This question has been asked a lot this season. My personal thought is that for this season at least, they need to mix experience with youth.
Their two biggest stars are in their 30’s. Most of their bench players are in their 30’s too. Their pitching staff is somewhat younger, but with Urías being a free agent after this season, it will surely get younger next year.
Both Stone and Miller are slated to get some starts, my gut feeling is that the team lets Urías walk, signs Kersh to another one year deal, and fills out the rotation with the kids.
There is a lot of pitching talent in the minors, and a couple of those kids could be on the fast track. There are a couple of relievers down there who could also see time if guys like Bickford and Almonte continue to struggle. I feel both of them should not be on the roster right now.
At AAA, DeLuca is off to a nice start, but Pages is on the injured list. They cut Zimmer loose, and Duggar might not be far behind.
There are too many bats on the 40-man roster that are down around the Mendoza line. We know Chris Taylor is not going anywhere, but Austin Barnes should be DFA’d. His batting line is just a huge burden on the offense. If he was hitting over .200, maybe they could keep him. But he is under .100.
Right now, the lack of pitching has sent the Dodgers into a 1-3 start on a long 10-game road trip. Although they have scored at least 5 runs in every game, the pitching has given up 32 runs in the 4 games. Only the 5-0 shutout ended in a win.
It’s hard for fans to watch the team give up those kinds of numbers. Myself, I turned off the game after Kersh allowed his third run.
Hopefully the kids will pitch well. Suero, Bruihl and Almonte need to be demoted. Find someone who can get outs.
05-21-2023 – MiLB Summary Report
OKC Dodgers 5 – Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston) 4
Michael Grove was making his 1st rehab start after his IL stint. There were both good and bad results. In 4.1 IP (64 pitches), he only allowed 3 hits and 1 BB. He also had 7 strikeouts. Unfortunately 2 of those hits were solo HRs.
Marshall Kasowski just back from his 35 days in Arizona. He went 1.2 IP, and allowed an unearned run. The run was set up due to a Kasowski throwing error on a pickoff attempt.
Alex Vesia relieved Kasowski and pitched a solid 1.2 innings. He allowed 1 hit, but also struck out 4. Recently assigned Keegan Curtis followed Vesia to pitch the final 1.2 innings. He surrendered a HR of his own to give Sugar Land a 4-2 lead.
In the bottom of the 8th, with one out, Yonny Hernandez singled and came home on a Devin Mann HR (3).
Three walks loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the 9th in a 4-4 tie. Sugar Land pitcher, Austin Davis, got a ground ball force out at the plate, and struck out Devin Mann for the 2nd out. On a 2-2 pitch to Ryan Ward, Davis uncorked a WP to give OKC another walk off win.
- Drew Avans – 2-3, 2 RBI
- Patrick Mazeika – 2-4, 2 RBI, double (3)
- Devin Mann – 1-5, 2 RBI, HR (3)
Tulsa Drillers – Corpus Christi Hooks
River Ryan started for Tulsa and pitched his usual 4.0 innings. They were scoreless, but he navigated quite a bit of traffic with 4 singles and 3 BB. He did compile 3 K.
Tulsa was the first to score. In the 4th, José Ramos drew a leadoff BB and Eddys Leonard slugged a 2-run HR.
Two pitchers Tulsa was counted on have continued their season long funk. In the 5th, after relieving River Ryan, the first two batters Lael Lockhart faced both scored. After a walk, Lockhart served up a 2-run HR. Ben Harris also served up a solo HR, a double, and single for 2 more runs. Ryan Sublette pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings, but issued 2 walks with 1 K.
In the 8th, Josh Stowers was HBP and scored after a pair of singles by José Ramos and Eddys Leonard.
Down 4-3, Imanol Vargas and Brandon Lewis led off the 9th with singles. Yusniel Diaz was sent up to PH for Kody Hoese, but hit into a DP with Vargas moving to 3rd. Carson Taylor was down to his last strike but delivered a 2-out, 2-strike game tying single in the bottom of the 9th.
Tanner Dodson went back out into the bottom of the 9th. After one out, he loaded the bases with 2 singles and a walk. The next Corpus Christi hitter banged a ground rule double, and the Hooks walked off a win.
Eddys Leonard was 2-4 with a run and 3 RBIs. His HR was his 4th on the season. Leonard has come roaring back from a disastrous first month. After April, Eddys was hitting .129/.247/.129/.376 with no XBH, no RBI, 10 BB, 20 K, 70 AB and 81PA. For May, it all turned around. In the 18 games he played in May, Eddys hit .375/.429/.734/1.163 with15 XBH. He has 11 doubles and 4 HRs, He has also generated 16 RBIs. In May, Eddys has 4 BB and 9 K.
Diego Cartaya was 0-4 with 4 Ks. He is now batting .189/.288/.337/.625. 10 BB (9%) and 40 K (36%). It is getting longer in the season, and Cartaya is going to need to turn it around sooner rather than later. The season is 30% over and Diego has 111 PA. That is more than a small sample size.
It was telling that in a critical AB, Yusniel Diaz was sent up to PH for former 1st round pick Kody Hoese. Both Diaz and Hoese are RH hitters.
Great Lakes Loons 6 – West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit) 3
The Loons used the long ball to get this victory. 3 HRs let to 5 runs.
Justin Wrobleski started and got through 5.0 innings. He gave up 2 runs in the 5th on a 2-run HR by Chris Meyers that tied the score. The Loons jumped out to the 2-0 lead in the 4th on a 2-run HR by Alex Freeland (3) who plated Taylor Young before him.
GL retook the lead in the 5th inning. Austin Gauthier was one of three walks issued, and he scored on a WP with the bases loaded.
Damon Keith hit a 2-run HR (6) in the 7th, and Austin Gauthier hit a solo HR in the 8th to complete the Loons scoring.
West Michigan’s Chris Meyers hit his 2nd HR (7) of the game, a solo shot with one out in the 9th.
The Loons got some good relief pitching from Aldry Acosta (1.2 IP, 1 BB, 2 K). Christian Suarez (0.2 IP, 2 hits, 1 K) and Antonio Knowles (1.2 IP, 1 run, 3 hits, 2K) were not so effective. It was Knowles who surrendered the HR in the 9th.
- Damon Keith – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, 1 BB, HR (6)
- Austin Gauthier – 1-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 BB, HR (5)
- Alex Freeland – 1-3, 1 run, 2 RBI, 1 BB, HR (3)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 10 – Visalia Rawhide (Arizona) 5
The Quakes pounded out 15 hits to score 10 runs. They jumped out to an 8-0 lead after 2 innings, thanks in large part to a pair of Thayron Liranzo HRs. In the 1st, Nick Biddison drew a BB, and Rayne Doncon hit a 2-run HR (8). Liranzo followed with a solo HR (10) of his own.
In the 2nd, a BB, and force out put a runner on 1st with two outs. Nick Biddison and Doncon both singled to load the bases. Chris Newell walked to force in one run, and Liranzo slugged a grand slam (11), and an 8-0 lead.
19 year old LHP, Luis Valdez, started and pitched 2.0 scoreless innings. He gave up 1 single, 3 BB, and 4 K. Darlin Pinales was the first reliever. He loaded the bases in the 3rd on 2 singles and a BB. A DP scored a run.
After 1.2 IP, Kelvin Ramirez relieved Pinales. In the 5th, he allowed a pair of doubles for a 2nd run.
RC got the two runs back in the 6th. Kenneth Bettencourt hit his 1st HR. Rayne Doncon reached on an error, and back to back singles by Liranzo and Jorge Puerta scored the Quakes 10th run.
Jonathan Edward relieved Ramirez in the 6th. He allowed 2 singles, 2 walks, 2 WP, and a ground ball to score 3.
Three RC relievers, Gabe Emmett, Joel Ibarra, and Madison Jeffrey pitched a combined 3.0 shutout innings, although each had considerable traffic.
- Thayron Liranzo – 3-5, 2 runs, 5 RBI, 2 HR (11)
- Jorge Puerta – 3-5, 1 RBI
- Rayne Doncon – 2-5, 3 runs, 3 RBI, HR (8)
- Nick Biddison – 2-4, 2 runs
- Kenneth Bettencourt – 2-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (5), HR (1)
Aldry Acosta is looking sweet.
You have brought up Aldry before. He is having a good season at Great Lakes, but he is 23, and this is his third year at Great Lakes. He should dominate A+ batters. Last year he was hurt for most of the year, but pitched very well once he returned. I am not sure why he did not get a call to AA to start the season.
He has 7 strikeouts and 6 walks in 18.1 IP. Most scouts will tell you that 3.43 K/9 is not acceptable. K/9 is a metric most scouts look as a key. If Acosta was 19 or doing this at AA, I would be more impressed. I can see him getting a promotion to AA and then we will see just how much of a true prospect he will be. But for now he is pitching well in a pitchers league, and I agree should be watched.
I have my faves!
Don’t we all.
Play the Kids? Looks like they have to.
Cartaya. Gulp.
Where’s Feduccia?
Cartaya is still 21, but he is not the next Yadi Molina some others have labeled as. He still has a lot of time to improve, and he will.
Feduccia? I still say he will be some team’s back up catcher, but for the month of May he is batting: .150/.227/.225/.452. In May, 40 AB and 44 PA, he has 6 hits, 1 XBH (HR), 4 BB (9.09%) and 10 K (22.73%).
If Urias walks then next yr we start w, Kershaw, Gonsolin, May, Buehler and Grove/Stone et al. Maybe adding a solid #2 or 3 veteran would help.
But alot depends on how Grove/Stone/ Miller/Pepiot do this year.
Play them or trade them. I certainly don’t want 30+ year old position players in return for our prospects. I’m okay with an older DH.
May is young. Oops.
Lux is young. Oops.
Grove is young. Oops.
Pepiot is young. Oops.
Urias isn’t old. Oops.
Buehler isn’t old. Oops.
I hope this part of the rotation stays intact: Miller, Stone, Gonsolin.Maybe Buehler might join that core this year and be extended.
I thought Kershaw might sign again for 2024 but now I have a lot of doubt.
There are a lot of good shortstop prospects on other teams and the Dodgers have some good looking pitching prospects.
I’m all in on playing the kids. Somethings got to give with the log jam of players not performing. Barnes and Thompson are the biggest culprits with Heyward, Peralta, and Taylor close behind. How long can the Dodgers continue to carry all that dead weight?
Yep. Say what you want, we can’t go all year with Heyward, Peralta & Thompson on the roster.
That’s assuming Outman & Taylor are secure too.
Add a weak-hitting back-up catcher and we’re vulnerable.
I’m predicting Rojas will finish batting near .260. He had a set back and seems he’s found his balance again. Peralta might be in the same boat, but Heyward and Klay Thompson’s bro might be included in the next trade deadline deal that we make. Those two have power and teams may want to take a chance on them.
Barnes? Dodgers are dragging their asses concerning him. Dodgers seem super conservative this year after adding 2 rookies and getting little production out of a number of regulars.They’ve got no aces up their sleeve any longer at the farm. Pitchers will have a hard time breaking into our rotation as we expect a lot from our staff. Pitching has never been weaker in recent years this is why we’ve got to get some hitters into the bottom of the lineup.
Totally agree with you Bear on the need for the Dodgers to make some changes to help solidify their offensive production. I don’t know what the fascination or the commitment to Barnes could be? The explanation is that he is kept on the roster because of his catching skills and Kershaw prefers him to Smith is becoming lame. The Kershaw factor was the same explanation given for AJ Ellis being kept on the team. Until he wasn’t. And, Kershaw has done fine without Ellis’s “must have” catching capabilities. It’s the same with Barnes. He catches OK, but can’t throw out a runner at second. Bring up Feduccia and see what he can do. I’m sure he can hit at least above .100 and improve the offense!
Also, Trayce should be DFA’d if Jonny DeLuca (25th round pick…Wow!) has success in Oklahoma City. Trayce is a great teammate and hard worker, but he doesn’t have the skills to be on a MLB team. It’s been painful to watch him. Although not very productive, both Peralta and Heyward add some valuable veteran presence to help offset the rookie additions. Speaking of rookies, both Vargas and Outman are doing fine so far. If Outman can cut down on K’s he can be an all-star. I love watching Vargas hit now that his hand has healed. I wouldn’t be surprised if a batting title would be in his future.
The bullpen has been a major disappointment so far this year. Going into the season it looked like it could be a major strength even without a “closer” being identified. AF has drafted several pitchers for their potential relief skills and so far none have been brought up to the Dodgers. It might be time to make some additions from the prospects and subtractions from the current staff. As mentioned often we never know what to expect from relievers from one season to the next. I believe that’s why AF drafted so many to be relievers is because of that uncertainty.
The starting staff has been hit with injuries so far this season. But, despite of all the injuries, Kershaw is still taking his regular turn. It’s the young guys having issues right now. So, it looks like their top pitching prospects might be having an opportunity with Dodgers sooner than the front office had planned on.
It’s been an up and down season so far which might have been expected with all the changes that took place with this team. But, changes I was happy to see happen. And even with all the new players and uneven play the team is still in first place and second best in the National League. That could change in the next 3 days.
Gotta laugh at the Padres and the shit show they have provided their fans so far this year. I think they’ll have a new GM next year. I, also, think Mr. Soto might be a Dodger in the future. By the time Soto becomes a free agent he will realize that San Diego isn’t a team to win a World Series. The owner should realize you can’t play top dollar for a half dozen superstar position players. It’s pitching, pitching, and more pitching. Also, good to see the Baltimore and Texas teams finally becoming relevant and playing well so far. Look forward to seeing the Dodgers play Tampa Bay. What a team they have this year. Seem to be excelling at damn near every category.
Sorry for the long post. Carry on.
Good post Ted
Pitching. Maybe Urias will be ok by summer. I don’t think May will. Hope I’m wrong about that. I read that Buehler expects to be back. I think Kershaw and Gonsolin will both need a break before the September push. We’re gonna need more pitching.
Read something about chemistry being missing in San Diego. The lineup looks like it should score 6 every day. Something is wrong. I think the clowning in the dugout needs to go. Maybe Melvin does too.
Soto turned down $400M. I wonder what he would expect now. I don’t think the Dodgers want him. I think they are going to offer that money to Ohtani.
I believe Trayce, Heyward and Barnes will have long leashes. This is the ‘23 Dodgers. The moves that will be made will be for pitching.
I’m curious about how they are training young pitchers in our system. It appears they are working on spin and velocity for short outings. I fear young arms are trying to throw it through the wall in an effort to make it to the top of $100 million pyramid.
It will be interesting to see how this team finishes up this road trip. I suspect they will be anxious to get home.
Soto turned down a $440M/15 year offer from the Nats. He should have taken it.
Thanks Badger. I know Soto turned down $400M+ which he probably regrets. Unless he gets his act together his price should drop. Hence, my thoughts on maybe some Dodger interest. Then again, the Dodgers have some OF prospects that they think highly of. With Betts and Outman as starters there is room for only one, possibly two in the future.
Interesting on the Ohtani situation. It’s going to be a lot of $$ ($500M+?) for a player approaching his 30th BD next year. It will be high drama this offseason for MLB!
I would think the Dodgers won’t go anywhere near Soto’s contract. Too many good players don’t live up to the numbers of their contract. Mookie being a prime example. Not that Mookie is a bad player, but let’s be realistic. He’s not worth the money but he does at least produce a modicum of what he once was. He is now focused on hitting HRs, doesn’t steal bases any longer, and rarely has more than one hit games. Freddie, otoh, is our true superstar that came cheap. I can’t remember the last player the Dodgers had that was this reliable. Can you name the last Dodger that played this well not named T. Turner?
Long posts are cool. I think the two most vulnerable players are Thompson and Barnes. AJ was traded in August for another catcher, Carlos Ruiz, who left the Dodgers after the season was over. Ellis finished his career in SD. Biggest difference between Barnes and Ellis, OBP. Ellis walked a lot and saw a lot of pitches. AJ played for 11 years. Barnes has played for 9. Neither has a lot of power, 44 homers for Ellis, 32 so far for Barnes. But Ellis is a career 9.1 WAR player. Barnes 4.1.
Ellis was traded, in part, for some (cough, cough) off-field reasons.
What off the field issues? I thought he was traded because he was hitting .194/.285/.252 for an OBS of .537 with one HR and 13 RBI in 161 PA and the Dodgers and Carlos Ruiz was an upgrade.
Dodgers should trade Barnes if they can get any takers.
There were other factors, because of a book that came out which he was suspected of feeding information to.
I’m purposely being vague, but i think this info is out there.
I assume you are referring to the Molly Knight book.
Yeah.He and Clayton, presumably.
Barnes isn’t going anywhere.
Agree!!
He sure isn’t! And I don’t mean to another team.
Doc made an interesting comment about Kershaw’s Sunday performance. He noted that his velo was down. He was asked if Kershaw might somehow be injured. He answered that he has not checked in with Clayton, but he did state that after his previous game, Kershaw said he was body fatigued. He did not know if that was the problem in Sunday’s game. He did offer that there was nothing physically wrong with Clayton. Clayton will get an extra day’s rest before his next start in Tampa Bay.
Dodger fans are concerned with 2 rookie pitchers in the rotation, and should be. Especially with their reeling bullpen. However, the best team in the NL (based on winning %) is the Atlanta Braves. They lost their top 2 pitchers for at least a couple of months…Max Fried and Kyle Wright. Their rotation is the 93 year old Charlie Morton, 2 second year starters (Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder), and rookie Jared Shuster. Strider, Elder, and Shuster are all 24. They will still need to add another starter. Probably one of Mike Soroka, Dylan Dodd, or Dereck Rodriguez.
I have not heard what roster changes will be made yet, but I assume that Wander Suero will be optioned to OKC once Gavin Stone is added to the roster. If the Dodgers do not believe Dustin May needs 60 days, Suero is a DFA candidate for when Bobby Miller is added.
Gus Varland has been returned to the Dodgers from Milwaukee.
Yay Suero is gone. Guy was a disaster.
The Dodgers 40 man is now full. Wander Suero was DFA’d, Gus Varland was returned from Milwaukee and added to the 40 man, and Tayler Scott was selected and added to the roster to take the place of Clayton Kershaw who is on bereavement leave. One other change will have to be made tomorrow when Bobby Miller is selected…Dustin May is transferred to 60 day, or someone else gets the heave-ho.
The team has 10 relievers:
3 starters:
One of the relievers will be optioned on Tuesday when Bobby Miller is added. My guess would be whichever of Tyler Cyr or Tayler Scott pitches on Monday. The other will be optioned once Clayton Kershaw comes off bereavement leave.
To every roster
Churn, churn, churn
Gutsy win tonight.
Gusty wind too
Thank JDM
Loo loop