2021
I have previously written about the 2021 draft. I have included it below:
https://ladodgerchronicles.com/a-look-back-at-the-2021-lad-draft/
2022
The 2022 draft has the chance at being a very good draft, or a very near miss. Time is always the missing ingredient in making those determinations.
C Dalton Rushing (23) – Much has been written about Rushing. Dalton has progressed to become the #1 Dodger prospect. He has reached AA. He is at the top of most of the Texas League leaders:
- BA – .266 (19)
- OBP – .377 (7)
- SLG – .459 (6)
- OPS – .836 (5)
He has a 19.7 K rate, with 10 HR (9).
A hard-hitting linebacker in high school, Rushing is a muscular, broad-chested specimen who can squat 700 pounds. He’s a patient hitter with excellent strike-zone discipline and demolishes pitches over the plate with a violent, compact swing. He frequently posts exit velocities over 110 mph and shows nearly plus-plus power with towering home runs to right field. Rushing’s hands aren’t particularly fluid and he can be beat by velocity up in the zone, but his discipline and power give him a chance to be a fringe-average hitter who reaches 30 home runs per season. Rushing is a good athlete behind the plate and flashes soft hands, but his receiving remains raw. He is still honing his technique and stances and projects to be a fringe-average defender. He has above-average arm strength that is hamstrung by poor accuracy. Rushing is a fiery competitor, but sometimes he gets too intense and gets off track with his game-calling and management.
The remaining question is what to do with Rushing. Hold on to him, after all he is LAD’s #1 prospect. Or include him in a trade. Is there really a need for Dalton Rushing and Diego Cartaya after Will Smith signed his 10 year extension?
SS Alex Freeland (22) – Freeland started out at Great Lakes in 2024 and was dominant. He was slashing .346/.518/.593/1.111 and was promoted to Tulsa on May 8. While not dominant, he is still quite respectable and productive slashing .251/.376/.454/.830. He has been SS (and only SS) at AA since the promotion, and while not a GG SS, he is more than adequate.
Freeland has been named to a mid-season top 100 list by Baseball America (#93). Why he is not included in MLB Pipeline’s Top 30, is a mystery. Maybe in their after draft update.
Freeland is a physical, athletic switch-hitter who competes at a high effort level. He’s an aggressive swinger, but he controls the strike zone and shows the potential to hit for average and power from the left side. He has an explosive lefthanded swing and hit .262 with a .740 OPS from the left side last year compared to .149 with a .579 OPS batting righthanded. He has to improve his plate coverage and potentially drop his righthanded swing, but he has the potential to be a fringe-average hitter who reaches double-digit home runs. Freeland is a loose mover at shortstop despite his big, 6-foot-2 frame and below-average speed. He positions himself well with excellent instincts and covers enough ground to stay at the position. He projects to be a steady, average defender with a plus, accurate arm.
IMO, Freeland is a legit SS prospect. He is one that I am very much interested to see if he continues to produce. WHile I do not expect it, I would love to see him moved to AAA later in the year. He is 22 and productive in AA. But remember, Gavin Lux was a much more productive hitter in AA at a younger age. At 21, Lux hit .313/.375/.521/.896 at Tulsa before being promoted to AAA.
OF Nick Biddison (23) – He reached Great Lakes (A+) last season, and was reassigned at Great Lakes to start 2024. He is not having a banner start – .179/.307/.291/.598. He is the 4th round pick, so there is still hope.
SS Sean McLain (23) – Sean McLain’s older brother, and dare I say far more talented brother, is Cincinnati’s Matt McLain, who unfortunately has been out all year after shoulder surgery. During spring training, McLain injured his left shoulder while diving for a ground ball during practice. Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the successful surgery to address cartilage damage and repair his labrum on March 26. Matt hopes to be able to get back August or September. IMO Matt should request a trade to LAD so he can be closer to Dr. ElAttrache for checkups on the shoulder.
Oh well, it is not to be, so let’s get back to those in the LAD organization.
This is still McLain’s first full year. He had a total of 35 PA in 2023. He was assigned to full season A League at Rancho Cucamonga. He is having a rough start, but did have 4-4 night on July 6. While drafted as a SS, he is now listed as a 2B. However he is one of the many LAD utility players – SS (40 games), 1B (18 games), 2B (10 games), LF (1 game), DH (6 games). At 23, he needs to start pushing himself up the organizational ladder, but he is going to need to improve on his offensive numbers.
INF Logan Wagner (20) – Wagner has not been able to get any kind of start and consistent play. He has a total of 237 PA while batting .230/.381/.396/.777 with 9 doubles, 2 triples, 6 HR, 38 BB and 58 K. He splits his time between the two corner infield positions.
RHP Chris Campos (23) – Chris was a 2 way player at St. Mary’s, playing SS and as a reliever. After being drafted by LAD it was strongly suggested (nice way of saying told to) become a full time pitcher, which he has done very well.
This year he started as a reliever, was brilliant, and switched to starting. After 7 starts at Great Lakes, he was promoted to Tulsa. He has started two games for Tulsa and has pitched 12.0 innings, allowing 1 unearned run, on 8 hits, 2 BB, and 11 K. He is someone to continue to monitor. A former St. Mary’s two way player, Tony Gonsolin, was drafted in 2016 and reached LAD in June 2019. Could this be duplicate experience?
Chris Campos – BA Pre draft scouting report
A two-way player at St. Mary’s who spent a majority of his time as a shortstop, Campos didn’t pitch much for the Gaels but showed impressive arm strength and analytical traits when he did. His fastball sits in the low-90s and has been up to 97 mph with greater than 20 inches of induced vertical break, giving it exceptional riding life. His best secondary pitch is a changeup that sits at 84-86 mph with tumble and heavy fade and generates whiffs. He’s flashed both a slider and a curveball with two distinctive shapes in the high-70s. Campos has struggled with injuries, including a broken collarbone last year and a broken foot this year, and has to show he can stay healthy. He has limited experience on the mound, but his athleticism, arm strength and analytical traits give him an interesting foundation to work with.
2B Taylor Young (25) – Taylor was a 5 year senior draft pick and an ideal below slot pick. His slot was $169,000, and he signed for $2,500. He is at or near the top of multiple offensive stats. #1 runs (53), #5 hits (75), #2 doubles (20), #1 SB (29). Overall, Young is slashing .269/.371/.391/.762. He plays primarily at 2B, but also plays 3B and SS. He has good defensive (not elite) metrics, so could ascend to be a MLB utility player. He is a lesser Austin Gauthier.
Taylor Young – BA Pre draft scouting report
The coronavirus pandemic combined with a shortened 20-round draft has left a lot of players sticking around college baseball for a lot longer than they would in a pre-pandemic world. That explains how Young has been a five-year star for Louisiana Tech with 245 starts and 297 career hits. He’s hit over .300 in each of his five seasons with the Bulldogs, but his 2022 season was easily his most productive. He hit .364/.506/.644 with more walks (58) than strikeouts (45). He also swiped 28 bases this year, showing off his plus speed. Young is an ideal senior sign money saver. He’s been Louisiana Tech’s everyday shortstop. He has plus range, but his fringe-average arm means he’s better suited to playing second base in pro ball, although he may fit best as someone who bounces all around the infield. With a lengthy track record of production and reliable defense, the only big knock on him is he’s about to turn 24, which makes him older than almost anyone in Class A.
LHP Brandon Neeck (24) – Was a pitcher who was considered a better prospect in high school than after 4 years at Virginia. There is a good reason to believe that he was drafted by LAD because of signability. He signed for $2,500 with a $156,600 slot value.. He is pitching relief for Great Lakes, but at 24 is almost a year older than the average Midwest League player. He is still 24, but he is going to continue to get opportunities, and sometimes that is all you need.
C Simon Reid (23) – Another player drafted primarily due to a $2,500 signing bonus with a $149,600 slot value. He reached low A last year. He was released in March 2024.
OF Kyle Nevin (22) – He is another player with a successful MLB father. This is obviously not going as well as my plan. He was assigned to Great Lakes, and has been there all season. He is batting .243/.325/.375/.700.
RHP Jacob Meador (23) – 12 games (11 starts) at Great Lakes, and then was promoted to AA where he has 3 starts. Has been better at AA than at A+.
OF Chris Newell (23) – Chris is almost a year older than the average Midwest League player where he has played all year. He is another in the line of an all or nothing hitter. He is slashing .220/.356/.500/.856 with 20 HR, 56 RBI, 53 BB, and 111K.
- 20 HR (#1)
- 56 RBI (#1)
- 53 BB (#2)
- 111 K (#2)
- .500 SLG (#6)
- .856 OPS (#8)
When a player leads a league in HR and RBI that should warrant a promotion, right?
SS Jose Izarra (22) – Assigned all year to ACL Dodgers. – .212/.409/.333/.742.
SS Nicolas Perez (19) – Assigned all year to ACL Dodgers – .241/.355/.392/.747 in 93 PA.
RHP Jared Karros (23) – My 2024 dark horse who started the year and dominated at Great Lakes. He was promoted to Tulsa and had 5 starts before being sent to the Development List in June 15, 2024.
RHP Payton Martin (20) – Martin was primarily an esteemed SS in HS, but after the Dodgers drafted him, he was immediately converted to a full time starting pitcher. He only threw 39.2 pitches in 2023, but he dominated in the California League. He began the season at RC, but after 6 starts was promoted to Great Lakes. He is pitching extremely well at Great Lakes. In his 5 starts, his IP are limited to 21.2, but he has 2.49 ERA.
Martin is a consensus top 16 LAD prospects, including 3 top ten lists. He is #9 on the MLB Pipeline prospect list.
Martin’s fastball velocity increased from the low 90s in 2022 to 94-96 mph with a high of 98 in his first full year as a pro, and his heater comes with carry and armside run. He always has shown feel for spinning the ball and has added power to a mid-80s slider that features plenty of depth. His upper-80s changeup is a bit firm but continues to improve as he uses it more often, grading as a solid offering at its best.
The Dodgers loved Martin’s athleticism when they scouted him as an amateur and hasn’t made any adjustments to his clean delivery. He shows the ability to throw all three of his pitches for strikes and could have solid control once he’s fully developed. Kept on tight pitch counts and innings limits in his debut, he’ll need to prove his durability but has the makings of at least a No. 3 starter.
SS Cameron Decker (20) – First 19 games of 2024 assigned to ACL Dodgers. His next 19 games he was assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He strikes out a lot, but show promise of slug.
OF Chris (Bubba) Alleyne (25) – Has spent the entire year at Tulsa. He is batting .268/.358/.443/.801.
SS Carter McCulley – HS player did not sign.
This is actually a deep class, but will prove to be more emphasis on depth than it will be for starters, either position player or starting pitcher. Players to be especially monitored (IMO).
- C Dalton Rushing – Is also a prime trade candidate because of Will Smith’s 10 year extension.
- SS Alex Freeland – Has a chance to become a MLB SS. A regular for a contender? That remains to be seen, but he is certainly a candidate.
- RHP Chris Campos – Another Tony Gonsolin?
- 2B Taylor Young – Utility candidate
- OF Chris Newell – Has impressive slug but strikes out a lot.
- RHP Jared Karros – Waiting to see where he is at after he returns from the Development List.
- RHP Payton Martin – A potential mid rotation candidate. 20 years old at High A and pitching well.
For the 2022 draft:
- SS (infielders) – 7 – 1 Did not sign
- OF – 4
- RHP – 4
- C – 2
- 2B – 1
- LHP -1
- College – 13
- Junior College – 1
- High School – 1
- Puerto Rico – 1
2023
The Dodgers signed 19 of the 22 players they drafted. This is the draft of the total unknown because of the number of pitchers that were hurt when drafted:
The Dodgers wanted HS talent last year. Last year they drafted a HS CF who was considered a 2nd round talent as their first round pick (ranked #65 by Baseball America). It was widely speculated that they wanted HS LHP Thomas White who was selected right before Kendall George. HS RHP Charlee Soto was also reportedly high on the list, and he went two spots before George. They were also high on HS SS Adrian Santana who was chosen 31st overall. The brain trust believed that one of the three would be available at #36. Nope. There was then the rumor (I heard through the grapevines) that the Dodgers were high on Kendall George for their #2 pick at #60. So that they would not lose him, they picked him in the 1st round and gave him a below slot bonus for future picks. A widely used and acceptable strategy.
However, I do not know the fascination with drafting pitchers with injuries. I think last year sore arms had to be a criteria to become a LAD draft pick.
Brady Smith (3), Wyatt Crowell (4), Eriq Swan (4C), Ryan Brown (9), Luke Fox (17), Sterling Patick (18), Spencer Green (19). That is 7 of the 22 drafted players and 19 who signed with sore arms.
I understand Luke Fox at 17. But 3 of their 1st 6 draft picks are pitchers with sore arms? Smith is out for all of 2024 as he was with 2023 as well as Green.
Wyatt Crowell (Florida State), Ryan Brown (Ball State), and Luke Fox (Duke) were recovering from TJ. Crowell and Fox are back. Brown will probably be out all year. Swan has already been on the IL once this year.
And then their pick #20, DJ Uiagalelei (Oregon State QB). Sure it was a 20th round flyer who said he wanted football. I do not want to go through all the drafts where picks after 15th round or 20th round who have made it.
- RHP – 10 drafted and 8 signed
- LHP – 4 drafted and 1 signed
- OF – 3 drafted and signed
- SS – 3 drafted and signed
- 3B – 1 drafted and signed
- 1B – 1 drafted and signed
- College – 14 drafted – 12 signed
- Junior College – 2 drafted – 1 signed
- High School – 5 drafted and signed
- Puerto Rico – 1 drafted and signed
The 2023 draft has 2 players in the MLB Pipeline Top 30 prospects:
#10 – Kendall George
#22 – Jake Gelof
Okay, I am officially on vacation. Bear will be publishing most everything through July 21. I should be back for July 22. I will be heading down to Simi Valley on July 26 for a July 27 event, and then returning July 28.
I will have wi-fi and I should have some time to read and comment a little bit. But then again, maybe not.
On July 30, I will be having knee replacement surgery, and I have no idea when I will be allowed to get back on my computer. There are two “allowed”. One is the doctor and one is my wife. I fear my wife more. So if there are any last minute trades, I will not even know what they are.
I have had three knee meniscus tear surgeries in the past, but this will be a first for me.
Treat everyone with respect, and keep the Dodgers in 1st while I am gone.
Have a good trip.
Say no to drugs.
Too late for that.
Who knows who will be on the 26 by the time you return.
Jeff, thanks for the very informational draft recaps. No wonder the Dodgers have pitching throughout the organization. That’s all they draft. Or at least it seems so.
Good luck with the knee replacement. I’ve had 2 and both hips. They do marvelous things these days. You should be up and walking with a walker the next day. You should be mobile enough to get to your computer, no problem. I know you’ll commit to the rehab and you’ll be walking in no time and get your flexibility to 135. If you have a pool available, I was in one as soon as my incision was healed enough and that PT did wonders. If you’re like me, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner. Good luck.
You have a busy July planned. Have a great vacation. Hope to hear from you soon.
As for the drafts – that’s a lot of names. How many can help, either in trade or with the team. The names I’m currently most interested in are Martin, Cartaya, Rushing and Freeland.
The Dodgers are having a Matt Kemp Day on August 11th. Walter O’Malley will get a place in the ring of honor, and Dusty Baker joins The Legends of Dodger Baseball. I will do my best while Jeff is out.
The IT guy is working on my sign in problem. He should have it fixed by this afternoon. So, if any of you have players or ideas for posts you would like to read let me know.
Tough pitching matchups for the Dodgers in Philly. Wheeler, Sanchez and Nola. Some Dodger players have pretty good career numbers against Wheeler, Freddie has 2 homers and 8 driven in against him. He also hits him at a .412 clip. Teo has 2 bombs off of him also and so does Rojas. Lux has a .571 BA against him.
This series should be a good determiner of where we stand against good pitching. Granted, Mookie and Muncy aren’t there, but it might be a good ahead to look ahead without their availability. Muncy has fluctuant written all over him (yeah, I got thesaurus help with that one) and remember how long it took Vargas to recover from his hand injury.
I do trust AF has a series of plans at work.
Old friend Dylan Floro is having a good year might be worth a punt.
Dodgers place Glasnow on the IL with back problems. He will miss the All-Star game. That makes 2 Dodgers who will miss the game with injuries, Betts and Glasnow.
Wrobleski isn’t going anywhere now.
How long until Stone has a sore knee?
Not too long.
The Giant’s just DFAd Nick Ahmed. Great glove man. So so bat, but he kills the Dodgers.
Somebody will pick him up. Who would he replace here?
I doubt anyone. He is almost as good as Rojas with the glove.
Initial first inning observation:
Wheeler hits his spots. Miller doesn’t.
Here’s my observation:
Miller still trying to get a consistent feel for change and curve. Just can’t throw those for strikes.
Really reliant on the 4 seamer and sinker.
Baseball America has a mid-season update to the Dodgers top 30 prospects. ($$$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/los-angeles-dodgers-prospects-2024-midseason-top-30-update/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=midseason-top-30-prospects-for-every-team
Golden kernels of knowledge, they identify Maddux Bruns’ IR stint reason. A “balky back” and Zyhir Hope’s as a broken rib.
Risers include:
Freeland and Quintaro
Fallers include:
Bruns (of the balky back)
Those of note include:
The wonderfully named Alexander Albertus, Eriq Swan
current Bobby Miller = no bueno
He’ll come around.
Trust the stuff.
Hit your spots.
He’s fighting for it. I just hope he finds it in the second half of the season.
His control is awful.
As illustrated:
https://x.com/ezgreene/status/1810824845770510729
I’m sticking with “no bueno.” He is all outta whack and needs to go somewhere to rebuild his form.
Phillies current win probability – 99.3%
At this point the Phillies look like the better team. The second half could change that.
He should not be pitching in LA now….why isn’t he in Oklahoma dominating down there first before being up here.
Not this year.
Nope, the “stuff” inside of him won’t come around this year.
“Non bene” in Italian.
he has lost 3-4 MPH off of his fastball. It’s not just a control problem. If he isn’t still injured, his delivery is so out of whack that not only can he not locate, he can’t throw as hard either.
If today’s game did not convince you, tell me how anyone thinks the Dodgers do not need more starting pitching.
I was convinced when Yamamoto went down.
Ya think! We need 4 more bats too, but who’s counting?
It’s not only the pitching, Bear.
Bear,
You should do an article based on the people who post:
After a win
After a loss
With indifference to a game’s outcome
I see no need to be confrontational with the posters. The team is playing like a .500 club. There are issues. Maybe things will get better after the break. I sure hope so.
I agree. There are true fans and there are fair weather fans, and then there are the bandwagoneers. They only come out when the Dodgers win a championship.
Won’t make any difference to the manner in which others post on this site
Kike, Taylor, Lux, and Biggio are pathetic. We won’t win a championship with that much dead weight.
You have to include Pages and Outman in that list of “must dead weight.”
Based on tonight’s game, Kike is currently a better pitcher than Miller.
Lux is the biggest disappointment.
Remember, he was supposed to be the starting SS. Instead, he is now platooning at 2B.
But I can’t blame Lux too much. AF and the rest of the Dodgers’ brain trust obviously overestimated Lux’s ability to play SS. And that mistaken judgement probably kept them from doing deals that might have helped.
But still: Lux should be a good second baseman who doesn’t need to be platooned. In ’22, he was pretty solid.
Hi all. The IT guy did not get back to me today, so there won’t be a new post tomorrow. Hopefully I get back into the dashboard sometime tomorrow as I am contacting him in the morning. You can use this post for open discussion tomorrow if you like. I will get something up ASAP. Bear
The only team they lost ground to was the Giants, who are now tied with Arizona, 10 games back.
Read a report on Google News posted by Dodgers SI, (Sports Illustrated), that the Dodgers have allegedly upped their offer to the Sox for Crochet. No mention of how many or who, or if other players are involved coming LA’s way.
If we do not get a bunch of our presently walking wounded back and if especially our starting pitching does not improve it probably makes no difference if we get Crochet or not. Right now this team has too many issues to be considered a true WS contender. This might chance if
A. Glasnow and Yamamoto come back healthy for the stretch run and postseason
B.Mookie and MM return in time
C. 2 out of Graterol/Kelly/Brasier/May return AND are on top of their pitching
D. Dodgers weed out at least 2 out of Lux/Kike/CT3/Biggio and replace them with solid bats.
Other than that we are in great shape. 😀
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dodgers trying to set a record for most pitchers on the IL?
If informed reports are correct and Crochet would spend most of the 2nd half in the bullpen, can anyone illuminate how this move makes any sense?
Today’s game was the shit show of the season, so far. Weakness is in this club, both pitching and hitting. Of course, we have some stars, but they don’t play in a bubble. It’s a team sport and ours is lacking some basic talent.
Are the Philly’s going to sweep us in this series? Can any of our pitchers beat this club? Is this the team that is actually going to show the league what the Dodgers are really made out of? We were supposed to have depth. Where is it? We have bodies, but bodies don’t beat good teams. The silence of the FO is deafening. I guess there is no excuse for the overestimation of our roster so the FO says nothing. It’s embarrassing to be caught with your pants down. Frozen in their own choices, laughing on their way to the bank, knowing the fan base doesn’t make a dent in their net earnings, supporting an ill fated team. Call the Bruja, please.
My best friend growing up is a Phillies fan living in Philadelphia. I told him a few days ago when I saw the pitching match ups for all three games that it will be a sweep. They have one of the best, if not the best, starting 4 pitchers…5 is okay but iffy. We now have 2 we can count on. Well, in this series they get to face one of our two- tonight- so this is our best chance to upset them. I would be surprised if we did win because they have more bats than we do. If you sort of pitch around our top 3 guys, we don’t have much after Teoscar. Those guys have guys who can hit throughout their lineup….and of course, they have Trea who no doubt likes to show LA what they are missing.
Bottom line….there is a reason why this team has been playing mediocre for the past month….they are mediocre….today. Hopefully, injured players return healthy and we are fortunate enough to pick up a few players who can deliver in the post season. We might have a chance then…TM
If the Dodgers play .500 ball the rest of the way it would result in 90 wins and that would probably be enough to make the playoffs. Personally I still believe the team will reach 95 wins. Yesterday the Padres and dbacks both lost so the team is, surprisingly, still 7.5 games ahead in the Division.
I believe this will be a playoff team. Moves will be made, injured players will return, and, with some good fortune the team will be at full strength from September on.
The season has many chapters. This most recent chapter is not a great one: compromised starting pitching and very bad BA with RISP… and they still have a 7.5 game lead — crazy! If we have learned anything over the past few years, it’s that the big prize is all about who this team is in mid to late September.
That said, I reserve the right to complain (now) about trotting Bobby Miller out there which feels almost like a punishment to all of us (including Bobby Miller)), but that doesn’t mean i don’t also see the big picture.
I think it is nuts we Dodgers fans are at a stage where it is “understood” that our team will make the playoffs, and we have the luxury of putting forth grand plans about what changes should be made to maximize chances of a World Series victory. I do not take this for granted. I remember the 90’s and the 00’s before this run began.
Anyway, I guess I am writing this to say that a “negative” post does not mean the poster does not also see the big picture. In the moment it is cathartic to share one’s frustration when the team plays poorly and the short-term planning seems sub-optimal.
I am a big Gavin Stone fan! It would be awesome, if he could shake off his last start and show he can compete with the big boys tonight. His improvement this year is easily my favorite Dodgers story-line of this season.
Cheers!
Ive been thinking about his last start….I wonder if he is too. – TM
I am a big Dodger fan and am not criticizing.them by.saying that one of my concerns with this team is that in the offseason the FO went all out to create a winning team with their sights on the WS. But w all that money spent are they any better? The bottom half of the order is still weak. Their pitching depth is being tested to the max and they are stuck w some bad contracts. I know building a winning roster is hard, but 3-4 big gaping holes?
Players getting hurt is unavoidable but there have been concerns since the beginning of the season, with the outfield, defense up the middle and pitchers who have histories of not pitching the full season.
If the FO is keeping the pedal down there will need to be some very robust moves before the trade deadline. It should be exciting!
Bison, Dave. Well said.
In my opinion all of us should feel free to say what’s on our mind without concern about pessimistic pushback. Heck, Scott Andes may be right about this team. And betting odds for a championship say take the field.
I still like our chances. When this team is rolling they are fun to watch. They haven’t exactly been rolling lately. But I’m confident management will improve the roster and when Mookie, Muncy and Yamamoto return this team will be better.
Always, no matter what, take the field in WS bets.
That’s as close to a great bet as possible.
I think most of the money they spent in the offseason was to increase their worldwide exposure. Even over winning the world series. Of course, they told us it was all about winning the world series. That’s on us, if we really believe anything they’re telling us through official channels. I mean, I believe they want to win a series, but I’m not sure that was the priority in this offseason regardless of what they told us.
Cheers
Garrett Crochet seems to be making more money every day as the Dodger’s starting pitchers either go down with injuries or they’re shitty.
I’ve picked on CT3 and the bottom feeders enough, so let’s talk pitching:
We have 2 solid starting pitching staffs, and a couple of relief pitchers on the shelf:
Micheal Grove 15 day IL
Yamamoto – 15 day IL and who knows?
Walker Beuhler – 15 day IL and ineffective
Ryan Brasier – 60 day IL and 36 yrs old
Tyler Glasnow – 15 day IL. Probably or a rest
Clayton Kershaw – TBD
May – TBD
Gonsolin
Emmet Sheehan
Joe Kelly – RHRP. 60 day IL but throwing?
Graterol – RHRP. TBD
Current Starting Pitchers ranked by effectiveness:
Gavin Stone – ace
Landon Knack – 7 games 2.86 era
Wrobleski – 5 innings 7.2 era. After 5 MLB innings this kid may be more effective than:
James Paxton – getting shelled by good teams 4.24 era. No way a playoff guy
Bobby Miller – totally out of sync and maybe done.
That is an absolute shell of what AF and Doc expected in Spring Training.
The Bullpen is usually solid with, reliable relievers
Banda – 21 innings 2.08 era
Treinen – 2.61
Hudson – 1.72
Vesia – 1.36
Phillips – 2.28
Then there are:
Yarbrough – terrible lately 3.63
Michael Petersen – 10 innings 5.3
Yohan Ramirez – 39 inning 4.54
So I know I didn’t expect the bottom feeder position players to play so poorly. Rojas and Pages has been the only guy who have stepped up at all. The Biggio signing is understandable when Muncy went down but couldn’t AF find someone better or give Kody Hoese a chance?
So between the injuries, subpar performances, some questionable roster management, and Doc, this currently isn’t close to the team we all expected. Philly handled us last night like a Little League mismatch, including running at will.
The question is how temporary is this mess? Can Mookie and the IL pitchers return and bail us out. Can AF pull some rabbits out of his hat at the deadline? Will we replace some of the bottom feeders?
Nobody expected this team to look like this at the 1/2 way point. And through it all we are miraculously still leading the Division.
Go figure.
Hurt was shut down from throwing.
Phil,
totally agree with you,
I do want to point out that era can be deceiving. For example, although Vesia has pitched well. How many times has he come in with men on and given up a homer, given up runs on walking guys and then giving up a hit but the run is charged to the previous pitcher. I feel sorry for yohan Ramirez. He is pitching often and multiple innings. It looks as if they will get their money’s worth before they dfa him. Probably the same with Peterson. Agreed on Yarborough who has blown multiple games lately because he can’t throw strikes and then gives up a homer. The bullpen needs the all star break due to the weak starting pitching. With the game on the line I would go with Hudson and Phillips. Vesia needs to enter the game with no one on base. Treinen doesn’t have the velo he had or the command but he figures. No excuse for Kelly and brasier to spend excessive time on the il. Calf injury and months, who is rehabbing these guys? Miller has absolutely lost it. No clue where the ball is going. Velocity is down he is the one who might be injured. At this point compared to Philly we r 2nd tier. They are superior to us in most every area.
“bail us out.”
Seriously?
Still working with the IT guy to be able to get into the Dashboard.
Per MLBTR, Pirates working on a trade with the Angels for Taylor Ward. They need outfield help and are trying to get the trade done. Outside of Reynolds, the production of their outfield has not been good. Also, per MLBTR, Wander Franco has finally been charged in his native country with sex with a minor.
Per Bill Plunkett Bobby Miller has been optioned with Ricky Vanasco being recalled