The kids came to play for the Dodgers; both position players and pitchers. The Dodgers started 4 players who are expected to start on March 20: Mookie, James Outman, Teoscar Hernández, and Gavin Lux. They went 2-7, but with 4 BB, 1 HBP, and scored 4 runs.
The Dodgers faced off against the Joe Musgrove. Musgrove looked like it was his 1st ST game. He could not land his breaking ball. He faced 4 batters, walked 2, 1 HBP, a Teoscar ground rule double plating 2, and his afternoon was done. He threw around 25 pitches. Musgrove will look a lot different when he faces the Dodgers for real on March 20 in Seoul.
Besides the 2 run ground rule double by Hernandez, the Dodgers also got a 2 run ground rule double by Chris Owings, a 2 run single by Andy Pages, and a 2 run booming HR by Kevin Padlo, all in the 1st inning.
The Dodgers batted around a second time in the 6th inning, thanks to the kids. Trey Sweeney got an infield single, Mr. OBP, Austin Gauthier, drew a walk, Travis Swaggerty had an RBI single. Drew Avans also had an RBI single before José Ramos lined a 2 run double down the left field line. Ryan Ward drew a BB before Hunter Feduccia and Brandon Lewis struck out. Kody Hoese grounded a ball just inside 3rd and down the line for a 2 run double to end the scoring.
The Dodgers scored 14 runs on 12 hits, 9 BB, 1 HBP, and 16 strikeouts, including 6 straight in the 2nd and 3rd inning. Five XBH. 7-14 WRISP.
Before I address the LAD pitching, I want to acknowledge that San Diego has found another LHRP. Yuki Matsui looked overwhelming. I know he only faced a LH hitting Gavin Lux, Chris Owings, and Andy Pages, but he looked terrific, especially with his splitter.
While the Dodgers started only 4 players that are expected to start on March 20, the Padres started between 7-8 regulars. Jackson Merrill who is an elite SS prospect (#19 overall by MLB Pipeline) looked like a natural LF. He may very well be the starting LF on March 20. Eguy Rosario could be the starting 3B until Manny Machado is able to play 3B, although Machado should be the DH on Opening Day.
Gavin Stone started for the Dodgers and looked very good facing Fernando Tatis, Jr., Xander Bogaerts, and Jake Cronenworth. All three figuring to start, and he looked effortless getting all three. He struck out Tatis on a very nice change that came out of the same tunnel as his fastball. He looks like he is ready to challenge for that #5 SP.
Grove allowed a single and BB, but looked good as well. His slider looked very good at times. He was just missing on his BB to Rosario. He will pitch in LA this year.
Ricky Vanasco faced three batters, got two ground ball outs, and struck out Bogaerts. I still believe he will be on the 26 man sooner than later.
Alex Vesia was the one pitcher for the Dodgers in Game 1 that probably has a spot on the OD roster. He gave up a HR to LH hitting Jake Cronenworth. Another LH hitter, Jackson Merrill also hit the ball hard, but Chris Owings made a good play at 3B to record a force out. Vesia was the least effective LAD pitcher on the day, but did not do anything to put his spot in danger.
John Rooney battled the two RH hitters he faced, but owned LH hitting backup catcher, Brett Sullivan.
The other NRI pitchers, Elieser Hernández, Stephen Gonsalves, Kevin Gowdy, and Eduardo Salazar each pitched a shutout inning.
Typical game 1 ST game. 39 position players (20 LAD and 19 SD) and 21 pitchers (9 LAD and 12 SD). 60 players total.
The three conclusions for me were:
- Gavin Stone looks significantly improved, and is firmly in the #5 SP discussion.
- The Dodgers have a lot of work to do against Yuki Matsui. Gavin Lux was especially impressed with Matsui.
- The Dodgers depth plays very well in both position players and pitching. Much deeper than SD.
Landon Knack will start game 2 on Friday against SD. Tyler Glasnow will start Saturday against LAA, and per Kirsten Watson, might be going 2 innings.
Really rooting for Stone.
Some guy, can’t remember who, said “progress is not linear”. Actually he said it about 100 times. But that doesn’t mean it ain’t true.
Based on one small sample today, Gavin looks like he’s back on track.
Stone has put in serious work in the weight room. Great spring debut.
I was a bit surprised that Lux was at DH, not SS. He’ll be out there, of course. Just a bit anxious to see him making plays.
Good to see Pages out there. Perhaps he’ll be in the mix in ’24 despite previous reports suggesting that ’25 is more likely.
Just one spring game…. a 14-1 blowout.
But are the Dodgers pitchers that good or the Padres batters that bad?
Loved the first inning. Musgrove was so bad he doesn’t have an ERA. Matsui was amazing.
Vanasco looks like a born reliever. One of these guys is going to be a yearlong stalwart.
Rooney looks like an interesting LHRP, but nothing should be spoken about before the jerky windup of Gowdy!!!!
That shit was wild!
Found this very interesting:
Dave Roberts said Gavin Stone was tipping pitches last year, and they feel really positive about him going into this year because of some of the underlying data.
A subplot in this game was the bullpen competition among lefties.
Vesia got rocked.
And Rooney pitched a clean ninth, with one K.
Rooney was a 2018 third round pick who seemed promising until he wasn’t. But his stock has been up since the Dodgers moved him to the BP last season. From Baseball America: “Rooney struggled as a starter against upper-level hitters, but his stuff ticked up with a move to the bullpen in 2023. He gained more than 4 mph on his fastball and posted a 2.86 ERA in 53 appearances across Double-A and Triple-A.”
A commentator pointed out a lot of these pitchers are now trying to impress not just the Dodgers but scouts across the MLB. Some will be released and find work elsewhere. Their performances could also factor into potential moves by AF.
Although part of me wishes Stone had a clear path to a starting job, we have played this offseason perfectly. Everyone knows we’ll need a 6th starter so he’s right there primed to go.
I do wonder about the bullpen. I have six for-now locks in Phillips, Kelly, Brasier, Graterol, Yarbs & Vesia then a scrum for the last two jobs.
Finally some Dodger Baseball. Glad to see Andy Pages healthy and fit over there. Man, I really hate that AVesia shoulders thingy he does every time he got hammered!
Landon Knack starts todays game at CBR. It will be interesting to see if can copy the 1 inning performance of Stone who is in a battle along with Sheehan to nab that last remaining SP position on the roster.
Knack has great control and I’m hoping for big things from him. He is my “dark horse” SP candidate to step up this year and make some very important starts.
Chris Owings has an interesting B-Ref page. He can kinda do it all, though not necessarily all well.
Off-brand Chris Taylor.
Former 1st round pick too.
The Dodgers trotted out 8 pitchers in the second ST game, with only 2 pitchers on 40 man and neither expected to make the 26 man. In the first two games, LAD threw 17 pitchers, with only 6 of those pitchers on the 40 man. Potentially 4-5 will not make the 26 man. Alex Vesia and Gavin Stone.
Only two walks and 3 hits in this game, plus 1 HBP.
Is the Dodger pitching that good, or is the Padres offense that bad?
Today:
Landon Knack – 1st LAD pitcher to go 2.0 innings. 6 consecutive outs; 4 by strikeout – 29 pitches – I doubt that Knack will even come close to pitch clock violation. At least with no one on base. He got the ball and he was ready to go.
Gus Varland – Has a lot of arm side movement. Loves to bear into RH batters. Gave up 2 of the 3 hits by San Diego.
Nabil Crismatt – 5 pitch inning against his former teammates. He will be in LA this year.
Tanner Dodson – One of his knocks is lack of control. He was much better in this game, especially with his 15 pitch AB against Óscar Mercado.
Alec Gamboa (LHRP) – Good inning. Alec has taken to the relief conversion very well. Hard throwing LHRP. He is someone to watch.
Mitch Tyranski (LHRP) – One of Harold Uhlman’s favorites. He battled.
Jack Dreyer (LHRP) was getting discussed late last year, and he is going to get noticed even more this year. Another LHRP with big K look. Last year 79 strikeouts in 54.2 IP. Today two strikeouts in 3 batters. No, they were not ML hitters, but he looked like he was throwing hard.
Miguel Vargas made a good return. 2-3 with a double, and a very good catch in LF. He also had a good jump on another bloop hit that he ran down rather easily. Sounds like he is comfortable and happy in LF.
Dalton Rushing looked overwhelmed his 2nd and 3rd PA, but did get a 2 strike sac fly.
Ho-hum – Freddie hits oppo HR first pitch he saw this year.
Chris Owings and José Ramos each had a hit today.. Miguel Vargas, Chris Owings, and José Ramos now have 2 hits each.
The Dodgers are now 9-17 WRISP plus 2 sac flies. I know it’s early and meaningless. Nevertheless, still nice to the hitters being aggressive.
Another day, another win, ho hum. Pitchers looked really good
Friedman said Stone is impressing him.