Who is Jahmai Jones… REALLY?

Some early season data analysis assessments of the pitching performances of some Dodger starters and some familiar names. PitchingBot Stuff and Stuff+, which are some new metrics which assess pitches based on factors such as velocity, vertical and horizontal vertical movement, release point and spin rate, are available and, in today’s article on Fangraphs, a couple of Dodgers were mentioned.

Some takaways:

1. Ohtani is a stud. His “stuff” rates as the highest among all starting pitchers, and, as good as he was last year, he’s gotten even better with the introduction of a new and devastating slider to go along with his dominant fastball and nasty forkball. Mike Trout saw firsthand that slider on the final pitch of the WBC.

2. Dustin May ranked 15th/16th among all starters in pure “stuff.” We know he had that pretty wicked high MPH two seamer that has all of that arm side run into right handed batters. He never really has had a high strikeout rate, however, and I’ve always thought he needed to throw a good four seamer on in the zone. He is now throwing a hard, high spin four seamer to go along with ridiculous high RPM curve. If he can settle down and keep his command consistent, he could be one of MLB’s top starters.

3. Syndergaard. Their measurements echo what many of us have been saying here. His pure stuff just doesn’t play anymore. He doesn’t have the velo or the movement on his pitches that made him an all star. His “stuff” just isn’t that good anymore. However, he can be effective if he maintains command, locates his pitches well, and Prior works with him on effective sequencing to hide his weaknesses and maximize his strengths. He can still be good. I don’t have huge confidence that his typical start will be like the one he had the other night.

4. Josiah Gray. The stats just don’t care for his stuff. Poor Josiah. I rooted for him while he was a Dodger prospect, but he was a good trade piece. He could probably use a good pitching coach like Prior to iron out the flaws in his repertoire.

If they don’t win the championship their not the best team period no matter how much you want to fantasize. Winning 111 games, leading the league in team era and runs scored don’t mean diddly squat without a ring. Calling it a lucky crapshoot is just a lame excuse

“Practically all catchers wear cups. Then again, most outfielders don’t. One coach specifically said that he believed that around 25% of all baseball players don’t wear cups.“

Damm. That’s nuts.

Max Muncy was considering retirement before he got his shot with the Dodgers. I wonder whether Jones had such thoughts amid his struggles, but it’s great that he’s still plugging away and maybe the Dodgers system will bring out the best in his game. Rooting for the guy.

Right now, Busch and Jones are competing with each other for the attention of Dodger brass. If both succeed, it will make it easier to trade one or the other. Last season, it was McKinstry who got traded for that relief pitcher from Coldplay, I mean the Cubs. Chris Martin certainly served the Dodgers well and prospered as a FA, not unlike the SPs Anderson and Heaney.

BTW, a couple weeks ago somebody here said the Cubs “gave up on” Zach McKinstry, as is he was DFA’d.

Um, no. The Cubs traded him to the Tigers for a pitching prospect–and McKinstry is still playing in the majors.

I just don’t understand why some players get dissed here. Dylan Floro was another target after he was traded for Vesia and (I think) Hurt. This was after Floro did a fine job helping the Dodgers to the 2020 pennant, including a big K of Randy Arozarena, then the hottest player on the planet.

You could argue that the Dodgers “won” the trade because Vesia, then unproven, has been good. But the Marlins didn’t lose the trade, as Floro provided veteran stability for a team looking for a sure thing. Both teams got what they were seeking–a win-win trade.

We don’t even know yet whether the Dodgers “won” that Matt Beatty trade for River Ryan–but I’m sure glad that happened. Still, Beatty remains in the majors, having joined Farhan’s former Dodger club in San Francisco. But of course we’d all rather be cheering for River Ryan….someday.

Nice piece Mark! I keep hearing all the talk about ohtani coming to the dodgers. I look at our team today. 3rd base will need an upgrade, ss will need an upgrade, at lest one outfield spot will need to be addressed, and depending upon luxs health, 2nd base. I know we have deep minor league system, but we know only a handful will make an immediate impact! I would rather spend on 2-3 position players and maybe a starting pitcher than give ohtani 500 million at 30 years of age! We have stone, Miller, may, and for god’s sake resign urias. We don’t need ohtani. Now a package for Trout, I’m all in. If we (AF) spends that much on ohtani, we’re 10 years into him, with maybe 1/2 of that at a high level. And if he has Tommy John we losing a bat in the lineup. I just don’t see Friedman dishing out what it’s going to take to sign him. 5 years at 40 million a year? Yep do it

With all the right intangibles going, playing like determined to be champions we were. Getting chills thinking about it cause that’s what it’s all about

Yes in 20 was much harder which makes that championship something to be even more proud of for sure. Of course can say some luck involved but no one can tell me we didn’t have the best team

My bad it was 93 when started having to win two rounds to make series. In 69 started LCS only having to win one round. But still 30 years of having to win two like us last year

Nice info on Jones. Thanks. Has my curiosity up. And good to hear about Galvin was unable to watch. All this talk about crapshoot got me to thinking about format. All the way back to 69 four teams made playoffs so would have to win two rounds to make series and now with all wildcard teams have to win three rounds except two division winners with best record like LA and Atlanta last year get a bye so they still only have to win two rounds. Not a whole lot different other than more teams involved. Am I missing something