The four LAD affiliates won all four of their MiLB games. All four wins would be considered blow out wins. Two grand slams (Diego Cartaya – Tulsa) and Alex Freeland (Great Lakes). Some excellent pitching, including a combined three hit shutout (RC).
It sure would be nice to see Nick Frasso move to AAA and Ronan Kopp to AA. Midland had a 21 year old RHP, Joey Estes, face off against 24 year old Frasso. Estes is Oakland 22nd top prospect, while the 24 year old Frasso is LAD’s #10 prospect.
OKC Dodgers 12 – Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston) 5
In the 1st, Michael Busch started his game with a 1 double (4). Luke Williams singles to score Busch.
After Robbie Erlin gave up a solo HR to JJ Matijevic in the 2nd, OKC came back with a Hunter Feduccia walk and a Bradley Zimmer HR (2). Drew Avans hit a solo HR (1), and a 4-1 lead.
Erlin gave up a Justin Dirden triple and a ground out for the Space Cowboys 2nd run in the third. OKC had a triple of their own, Ben DeLuzio (1), who also scored on a ground out.
OKC scored three more in the 4th. Drew Avans tripled and scored on a balk. Walks to Busch and Williams preceded a run scoring single by Ryan Ward. Williams came around to on a ground out. OKC had an 8-2 lead after 4.
With Justin Hagenman pitching in the 6th, he surrendered a solo HR by Matijevic (4) and a 2-run HR by Ross Adolph. That was Matijevic’s 2nd HR of the day.
In the bottom of the 6th Bradley Zimmer singled for an unearned run.
In the 7th, Avans singled and Busch hit his 1st HR of the season. After a pair of doubles, Hunter Feduccia singled home the 12th run.
Robbie Erlin finished 5.0 innings allowing only the two runs on 5 hits. He issued 1 BB and complied 8 K.
After Hagenman, Adam Kolarek and Wander Suero each pitched a perfect inning, with Suero getting a K.
- Drew Avans – 3-6, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR (2)
- Michael Busch – 3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 HR (1), 1 double (4)
- Luke Williams – 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB
- Bradley Zimmer – 3-4, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR (2)
- Hunter Feduccia – 1-2, 1 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB
The OKC pitchers issued 1 BB while registering 13 K.
Box Score
Tulsa Drillers 9 – Midland RockHounds (Oakland) 3
For 4.5 innings the Tulsa – Midland RockHounds game was a true pitcher’s duel between Tulsa’s Nick Frasso and Midland’s 21 year old RHP, Joey Estes. Estes pitched five scoreless innings allowing 2 hits with 0 BB and 6 K. For four innings, Frasso allowed 1 hit with 1 BB and 5 K.
In the 5th, Frasso gave up a double to Chase Calabuig just over the reach of Jonny DeLuca. After two harmless outs, LHH Sha tne McGuire slapped a roller down the third base line that Jorbit Vivas could not handle and Calabuig scored. After another bloop double, McGuire was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a throw from Kody Hoese to Diego Cartaya.
The RockHounds scored two on a 2-run HR off Trevor Bettencourt with one out in the 6th. Tanner Dodson came in with a runner on 1st and got out of the inning. He pitched a perfect 7th and 8th with 4 Ks in his 2.2 IP. This was a fantastic outing from Dodson. Actually encouraging.
Down 3-0, the Drillers went on a run rampage in the final 3 innings. The Drillers had 3 consecutive doubles to lead off the 7th (Diego Cartaya, Imanol Vargas, and Josh Stowers). The doubles were followed by a pair of singles (Kody Hoese, and Bryson Brigman). After the five consecutive hits, the score was tied.
In the 8th, Imanol Vargas drew a one out BB and was balked to 2nd. Josh Stowers singled to score Vargas and break the tie. Stowers moved to 2nd on a Hoese flyout and scored on a Brigman single.
The Drillers broke it wide open, largely due to a grand slam HR (1).
John Rooney pitched a perfect 9th for the come back win.
- Diego Cartaya – 3-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 1 HR (GS), 1 DBL
- Imanol Vargas – 2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 DBL
- Josh Stowers – 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 DBL
- Bryson Brigman – 3-5, 1 RBI
- Andy Pages – 0-1, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 1 R,
Andy Pages has 27 PA. With 6 hits (14 AB), 6 BB, 3 HBP for an OBP of .556. What is also impressive is he only has 5 K (18.5% K rate). He also has 7 RBI. He deserves to be in AAA.
Box Score
Great Lakes Loons 15 – Dayton Dragons (Reds) 3
The Loons broke out the bats in this one. They scored 8 unanswered runs in the first 4 innings.
Ronan Kopp was outstanding and efficient for 4.0 scoreless innings. He allowed 2 hits with 1 BB and 5 K.
In the 1st, after a HBP and BB, Dalton Rushing had a run scoring single.
In the 2nd, Taylor Young drew a BB and scored on a Chris Alleyne double (2).
In the 3rd, Rushing had his 2nd RBI with a double scoring Damon Keith who was HBP. Rushing moved to 3rd on a Yeiner Fernandez single, but was thrown out on a break on contact fielder’s choice. After Young drew a BB to load the bases, Alleyne hit a sac fly for the 2nd run. Jake Vogel singled to score Young, and Alleyne scored on an error.
In the 4th Alex Freeland singled and scored ahead of Yeiner Fernandez’s HR (2).
Robbie Peto followed Kopp and pitched 4.0 innings. He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits, no BB, and 5 K. One of the hits was a 2-run HR.
With five walks, the Loons scored 2 more in the 8th.
In the 9th, a pair of HBP and Jake Vogel single loaded the bases. An error brought home one run, but kept the bases loaded for Alex Freeman. Freeman hit a grand slam HR (1).
Mitchell Tyranski pitched a perfect 9th with one K.
- Yeiner Fernandez – 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, HR
- Alex Freeland – 2-5, 1 R, 4 RBI, 1 BB, HR
- Dalton Rushing – 2-5. 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, DBL
- Jake Vogel – 2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI
Box Score
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6 – Visalia Rawhide (Arizona) 0
4 pitchers combined on a three hit shutout.
- Maddux Bruns – 3.1 IP, 2 hits, 2 BB, 6 K
- Chris Campos – 1.2 IP, 3 BB, 1 K
- Joel Ibarra – 2.0 IP, 3 BB, 2 K
- Jose Bautista – 2.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K
Chris Newell hit a solo HR (2) in the 3rd to give the Quakes the only run they needed.
2 BB, a single, and a balk scored a run in the 6th.
Jose Izarra led off the 7th with a double (3), followed by a Rayne Doncon HR (2). Chris Newell then drew a walk, moved to 2nd on an errant pickoff throw and scored on a Kyle Nevin single.
In the 9th, RC scored on a 2 BB, a single, and a force out.
- Kyle Nevin – 3-5, 1 RBI
- Rayne Doncon – 1-3, 2R, 2 RBI, HR (2)
- Joel Izarra – 2-4, 1 R, double (3)
Box Score
Nick Frasso and Ronan Kopp were both pretty impressive. It was my 3rd or 4th time seeing Frasso, but only my first watching Kopp. I need to see Kopp more to determine if he is a legit starting pitcher, more of a high leverage reliever.
Any thoughts on Stowers? Between him and Jahmai Jones we’re going for the prospect reunion tour here.
…”Andy Pages has 27 PA. With 6 hits (14 AB), 6 BB, 3 HBP for an OBP of .556. What is also impressive is he only has 5 K (18.5% K rate). He also has 7 RBI. He deserves to be in AAA”.
I look forward to him being a Dodger.
Busch played 3B again?
Bruns looking good! Would like 1BB instead of 2BB, but who wouldn’t!
OTOH:
Where is Stowers from?
Where is Austin Gauthier from?
I sure would like to see Stone steady the ship.
Josh Stowers is a former 2nd round pick (2018) out of Louisville, by Seattle (overall pick 54). So you know Marty Lamb was involved when Josh was selected in the 3rd round of the 2022 Rule 5, MiLB Phase. He was a teammate of Will Smith for one year (2016) at Louisville.
Josh is 26 from Chicago, Illinois. B/T: R/R, 6’0”/200.
Stowers was traded by Seattle to NYY for 2B, Shed Long (January 21, 2019). He was in the Arizona Fall League in 2019.
Traded by NYY with C Antonio Cabello to Texas for 2B Rougned Odor and cash (April 6, 2021).
The Dodgers selected Josh in the 3rd round of the MiLB Rule 5 draft, December 7, 2022.
This is his third year in the Texas League (AA). In 2021, Josh hit 20 HR and stole 21 bases. MiLB career slash line – .247/.354/.413/.767. 42 HR, 99 SB. 190 BB, 407 K. 120 of his 311 hits were XBH.
2023 – Tulsa – 17 PA – .533/.588/.667/1.255
Austin Gauthier is a 24 (next month) year old infielder who the Dodgers signed as an undrafted free agent in August 2021. Third season with the Dodgers (second full season). He is currently playing for Great Lakes (High A). Currently he is the regular 3B. His MiLB slash line is .269/.430/.398/.828. 8 career HR and 18 career SB. 40 of his 130 hits are XBH.
B/T: R/R – 6’0”/188
In his professional career, Austin has played SS (80 games). SS (48 games), 3B (15 games), DH (3 games).
2023 – Great Lakes – 26 PA – .348/.423/.565/.988
After a very shaky Wednesday, Busch got a few more opportunities at 3B on Thursday. There wasn’t anything too difficult or hit too hard, but he did make the plays and did show a good and accurate arm. I would sure like to see him backhand shots down the line, get up, and make the throw. I would like to see more of his range with hard hit balls in the hole. But I will take what he has to offer. He is never going to be a Nolan Arenado or Ke’Bryan Hayes, but with a little more time, he might be better defensively than Max.
Dislike off days, makes it a boring day. Nice to see those kinds of performances.
It would appear we have an abundance of ML ready, or near ready, MiLB talent. Obviously most of it is blocked. What to do?
Nothing. Or……
I’d trade Busch for a mid-lower level shortstop and a couple of arms now. He’s 25 years old and it would appear we aren’t going to use him. The Phillies have an interesting SS prospect in Bergolia. Is he better than ours? I have no idea.
While on the subject, why is Busch playing third base? If Philly was interested wouldn’t he be working at first?
In my opinion the Dodgers didn’t address the shortstop position aggressively enough. Rojas? He’s a utility guy. Lux? He seemed to be adjusting just fine to second base. After all the other SS signed elsewhere I was more or less ok with him at short, but, preferred other options. Now we have nobody at short, an iffy third baseman and and third baseman splitting time with a GG right fielder at second. Yes, losing Lux could not have been anticipated but the back up plan of planning on back ups doesn’t look championship caliber to me.
If the pitching doesn’t step up, we could be floating around .500 for a while.
Lets try for a superstar. KC needs quantity more than they need one superstar. Pages, Busch, Lux, and a pitcher for their shortstop.
Just heard back from KC. They said to tell you they appreciate the offer, but if you want their shortstop, you’ll need to add Bobby Miller, Stone and Rushing.
I told them you’d get back to them.
Not according to the trade evaluator.
What trade simulator said that was an even trade? Depends I guess on what pitcher. My opinion? Witt Jr isn’t going to be traded.
We have stars. And we had opportunity to add at least one more and we chose not to. If this is a reset year we are going to fill the stadium until July then maybe dump somebody.
I don’t know what to think at this point. Those that publish such things still like the Dodgers. Maybe not to win it all but be in the playoffs. And maybe that’s enough.
Just a great look at Bellinger, his time with the Dodgers and his swing:
https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-04-14/dodgers-cody-bellinger-dave-roberts-career-slide-chicago-cubs
…“It’s his swing, his career,” Van Scoyoc told reporters as spring training drew to an end. “We’ve got to be there to help and support him, even if you don’t necessarily think that’s the right thing at that moment.”
Belli became wealthy and won a MVP. A lot to tell the grandkids about but it might be a short story.
He’s OPSn .892 against RHP. I think it’s quite possible, maybe even likely, he earns his money this year.