One thing about doing these posts on awards, it makes me research how the award was established. In most cases I knew part of the story, but not the inside info. The ROY as we call it, actually began in Chicago in 1940 by their chapter of the BBWAA. It was in existence until 1946. The award became national in 1947. The first two seasons, 47-48, the award was just given to one player. In 1949, they started awarding one in each league. In 1987, 40 years after he broke into the game, the award was named for Jackie Robinson. Since its inception, 19 ROY’s have been elected to the Hall. There have been dual winners once in each league. Butch Metzger and Pat Zachry in the NL in 1976, Alfredo Griffin and John Castino in the AL in 1979. The qualifications to be considered for the ROY have changed several times. At first, it was fewer than 75 at bats, or 45 innings pitched in any previous MLB season. That was then amended to 90 at bats, 45 innings pitched, or 45 days on a MLB roster before September 1st of the previous year. The current standard, adopted in 1971, is 130 at bats, 50 innings pitched, or 45 days on the active roster, excluding time in the military or on the IL before September 1st. 
The first winner was as most of us know, Jackie Robinson. He pioneered the advent of players of color being allowed to play with whites in the major leagues. I myself cannot imagine what he had to endure to be successful. The movie, 42, is by all accounts an excellent adaption of his struggles during that season. With all of that distraction, Robinson helped lead the Brooklyn Dodgers to the 1947 National League pennant. 
Jackie won on the strength of a .297/12/48 line. He was a 4.2 WAR player with an OPS of .810 and a OBP of .389. He stole 29 bases. All of that while playing out of position at first base. His 29 steals led the league, and he also led the league with 28 sacrifice bunts. He walked 79 times and struck out just 36. He got a 78% share of the votes, beating out Giants pitcher, Larry Jansen, by 14%. Jansen won 21 and lost 5 with a 3.16 ERA. 
1948’s winner was Alvin Dark of the Giants. In 1949, the award was given to both leagues for the first time. The AL winner was outfielder, Roy Seivers. In the NL, it was Dodger pitcher, Don Newcombe. Newk posted a 17-8 mark with a 3.17 ERA. He had a 1.211 WHIP, 19 complete games, 5 shutouts and 1 save. He struck out 149 batters and walked 77, 4 intentionally. He handily beat Del Crandall of the Braves, 88%-13%. 
The next Dodger winner was in 1952 when reliever, Joe Black beat out Hoyt Wilhelm, the future Hall of Famer by 66%. Black had a stellar rookie season winning 15 games, losing just 4 with a 2.15 ERA. He saved 15 games and had a 1.005 WHIP. He appeared in 56 games, 2 of them starts. He pitched 142.1 innings allowing just 102 hits. He struck out 85 and walked 41. 
1953 saw another Dodger take home the award. This time it was infielder, Jim Gilliam. Junior as most called him, had a .278/6/63 line. He stole 21 bases and walked 100 times. His OPS was .798. His OBP .383. For one of the few times in his career, he played just one position all year, second base. He got just a 49% share of the votes, beating out 20 game winner, Harvey Haddix of the Cardinals, who got just 17%. Seven players earned votes. 
Gilliam was the last Brooklyn Dodger to win the award. They would be in Los Angeles when the award went to outfielder, Frank Howard in 1960. Howard was a huge human being, standing 6’7″ and weighing 255 pounds. He had a couple of cups of coffee with the team in 58-59. In 1960, he came up to stay. Big Frank, or Hondo as he became to be called, hit .268/23/77. He struck out a lot for that era, 108 times, and walked just 32. His slugging pct. was .464. He did not really reach his potential until after the Dodgers traded him to the Senators in 1964. But in the early 60’s, he was the Dodgers main power source. He played 1st base too for a while. He got a 50% share of the vote, beating out Philie’s 1st basemen, Pancho Herrera who had 17%. Teammate, Tommy Davis, who hit .302, finished 5th. 
Four years later in 1965, Dodger second baseman, Jim Lefebvre would beat out Houston Astros second baseman, and future Hall of Famer, Joe Morgan, 65% to 20%. Morgan’s BA was 21 points higher, plus he led the league in walks, 97 and stole 20 bases. But Lefebvre drove in 29 more runs and played for the eventual pennant and World Series winner. I would venture to say, if they had done the same thing in this era, Morgan would most likely have won the award. His stats over all were just than much better. Houston finished 9th that year. 
Just 4 years later, another Dodger would win the award. Second baseman, Ted Sizemore was the winner in 1969. Ted hit .271 with 4 homers and 46 driven in. He garnered a 58% share of the vote, beating out Montreal’s Coco Laboy by 45%. Finishing third was a future member of the Dodgers, Al Oliver of the Pirates. Larry Hisle, of the Phillies finished 5th. Not sure why Sizemore ended up getting the award. Laboy, Oliver and Hisle all had superior offensive numbers to Sizemore. Sizemore’s defense at second, and at SS where he played some games, left a lot to be desired. Nonetheless, he became the Dodgers seventh recipient of the award. 
It would be 10 years before the next Dodger would win the award. This time it went to a pitcher, Rick Sutcliffe. Sut won 17, lost 10, with a 3.46 ERA. He was not a strikeout pitcher, getting just 117 in 242.0 innings. He had 5 complete games and one shutout. He beat Jeffery Leonard, who had just a 13% share of the votes, whereas Rick totaled 883%. He would not be a Dodger long, traded after the 1981 season to the Indians in the Jorge Orta trade, which also brought Jack Fimple and Larry White to LA. Jack Perconte was the other player sent to Cleveland. 
In 1980, the ROY went to Steve Howe, another pitcher, but this time a lefty reliever. Howe did something that year as a 22-year-old that not many players have done. He made the jump to the majors after just 13 games in the minors at AA San Antonio in 1979. Howe had a 7-9 record with a 2.66 ERA. He walked almost as many as he struck out, 32-39, in 84.2 innings of work. He saved 17 games. He got a 67% share of the vote, and he beat out players like Bill Gullickson 2nd, Lonnie Smith 3rd, Dave Smith 5th, Jeff Readon, Leon Durham, Al Holland and Bob Walk. 
1981 belonged to the Dodgers and their 3rd ROY in a row, Fernando Valenzuela. Not only did he win the ROY, he was the Cy Young winner also. The only pitcher in MLB history to accomplish that feat. He was 13-7 with 11 complete games and 8 shutouts in the shortened season. He led the league in shutouts, complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts. He pitched well in the playoffs and World Series adding 3 wins and a loss to his totals. He beat out Tim Raines by getting a 89% share to Raines 71%. Hubie Brooks finished 3rd. 
For the fourth year in a row, a Dodger took home the trophy in 1982. 2nd baseman, Steve Sax was the winner. Sax hit .282 with 4 homers and 47 driven in. He stole 49 bases. He eked out a win over Johnny Ray of the Pirates by a 53%-48% margin. Ray had just 2 hits more than Sax 182-180. He was a point lower in BA. Sax overcame a bad case of the yips to become about average as a defender. He also made the All-Star team that year. 
It would be 1991 before another Dodger took home the trophy. Eric Karros took over as the Dodgers regular 1st baseman. He would hit .257 with 20 homers and 88 RBIs. Eric played in 149 games and had 149 hits. He also had 30 doubles and 1 triple. Karros was born in Hackensack New Jersey and attended college at UCLA. He was a sixth-round draft choice in 1988. He went to high school in San Diego at Patrick Henry High School. He presently works for the Dodgers as a color commentator on television broadcasts. 
The Dodgers did not have to wait long for the next one. 1992’s award went to catcher Mike Piazza. Mike was born in Norristown Pa, in 1968. His dad was friends with Tommy Lasorda. Lasorda was also from Norristown. Mike was drafted as a favor to Lasorda in the 62nd round. He was not considered at the time to be a great prospect. He was attending Miami Dade College. Mike had one of the best rookie seasons any Dodger ever has had. He batted .318 with 35 homers, a Dodger rookie record, and 112 driven in. He also had 24 doubles and 2 triples. 
Unfortunately, when the Dodgers changed ownership from O’Malley to Fox Sports, their execs decided to trade him to Miami. He was there just a short time before he was traded to the Mets, where he would spend 8 years. One year longer than his Dodger tenure. But Dodger fans can say they saw the best of Piazza who hit .331 in LA, and .296 as a Met. Mike was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2016 with 83% of the vote. It was his 4th year on the ballot. 
LA made it three in a row in 93. Raul Mondesi, a outfielder from San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic, took home the trophy on the strength of a .306/16/56 line. He played right field most of the time and had the best arm they had seen in Dodger blue since Carl Furillo. Karros had won his with 97% of the vote, Piazza had been a unanimous choice. Mondesi was a unanimous choice too. Mondesi spent seven years with the Dodgers before moving to Toronto in the Shawn Green trade. 
The Dodgers signed a pitcher from Japan for the 94 season. It was Hideo Nomo. The Tornado as he was known, would win 13 games while losing 6. He led the league in strikeouts with 236 and wild pitches with 19. His ERA was 2.54 and he had 4 complete games and 3 shutouts. Nomo would pitch 6 full seasons in LA and part of another. He was traded to the Mets in 1998 and then returned to LA in 2002 as a free agent. He threw 2 no-hitters in his career, one with LA against the Rockies in 1996 at Coors Field, and his second came for the Red Sox in his Red Sox debut on April 4 in Baltimore against the Orioles. His win was the second time the Dodgers had 4 in a row, 79-82 was the first. 
They did that run one better in 95 when outfielder Todd Hollandsworth took home the award. Nomo had barely beaten out Chipper Jones in 94. Hollandsworth beat slick fielding Cardinals SS, Edgar Renteria with 15 first place votes to 10. Hollandsworth hit .291/12/59. He stole 21 bases and had 26 doubles and 4 triples. Todd was a 3rd round draft choice out of Newport HS in Bellevue Washington in 1991. He played for the Dodgers for six years before being traded to the Rockies with 2 minor leaguers for Tom Goodwin. 
The Dodgers would have to wait 20 years for the next player to be named the Rookie of the Year. In September of 2015, the Dodgers called up SS, Corey Seager. Seager got into 27 games, coming to bat 98 times. He had 33 hits, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 4 homers and 17 RBIs. He stole 2 bases without being caught. He batted .337. He went 3-16 in the NLDS loss to the Mets. If he had a downside, it was his defense. In 21 games at SS, he made 5 errors.
In 2016 he became the starting SS for the LA Dodgers. Seager played in 157 games. He had 193 hits. 40 doubles, 5 triples, 26 homers and 72 RBIs while batting .308. Corey had been a 1st round draft pick in 2012 out of Northwest Cabarrus HS in Concord North Carolina. He was a unanimous choice for the award, and he beat out a future teammate, Trea Turner of the Nationals. 
Corey would play seven years for the Dodgers. His injury and surgery in 2018 forced them to trade for Manny Machado. But he returned healthy for the 2019 season. In the pandemic year of 2020, Corey would play a huge part in the Dodgers Championship run. He was the MVP of both the NLCS and World Series blasting 8 homers and driving in 20 in the four-playoff series. He hit 5 in the NLCS against the Braves driving in 11 runs. He was teamed with Turner in 21 when LA brought him in to play second and possibly be their SS in 2022 if Seager left, which he did for the Texas Rangers. Seager has played well for the Rangers when healthy, and he won the World Series MVP award for Texas in 2023. But he was a better hitter in LA and a more productive run producer. 
In 2017, the Dodgers had back-to-back winners again. This time it was 1st baseman, Cody Bellinger. Bellinger would also win unanimously beating Paul DeJong of the Cardinals. Bellinger was a 4th round draft choice out of HS in Chandler Arizona. His dad, Clay, played for the Yankees and was part of the 2000 Yankees champs. Bellinger was an emergency call up when Adrian Gonzalez went down. Bellinger wasn’t spectacular, but what he was being was consistent. He started off hitting around .270 and stayed at that mark or just below all year. He finished with a .267/39/97 line in 480 at bats over 132 games. He added 26 doubles and 4 triples, along with 10 stolen bases. His OPS was .933 and his 39 homers were a new record for rookies passing Piazza’s 35. 
He hit 3 homers in the Dodgers playoff run, driving in 9 runs. He batted .318 against the Cubs in the NLCS, but had a miserable World Series against Houston, striking out 17 times in 28 at bats. All four of his hits in the series went for extra bases. 2 doubles a triple and a homer. He played 93 games at first and 46 in the outfield. He was an excellent defender at both positions. He was the MVP of the NLCS against the Brewers in 18, despite batting just .200. After a down year in 2018, Bellinger would have his finest in 2019. 
Bellinger would win the MVP award in 2019. He started out fast. He was hitting .336 with 30 homers after 88 games. In 68 games in the second half, he hit just .263/17/44. That gave him 47 homers and 115 RBIs for the year. LA was beaten in the playoffs by the eventual World Series winners, the Nationals. Like many players he struggled to be consistent in 2020. He would have 14 hits in the 4-playoff series, including 4 homers and 13 runs batted in. He hit what would be a game winning homer in game 7 of the NLCS against the Braves.
He was injured much of 21 playing in just 95 games. He batted just .165. He rebounded some in 22, hitting .210 with 19 homers, but the Dodgers non-tendered him that winter and he signed with the Cubs. He has made better contact the last three years with his batting average in the .280 range. He hit .307 for the Cubs in 23, but his power numbers are down as is his hard-hit rate. He is currently playing for the New York Yankees and playing pretty well.
Walker Buehler finished 3rd in 18 to Acuna, same year Ohtani won while an Angel. Gonsolin and May were4th and 5th in 2020. James Outman, who was third in 2023 was the last Dodger rookie to get any votes. LA has not really had a rookie make any kind of impact in 24 or so far this season. But they have some very good players in the minors. Will any of them take up that mantle and win the award? Or do we have to wait several more years for the next one. 18 Dodgers have won the award, two went on to have Hall of Fame careers.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
OKC Comets 5 – Reno Aces 1
Blake Snell put an exclamation point on his final 2025 rehab assignment. A text book Snell outing…4.2 IP, 0 runs, 0 hits, 7 K, and yes the trademark 4 BB. He threw 76 pitches and is ready to make his next start against Tampa Bay, next week.
And with strikeout #7, Blake Snell's night is complete!
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) July 27, 2025
4.2 IP | 0 H | 0 R | 4 BB | 7 K pic.twitter.com/E2GNlVcPd4
Blake Snell is done with what could be his last rehab. He wasn't super efficient, and while his strike throwing wasn't super sharp, the stuff was in the sense of velo, and ability to overpower hitters and work around base runners.
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) July 27, 2025
I've learned to pretty much ignore the walk… pic.twitter.com/1Wu5XVPv4Q
He held his velo through his entire outing, which shows he can hold his endurance. He was 96 in the 1st, and 96 in the 5th.
The OKC pitching staff carried a no-hit bid into the ninth inning during a 5-1 win over the Reno Aces Saturday.
The Comets opened the scoring in the 2nd with a Nick Senzel double (9) and scored on the first of Hunter Feduccia’s 3 hits.
In the 3rd, Austin Gauthier singled and moved to 2nd on a Justin Dean BB. Gauthier scored on a Ryan Ward single.
Ryan Ward extends his hitting streak to 15 games and adds to the Comets lead! 💪 pic.twitter.com/xUQUadhIgO
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) July 27, 2025
In the 6th, Senzel and Feduccia hooked up again. Senzel singled and Feduccia hit a 2-run HR (9) for a 4-0 lead.
Hunter Feduccia…Adios!
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) July 27, 2025
Feddy went deep into the Reno night for his 9th home run of the season. He's 2 for 3 tonight with 3 RBIs, and is hitting .287 on the season, OPS of .859.
He's having a great series in Reno, that's for sure. He has a hit in every game, and is 9 for 16… pic.twitter.com/rs2yxH52ti
In the 8th, Senzel and Feduccia hooked up for a 3rd time. Senzel drew a BB, stole 2nd and scored on a Feduccia single and a 5-0 lead.
Kitchen is NOT closed for Feduccia! 🙅♂️
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) July 27, 2025
Hit No. 3 and RBI No. 4 tonight for Feduccia! pic.twitter.com/ewMXcaD2EG
Relievers José Rodríguez and Garrett McDaniels followed Snell with a combined 3.1 hitless innings and retired all 10 batters, as the Comets held Reno without a hit through eight innings. However, Albert Almora led off the bottom the ninth inning with a triple to right-center field and later scored on a wild pitch, representing the Aces’ only run and hit of the night.
Ryan Ward extended his hitting streak to 15 games, going 1-for-4 with a RBI single. During the streak, Ward is 25-for-63 (.397) with 14 extra-base hits and 21 RBI…Ward collected his Minor League-leading 93rd RBI of the season.
Nick Senzel went 2-for-3 with a double and a season-high three runs. He has hit safely in seven straight games, going 11-for-27 (.407).
Justin Dean went 1-for-4 with a walk and two stolen bases, as he is now on a 19-game on-base streak…Dean is up to 13 stolen bases in July and 24 steals for the season.
We learned a couple of other things on this day as it relates to OKC.
The Dodgers are shifting former top pitching prospect Bobby Miller to a relief role in Triple-A Oklahoma City per @FabianArdaya
— SleeperDodgers (@SleeperDodgers) July 27, 2025
Could Miller be a weapon out of the bullpen in October? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nWwVBvfLbf
Blake Treinen has completed his rehab. Will join the #Dodgers and be activated either Sunday or Monday (probably not available to pitch until Monday). Won't necessarily be "dedicated" closer. Use in highest-leverage situations
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 26, 2025
Springfield Cardinals 4 – Tulsa Drillers 1
The series trend of strong pitching continued in Saturday night’s matchup between Tulsa and Springfield, but the Drillers were slightly outpitched by the Cardinals in a 4-1 loss. Four hurlers for the Cards combined to hold the Drillers to just four hits in the defeat, with the fourth inning being Tulsa’s downfall. In that pivotal fourth, Springfield produced five hits and scored three of its runs.
The loss by the Drillers gave the Cardinals their second win in the six-game series. Tulsa is now 4-13 against Springfield this season, but could claim a series victory with a win in Sunday’s series finale.
The Cardinals started quickly with the game’s first two batters reaching on a single and a ground-rule double. It set up the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly.
Tulsa responded in the second inning with its only run of the night when Chris Newell’s 12th home run of the season tied the game at 1-1.
All of the runs in the big fourth inning scored with two outs, thanks to three straight singles, as Springfield jumped ahead 4-1.
Tulsa starting pitcher Chris Campos recovered from the four runs allowed to retire the final seven hitters he faced in six innings of work. He also matched his season high with eight strikeouts.
After Campos’ six innings, Brandon Neeck and Kelvin Ramirez each had perfect outings over the final three innings.
Newell finished with a perfect night at the plate by earning three of Tulsa’s four hits, increasing his on-base streak to 12 straight games. During the streak, the University of Virginia product has reached base safely 21 times. Newell also finished a triple shy of the cycle.
For just the second time this season, the Drillers did not issue a walk in the game.
Great Lakes Loons 7 – Beloit Sky Carp (Miami) 2
The Great Lakes Pontoniers (Loons) had three multi-run innings and strong pitching, sailing to a 7-2 win over the Beloit Sky Carp.
Payton Martin pitched from the fourth and gained the first two outs in the eighth, striking out six along the way and earning the win. Up 4-2 in the seventh, the right-hander responded after permitting two singles, with a pickoff of Jacob Jenkins Cowart and back-to-back strikeouts.
For the third straight game, Great Lakes scored in the first inning, adding three. The inning saw five stolen bases, earning the franchise record for most stolen bases in a six-game series with now 22 in five games, with a sixth tomorrow.
In the first, Kendall George singled and stole both second and third. The second swipe was a double steal with Zyhir Hope, who walked. The throw went to second but was overthrown into centerfield. The debuting Eduardo Quintero singled home Hope with a poke to right center field.
Eduardo Quintero RBI single! pic.twitter.com/vykIAIeskN
— Great Lakes Loons (@greatlakesloons) July 26, 2025
George and Hope highlighted a two-run fifth inning. Wilman Diaz led off the frame with a double and scored on a George RBI groundout. Next up, the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect rocked his second home run of the series. Hope sent it 410 feet with a 109 mph exit velocity over the right center field wall. He walked with the bases loaded in the eighth to add his 60th RBI of 2025.
#Dodgers top prospect Zyhir Hope absolutely crushes a 410ft homerun over the center field wall. Loons 4 Carp 1 #DodgersProspects #LetsGoDodgers @greatlakesloons @milb_central pic.twitter.com/77W3jpSdX0
— Dodgers_After_Duty (@msalas24) July 27, 2025
Carlos Rojas provided a two-run single in the eighth inning, where the Pontoniers extended the lead to 7-2. Beloit’s Justin Storm walked four in the inning, coupled with a defensive error at third base.
Cam Day earned the four-out save, inducing a game-ending double play.
Beloit’s two runs were on two-out hits. One in the first inning, the lone run given up by Sean Paul Linan in his two-inning start, and the other an RBI double in the sixth off Martin.
Kendall George has nine stolen bases in the series.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 11 – Visalia Rawhide (Arizona) 0
The Quakes fell five outs shy of their first nine-inning no-hitter in franchise history but still earned a series-win with an 11-0 whipping of the Visalia Rawhide on Saturday night.
Starter Sterling Patick fired a career-high six innings of no-hit baseball and Mairo Martinus had five RBIs, helping the Quakes to their fourth win in five games over the Rawhide in the current series.
Rancho broke through against Visalia starter Chung-Hsiang Huang (0-1) in the fifth, as Martinus singled home Chase Harlan for a 1-0 lead.
Leading 2-0 in the sixth, Rancho got after the Visalia bullpen, with Martinus ripping a three-run double, then scoring on a wild pitch to give the Quakes a 6-0 advantage.
They’d add five more in the seventh, including a two-run double, the first hit in a Rancho uniform for Emil Morales, helping the Quakes to an 11-0 lead.
#Dodgers top prospect Emil Morales gets his first hit since being promoted to @RCQuakes Morales hit a line drive to right center field for a two-run double. #DodgersProspects #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/RjKRs7w1VA
— Dodgers_After_Duty (@msalas24) July 27, 2025
And his defense?
Four fielders close in on this shallow center-field fly. Who snags it?
— Hyeseong Kim Muse 김혜성 (@HyeseongKimMuse) July 27, 2025
Newly promoted shortstop Emil Morales! pic.twitter.com/wyuhTGUU3u
Patick struck out seven and walked just one over six frames, before turning it over to Justin Chambers. Chambers allowed a one-out infield hit to Alexander Benua on a bang-bang play at first, as the Rawhide broke up the no-hit bid.
Visalia opened the ninth with a pair of singles, but Jhonny Jimenez retired the final three hitters to give the Quakes a three-hit shutout, their seventh of the year.
- Mairo Martinus – 2-3, 1 run, 5 RBI, Sac Fly, double (13)
- Chase Harlan – 2-4, 2 runs
- Samuel Munoz – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs
- Ching-Hsien Ko – 1-2, 2 BB, 3 runs
- Emil Morales – 1-5, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (1)
Per Ardaya:
Casparitus may have been tipping pitches
Bobby Miller being moved to the pen
Kyle Hurt an option
Team isn’t sure what role for Diaz
I wouldn’t trust Miller against just one hitter.
If Miller does not cut down on his BBs he will be a train wreck in the pen too.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
A lot of you have flat out just given up on Bobby Miller before he has been allowed to relieve even one game. The greatest reliever of all time, Mariano Rivera, was a starting pitcher. Eric Gagne, Andrew Miller, Dennis Eckersley,..I am not saying or predicting Bobby Miller will be akin to any of those, but he hasn’t even been given a chance. When he was drafted, the word was that he had HUGE reliever risk. Some of you were okay spending $72MM on Tanner Scott, but can’t even look forward to seeing if one of LAD’s own can make a successful transition.
I have no clue if he can be a success coming in from the pen, but I am not thinking he cannot before he even tries.
Given up might be the wrong word, I just don’t trust the guy.
I can’t speak for everyone, but I think that many people are sick of the Dodgers not knowing when to give up on guys and cut their losses. It’s the same logic that has them trotting out the same guys who don’t perform. It’s starting Conforto every single day despite him hitting 25 points below the mendoza line the entire season, or continuously using T.Scott, or Kirby Yates in the 8th and 9th inning while they blow game after game and lead after lead. Or signing injured pitchers every year.
I don’t know what happened to Bobby Miller. He’s young, but maybe he just sucks? Or maybe he’s pitching with an unknown injury? I don’t know. Point being, the Dodgers stick with non-performing players way too long. Any other club would have shipped Miller to the Long Island Ducks, or bum Island a long time ago, along with Conforto, Scott, Yates, Klein, Noah Davis, and the rest.
It’s way too late in the season to be messing around.
Conforto now top hitter on team lately
Has he reached .200 yet?
I would simply say that giving a 24 or 25 year old pitcher with Bobby Miller’s potential a chance to pitch out of the bullpen in AAA to see if he can find it, is fairly reasonable. Not remotely the same as the examples you cited of Conforto, Yates, and Scott. I get the frustration with each of them but the Miller switch is different, in my opinion.
I definitely am in favor of finding someone already a Dodger for the closer and am totally against trading for one. Use prime assets for someone like Kwan or use them in future years as Dodgers.
It’s sad to Miller have such struggles after an outstanding 2023 season. As with most sports it’s the mental aspect of the game that separates the stars from the rest.
I think Mookie is another example of how important the mental part of the game can severely cause a downturn in ones performance. It’s difficult to watch right now.
Not sure he has a future with the Dodgers. Would not be surprised if he was used as a trade piece with his new team hoping they hit the lottery and can tap into his huge upside.
The Dodgers rarely, if ever, trade assets when the value is low.
DFA, yes. Trade? No.
A couple of interesting reads in the Times this morning: a few letters to the editor saying put Betts back in right field and an article suggesting Kenley Jansen as a middle reliever against right handed hitters is good idea.
I’m fine with both suggestions.
Many fans want Mookie back in right, but I seriously doubt that Mookie or the Dodgers feel that way. Fill one hole and open another? Who plays SS? Miggy? Not an everyday player anymore. He would be fine defensively. Suggesting that moving to right is going to fix Betts hitting problems is a stretch.
They have like 4 guys that can play shortstop on the roster right now other than Mookie, with 1 being on the injured list. Kike (injured) Edman, Kim, Rojas, all can play short. Are you saying not one of them can play short on a daily basis?
I never understood the team’s obsession with playing Mookie at short.
Several guys here have stated they would be ok with Outman starting in center despite him not being able to hit water if he fell out of a boat. Yet nobody would be ok with one of 4 players playing shortstop at least on a rotating basis until the Dodgers found a shortstop, or called up and tried Freeland there?
Defensively, Edman, Rojas and Kim would be fine. Not only is moving Mookie back to right thr best defensive alignment, it’s also much less wear and tear on his body. Shortstop is a much more physically demanding position. The constant throws across the diamond, the range, the footwork.
it won’t fix his hitting problems but it would fix a bunch of other issues Defensively.
What I am saying Scott is A. Kim is having shoulder issues, Rojas can’t play there every day, and Edman hasn’t been the same player since he went on the IL and returned. Besides, they need him at third right now. Betts will not go back to right this year, and bank on that. Difference of opinion is all Scott. I don’t think any of those guys is ready to play SS every day at the level Mookie is already, and moving him around this late in the season, well, just not conducive to a great mindset. If he moves at all, it will be to second base next year.
Great work as always Bear. Hopefully we see a ROY from one of our prized outfielders in the near future,
May vs Buehler. 4-5 years ago along with Urias and Gonsolin looked like the long term foundation of a Dodger pitching dynasty. Injuries and legal issues blew that up.
Thank you, John. I really appreciate it. Dodgers will be in Denver for a four-game series next month, 18-21 of August. Almost finished with Part 4 which is about Dodger batting champions and home run champs.
If I make it to Denver,I’ll give you a call. I’m flying up to watch the Loons play in Appleton Wisconsin the week before. A good friend of mine who is a MLB umpire has a son that is an umpire and is working that series. If I’m in Western Ks. I’ll be sure to run up for a couple of games in Denver.
Treinen activated off the IL, Wrobleski called up with Klein and Henriquez sent out. Now stay healthy and the BP might start to take shape and establish some consistency.
Excellent write up today Bear. The Dodgers had quite a strong development program throughout the years. Especially with position players. That is no longer the case even with the recent winners in Seager and Bellinger. I agree that it will probably be a few years before some of the top A and AA prospects are ready to add to the long list of Dodger ROY winners. Hopefully, we’re around to see that happen. I’m optimistic.
OI was reviewing the possible pitching candidates for the postseason. Obviously, health is the key. This is why is makes it difficult for the front office to trade for any other additions. Possible starters include:
Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow, and Kershaw with Sheehan available for either SP or long man.
The bullpen might look like this:
Vesia, Treinen, Scott, Casparius, Dreyer, Banda. May, Sasaki
Again, If healthy, this should be a strong pitching staff and an improvement over
last year’s pitchers in the postseason.
I like the Bader addition for his outstanding defense and productive offense so far this season. That would allow Teoscar move to LF and Pages to RF. That should greatly improve the OF both offensively and on defense.
Although he had two hits yesterday, Kim has been disappointing this month. In his last 15 games he has struck out at a 45% rate. For any hitter in MLB that’s not acceptable. But, for a contact hitter it warrants a trip back to OKC. With Muncy and Kike injured he’s been forced to play 2B with Edman covering 3B. With Mookie’s return Rojas should be available for 2B and move Kim to the bench. On Kiki’s return Kim should finish the year at OKC. It’s too bad for Kim in that his speed and defense (not CF) were a positive for the team.
May vs Buehler this morning. There should be some offense from both teams.
If May pitches well, it could help the Dodgers in a trade. Not so well and could land him in the BP or DFA’d.
No Ohtani in the rotation? No Kopech in the pen? Graterol? I understand no Yates, and I agree.
Oops. Just a minor oversight. Lol.
Sorry CK. BP for you.
Thanks Jeff.
Kim has a shoulder problem which seems to affect him every time he swings. They were commenting about that on the broadcast yesterday. Not sure how long he’s had the problem but it might well be a major reason why his strike outs have gone up so much recently.
Maybe he needs a trip to the IL instead of to OKC.
I was about to say the same thing. You can see his shoulder is bothering him. Maybe he can play through it. He hit Crochet yesterday. I would say that’s a good sign.
Thank you, Ted, much appreciated. Part 4 close to being finished. I am up for any suggestions by our readers on subjects or players they might want profiled. The Dodgers have the next 3 Thursdays off, which includes the deadline day. According to Bill Plunkett, Ohtani will pitch at least the next two Wednesdays, backed up against those off days. No more designated piggyback, just normal relief.
Seems like piggyback would be more practical in the post season due to needing only a 4 man rotation.
If so, the closer would get less work.
Just passing on what was said.
Four days to the deadline. Bader and Donovan rumors are the biggest ones so far. Padres having to shift their focus for an outfielder since Boston rebuked their offer for Duran, who now appears to be off of the market. MLBTR has a list of the 50 most likely trade candidates. Although not on the list, they do have Dustin May as the only Dodger seen to be on the market.
Hot off of the press per Kristen Watson. Dodgers activated Blake Treinen, called up Justin Wrobleski and sent Will Klein and Edgardo Henriquez down to AAA.
Starting lineup: Betts SS, Ohtani DH, Hernandez RF, Freeman 1B, Pages CF, Conforto LF, Edman 3B, Rushing C, Rojas 2B, May P. Vs Buehler.
Sources Say Joe Kelly is expected to throw for the Dodgers soon. Leaving no stone unturned.
Why? A stone that should be never turned over.
Ever.
We need Kelly to beef up the IL with all the other guys coming back
The team is bringing in the 37-year-old right-hander for a workout, per Robert Murray of Fansided.
I mentioned that he was available a few days ago. I had a funny feeling that the Dodgers would have a look.
Why not give him a look. No prospect capital lost. He could be ready late August.
Can they sign him for the league minimum?
Why does $$$ matter to the Dodgers? The only thing that concerns me is whether he can get MLB hitters out on a consistent basis.
Would be fun to have him against the Padres. 
Another great article Bear. I used to go to Vero Beach almost every year from the late 80’s thru the 90’s. Was fortunate enough to get all 5 ROY’s to sign a baseball in the 90’s. Karros, Piazza, Mondesi, Nomo, and Hollingsworth.
I really thought we would win a championship with all those guys.
Appreciate it Ohio
Teo hits really well in Fenway. He should be able to handle the Green Wall defensively and offensively.
Mookie just can’t stop popping up to the right side
Good article again Bear.
Just some quick thoughts before I watch my recorded game:
To Tedraymond’s point, the mental side separates the men from the boys.
I hope Will Klein can get his shit together in OKC and this winter. Of all the many relief pitchers we’ve seen come and go, I think Klein, at 25, has great stuff and could develop into a good bullpen piece if he could ever figure it out. He can look outstanding and then miserable from bat to bat.
Aroldis Chapman is really amazing at 37+. He has never had TJ, even after throwing gas for 16 MLB seasons. As the league studies arm injuries caused by high velocity and spin, Aroldis needs to be a test subject.
Some guys just have a “Timex Arm”.
After watching Klein his last couple of outings, I agree that he shows some talent. If he can have a productive off-season and the remainder of this year to refine his control, he could be a solid setup reliever. At 25, Klein could be a nice BP piece for many years.
With Chapman, much of his durability could be due to his strength from his core and lower body. He’s built like other hard throwing pitchers such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens who had very long careers with minimal injuries.
Interesting note per Ryan. He once threw 235 pitches in a 13 inning game while pitching for the Angels. They won in 15 innings.
I am reminded how much fun it is to watch Dustin May pitch.
Not so fast….
It wasn’t much fun against the Giants 2 weeks ago
Still having fun?
Tired of May’s weak sweeper that gets hit often. Put Wrobo in the starting rotation and either put May in the BP or use him as a trade piece to deepen the farm.
Yes. I find him great to watch. Like Rich Hill.
77 pitches, 57 strikes is great. That park is tough (.080 xba triple, case in point)
And the excuse at Oracle Park would be?
A bad start? Still fun to watch though.
Tough to come back from a second Tommy John. He’s lost some mph and movement on his two seamer and gets in trouble when he throws it mid-mid. I wonder if someone makes a move for him at the deadline?
could move him! Lots of rumors to that extent, he will still be fun to watch pitch
Maybe to you and his wife
?
How nice to have a guy like Rojas on your bench
I’m watching the game and witnessing May allow Boston to take the lead in the 5th.
Davis and Jessica not surprised being it’s the third time through the order. I call BS.
May gets the first batter. The next five hitters hit center cut pitches. It had nothing to do with “third time through the order”. May’s pitch location was awful and he can’t do that to MLB hitters. And, definitely not to good hitters. May seemed to lose focus. He and Miller.
Head cases. It’s a shame. A waste of talent.
I thought May was going to be used as a piggyback. His good 4 innings would have looked good in innings 6, 7, 8, and 9
Ted,
Are you calling BS on the stat or its resonance this particular time. Because…
That’s part of why the third time through the order fact is relevant!
It’s not just the opposition seeing your stuff for a third time, it’s the fact that your stuff won’t have the movement and location that it did early. Nearly every pitcher finds it harder to maintain mental investment as well.
I call BS. Maybe the velo isn’t the same, but no excuse for poor location. In my opinion, it’s not a fact. Low expectations if ” nearly EVERY pitcher finds mental investment
hard” after six frickin innings” is a sad commentary on this generation of pitchers.
Maybe the best pickup we make at the deadline is Conforto! Tho now that he’s hitting, he can’t field!
Michael Conforto. A HR and two doubles today.
Trade deadline…. “Irrelevant” says MC23.
No worries.
Conforto evolving from fried liver to confectionery delight offensively. Still fried liver defensively.
Ohtani definitely having an issue with high heat in recent games.
Recently??? Try his entire career. With a RH pitcher it’s the high FB. With LH it’s a slider or sweeper low and away. Why would a pitcher ever throw him a strike?
Multiple squandered opportunities in this game. Frustrating!
9 walks and 3 runs. Bad and not clutch is not a winning combination. Will Mookie or Freddie ever hit another home run? Ugly July. At least August has historically been our launch point.
Lucky Pads and Giants suck. If either gets it figured out could get interesting.
Just no clutch with this team. Nine walks, 7 hits and 1-11 RISP. Where’s the clutch? Who wants to nut up and carry the team?
Ohtani has been terrific but in the clutch not so much. Mookie looks at strike three down the middle last night and hits weak fly outs to RF. Freddie is clutch sometimes but what is with his strike outs lately.
Lead off double by Rojas in the 7th inning and the 1,2,3 hitters coming up and get nothing. 8th inning first two guys on base with no outs and Ohtani does nothing.
Some big contracts being paid with no clutch.
Dodgers #1, by a large margin, in MLB when it comes to hitting W/RISP.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/tools/split_stats_lg.cgi?full=1¶ms=bases%7CRISP%7CML%7C2025%7Cbat%7CAB%7C
That was accomplished earlier in the season. Not so much recently. Shows the other teams are not very good offensively.
Interesting that Dodgers are clear #1 at hitting WRISP and Padres are 29th in MLB.
Not today though. 1-11 ain’t gonna cut it.
My point bear, and I apologize if it was hard to understand is that they very rarely go 1-11!
don’t like the tone of my reply, and can’t change it. it reads like I’m blaming the reader, but I meant to blame the writer.
Lamenting RISO performance with this team is mind-boggling.
Clutch and hitting in RISP are two different things. When I reference clutch I mean the big hit when the team needs it most ala Freddie Freeman WS game #1 last year.
It’s been an issue during this 5-13 stretch.
Missed opportunities. The better teams don’t do that. Very often.
Every team goes through these kind of stretches. The better teams snap out of it.
Clutch= game on the line, late innings man in scoring position, time to come up big and be a hero. Haven’t seen enough of it lately. Too many big contracts and superstars not getting it done lately.
Ohtani is .234 w/ RISP.
Have a day, Michael Conforto. He did his part, except for not playing that ball off of the wall well. Hitters left 7 men on base who were in scoring position, including Rojas who led off with a double and died out there as Betts, Ohtani and Hernandez could not bring him in.1-11 with RISP is not going to win many games. Too many blown chances. Hope they do better against the Reds.
I’d trade Betts at deadline think of what you could get with him. It would change this team when he pouts the whole team plays like that. Just hate watching him and he I not a shortstop he I playing there because he probable said I dont want to play the outfield. When he is better in the outfield. Yesterday was a perfect example I new in ninth inning last out he woild strike out he is not focused on the game. Watched a strike go right down the middle.
That excuse me Bradley, is an asinine idea, and LA is not going to trade one of the best players in the league. Yes, he is having his worst season, but again you fail to understand that one of the huge factors that keeps this from happening is Mookie’s contract. A. He has 232.2 million dollars owed on his contract which goes until 2032 when he is 39 years old. About 1 or 2 teams are in a financial position to take on that kind of money and trust me, there is no effing way the Dodgers would eat a huge portion of that contract just to trade him. And some of it is deferred. Your assessment of him as a shortstop is way off base. He is one of the leaders in defensive runs saved. Most of his errors have come on throws, not his fielding. B. He never said he did not want to play right field. What he said was that he feels he is more into the game in the infield and that he believes it puts less stress on his legs. He is a team player. He moved back to right last season when he was asked to. If the Dodgers wanted him in right, that is where he would be playing. C. Who are you putting at SS? Freeland has never played there in the majors, the free agent shortstops available this winter is a very thin class. Bichette is probably the best of the bunch. But he isn’t going to be traded at the deadline with Toronto playing its best baseball and leading their division handily. If you think I am picking on you, I am not. Give the guy a break on that strikeout last night. He had just arrived from the airport after having to deal with a death in the family, never an easy thing to do, and then he is facing one of the better relievers in the game in Chapman. If his focus was not on the game, I doubt Roberts would have sent him up to hit. He got a clutch single today knocking in a run. He deserves a hell of a lot more respect than you are giving him.
He just gets on my nerves would rather have Acuna JR, Ohtani, Freeman as the three headed monster in LA and send Bert’s to Atlanta play shortstop there.
I understand why you feel that way. No way they are trading Acuna who is 5 years younger and 200 million dollars cheaper for Betts. Acuna is owed 17 million this year and then has 2 option years for the same amount. What makes you believe the Braves want to take on 200 million dollars? Like I said, maybe two teams have the resources to take on Betts contract. Now Mookie is having a bad year, but there are many reasons for that. Moving to SS is not the main reason. His illness in the middle of spring training has taken a bigger toll than most expected. I think and believe we will see a better version of Mookie down the stretch.
Why waste so much time responding to Bradley’s trade ideas? No need to try to be rational with him. He can’t comprehend reasoning. I can understand his disappointment with players, but his solutions are not well thought out. The Dodgers would have turned over the roster two or three times by now with his trades and moves.
I admire you and Jeff continuing to feel obligated to respond to Bradley. Better you then me.
Well he did have a death in the family. And he’s played a very good defensive SS. Just not hitting. But keep em coming Badly.. What do you think we can get for Ohtani?
Lets weigh in on chances of team going with Bradley’s suggestion of trading Betts at deadline. I vote 0%
How about Betts for Suarez? Muncy moves over to 2nd, Edman takes over center, Pages moves to RF and Hernández to LF.
Never going to happen. Arizona can’t afford that contract, and they are in sell mode. Besides, then who plays SS?
I was joking but there us always Rojas.
The more things change the more they stay the same. 5 wins in their last 19 games is a horrible stretch especially considering that many losses are characterized by poor defense, baserunning blunders, disastrous relief pitching,etc. As Orel Hershiser would say, “poor presentation”.
On a positive note, none of Yamamoto, Glasnow, Ohtani, or Snell pitched this weekend. Those four, if healthy, will be the biggest single reason the Dodgers win the World Series this year, if they do.
i am growing more resigned to the idea that Betts, Freeman, Teoscar are not going to flip a switch and become the hitters they were last year. I would expect some regression to the mean but this is a two month or longer sample size. This is not likely variability due to small sample size. The optics match the numbers in this case. All three still look out of sorts at the plate.
I would be in favor of acquiring an outfielder like Harrison Bader. Not a splashy move but put Bader in center and platoon Conforto and Hernandez in left. Edman becomes the full time second baseman when Muncy returns to the line up.
Ya gots to chill
Exactamundo
Another extremely lame effort by the offense. 7 hits and 9 walks for only one run. 1-11 RISP, 13 LOB.
Red Sox with 6 hits and 1 walk score 4 runs.
2 runs Ohio. Still not a great job.
Oops. My bad.
I just heard a rumor Acuna Jr to the Bronx! How could the Mets afford him yet not ship Betts to the Braves and we get him. So your telling me Bear if Betts walked into Robert’s office said I am tired of being the third option after Ohtani and Freeman. I want out to be the star again trade me. There’s only two teams that could afford Betts. I think that’s the problem people the press talk about Ohtani now and not Betts and the Dodgers. Maybe thats it he wants to be the guy nit the third wheel. How did the dodgers do last year when Betts was down without him. Didn’t the the Dodgers do just fine and win on Friday nite without Betts.
The Mets are not in the Bronx and neither is Mookie. We may be able to trade him to Nashville if they ever get a team.
Sorry, I just cannot understand all his vitriol aimed at Mookie. Guy has been rock solid as a Dodger, and despite what Bradley thinks or believes, he has been very good at SS. He is having a bad year. It happens. I just don’t think he understands how much a player is owed on his contract affects the ability to trade him wherever you want. The receiving team has to have the resources and finances available to afford that kind of financial commitment.
I am just saying he doesn’t seem to act like the same player when it was just him Freddie and Muncy that’s all I am saying. And when he was out with broken hand we won with out him until he came back.
Bull, they were just 6 games over .500 when Betts was gone. When Betts went on the IL on June 17th, LA had an 8-game lead. They went 26-20 with Betts gone. They were 72-46 with him in the lineup. When he came back on August 12th, that lead was down to 3.5 games. And when he was out last year, so was Muncy. Freddie spent a couple of weeks away due to his son’s illness. It was Teo and Ohtani carrying the team. In 2023, the man hit 39 homers and drove in 107 runs as a leadoff hitter. Did not see anyone complaining about him then. He hit 19 last year, and that was missing 50 games. Your analysis of the guy is way off base. Frankly, you have no clue what you are talking about.
That Bradley is pure bullshit. Mookie is not that vain that being overshadowed by Ohtani would bother him. He plays the game because he loves the game. And sorry, it is not up to Roberts who this team trades. That is Freidman and Gomes department. Alert, the Mets don’t play in the Bronx. They play in Queens, and their owner, Steven Cohen, is one of the few teams who could afford to take on Bett’s contract. But they aren’t trading their SS for Betts, his name is Lindor, and he is pretty good. If Acuna was going to the Bronx, he would be going to the Yankees, they are another who could afford Betts, but their SS is pretty decent and young, kid by the name of Volpe, you might remember him, he hit a grand slam in the World Series. You are not giving Mookie the respect he deserves. A few short months ago, you were cheering him because he drove in the run that won game five of the World Series. His hustle on that grounder in the 5th inning of that game drove in the first run of the game for the Dodgers and extended the inning. When suggesting a trade, you need to look at what kind of salary the player has remaining, especially a star like Mookie. Every player has a bad stretch at some point. You’re zeroing in on the player you feel is a bad influence, or as you stated once, a cancer. Problem is, you have no proof and nothing to back up such an absurd statement. Mookie is and always has been a team player. His moving back to right field last year when the TEAM asked him too, is more than enough evidence of that. Last year LA was 26-20 without Betts. They were 72-44 with him. They are much better offensively and defensively with Mookie Betts in the lineup. Here is another stat for you, since Betts joined the Dodgers, they are 306-160 with Mookie in the lineup. They played without him yesterday and lost. You cannot count his one at bat as making a difference. Hell, they used Will Smith today in a clutch situation, the best hitter in the league and he failed. You are singling out one player. The team as a WHOLE is not playing well.
Bear,
I’ll say it again. Why are you wasting your time giving a detailed answer to nonsense? You do some great research into topics that we all enjoy. But you are falling for the bait and answering as if you are talking to someone who is rational and trying to convince him with logical facts. It almost makes you look as foolish as him. If he said we should trade Mookie for Ted Williams would you say that’s impossible because he is dead? Just sayin’
Just trying to explain some of the nuances of trades to him. He is passionate about the team. And I am trying to just give him some good feedback. Besides, I have plenty of free time.
I’m just trying to figure out Betts why he ain’t the same player is it a injury or personal problems or what it is and usually it’s because a player isn’t happy either with the team or where he is playing at. Where is Mookie from maybe he has thoughts of playing for the team he rooted forI never heard like who he used to root for was ut the Yankees or Braves or maybe it’s a injury that he and the team are hiding because they don’t have anyone who could fill his shoes at this time. Plus last I checked this was a fan chat so if you all don’t see how he is struggling hitting then your nit watching the games like I am every nite. Watch Betts hit then go watch Miggy Ro batt and miggy at least moves the runner over why Betts strikes out trying to homer. That’s the problem with dodger baseball every guy wants to hit a home run then just move a runner over. Go watch a cubs game or angels and they do that move runners over or bunt.
First Bradley, he got sick, and I mean really sick when they went to Japan to play the Cubs the first two games of the year. He lost over 30 pounds. He was so sick they sent him home and he did not play in the series at all. He was doing fine and playing well in spring training. Mookie is from Nashville Tennessee. They don’t have a team there, but I have never heard who he rooted for as a kid. He also has been battling an injury to his toe. He fouled a ball off of it, and it was fractured. Tommy Edman has been battling the same injury. I have MLB.TV. I watch every game. I know exactly how much Betts is struggling, and you can bet, he is beating himself up over it. No player, no matter how good he is can be successful every time at bat. You can’t honestly believe that Rojas is a better player than Betts. Betts is not trying to hit homers. He is at his best when he is pulling the ball to left field. And he is not the only player struggling. Teo hasn’t been himself since he came off of the IL. Conforto has sucked all year until the last couple weeks. Freddies BA has dropped from .370 plus six weeks ago to about .295. The whole team is not playing well and are 8-13 this month, and yet, they are still in first place. Give Mookie the respect he deserves. He has played the game for 12 years in the majors. Zeroing in on his struggles and placing blame on him because he is struggling is just wrong.
Just so you know per Bill Plunkett Mookie’s stepfather passed away. Mookie said he was in his life since the 4th grade and he went home to be with his mom and siblings. It didn’t say if his passing was unexpected or a long term illness. I’m guessing it’s been a long term condition and things have been weighing on Mookie. You just don’t go from one of the top 20 players overnight to barely replacement level overnight. I think there might be some improvement in his performance soon
Anytime someone close passes, it is not an easy thing to handle. I have lost several close friends this last year, plus my sister’s hubby passed a year ago in March. Mookie is a pro. He will figure it out. At least today, he got a solid single up the middle and an RBI.
17th-rder Sam Horn signs for $497,500 ($347,500 counts vs pool). RHP, arguably 1st-rd stuff (fastball touches 98 mph, mid-80s sweeper), but just 15 IP in three college seasons because of TJ surgery.
Also plays QB & will return to Missouri to play football this fall
Interesting that they’re letting him go back to play football this fall. I’m sure that’s how they got him to sign. I’ve read in more than one place that Horn has first round stuff. This could turn out to be a very good signing. Time will tell.
He’s supposedly “competing” for the starting QB job so I’m guessing he doesn’t have the talent to be a major NFL star (or maybe just hoping). Hopefully he’ll get football out of his system this fall and then turn to an MLB career.
Royals finalizing an extension with Seth Lugo. Dodgers released Trevino. Braves acquired Eric Fedde from the Cardinals. The Braves placed Grant Holmes on the IL. Sam Horn signed with the Dodgers, but he will play his senior year at Mizzou as a quarterback. Shohei has struck out 124 times this season already. He is on pace to shatter his career high of 189 and a lock to exceed the 162 Ks from last year. The next highest number is 88 by Freddie Freeman. Too many wasted at bats by the Unicorn.
Totally agree Bear. He’s hard to criticize, but when he strikes out it’s usually on a ball out of the pitchers’ hand. Maybe, to much guessing?
Takes to many first pitch middle, middle strikes. Again, hard to be critical with his stats.
Well, my point is simple, if he were more selective, and really knew how teams are pitching him, he would be so much better. Anyone who thinks this is because he is now pitching too just does not watch most of his at bats. For a guy with his talent and reflexes, he should be a much better hitter.