu/vid/1280×720/vCHK5bHwb1oNc1L_.mp4?tag=12
Remember Beaty getting ejected? The great Jomboy breaks it down.
https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1394308743718969349/vid/1280×720/zij5dnsLi3rjXK8m.mp4?tag=14
Bobby Miller had 3Ks in 2IP.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1395148963313979395/pu/vid/1280×720/v7C6B6ai1FD0a4xd.mp4?tag=12
BTW: The Loons play-by-play guy said that Bobby Miller’s missed start was a scheduled skip from the org, that there’s a strong focus on recovery following what was obviously a very uneven year, and that we should expect more for almost all of the rotation members.
ICYMI, the great, great, great (almost as great as the NYTimes) Pedro Moura has left The Athletic to be the national guy for Fox? He’s being replaced @TheAthletic by Fabian Ardaya
https://theathletic.com/2586460/2021/05/14/ardaya-from-a-brush-with-dodgers-greatness-to-covering-the-defending-world-series-champs/
Jim Callis from MLB on the Dodger’s and the draft:
It’s very hard to know who goes 1-28, so I’ll guess the Dodgers will get someone who two years from now everyone will wonder how he possible lasted until No. 29. I do hear Peyton Stovall connected to LA
Kevin Goldstein chat:
Q: How soon do you think Keibert Ruiz could be getting 300 PAs in the majors? Would that require a trade or might the Dodgers move on from Austin Barnes?
A:Yeah, it feel like if it’s going to happen see, it’s not going to happen in LA. Might be a really nice trade chip in a couple of months.
Kevin Goldstein: I love Cassavettes and Killing of a Chinese Bookie is my favorite film of his.
Mark, the team on the offensive side just does not have enough quality depth to compete with the injuries we have. We had kike and joc last year who could step in for a starter and the team kept moving forward. You might say those 2 even improved our team during their hot streaks. A healthy Rios was solid. Barnes was an adequate or better backup. Beaty had his moments.
But this year, Rios injured no joc no kike while Beaty was off to a terrible start. Mckinstry was off to a really good start but now injured. Barnes is a complimentary player who on his best day can contribute offensively. So after the hot start our lineup had 3-4 outs in the lineup on any given day. Just simply depth players that have no business in the mlb at least now. couple that with the bullpen imploding by having clevinger, Vesia, Santana, getting high leverage innings when they couldn’t hold an 8 run game. Add to that guys like Betts, seager,smith were not carrying their load.
Thankfully, we have an exceptional starting rotation, the bullpen is improving, muncy, Taylor, smith, lux are swinging better. So if we had the necessary depth then why would we get AP and YT? AF is no dummy he was looking for somebody who could give a professional at bat. I agree with dodgerrick he did not get them for leadership if I understood his post correctly. I mean really we have all this money in turner, kershaw, Betts etc and we need leadership. I call bs. They should add to the clubhouse but their professional bats are needed more than anything until we get healthy. AF knows it is risky but when he looks at the alternatives of Raley, peters, neuse, and the like it is a no-brainer.
That defense, the center line, that we will see a lot this summer, and that will avoid many runs and that the pitchers will appreciate, will be very nice to watch:
C Smith (he’s playing great defense, he’s getting better and better)
2B CT3 (Mister efficiency)
SS Lux (A real SS: soft hands, arm and range both ways)
CF Bellinger (The Best)
The problem in DJ’s swing is widely documented and the scouts predicted it since he signed, they said that because of his very tall his swing was very long and he took a long time in the zone and that is why he cannot be put on time with the fastball and that is why it is easily beaten, by the time he attacks the ball is already passed and the catcher already has it.
The obvious thing is to shorten the swing and try to get the bat out faster, that is easier said than done, if he cannot do it he will never be a major league player, at this time it is enough to just throw something hard at him and he cannot reach the ball.
If the Dodgers had great depth then one of Peters, Raley, Neuse or Rios would hit. Because they didn’t we now have 2 other guys who haven’t been hitting (Pujols and Tsutsugo). The Dodgers think that they can fix the latter – maybe they can. It’s worth a try.
I get that Pujols has been great in the past. I even get that he may be decent as a RHPH or occasional 1B. But the Dodgers won the World Series last year and they’ve been there 3 of the last 4 years. Do they really need a “veteran presence” at this point? I thought that Betts and Kershaw were supposed to be the team leaders. And how did Pujols help to win last night’s game? And why do the Dodgers have a guy who can’t hit at the Mendoza line hitting cleanup?
Would either of these guys been on the roster if the “depth” was performing?
Re; HBP – Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported this on 5/11:
“Think about this as well: While the season is less than six weeks old, the rate of hit by pitches entering Sunday was the highest in Major League Baseball history, and last season’s rate was the highest since 1899, according to STATS Perform.
Pitchers throw harder than ever, and increasingly work up in the zone. Many, however, struggle to command their elevated, high-velocity baseballs…”
The point is that velocity up in the zone with lack of command leads to all of the HBP.
Busy morning for me. I’m working on getting another knee replaced. I’m so ready.
* Beaty scares me in the outfield. The very first hitter last night hit a liner right over Beaty’s head, the toughest ball to judge. The secret for a corner outfielder is to always turn to the foul line and the ball will curve or slice toward you. Beaty turned the wrong way and had to that little defensive back hip swivel and a Baryshnikov to catch the ball. Thankfully while getting no style points, he made the play. Keep hitting baby.
* tedraymond mentioned yesterday about Urias and his possibility of being a solid #2 or even and ace. I think, health permitting and continued improvement like we’ve seen, he has a chance to put up some very impressive career numbers. I forget he’s 24. If you extend Urías numbers to age 33, he could get to 2000 strikeouts. He’s be in elite company. That’s pure crystal ball speculation but he’s becoming something special.
* Chris Taylor for the all star game. YES. As Bear has pointed out, he may strike out too much for that but he’s an all-start performer in my mind. Kike’s exit opened some doors for CT3
* Orel’s said something last night that I thought of when we got Albert. If I was DJ Peters, every time Albert turned around, he would bump into me. I would ask to be Albert’s hitting partner and I would be his shadow; his Baba-Looey, in search of why my bat has a hole in it.
*BulldogsandPenquins, congratulations on your son’s wedding and I hope your family has a wonderful time. We’ll keep you posted if you miss anything and maybe even some material to throw at your Giant friends.
* I appreciate being mentioned by tedraymond, BulldogsandPenquins and David a possible contributor to give Mark and the Boys a break once in awhile. I need to think about that one and I couldn’t come up with the great stuff Bear does on the Dodgers and older players. I would have to learn how to do it with Mark’s approval and support. It might not be much but maybe come up sometimes with something interesting. I appreciate the shout out, regardless.
Lineup:
1. Betts CF
2. Muncy 1B
3. Turner 3B
4. Tsutsugo LF
5. Taylor 2B
6. Lux SS
7. Beaty RF
8. Barnes C
9. Kershaw P
I will be in Denver for this in September:
https://www.craftbrewersconference.com/
It has been two years and we are ready for some shows. Here’s the last one in Denver:
Cheers!
Word has it that hbp is up almost 30% this year. Could the new “soft ball” that seems to give pitchers more movement have anything to do with that?
Looks like the plane has finally landed on Lux’s runway!
Fresh news is that the Dodgers might save Bauer for the Giants series. A win today makes that decision a lot easier. Bullpen game tomorrow against the D-Bags and a normal rotation of Bauer, Bueller and Urias for the Giants series makes a lot of sense.
Well, depth can be a deep or shallow subject. At this point, it’s obvious the Dodgers with all the injuries, it has become quite shallow, not much at the Triple A level. Players like Raley, Peters are strikeout machines, which would be great if they were pitchers, only they’re not.
Thus the signings of Pujols and the flyer on Yosi. But with the return of Price, and the expected return of Bellinger, Gonsolin and McKinstry, the depth issue figures to improve.
Urias has always been a talent. Definitely a top tier starter. Lux always had the talent, just needed to be allowed to relax and play. Expect Dodger power to increase as the weather warms.
Big discussion on MLB TV about all the injuries. Some thinking it’s tied to training methods. But both Seager and Bellinger’s injuries were of the freak variety. Still lots of strains and pulls causing too many players to miss time. I’m guessing the Dodgers are trying to figure it out. But when you look at today’s players versus players of years ago, the size is absolutely startling.
They went out and got pujois and the other guy because they were available and because the people we have like raley, peters, etc are not ready.
I think those were very good moves. If we would have have had a guy like T we would have won a few more games. If a guy would have just walked staying in the strike zone we would have won a couple of games against the pads.
U need somebody who can have a professional at bat until we get our regulars back. If they can stay healthy they might be what we need off the bench
>>There’s “depth” and there is “understanding depth” and finally there is “depth of understanding.” <<
DUDE, that is deep. 🙂
Well, Tsutsugo and Pujols are showing little magic, they both delivered professional ABs. Albert isn’t hurting us at first base. I love a big target over there and the glove still plays.
We’re starting to see the real Gavin Lux. Don’t give up on guys too early. He’s a bona-fide blue chip prospect and is beginning to look that way. I love his athleticism, but he isn’t going to “Pip” the NLCS and World Series MVP. In the middle of Summer we’ll see Seags step up again.
The team is getting it done with Pollock, Belli and Seager on the DL. Show me another team that wins 6 of 7 with their No 2, 4 and 5 hitters on the DL.
I remember when everyone on this site wanted Urias in the pen. We’re seeing why he’s a starter. I absolutely love Julio. It seems like I’ve been watching him grow up in the organization from a teenager to a grown man.
It was a welcome site seeing Price come in and shut them down last night. A nice soft landing for him coming off the IL. I expected to see him for another inning, but Doc used Vesia in a mop up role which is great for an up and coming reliever.
I hope KC brings his A game tonight to secure the series win. The bullpen is well rested, so it’s going to be a tough night if they don’t put up some numbers against Kershaw.
The bullpen is going to keep getting better. This happens when your starters routinely pitch into the 7th. Sadly, another bullpen game seems to be on the horizon for Friday. I hope Uceta is up for the task. Let him start and go as deep as he can.
My son’s wedding is this weekend. My wife has a couple of friends from Napa staying with yes. They are of course, Giants fans perfectly coinciding with the upcoming series. Hopefully, the baseball Gods will smile down on me by lifting the Dodgers into first place by the time they leave.
I’m hosting the rehearsal dinner on Friday, the game will be on. On Saturday, the game will conflict with the 5PM wedding. What to do?
Mark, I have questioned your belief that Urias was going to be an ace. I thought he would be a 3 at best. He was maddening to watch because he would continually nibble at the edges. This drove up his pitch count and as a result had trouble going more than four innings with 89-90 pitches. He wouldn’t challenge hitters. Now, he just pounds the strike zone. He has walked only 7 batters so far with 60 K’s. With better control he is averaging 6.3 innings per start. If continues on this path and stays healthy he definitely can become a strong #2 and possibly our #1. Either way he will be a solid pitcher for the Dodgers in the future. So, as a Dodger fan, I’m happy to admit my original evaluation was incorrect and you, sir, were right. Let’s hope he can stay healthy and continue his success for many years.
Yesterday I posted later in the day about Mark considering philjones for some lead articles and observations on a regular basis. Of course, that’s if he has the time and desire to do so. Someone else had suggested it the previous day as well. With his playing and coaching experience he has a lot of insight on things that most of us here on the blog do not have. The takes on Buehler’s landing affecting his location and DJ’s frame by frame analysis of his hitting approach is interesting and adds to the enjoyment of the game. I think it would be a good addition and give Mark some relief.
Winning is easy
Tsutsugo walked twice in 4 at bats. OBP of .500. That’s better than Muncy.