Dodgers pitchers and catchers have reported to ST, and today is the first official workout for pitchers and catchers. On Friday, February 14, the rest of the club is due to officially report, with the first full squad workout setup for Saturday, February 15. Let’s take a look at the squad reporting to ST:
Pitchers – 40 Man (20):
Starters:
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto – R
- Blake Snell – L
- Tyler Glasnow – R
- Tony Gonsolin – R
- Dustin May – R
- Bobby Miller – R
- Landon Knack – R
- Justin Wrobleski – L
Relievers:
- Tanner Scott – L
- Kirby Yates – R
- Blake Treinen – R
- Michael Kopech – R
- Evan Phillips – R
- Alex Vesia – L
- Anthony Banda – L
- Jack Dreyer – L
- Michael Grove – R
- Edgardo Henriquez – R
To Be Determined:
- Ben Casparius – R (Projected to stretch out as a starter)
- Nick Frasso – R (Projected to stretch out as a starter)
Pitcher – Non-Roster Invitees (13):
Starters:
- Roki Sasaki – R
- Carlos Duran – R
- Jackson Ferris – L
- Justin Jarvis – R
- Jared Karros – R
Relievers:
- Giovanny Gallegos – R
- Joe Jacques – L
- Jose E. Hernandez – L
- Julien Fernandez – R
- Matt Sauer – R
- Jack Little – R
- Sam Carlson – R
- Jose Rodriguez – R
Two-Way Player – 40 Man (1):
- Shohei Ohtani – LHH
Catchers – 40 Man (3)
- Will Smith – RHH
- Austin Barnes – RHH
- Hunter Feduccia – LHH
Catcher – Non-Roster Invitees (3):
- Dalton Rushing – LHH
- Chris Okey – RHH
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell (GLP) – RHH
Infielders – 40 Man (5):
- Mookie Betts – RHH
- Freddie Freeman – LHH
- Max Muncy – LHH
- Miguel Rojas – RHH
- Hyeseong Kim – LHH
Infielders – Non-Roster Invitees (4):
- David Bote – RHH
- Alex Freeland – SHH
- Austin Gauthier – RHH
- Kody Hoese – RHH
Outfielders – 40 Man (6):
- Michael Conforto – LHH
- Tommy Edman – SHH
- Teoscar Hernández – RHH
- James Outman – LHH
- Andy Pages – RHH
- Chris Taylor – RHH
Outfielders – Non-Roster Invitees (4):
- Josue De Paula – LHH
- Justin Dean – RHH
- Zyhir Hope – LHH
- Ryan Ward – LHH
The above does not include Kiké Hernández as he is not officially signed at the time of this composition. Total ST roster size to start totals 59 and will grow to 60 once Kiké officially arrives. There will be a number of players called up from MiLB camp for games.
The Dodgers will play 20 ST games before they depart to Japan after March 11. They will play two exhibition games against the Yomiuri Giants and the Hanshin Tigers before they officially open the season against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and March 19. Once the Dodgers return from Japan they will play a ST freeway series against the Angels.
Of note is that both games in Japan against the Cubs will be away games for the Dodgers. I have to assume that the Dodgers would agree to play in Japan but that they would have to be considered the away team so as not to take away from their 81 game home schedule, and their drive to 4M attendance. The Cubs will get two home games against the Dodgers in Chicago on April 22 and 23, the final meeting with the Cubs in the regular season. The Dodgers host the Cubs for three on Aprill 11-13.
On Thursday, March 27, the Dodgers will open their domestic season at home against Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, and the rest of the Detroit Tigers.
The 20 ST games is not a lot of games to get a lot of work in. We should expect to see the non-pitcher regulars stretch out in games sooner than they would normally do. There will need to be a lot of care to help prevent soft tissue injuries. I would not expect the Dodgers to push their pitchers. They have enough depth to carry them for awhile as long as they are careful with them.
In 2024, the only three LAD pitchers to pitch at least 10.0 IP during ST were Gavin Stone (14.0), Bobby Miller (13.0), and Tyler Glasnow (10.0). Stone and Miller started 4 games while Glasnow and Yamamoto started 3. Of course Glasnow and Yamamoto started the regular season games in Korea against San Diego. Glasnow pitched 5.0 innings, while Yamamoto pitched 1.0 inning.
I expect Yoshinobu Yamamoto to open the season in Japan, and will probably face Shota Imanaga. I know there are those who expect Roki Sasaki to start the 2nd game, but IMO, the Dodgers are going to take it slow with him. While it was Korea and not Japan, Yamamoto did not pitch well. Sasaki is going to have enough pressure on him so I do not believe he will start in Japan. Blake Snell has dominated the Cubs in the past, so I expect him to start the 2nd game. I do expect Sasaki to pitch in relief in one of the two games. BTW, those are my opinions and not based on anything I have heard or read.
What I expect to follow in ST:
- How many IP will the pitchers get in 20 ST games?
- Just how good is Roki Sasaki? It took Yamamoto all of ST and one game against San Diego before he was sharp. I do expect the Dodgers to monitor his innings very early so as to help protect his arm for the long season.
- Will we see Shohei Ohtani pitch at all during ST?
- Where will Bobby Miller’s head be this year?
- How effective will Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May be during ST?
- Will James Outman resurrect his LAD career with a strong spring? Or will he be traded. He is the only LHH OF other than Conforto, and he is the best defensive CF the Dodgers have.
- Will Andy Pages shine enough in ST to mitigate the expected heavy dose of RHH OF?
- How will Hyeseong Kim hit against MLB pitching?
- Which one of Outman, Pages, or Kim make the 26-man roster?
- What trades are forthcoming that will impact the 26-man roster?
- How many AB will Dalton Rushing get against legit MLB pitchers? We know he can hit MiLB and AAAA pitchers?
- Which of the prospects look to make a move up the organizational ladder?
- Dalton Rushing
- Alex Freeland
- Jackson Ferris
- Jared Karros
- Josue De Paula
- Zyhir Hope
- Was Kody Hoese’s 2024 an anomaly or did he turn the corner?
- Which Non-Roster Invitee will grab attention and put himself into a position for a 2025 callup?
- Giovanny Gallegos
- David Bote
- Joe Jacques
- Which MiLB prospects will be added to the Spring Breakout roster for a game against the Cubs on March 13. Last year’s Spring Breakout game was televised, so hopefully this year’s game will be as well.
Of course there will be additional questions that will arise once games begin, February 20 against the Cubs. It is a very short ST runway to answer the questions, but it did not deter the Dodgers last year, and they are in a much better position with more MLB or MLB ready depth this year.
Some Information about Camelback Ranch, ST home for both the Dodgers and CWS in addition to the Arizona Complex League teams for both organizations.
https://www.mlb.com/camelback-ranch/about
What storylines are you expecting to follow in ST?
According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, future Hall of Famer and Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw has reported to the team’s facilities and has already agreed to terms on a new contract for the 2025 season.
There is two that need to be placed on the 60 day IL. That will bring the total roster to 61 once Clayton officially signs.
Thanks for the read.
I feel like Bote has a slight chance but then again the roster is already packed.
Lots of interesting questions to be answered in a very short time.
20 games prior to Japan. That’s 180 innings max for 33 pitchers in camp. 5.5 innings per pitcher total, spread out however you’d like.
Position players, even with their customary 5 inning outings, seem to like about 50 at bats in the spring. Some more.
Again, 180 innings for 27 position players. That’s 6.6 innings / guy, total.
They must be counting on lots of “B” game at bats to get in enough at bats to get ready with this many players in camp.
I hope they can answer some of Jeff’s 15 questions in 20 games.
One thing to add about spring training; ABS will be used for some games via a challenge system. One stat I wasn’t aware of, with human umpires on a 3-0 count the strike zone typically measures 550 square inches. On an 0-2 count, humans reduced the strike zone to 412 square inches. By contrast, ABS sets the size of the zone at 443 square inches in every count.
Interesting stat.
But then, I guess we all know a 3-0 pitch is usually going to be strike 1 and and 0-2 pitch is usually going to be ball 1. Always thought it was the pitchers’ doing though rather than the umpires’.
But who’s counting?
Strike zones are obviously a different square inch sum for every hitter. That 443 number must be an average
Per Plunkett:
Evan Phillips had a tear in the back of his rotator cuff that kept him out of the World Series. He got a PRP injection in November and didn’t pick up a baseball until January. The likelihood is he will not be ready to open the season on schedule
Well we know why they signed Yates now.
And so it begins.
Made it home safely.
Great news. I hope 2025 brings you much health success….as much as 2024 brought you much Dodgers success. How’s that?
I’ve been thinking lately the zone gets bigger with two strikes because so many umpires get anxious to do the hey everybody, look at me over exaggerated strike three call
Personally, I do not believe that a single non-roster invitee has a chance to make the team.
Glad you made it back home and healthy Bear. I’m sure that you’re not too anxious to go back to CA anytime soon! I’m most interested in seeing how Miller responds to last year and if Hoese can continue to improve. Not much time this spring for the young guys to make an impression tho
Thanks Cassidy, you got that right. I don’t care about the snow and the cold, just being back in my own apartment is a huge lift. Not much time at all for the kids, but I think Miller is going to get a lot of work, possibly staying behind when the team travels to Japan to get some innings in.
It’s good to hear your back in your own snuggly cave bear. The VA gets a lot of bad press, I’m glad to hear that they took such good care of you. I agree about the NRIs can’t see any of them making the roster.
No doubt true. But they have a chance to showcase their skills and perhaps find their way to a team that wants them–which could be the OKC Comets.
I’m fuzzy on the contracts for some of these guys. Let’s say the Dodgers decide to deal Outman or Pages. Could they add a guy like Gallegos to sweeten a deal?
Would anyone want him? He is on a minor league deal which probably has an opt out date attached. I doubt he would be attractive to teams who could have done exactly as the Dodgers did and sign him to a minor league deal. Prospects would be more desirable.
Would any team want Gallegos?
The Dodgers did. If Gallegos pitches well in the spring, his experience could be welcomed by some contending teams more than a prospect.
Not the point Duke. Any team could have signed the guy to a minor league deal. Even if he pitches great in spring, the only way he makes the roster is if someone is injured. Usually, non-roster guys are not trade fodder period. When if ever have you seen a non-roster player traded in spring training?
In the Times this morning they are talking about 120 wins. I’ll take the under on that one. It’s such a long season, so many unexpected things will no doubt happen, all teams go into slides, though this one appears to have the depth of talent that will prevent long ones. At this point I would say 108 would be a reasonable number.
And to the question Jeff asks: what storylines do you expect to be following in ST? Well, I still expect Betts at short and who plays center to be talked about. And Kim? I expect him to start at second. I don’t see Edman as a starter. He’s a super sub and I don’t think we need three of them. Pitching looks very deep but there’s not a name that doesn’t come with a storyline about possible injuries. That’s why there are so many of them. If we know it you can bet the Dodgers brass know it.
I’m hoping it’s Edman that becomes the regular 2nd baseman and Outman the regular CFer. Kim in OK and Taylor or Rojas or Pages traded.
Bring Kim up mid-season after Conforto gets traded.
If Outman is the regular CF, and Teo is the RF, who do you see playing LF after Pages and Conforto are traded?
Rushing, Kike’, Trout.😀
Those meds you are using Fred need to be re-evaluated. No way that happens.
We need to save Kike to pitch in blowouts so I think your suggestion of a Rushing/Trout platoon is excellent. 😎
Just for my and bear’s amusement…
Max, Taylor, Glasnow, Wrobleski, and ? for Trout?
Dh Ohtani
Ss Betts
1b. Freeman
Lf Trout
Fred, have you ever proposed a trade that didn’t include Max😀
Very few. Most are me just screwing with STB. However, the Angels are in need of a 3rd baseman again.
No, they signed Yohan Moncada the other day. He is a 3rd baseman.
can’t i be amused too?
Glasnow is not going to be traded, not a snowballs chance in hell.
TROUT!
that would be a good story…
Agreed. I really enjoyed watching Edman last season— his style of play was just what the Dodgers needed. Can he do it again? We’ll see. Beating a dead horse but the only reason Taylor is still around is the contract overpay.
Edman is a really good UT player, but for his career his bat is league average. Best plausible case has Outman reclaiming at least a platoon role in CF, enabling Edman to employ his versatility.
That would put more power and speed in the lineup, without sacrificing defense.
Oh Badger, Badger, Badger……big sigh…SMH
” I don’t see Edman as a starter.”
The guy played all playoffs and guess what? We actually won all of the playoff series including the Big Enchillada. And your suggestion is not to keep the status quo that made us successful, but play the guy once in a while to give someone less deserving a day off. Okayyyyyyyyyyyy.
Do You wonder why we finally won? Go pull up Baseball Reference and look at the hitting statistics for each 2024 playoff series. Tell me what you noticed?
arms crossed while pounding my right foot…..I’m still here waiting…..
You misunderstood.
Per Ardaya:
Dave Roberts also said Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech are both “a little behind schedule,” but it’s too early to tell whether either would have to start the season on the IL.
Dodgers will have the benefit of expanded rosters in Tokyo.
Sounds like Roberts is already in mid season form. Both will probably be on the IL.
Think the Angels regret signing Anthony Rendon? He is now scheduled to undergo hip surgery and will miss extended time. Rendon is in year six of a seven-year deal that has to rank as perhaps the WORST free agent signing ever.
And the second WORST free agent signing ever will be Juan Soto!
Followed by the contracts of the SD idiots…
Bear I feel sorry for the angel organization but I don’t feel sorry for artie.
It’s up there. The Angels also had the Josh Hamilton fiasco.
Great topic for a Bear Report!
Hmm…
I wonder what the Dodgers’ worst contract was….
Trevor Bauer, Andruw Jones, Jason Schmidt, Juan Pierre, Hector Olivera, and Chris Taylor.
Taylor is not even in the top five. Bauer was not a bad signing, what happened to him was totally unexpected. He was very good when he was active with the team. I would say that Jones and Schmidt are the worst. They got nothing from Jones, and not much more from Schmidt. Hector Olivera falls under the veil of really bad international signings. Juan Pierre? Really? Pierre averaged .294 in his three seasons with LA and averaged 44 steals a year during that time.
So signing someone like Rendon was/is not a bad signing because he unexpectedly sucks??
Taylor may not be top 5 but is in the top 10.
Juan Pierre signed a five-year, $44 million contract with the Dodgers ahead of the 2007 season. Over three seasons, the center fielder posted a .696 OPS and a well-below-average 84 OPS+. The Dodgers shipped him to the Chicago White Sox after the third year of his deal. Pierre was as far from being a power hitter as one could be, so giving this type of money for a mediocre offensive player didn’t make much sense.
Not going to argue the point. Pierre was signed for his skill as a leadoff hitter and base stealer. LA knew what they were getting when they signed the deal. He got traded because LA had traded for Manny. Kemp was the full time CF and Ethier was in right. Had little to do with his weak numbers. His first season he was the regular CF and he stole 64 bases. I don’t think LA was worried about his OPS+
Did not know that about Pierre.
Also, many Dodger fans argued against the Bauer deal, in part because his character deficits were already well known.
Good list.
It is always interesting reading with those knowledgeable and connected feel about some of the Dodgers prospects. Included in his top 20 LAD prospects was this bit about RHP Hyun-Seok Jang:
Jang just ballooned up my watch chart for 2025.
Trade proposal on MLBTR Chat:
Thoughts on Robert Jr from White Sox to Dodgers for Bobby Miller, Jackson Ferris, Andy Pages, and Michael Grove.
Response by Tim Dierkes, creator and owner of MLBTR
Let me preface that I am in the NO column for Luis Robert Jr. IMO, the trade proposal is waaaayyyy too much of an overpay by LAD. For those who want Luis Robert Jr., curious as to whether you would make this deal.
For the record this is just a fan’s proposal, not anyone with any kind of trade knowledge or connections.
With the usual disclaimer that the Trade Simulator sometimes throws off crazy results, the above Robert Jr trade suggestion is rated as a major overpay by the Dodgers.
The Simulator says Miller and Grove is about equivalent value to Robert Jr.
As a matter of fact they rate Pages at about 50% more value than Robert all by himself. Their ratings take into consideration not only past and/or future projected results but also salary and remaining control under contract.
I’d do Pages straight up for him.
Personally? I value the trade simulator’s reality much more than most.
Thus, I agree with the MLBTR person, ludicrous overpay.
Hell no
Must be a White Sox fan’s proposal.
It’s an overpay, of course. But I can fix that.
The Dodgers keep Ferris and his talent and HOF ambitions. Perhaps replace him with slugging Ryan Ward, who is unlikely to ever play for the Dodgers but has a fighting chance with the Sox in the LF/DH role.
Miller + Pages + Grove + Ward + lottery ticket.
Miller would be the big prize, having flashed ace potential as a rookie. Pages would start for the Sox but needs to improve against RHP to be more than a platoon guy.
I strongly doubt that Robert will ever play for the Dodgers. I liked him as a young alternative to Teo–an upgrade, actually–in case Teo didn’t return.
If Robert returns to all-star form but the Sox are mired in last place, there could be a mid-season bidding war. Perhaps the Dodgers will be in it, especially if they lose a star to injury.
I kinda doubt it too, but, that doesn’t change my desire for an everyday stud centerfielder. Eh, maybe Outman will be that guy. Hope so.
I am still waiting for another big move. This team isn’t perfect yet.
Keith Law had a couple of chats:
Q: How do the Dodgers do it? They are already the best team in baseball (IMHO) and they have 5 players on the too 100 prospects list! This is coming from a Mets fan who feels like our ownership has done a pretty good job with their farm system.
@Jerryesherman They scout. The Dodgers have retained a big scouting staff across the board and their scouts are really involved in the draft, in trades, etc. Combine
Q: How far off was Jimmy Crooks from making this list? The advanced analytics are right up there with Dalton Rushing hitting wise and the stats better in most aspects. Also, was better at controlling the run game. Do you think he overachieved last year?
@Taylor C. I do think he overachieved. I don’t think he’s anything like Rushing.
Q: Decades into the Tommy John era, the arm injury epidemic seems worse than ever and even the Dodgers have admitted they need to study and rethink their approach. Have you seen anything, publicly available or proprietary, to suggest that teams are beginning to understand better how the protect their players’ health?
@Alex R. Oh I think teams know exactly what’s wrong, but the incentives to win now overwhelm the incentives to keep most pitchers healthy. Why would you do that when you can just go out and find the next cheap reliever on the scrap heap, give him a few extra mph or some new demon pitch, get 100 great innings out of him and dump him when he breaks?
Q: Keith, you mention the Yankees drafting low year after year, and I’m not disagreeing with what you say, but the Dodgers seem to be able to have great drafts and they typically draft even lower than NY. Are they just run better? Better scouting/evaluation processes? How are the Dodgers flush with endless money AND an almost endless supply of young talent to supplement their big league club?
@Matthew D. They have different draft philosophies. I think the Dodgers are one of the best drafting orgs in the game – and even they miss. Their top two picks in the 2023 draft might both be NPs.
Q: Hi Keith, love the work. Are the Dodgers really that far ahead of everyone else organizationally (scouting, R&D, etc.) and, if so, why don’t other teams (at least those with the money, like the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, etc.) just copy what they’re doing? (Perhaps this is already happening and I just don’t realize it and/or it takes a lot of time for this kind of thing to bear fruit.)
@Peter V. Some teams have tried. The Red Sox decided to whack their pro scouting department, so they’re heading in the other direction.
Q: Just out of curiosity, what level would MLB like to get rid of in MiLB?
@Andy M. Low A. Although it doesn’t matter what level on paper – the idea is we’d be down to three or maybe even two levels above the complex. It’s batspit insane.
Q: You said it was tough to get to a top 100. How many teams was it a struggle to get a top 20?
@Pat K. Maybe 10? Lot of teams are fine up top, and then in the teens it gets ugly.
Q: Hi Keith,
What do you think of Mike Sirota? He seemed to be a first rounder till he slumped his senior season and now that’s been followed by injuries. Do you think the Dodgers found a gem in the rough that they can mold into another success story or a lost cause?
Thank you! Been reading work for over a decade!
@Alan L. I am not sure why scouts thought he was a first-rounder based on what I saw of him and what I heard post-draft, but I do think he was a great pick by the Reds and that the Dodgers are also betting that the truth is somewhere in between where he was supposed to go and where he went. Most likely fourth outfielder.
Q: What do you think it would take for O’s to Draft a pitcher in the first or second round?
@Gregory E. Some sort of airborne toxic event.
Q: I know Ricky Henderson was a unicorn, but do you think we’ll see players steal 100 plus bases like him and Vince Coleman or has that ship sailed?
@Michael H. Barring more rule changes I don’t expect to see that again.
Dodgers got Sirota + competitve balance pick for Lux. It will be years before we know how that deal works out…. but the Dodgers were obviously high on Sirota (having drafted him out of hs) and I like their track record in the draft.
The 2023 draft looks like a bust thus far. The top two picks referred to in the chat were Kendall George and Jake Gelof. Right now those are a couple of misses. I am still holding out hope on four pitchers (surprise, surprise, surprise): Brady Smith (has not pitched yet), Wyatt Crowell, Eriq Swan, and Patrick Copen. Have no idea how Smith will turn out, but the other three are more likely to be relievers than starters. MLB needs relievers too.
Sure looks that way!
I’d be surprised if Sasaki, assuming he is healthy, doesn’t pitch in Tokyo.
The Guggenheim Group understands that the Dodgers are in the entertainment business.
They love Japan’s love. And they’ll give the fans what they want.
I agree. Even 1 inning would be what he’d normally be doing at that point of time in spring training
He will pitch (if healthy). I just do not think he will start Game 2 of the Cubs series. He could start one of the exhibition games, and then relieve in Game 2. Or maybe just relieve in one of the two Cubs games.
Alex Bregman to the Red Sox for 3/120. Has opt outs. Pivetta signs with Pads for 4/55.
Pivetta receives a $3MM signing bonus and a $1MM salary for the upcoming season. He’s guaranteed $19MM, $14MM, and $18MM salaries over the following three seasons and can opt out of the contract after the second and third years.
Congrats to Bregman.
Talk about an overpay…
wow…. Bregman signs with Boston for three years at $120 million.
$40m aav must be some kind of record
Edman’s career splits;
–.831 OPS versus lefties
–.689 versus righties.
Good platoon candidate.
Trouble is, without a real CF, he is going to start every day. If they trade for a CF, then he will start every day at 2B. The guy is going to play almost every day no matter what.
The storylines of spring training….
To repeat myself, I’ll be rooting hard for Outman to reclaim a share of CF. An Outman/Edman platoon could mash an OPS over .800 with 25+ HRs while providing quality, swift defense and speed on the basepaths. Among position players, Outman is the X factor who could juice up an already potent lineup.
Among pitchers, I’m interested in the competition at the back of the rotation between Miller, May, Gonsolin, Knack and who knows who else might emerge. Will Frasso be ready? Could Wrobleski take a step forward?
As I see it, Gonsolin is the most experienced and accomplished, while Miller and May have greater potential. Knack might be the most consistent–the steady plow horse among the thoroughbreds.
My guess is that Gonsolin and Miller would round out the rotation to begin, with May taking Phillips’ spot in the pen and Knack providing long relief. (I have no idea which pitchers could be easily optioned.)
Assuming good health, the rotation locks are Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Sasaki–with Shohei joining them in May. AND THOSE FIVE GUYS COULD BE LOCKS FOR THE NEXT FOUR TO FIVE SEASONS.
Yeah, somebody will get hurt. But sheesh.
There is no reason to slow-play Sasaki, especially since a strong rookie performance could earn the Dodgers a high draft pick. Kershaw will step in around mid-season and perhaps Sheehan after that.
The abundance of pitching talent in ’25 is impressive–and in ’26 we should see the return of Gavin Stone, River Ryan and Kyle Hurt, and perhaps the arrival of Jackson Ferris.
I hope a few of these young pitchers get traded for their own sake.
A rumor has the Dodgers trading Miller and Chris Taylor for Arenado. Seems plausible–two unappealing contracts, plus a potential star for a fading star. But I suspect the rumor may have started with a Cardinals fan.
m