MiLB Players of the Week – August 22 thru August 28
Great Lakes Loons outfielder Ismael Alcantara earned Player of the Week honors in the Midwest League for the week of August 22-28. He did not have a James Outman kind of week but it was pretty good.
There is almost nothing written about Ismael Alcantara except for post-game columns in which he has contributed offensively.
Alcantara, who is from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, was signed as an international free agent by the Dodgers on June 2, 2017.
He had a good start at age-18 with the Dominican Summer League Dodgers in 2017 playing in 64 games in which he posted a triple slash of .267/.372/.734.
The following year he came stateside and played 36 games with the Arizona League Dodgers in which he most likely had very little fun while hitting .168, which is about his current listed weight.
However, in his second shot with the AZL Dodgers in 2019, he found a new groove slashing .301/.406/.404 over 46 games. In an additional nine games with the Ogden Raptors he hit .360.
It is difficult to imagine how the missed 2020 season has impacted and even impeded the progress of young minor league players. It appeared Alcantara might have weathered the storm.
During the 2021 with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes over 61 games his stat line was .307/.377/.590 with an OPS of .967. He showed some power with 12 home runs and drove in 34. The right-handed batter in 150 at bats hit .307 against right-handed pitching and .309 in 55 at bats against left-handed pitching.
The storms might have resurfaced for the now 23-year-old during the current campaign with the Loons. In 80 games he flirted with the Mendoza Line. Who knows what happens with an athletic center fielder who previously had hit well.
In any event, in August Alcantara was assigned to the Tulsa Drillers for 10 games. Again he did not have James Outman numbers but they did outstrip his Loons numbers. He hit .235/.395/.559 with an OPS of .954. He homered three times and drove in five.
Upon his return to the Loons he went on a tear. In five games he hit .357/.471/1.214 with an OPS of 1.685 along with three home runs and six runs batted in. His stats easily earned him the Player of the Week Award.
https://www.milb.com/player/ismael-alcantara-672882
Ismael Alcantara hit his 3rd homer with Great Lakes, and his 6th of the season overall, the ball traveled 432'
In the first game of the Loons' doubleheader, he went 2/2 with the homer, a triple, two walks, and three RBI pic.twitter.com/ZGNggj8TUZ
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) August 26, 2022
Not to minimize the exploits of two additional LAD prospects being named Player of the Week, but they should at least be acknowledged. Dalton Rushing (California League) and James Outman (PCL) were also named. James Outman was highlighted earlier in the week, and Dalton Rushing is quickly becoming a fan favorite, and most follow his achievements routinely.
For those who may not follow him, since Dalton Rushing was the LAD 1st round selection out of Louisville (okay technically 2nd round), he was promoted from ACL after 2 games to full season A California League with Rancho Cucamonga. With Rancho, Dalton has played 20 games and accumulated the following stats:
72 AB, 20 Runs, 33 hits, 9 doubles, 6 HRs, 22 RBIs, 14 BB and 15 K, batting .458/.565/.833/1.398
Yet another Marty Lamb signed prospect seems to have found a home with LAD. It looks like Diego Cartaya might be pushed a little. A little competition is never a bad thing.
AlwaysCompete
Over the last month, no player has generated more buzz in the California League than @RCQuakes Dalton Rushing.
We sat down with him earlier this month https://t.co/rlrkHzBdyO
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) August 31, 2022
MiLB Summary
OKC Dodgers 6 vs Round Rock Express (Texas) 7
- Gavin Stone started and completed 3.1 scoreless innings. He allowed 2 hits, issued 3 BB, and recorded 7K. He has yet to allow an earned run in AAA.
Gavin Stone turned in another scoreless outing in what I am sure is a period of the year where he has an innings countdown of some sort. He went 3.1 innings, struck out 7, and gave up no runs. His ERA on the year is 1.50, his avg. against is .225 and his WHIP is 1.18. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/K8ZAlYzUFa
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) September 1, 2022
- Beau Burrows relieved Stone and got an inning ending DP. But he allowed 5 runs in the 5th before Hansel Robles finished the 5th inning.
- Danny Duffy struck out all 3 batters he faced in the 6th.
Danny Duffy struck out the side in his perfect rehab inning with OKC pic.twitter.com/jdaq2RMGan
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) September 1, 2022
- Justin Hagenman followed Duffy and pitched a scoreless 7th. He walked a batter in the 8th and after one out, Carson Fulmer relieved Hagenman to try to keep the lead. Unfortunately he gave up a run tying double, and then a go ahead run scoring single. Fulmer suffered a blown save and the loss.
- Jacob Amaya 2 run HR (5) after Hunter Feduccia double
- Jason Martin 3 run HR (30) after Edwin Rios single and James Outman BB.
- Drew Avans and Jason Martin each had 2 hits.
NW Arkansas Travelers (KC) 6 vs Tulsa Drillers 5
The Drillers fought back from deficits of 3-1 and 5-2, to tie the game at 5 in top half of the 7th. Travelers scored eventual winning run in 9th.
- Nick Frasso started second AA game. Pitched first two innings without a run, and got first two outs in the third. With 2 outs, Frasso issued a walk, allowed a single, and a 3-run HR. He was relieved by Jose Adames who got out of the inning.
- Adames (2.0) IP, and Jake Cantleberry (1.1) pitched scoreless innings.
- Cole Percival (1.0), 2 singles, DP, intentional walk, 2 run double.
- Jordan Leasure pitched a scoreless 8th.
- Guillermo Zuniga allowed a HR in top of 9th.
- In the 2nd inning, Buddy Reed walked and moved to third on a double (9) by Carson Taylor. Abiatal Avelino singled to score Reed, while Taylor was thrown out at the plate.
- In the 6th, Andy Pages doubled (23) and scored on a Justin Yurchak single.
- In the 7th, the Drillers scored 3. The big blow was a 2-run HR by Abiatal Avelino. The third was an unearned run when Leonel Valera walked, stole second, stole third, and scored on the throwing error.
- Carson Taylor and Abiatal Avelino each had a pair of hits.
Lake County Captains (Cleveland) 2 vs Great Lakes Loons 0
- Jeff Belge opener – 1.0 IP, 1 run, 1 hit, 1 BB, 4 Ks
- Carlos Duran – 5.0 IP, 1 run, 4 hits, 2 BB, 6K
- Two relievers finished 3.0 IP without being scored on. Combined 2 hits, 1 BB, and 3 Ks
- Jorbit Vivas singled in the first inning, and that was the only hit. There were 3 walks and 1 reached on an error. They were the only baserunners after the first inning.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 16 vs. Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) 14 – 10 Innings
19 year old Luis Valdez started the season in the DSL where he started 3 games and pitched 10.0 scoreless innings. He had a 4 Ks and 0 BBs. He was assigned to the LAD ACL on July 2. He pitched in 8 games (5 GS) and 28.1 IP. He had a 2.86 ERA and had a K/BB ratio of 37 to 1. For the DSL and ACL, Valdez pitched 38.1 innings and struck out 43 and waked 1. That is undoubtedly what got him promoted to RC.
On 8/31, Valdez made his RC debut but did not enjoy the same success. It is not that bad when a young pitcher gets pushed to where he is uncomfortable. In 2.0 innings, Valdez allowed 4 runs on 5 hits. But still 0 walks to go with 2 Ks.
- In the 3rd, Jimmy Lewis relieved Valdez and issued a walk, single, 2 run triple, and a 1-out runs scoring ground out.
- Kelvin Bautista allowed two more runs in the 4th. Heisell Baro got the final out in the 4t before allowing a run in the 5th.
- Carlos De Los Santos struck out 4 in 1.1 IP.
- Madison Jeffrey allowed 2 runs on 3 walks and a double in his 0.2 innings.
- Yamil Castillo relieved Jeffrey and got the final out. He allowed a game tying 2-run HR in the 9th.
- Jonathan Edwards pitched a scoreless 10th for the save with 3 strikeouts.
- 16 runs on 19 hits.
- Nick Biddison was the hitting star – 5-6 with 4 RBIs, 2 doubles, triple
- Jake Vogel hitting star #2 – 4-6 with 4 RBIs, 2 doubles – Go ahead single in the 10th.
- Yeiner Fernandez – 2-5
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 2-4 with a 2-run HR (7) with 3 RBIs
- Rayne Doncon – 2-4
Dodgers may need to replace Cody, Justin, Max, Chris by the start of 2024 and might be able to do it from within the organization.
How do you keep Anderson out of the playoff rotation?
Trea is still the big question mark.
Why are you so anxious to get rid of JT, Fred?
He got off to a terrible start in April, improved in May/June, but since the beginning of July he’s hit about .350 with an OPS in the low .900’s. That’s a guy I’d like to keep around.
I know we disagree on Max and you’re certainly entitled to your opinion, but I don’t think he’s going anywhere since they just extended him.
CT3 is incredibly streaky but this is the worst he’s been since he’s come to the team. I guess it’s not totally impossible that AF might consider moving him for the right return. On the other hand he’d be selling low and would have to cover part of his salary. I don’t think that’s happening.
Cody – I love how he plays centerfield. He has a decent WAR number considering everything. That said, I’m having a very hard time watching him on offense any longer. I’d like to bring up Outman and have him play most days in September. Maybe he could replace Cody or Gallo on the playoff roster. If you want to trade Cody this winter, so be it. We might regret it, but I would take that chance, although I don’t know that you could get much back for him and would have to contribute $ as well.
In the meanwhile, IN WITH OUTMAN!
Jefe’, did you notice the year I was talking about? Or, are you saying you think Justin, Max, Cody, and Chris are locks to play in 2024?
My bad, Fred. I have decided that I no longer read numbers, just words. If we’re talking about 2024 (as you certainly were) we have a lot less to talk about.
23 year old A League player. Good for him. What does it mean for the Dodgers?
I think I’m more interested in the Duffy news. It was one inning, but we clearly need one inning pitchers in the coming weeks.
Bellinger and Gallo lack of production is concerning. There’s still time of course, but, how much time. If Outman and Vargas are out barreling them…..
3 hits and 12 Ks against superior pitching. The Mets have two of these guys and they have a better closer.
We all know that good pitching and defense beats good hitting in a short series.
We also don’t know who could unexpectedly get hot – at the plate or on the mound.
Ismael Alcantara most likely will never fit into the Dodgers plans. However, he is a a good athlete so he might top out with a good AAA career.
In any event I felt it appropriate to acknowledge his Player of the Week award along with James Outman and Dalton Rushing.
I realize my post sounded like a criticism. My apologies for that. It’s important to know what is going on there and for your work I am grateful.
At this point in the season I’m looking at October. By the time it rolls around I’m curious how our starters match up against other staffs. Scherzer’s thrown 122 innings, deGrom has thrown 36. deGrom is scary good. Scherzer threw 179 last year and Roberts wore him out late. I just checked his game logs and he is alternating every 5th day with every 6th day. He’s started 6 in August, never less than 6.1, never fewer than 91 pitches. The good news is the team is 3-3 in those 6 starts.
No apology necessary Badger. I appreciate that you comment so often on LADC articles.
The very fact that last night’s game was widely (and correctly) considered a pitcher’s duel between DeGrom (who I consider Koufax level) and…
::check notes::
Tyler Anderson.,.
Should give you great optimism for October, no?
Dodgers probably won’t win it all, but who else would you rather root for?
Why will the Dodgers probably not win it all? Unless all teams are considered to probably not win it all. That I can understand. But the Dodgers have to be considered the favorite, especially if Gonsolin comes back.
Tyler Anderson went head to head with Jacob deGrom. His mistake was a 2-run shot, while deGrom’s was a solo shot. I heartily acknowledge the deGrom is a superior pitcher to Anderson and he was more dominant. But it was still one mistake to one mistake. Neither team should feel that they are dominant.
NYM got a couple of solo shots off the Dodgers #6 pitcher (considering Gonsolin will be back), and one 2-run off Anderson. The Polar Bear has not been an issue. It appears that the Dodgers may have figured him out a bit. I am sure he will adjust, but right now high fastballs get him.
Today will be another day. I am looking forward to see what happens with Kershaw v Bassitt.
I think the Dodgers are the favorite, but I still don’t think they’ll win it all.
Out of curiosity, who do you think will win it all?
A team not called the Dodgers. I’ll take the field.
Fair enough.
Taking the field is usually a safe bet. As we know, the regular season best team doesn’t always fare well after the regular season ends.
Apparently the Dodgers have signed reliever Keone Kela to a minor league contract and assigned him to OKC.
He had TJ in May of last year so I have no idea if he could actually contribute this playoff season. I also have no idea what this signing means for 2023, but wanted to pass it along because I seem to remember that Jeff has had things to say about him in the past.
As expected Clayton Kershaw has been activated for today’s game. Brusdar Graterol has been placed back on the IL (right elbow inflammation) and Phil Bickford has been recalled. I am not feeling comfortable that Graterol will be a consideration for the playoffs. Treinen gets added tomorrow and both a 40 man and 28 man roster change needs to be made.
The other addition was Miguel Vargas. I expect him to get a lot of exposure before season ends. He is at least in the discussion for a playoff roster spot. It is his time to shine and to cement his hold on 3B for 2023, and to make the decision makers think hard about adding him to the playoff roster. It could come down to Vargas vs CT3 for the RH bat. Trayce Thompson is not going anywhere. Neither is Alberto or Barnes.
I really would like to see James Outman get the same opportunity to go head to head with Gallo and Bellinger, but unless Gallo gets DFA’d (not at all likely), there is no place for Outman, unless someone gets hurt. But I do see Outman getting the call in 2023 over Gallo. MLB minimum vs a Scott Boras client. If I am Outman, I like my odds.
Speaking of guys we may not be able to consider for the playoffs, Gonsolin’s elbow has apparently not responded as hoped and he’ll be joining Bazooka at the MRI facility.
Maybe nothing serious. Maybe this means we don’t have Tony for 2023 either. Or something in between.
I saw that Gonsolin will be going for an MRI on Friday, as he did not respond to treatment. How do you go from Doc saying that Gonsolin could have pitched on Monday if it had been a need to win game, to he is not responding and we need an MRI. They were wrong about Kershaw 1, They were wrong about Buehler, they were wrong about Treinen, and they will probably be wrong about Gonsolin. If you do not know, just say so. It was the comment that Doc made that if it were a must win game he would pitch, to me indicating that it was not a potential UCL tear. Now it appears that it very well could be. And why wait on the MRI? Why not right away. I do not believe they are worried about the cost of an MRI, but that would clear it up…right?
Who cares, Jeff. The team is never going to disclose medical conditions in specific, they are even less likely to disclose medical processes or evaluations!
They do what they think is better for, in order:
The individual
The team
The individual’s family
The doctor
And way, way, way, way, way down the list will be fans.
Then just say nothing. No comment on the injury until we know for sure. No conjecture. The Dodgers are the least transparent team when it comes to injuries. I have ZERO problem if the team does not want to disclose anything. Just don’t come out and say everything is fine when it clearly is not.
Gambling is not a big issue in MLB like it is in NFL. However, the NFL has strict rules on being forthright on injuries. If the NFL has no problem with disclosure, then why the hesitancy on your part for the MLB?
Again, I do not care as long as the team says it is none of your business in a tactful manner.
Is this a joke or serious?
they have to have some comment. I think mLB rules dictate that, and press won’t stand for the stonewalling of basic questions.
as for why not do the MRI immediately? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because the medical staff didn’t think it necessary?!?!? Do you think they flipped a coin? Informed people thought it wasn’t necessary, no conspiracy. No dereliction of duty.
I am serious and not a joke. You and I just disagree as to how to report injuries. If you do not know, just say so. The comment…”we do not know the seriousness of the injury. We will wait until the player is fully checked out before we report”. Somebody goofed on the report for Heaney 1, Kershaw 1, on Treinen, on Buehler, and now on Gonsolin. You have confidence on what gets reported? I do not. We just disagree.
NOBODY goofed. Where do you get they goofed on anything?
I have ultra high confidence in accomplished medical people to make medical decisions for me.
And if I want a second opinion, i’m definitely going to another highly accomplished professional for that.
Goof is just another word for wrong. Nothing sinister about it. Nothing sinister meant. In every case, it was reported that they would not be out long. In every case, it was reported they would be back as soon as the 15 day IL was up. It was Doc who said that after seeing the pictures and talking with the doctors, Gonsolin would only miss 2 starts. It was Doc who said that if the game was a must win, Gonsolin would have been able to pitch. It wasn’t the doctors who were giving the information. When a doctor comes out and tells us, then I can believe it. Otherwise it is PR spin. That is how I see it. You do not have to agree. But to think that the initial reports were not wrong in every one of those cases, is wrong headed (IMO).
Was that not wrong?
And by the way, NO I do not beleive they flip a coin on determining whether they should get an MRI or not. I am allowed to question it are I not? Or should I just blindly accept everything the team says. Why then have a blog if not for independent thought.
My motto is trust the medicine men on medical issues.
So, yeah. Just blindly accept informed opinions.
It’s how I deal with legal affairs too.
It’s your blog and it’s an excellent blog, but since you asked.
Let’s have discussion about stuff we may have a modicum of knowledge about. For you this is baseball. For me it’s…
It’s….
Well, for me it’s a chance to tell you what other, smarter people are saying. With an odd smattering of guesses.
As far as waiting on the MRI is concerned, they probably want to wait until they get back to LA so they can have their people do it. At this point a day sooner or later won’t matter.
I understand and agree that the team doctors should do the MRI, but I am talking about last weekend when first diagnosed. Put him on a plane, and get an answer. But you are right if it is a UCL tear, then one day, one week, will not make a difference. But if not, what might they have learned to treat the injury better than what they chose? Maybe nothing. I am not a doctor so I have no idea what the various diagnosis’ could be, or the preferred treatment.
Gonsolin is in LA. I think I saw him at Albertsons yesterday.
Doesn’t surprise me they waited for the MRI. They want to put off bad news as long as they can.
As for what Doc and the team say, I had a great, odd but great, salesman that worked for me in the 80s. I once asked him, “how do you do it?” And he said to me, his words exactly, “people are stupid, you just tell them what they want to hear, then lead them the direction you want them to go.” Genius. Sports fans have proven over and over how gullible they are (I’m not excluding myself here) so, onward and upward.
On that note, is Kershaw ready?
Lazy play by Lux, inconsistent calls by home plate umpire. Slow, strange game. Into the Mets bullpen now. Maybe things pick up.
Such a weird game. It’s the little things that do you in, at least that’s what they said on that recent HBO movie.
Denzel. And if he says it, you can believe it’s absolutely true that it was written by someone else.
Dodgers were playing like they had a plane to catch.
“Smarter people” haven’t said a whole lot about Gonsolin. What’s been said to us has been said by people who have been trained in PRBS. Tell them something that won’t alarm. In politics it’s say whatever you need to say to dismantle a crisis. Create a dialogue and conversation that will improve engagement. Those “smart” people Bluto referred to all knew an MRI was needed to asses the real damage that was done. That didn’t happen right away did it. What did happen was we were told Gonsolin would be back after missing a few starts. The smart people knew that was BS because without an MRI no timetable was possible. “Tell them what want to hear and lead them the direction you want them to go”. We’ve seen this before.
Now I don’t know how long Gonsolin will be out but as soon as the MRI is done the Dodgers will. In the mean time, Plan’s B, C and D probably have already been drawn.