Tyler Glasnow went 2+ IP with 4 Ks. He gave up a oppo single to start the 3rd and was pulled after 33 pitches. After starting, he got two additional up and downs. Pretty good for a first ST start. His curve was unhittable. His four-seamer velo was up, and we learned he put on 20 pounds of muscle in the off-season. I know most out there do not expect Tyler to last the season. I think he does, and if he does, he is a viable CY candidate. His stuff has always been exceptional.
The Dodgers hit 3 HRs, their first of ST. Will Smith, Keston Hiura, and Hyeseong Kim each slugged a solo HR. Smith is now 5-9 with a double and HR, with 0 BB and 1 K.
Blake Treinen made his spring debut and Alex Vesia had his 2nd outing. Each pitched a flawless 1.0 inning. Treinen had 2 K and Vesia had 1.
Miggy Ro, Will Smith, Alex Call, and Josue De Paula each had 2 hits.
We have now gone 6 games (won them all, FWIW) and there are still 4 reportedly non-injured players/pitchers who have not yet made an appearance. There are also 6 injured players who will be held out for a while. Two are on the 60-day IL, and at least one other should be.
I can speculate as to why Mookie has not yet played. He says maybe Sunday, maybe Monday or Tuesday. It is whenever he feels he needs to start. The Dodgers brought in a boat load of infielders to look at, and they are getting every opportunity to shine. Hyeseong Kim entered ST as the probable starter at 2B until Tommy Edman makes it back. After that, it is up to him. Dave Roberts kind of hinted at his feelings with Kim leaving soon to join Team Korea. He acknowledges that it is pure honor to represent your country, but that he wished he would have stayed in camp. His defense is elite, but the bat still needed work (per Doc). Fortunately, Kim has played very well in Arizona, even showing some excellent glove work in CF on Wednesday.
Tanner Scott is the only other non-injured player expected to be on the 26-man still yet to play. We have heard that Scott could pitch on Friday. Bobby Miller and Jack Suwinski are the other two on the 40-man who have not played. Why hasn’t Miller pitched at all? Jordan Weems has pitched in 2 games. No rumors he is injured.
Alex Freeland, Santiago Espinal, Ryan Fitzgerald, Nick Senzel, Noah Miller, Austin Gauthier, Jake Gelof, Elijah Hainline, Sean McLain, and Kyle Nevin are the other infielders looking for a MLB job this Spring. The first five have played very well in short spurts.
The six infielders under consideration:
- Hyeseong Kim – 13 PA, 13 AB, 6 hits, 1 XBH, 4 RBI, 0 BB, 5 K
- Alex Freeland – 12 PA, 6 AB, 2 hits, 1 XBH, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 1 K, 1 SF
- Santiago Espinal – 9 PA, 6 AB, 3 hits, 1 XBH, 1 RBI, 3 BB, 1 K
- Ryan Fitzgerald – 14 PA, 11 AB, 3 hits, 2 XBH, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 1 K
- Nick Senzel – 12 PA, 10 AB, 3 hits, 2 XBH, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SF
- Noah Miller – 32 PA, 8 AB, 4 hits, 1 XBH, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 0 K
While Kim has done nothing to jeopardize his position, every one of the other 5 infielders may have elevated theirs. Kim still has too many strikeouts On Thursday, he struck out on 2 pitches (strike 2 and 3) well out of the zone. He then came back and hit a missile out of RF. Bottom line, Kim has a lot to work on with strike zone recognition, but he will break camp with the Dodgers, and probably start as regular 2B.
Perhaps the infielder making the biggest move is also the youngest, Noah Miller. Like Kim, nobody questions Miller’s glove. Some of the talent evaluation publications put Miller’s defense 2nd to none in the organization, MLB or MiLB. With Kim and Edman, that is quite the statement. Miller’s glove is GG quality right now. Miller (23) is destined for OKC, where he will continue to work on his OPS, but he will now garner consideration for his MLB debut. Yes, I am an unapologetic Noah Miller advocate.
Alex Call is the 4th OF on the MLB team, and he will get his ABs when the MiLB OF are sent to MiLB camp. Thursday was his first game and he started it out well going 2-2. OTOH, Call’s absence has given way to a couple of top prospects who are making the most of their NRI: Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope. Neither OF is going to make the team with their glove, but their bat continues to play.
- Josue De Paula – 15 PA, 13 AB, 7 hits, 1 XBH, 2 BB, 4 K
- Zyhir Hope – 10 PA, 8 AB, 3 hits, 2 XBH, 2 BB, 4 K
The ball jumps off Hope’s bat, with 3 of his batted balls going 104.2 MPH 108.6 MPH and 113.9 MPH. De Paula’s power is developing, but one can see just how strong he is. His double got to the RF fence in a hurry at 110.0. On Thursday, he had an oppo single going at 104.1.
De Paula now leads the team in hits with 7. He also is tied with the team lead with Noah Miller in reaching first safely with 9.
The NRIs are going to start to get less time as the regulars start to ramp up. We do not know what Mookie’s plans are, but we do know that Freddie is only going to play at Camelback.
Great great stuff. Best Dodger content on internet.
Agree on Glasnow. He is a prime candidate for a huge year. Others who could elevate already their games are Pages, Wrobleski, Rushing, Hurt.
Nice to see Treinen healthy. Big horse of an arm.
Team just rolling. WBC might be fun this year. Want to dominate start to finish.
Yes, Noah Miller has been impressive. If he hits at OKC, he could climb up the depth chart.
It would be good to see Kim get some walks. But for a guy who supposedly lacks power, he hit that homer not just over the fence, but over the bullpen too. Also looked good on defense again…
Interesting report that Max is hoping for 550 ABs this season, assuming good health.
Max didn’t need a platoon a few years back when he was hitting 35 bombs a year.. Plus, he always picks up his walks and has a healthy OPB.
On most teams, a healthy Max might bat cleanup.
On the Dodgers, he’s expected to bat sixth or seventh.
We have Schwarber at home