Julio Urías had three consecutive poor starts, and now had to come in and face the good hitting Phillies with Bryce Harper making his 2023 debut.
After allowing only 1 base runner (catcher’s interference) during the 1st three innings, leading off the 4th, Julio Urías allowed a Trea Turner HR for the only hit and run he allowed thru 7. In his last three games, Julio gave up back to back HRs. After Trea’s HR, Harper was coming to the plate. But there would not be another déjà vu as he got Harper to softly ground out 5-3. Urías did get a couple of outstanding defensive plays (Muncy and Outman) in the 2nd.
Alex Vesia still pressing, gave up a single and BB, but no runs in the 8th. Phil Bickford struck out the side in the 9th.
For the game, Julio completed 7.0 innings. He allowed just the one hit and run. He gave up 1 BB, and registered 10 K. 95 pitches/67 strikes. Julio looked confident and strong in the first inning, which is key for him. He stayed confident and poised throughout the game. This was a different Julio Urías.
- 13 runs on 17 hits.
- Only 2 runs came from HR.
- 8 of 13 scored with 2 outs. Betts (3), Vargas (3), Outman 1), Barnes (1)
- 9 – 17 WRISP.
- 1st three batters 7-14. Makes a big difference when the top of the order produces.
- Miguel Vargas – 4-5, 3 doubles, 2 runs, 3 RBIs. 1st 4-hit game. 1st 3-double game.
- Chris Taylor – 2-4, 2 doubles, 2 runs, 2 RBIs
Mookie followed his big Monday with another big night. He went 3-4 with 3 RBIs. He is now 6-9 with 6 RBIs in the two games.
The Dodgers did not get a SB, but they still got their legs involved. One key play was Mookie taking the extra base because of a lazy throw from Brandon Marsh. Then Max taking 3rd on Taylor’s hit, allowing Taylor to take 2nd for his 2nd double. That was critical for Vargas plating both with his 3rd double.
The Dodgers will now try for the series sweep on Wednesday, and the home stand sweep. Gavin Stone draws a tough opponent for his debut. Aaron Nola will be the starting pitcher for Philadelphia. Hopefully the LAD bats will stay hot for Gavin.
MiLB April Metrics
AAA – OKC Dodgers – PCL East Division – 10 Team League
OKC is the first MiLB team to reach 20 victories. Their record of 20-7 sits atop PCL East Division and the PCL as a whole. The second best record in the League and in the Division is Round Rock (Texas). OKC is 1.5 games ahead of Round Rock and 8.0 games ahead of Albuquerque (Division 3rd place team).
Individual Notes:
- Hunter Feduccia is 4 PA shy of being considered qualified. If he were he would be rated as follows:
- BA – .360 – 5th in League
- OBP – .515 – 3rd in League
- SLG – .680 – 5th in League
- OPS – 1.195 – 3rd in League
- Pitching is the PCL is near absent. PCL is very much a hitters league.
- OKC is 20-7 (most wins in MiLB) with middle of the League offensive numbers. They are at the top of most team pitching stats but that really is not saying a lot. The Dodgers have exactly one prospective starting pitcher; Gavin Stone. It is time (IMO) to stop blocking AA pitchers (See below).
Offensive Team Stats
- Batting Average – .265 – 6th in League.
- OBP – .379 – 4th in League.
- SLG – .442 – 7th in League.
- OPS – .821 – 7th in League.
- Hits – 235 – 7th in League.
- Runs – 170 – 6th in League.
- Doubles – 63 – 2nd in League.
- Triples – 8 – 4th in League.
- HR – 26 – 7th in League.
- BB – 154 – 3rd in League.
- K – 267 – 2nd in League.
Offensive – Individuals Top Ten in League.
- Doubles – Devin Mann – 15 – 1st in league. 2nd best is 9.
- Triples – Yonny Hernandez and Luke Williams – 2 – 5th in League.
- RBI
- Ryan Ward – 23 – 5th in League.
- Hunter Feduccia – 21 – 10th in League.
- BB – Drew Avans – 20 – 6th in League.
- K
- Steven Duggar – 38 – 1st in League.
- Bradley Zimmer – 34 – 5th in League.
- SB
- Bradley Zimmer – 6 – 5th in League.
- Drew Avans – 5 – 10th in League.
- Batting Average – Michael Busch – .337 – 9th in League.
- OBP – Michael Busch – .461 – 8th in League.
Pitching Team Stats
- ERA – 4.79 – 2nd in League; Round Rock 1st at 3.65.
- WHIP – 1.41 – 2nd in League; Round Rock 1st at 1.38.
- BAA – .238 – 1st in League.
- BB – 120 – 8th most in League.
- K – 264 – 2nd in League.
- HR – 40 – 2nd most in League.
Pitching – Individuals Top Ten in League
- ERA
- Dylan Covey – 4.09 – 6th in League.
- Gavin Stone – 4.74 – 7th in League.
- WHIP
-
- Gavin Stone – 1.26 – 5th in League.
- Dylan Covey – 1.41 – 7th in League.
- BAA
- Gavin Stone – .204 – 4th in League.
- Dylan Covey – .212 – 5th in League.
- BB – Matt Andriese 7 – 3rd least in League.
- KK
-
- Gavin Stone – 27 – 5th in League.
- Matt Andriese – 24 – 7th in League.
- HR Allowed
-
- Dylan Covey – 2 – 5th least in League.
- Gavin Stone – 3 – 6th least in League.
AA – Tulsa Drillers – Texas League North Division – (10 Team League)
Tulsa has a record of 12-9. They are in 2nd place in their division, 1.5 GB Arkansas Travelers (Seattle). Their record is also 2nd best in the League as a whole.
Individual Notes:
- Nick Frasso, Landon Knack, and Emmet Sheehan are arguably in the top 5 pitchers in the League. All three should be considered for promotion to AAA.
- Diego Cartaya and Eddys Leonard were disappointments for April. Cartaya had a very good April 30, while Leonard had an excellent May 1.
- Jorbit Vivas had spectacular April. He will be strongly considered as the Texas League Player of the Month of April.
- Will Andy Pages and José Ramos start to separate themselves? Pages – .243/.398/.419/.817 – 28.9% K rate. Ramos .278/.398/.528/.926 – 25.6% K rate.
Offensive Team Stats
- Batting Average – .240 – 8th in League.
- OBP – .344 – 7th in League.
- SLG – .404 – 7th in League.
- OPS – .748 – 8th in League.
- Hits – 163 – 9th in League.
- Runs – 103 – 8th in League.
- Doubles – 38 – 3rd in League.
- Triples – 1 – 9th in League.
- HR – 24 – 5th in League.
- BB – 90 – 4th in League.
- K – 189 – 10th in League.
Offensive – Individuals Top Ten in League.
- Batting Average – Jorbit Vivas – .346 – 3rd in League
- OBP
-
- Jorbit Vivas – .458 – 4th in League
- Imanol Vargas – .438 – 6th in League
- SLG
-
- Jorbit Vivas – .667 – 1st in League
- Imanol Vargas – .596 – 8th in League
- OPS
-
- Jorbit Vivas – 1.125 – 1st in League
- Imanol Vargas – 1.034 – 6th in League
- Hits – Jorbit Vivas – 27 – 5th in League
- Runs
-
- Jorbit Vivas – 17 – 3rd in League
- Jonny DeLuca – 16 – 8th in League
- Doubles
-
- Jorbit Vivas – 11 – Best in League – 2nd best is 8
- Andy Pages – 7 – 6th in League
- Triples – None in top 10 in the League
- HR
-
- Jonny DeLuca – 6 – 2nd in League
- José Ramos – 4 – 9th in League
- Imanol Vargas – 4 – 9th in League
- Jorbit Vivas – 4 – 9th in League
- K – None in top ten of least strikeouts in League
- BB
-
- Andy Pages – 15 – 6th in League
- Imanol Vargas – 15 – 6th in League
Pitching Team Stats
- ERA – 3.26 – Best in League
- WHIP – 1.17 – Best in League
- BAA – .192 – Best in League
- BB – 86 – 3rd Best in League.
- K – 234 – 2nd in League
- HR Allowed – 19 – 2nd Best in League.
Pitching – Individuals Top Ten in League
- ERA
-
- Nick Frasso – 2nd in League
- Landon Knack – 1.45 – 3rd in League
- WHIP
-
- Emmet Sheehan – 0.88 – 2nd in League
- Landon Knack – 0.91 – 4th in League
- Nick Frasso – 0.95 – 5th in League
- BAA
-
- Emmet Sheehan – .134 – Best in League
- Landon Knack – .174 – 3rd in League
- Nick Frasso – .203 – 7th in League
- BB
-
- Nick Frasso – 5 – 7th least in League
- Landon Knack – 5 – 7th least in League
- K
-
- Emmet Sheehan – 35 – Best in League
- Nick Frasso – 30 – 3rd in League
A+ – Great Lakes Loons – Midwest League East Division (12 Team League)
Great Lakes has a record of 13-9 and in 2nd place in the Division, 1.0 GB Lake County (Cleveland). They have the 4th best record in League.
Individual Notes:
- Austin Gauthier has to be considered a near favorite for Midwest League Player of the Month of April.
- The Dodgers have 2 catchers that they will be monitoring: Dalton Rushing and Yeiner Fernandez.
Offensive Team Stats
- Batting Average – .233 – 5th in League.
- OBP – .337 – 3rd in League.
- SLG – .377 – 3rd in League.
- OPS – .714 – 3rd in League.
- Hits – 167 – 2nd in League.
- Runs – 103 – 2nd in League.
- Doubles – 35 – 3rd in League.
- Triples – 4 – 9th in League.
- HR – 20 – 2nd in League.
- BB – 106 – 2nd in League.
- K – 212 – 2nd in League.
Offensive – Individuals Top Ten in League.
- Batting Average
-
- Austin Gauthier – .406 – Best in League
- Yeiner Fernandez – .299 – 10th best in League
- OBP
-
- Austin Gauthier – .500 – 3rd in League
- Dalton Rushing – .456 – 6th in League
- SLG
-
- Austin Gauthier – .580 – 5th in League
- Dalton Rushing – .545 – 6th in League
- OPS
-
- Austin Gauthier – 1.080 – 3rd in League
- Dalton Rushing – 1.001 – 6th in League
- Hits
-
- Austin Gauthier – 28 – Best in League
- Yeiner Fernandez – 20 – 9th in League
- Runs
-
- Austin Gauthier – 19 – Best in League
- Dalton Rushing – 16 – 7th in League
- Doubles
-
- Austin Gauthier – 6 – 4th in League
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 5 – 9th in League
- HR
-
- Dalton Rushing – 4 – 4th in League
- Yunior Garcia – 3 – 6th in League
- Damon Keith – 3 – 6th in League
- BB
-
- Taylor Young – 15 – 5th in League
- Alex Freeland – 14 – 8th in League
- K
-
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 10 – 8th Least in League
Pitching Team
- ERA – 3.36 – 3rd in League.
- WHIP – 1.28 – 5th in League.
- BAA – .189 – Best in League.
- BB – 117 – Most in League.
- K – 245 – 1st in League.
- HR Allowed – 14 – 5th best in League.
Pitching – Individuals Top Ten in League
Only Ben Casparius has enough IP to be a qualified pitcher.
- ERA – 2.70 – 7th in League
- WHIP – 1.03 – 7th in League
- BAA – .159 – 2nd in League
- BB – 11 – Most in League
- K – 23 – 6th in League
- HR – 4 – Most in League
A – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – California League South Division (8 Team League)
At 16-6, RC is tied for 1st in the Division with Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego). They are 8.0 games ahead of Visalia Rawhide (Arizona). They are tied with the best record in the League.
Offensive Team
- Batting Average – .250 – 3rd in League.
- OBP – .349 – 4th in League.
- SLG – .388 – 2nd in League.
- OPS – .737 – 3rd in League.
- Hits – 186 – 3rd in League.
- Runs – 103 – 4th in League.
- Doubles – 37 – 4th in League.
- Triples – 3 – 8th in League.
- HR – 20 – Best in League.
- BB – 146 – 2nd in League.
- K – 264 – Most in League.
Offensive – Individuals Top Ten in League.
- Batting Average
-
- Kyle Nevin – .385 – Best in League
- Chris Newell – .314 – 9th in League
- OBP – Kyle Nevin – .385 – 4th in League
- SLG
-
- Chris Newell – .643 – 2nd in League
- Kyle Nevin – .508 – 10th in League
- OPS
-
- Chris Newell – 1.062 – 2nd in League
- Kyle Nevin – .967 – 5th in League
- Hits
-
- Kyle Nevin – 25 – 3rd in League
- Rayne Doncon – 22 – 9th in League
- Runs
-
- Rayne Doncon – 20 – 2nd in League
- Chris Newell – 17 – 5th in League
- Jose Izarra – 13 – 10th in League
- Doubles
-
- Jose Izarra – 9 – Best in League
- Kyle Nevin – 6 – 8th in League
- HR
-
- Chris Newell – 6 – Best in League
- Rayne Doncon – 5 – 3rd in League
- Thayron Liranzo – 4 – 4th in League
- BB – Chris Newell – 14 – 7th in League
- K – Jorge Puerta – 14 – 9th least in League
Pitching Team
- ERA – 3.03 – 2nd in League.
- WHIP – 1.30 – 2nd in League.
- BAA – .203 – 2nd in League.
- BB – 109 – 3rd most in League.
- K – 259 – 1st in League.
- HR Allowed – 9 – 3rd best in League.
Pitching – Individuals Top Ten in League
No RC pitcher is a qualified pitcher. 17.2 IP qualifies pitchers. The closest RC pitcher to be considered a qualified pitcher was Maddux Bruns with 17.1 IP.
- ERA – 1.04 – 2nd in League
- WHIP – 1.15 – 5th in League
- BAA – .148 – Best in League
- BB – 11 – 2nd worst in League
- K – 26 – 2nd in League
- HR – 0 – Tied for 1st in League
Busch looked good in his short appearance at 3B. He looks like a real player that can field and hit. Will he take over 3B moving Muncy to DH? It seems like the right move. I’d also like to see Feduccia take over for Barnes. I know that our hitting is quite capable but there is always room for upgrading a position especially a bat like Barnes’s. Feduccia’s arm is also stronger. Smith at C, DHing to give Muncy rest on occasion or allowing his own rest when Feduccia is at C. I don’t mind all the rookies if they can contribute. What’s your take, Jeff?
I’m not Jeff but Busch belongs, Jeff.
Michael Busch – I am a fan and have been since he was drafted. While a certain someone and others latched on to Kody Hoese as the future Mike Schmidt for LAD, I locked in on Busch. Most ignored Busch his 1st year because of his numbers. He was hurt. That being said, I do not see Busch as a regular MLB 3B. He has 96 innings at 3B professionally (80 MiLB and 16 MLB) with 28 total chances (25 MiLB and 3 (MLB). Both Busch and Vargas look more than competent defensively, but they are both slower to react than the average MLB player at their respective positions. Busch makes the plays right at or near him because he is a professional baseball player and good athlete. The ball Muncy got last night off Castellanos, I do not believe Busch gets. Muncy has much better reaction time because of his knowledge of hitters and anticipating. Busch has no clue what to anticipate for. Miggy Vargas does not get to some of those Bryson Stott plays at 2B. Will he get there with experience? He will get better and not be a negative defensive player. The same with Busch. They both need experience just to get to average defensively.
Again that being said, I hope both stay in the LAD organization. Next year is a long way away, and I have no idea what AF/BG plan next year, so we will accept growing pains rookies routinely go through, defensively and offensively.
Great information Jeff. Thanks. A lot there to digest.
It feels to me like it’s time for Pages to start owning that league. And it’s hard to know how good any of them really are. Williams and Yonny got a look and didn’t look quite ready. Our best, Vargas, Outman and Busch look ready, but it’s a long season. Pitching? We’re going to see aren’t we.
Barnes. I keep waiting, but he looks overmatched. I guess Feduccia isn’t coming. Each time we see Smith behind the plate I will be nervous.
Dodgers stop losing after Smith gets back in the lineup
He does seem to help!
#3 hitter in the lineup is important. Top of the order looks different with him there and Mookie banging.
Is Jorbit Vivas a legit prospect? Can he realistically become our SS? Or is he more of a 2b and/or utility guy?
Viva Las Vivas! Good movie. Elvis in his prime.
ok, maybe not. I’m circling in a different jorbit.
Legit? How do we know until he gets playing time? 5’10”, 171 pounds. I think the Dodgers like them bigger than that.
Yes
No
Yes
Jorbit Vivas can play. Legit for MLB? MAYBE, but only at 2B or utility. He is having a great start at AA. Players like Vivas get promoted faster with other teams than they do with LAD. If he continues his bat thru May, I would love to see him compete at AAA for the second half of 2023. It is a huge jump from AA to AAA, and the AAA numbers in PCL are exaggerated a bit. A pure hitters league. The ball flies well at the PCL parks, so power numbers could be exaggerated, but bat to ball skills will be telling.
Vivas’ strength is his bat to ball skills. He will hit for average. He projects to have anemic power potential (30 Baseball America and 35 MLB Pipeline).
But like many LAD prospects he is not a plus defender. Without plus defensive skills, it is hard to be a top utility player. Here is Baseball America’s scouting report and grade:
Scouting Report: Vivas is small lefthanded hitter with a short, compact swing and an excellent feel for the barrel. He shoots balls from line to line and puts the ball in play on a regular basis. He controls the strike zone, works counts and battles through long at-bats to wear pitchers down. Vivas has the approach and contact skills to hit for average, but he’s undersized and lacks the strength to impact the ball consistently. He’ll occasionally get into a ball and drive it over the fence, but his power is below-average and he doesn’t have room to add much more. Vivas is a below-average runner who is limited defensively to second base, where he is an average defender who makes the routine plays. His arm strength is fringy but enough to make the throws.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 30. Speed: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.
MLB Pipeline has similar remarks and scouting grades.
IMO, Vivas is a better offensive player than Jacob Amaya, but without the defensive projection that Amaya has. However, Amaya is not having a good year offensively or defensively with Jacksonville (Miami AAA). My best guesstimate is that Jorbit could play MLB 2B, but maybe not for a top contender, like LAD.
Do you think AF protected Vivas and Leonard from the Rule 5 just because he had room or because he valued them more than the pundits?
I thought it was odd at the time both were protected. I do not believe any team would have drafted a player and keep them at the MLB level with only a handful of AB in A+, but most of the year in low A. They will run out of options after next season, so they are going to need to stick in MLB at 24 in 2025. I am not sure there is a reason to keep both.
Gavin Stone has been officially added to the 40 man roster. They had 2 open spots, so they did not need to DFA anyone. With Stone on the 40, there is room for one more. To make room on the 26 man, Alex Vesia has been optioned to OKC. Perhaps the only surprise here is that why it took so long. There is something obviously wrong with Vesia and whatever mechanics need to be adjusted, get them adjusted at OKC and then bring him back. For two years, Alex Vesia was a good to outstanding reliever in the LAD pen. Many believe it is the time clock that is causing him issues. His normal routine is off. I wonder how Al Hrabosky would have handled the time clock?
Hrabosky would have walked up to the clock and kicked it in.
Now that is funny! True, but funny. 😂😂