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WBC Impact on Prospects

Bear raised a valid point that he would rather see the “regulars” stay in camp and play for their teams.  I am sure he is not alone.  The Dodgers have seven members of the projected 26 man roster playing in the WBC.  I enjoy the WBC, but I also see the value in having all of the players in camp working together. Mookie Betts, Will Smith, Julio Urías, Austin Barnes, Freddie Freeman, Trayce Thompson, David Peralta.  MiLB player Jose Ramos is playing for Panama.   Miguel Rojas made the decision to stay back with LAD and work as the everyday SS.  That should also provide a positive outcome for Miguel Vargas’ play at 2B.

One of the outcomes is the additional opportunities for non-regulars.  There is considerably more PA for the non-regulars in 2023 than there were in 2022.  Maybe not a fair comparison as last year’s ST was a decidedly shorter than normal due to the lockout.  There were a total of 18 ST games, so the regulars needed to play more.

Last year the top PA’s belonged to the known 26 man roster:  Bellinger (37), Trea Turner (36), JT (34), Muncy (33), Smith (31), Lux (30), CT3 (30), Edwin Rios (30), Hanser Alberto (25), Freddie (24), Mookie (23), Austin Barnes (21).  Non 26-man roster players PAs.

 

 

Names highlighted in yellow were on the 40-man.

Eddy Alvarez and Jake Lamb were the only players to have more PAs than the 26 man roster players.

2023 is quite different.  There have been 17 games played, just about the same as was played in 2022.  Only 4 of the known 26 man roster have PA’s in the top 15 PA’s: CT3 (32), JD Martinez (31), Max Muncy (28), and Miguel Rojas (25).

The other regulars have less PA’s due games missed for the WBC: Will Smith (15), Freddie Freeman (19), David Peralta (17), Trayce Thompson (16), Miguel Vargas (24).

Two of the following three should make the roster: Jason Heyward (31), James Outman (28), and Yonny Hernandez (26).  Non 26 man roster players:

 

Names highlighted in yellow are on the 40-man.

You will note that in 18 games for 2022, there were 308 PA’s for the non 26 man roster, while there have been 440 PA’s thus far in 2023 for the non 26 man roster players.  Who are the players that have benefited the most?

Hunter Feduccia (pictured) has opened the eyes to many with his play.  Offensively, in 12 ABs, Feduccia has 6 hits including 2 doubles and a HR.  He also has 9 RBIs that leads the team.  I know that it is a small sample size, however leading the team in RBIs with only 12 ABs is very impressive.  Feduccia had 2 walks against 1 K.

Michael Busch got off to a horrible start, and in a normal ST, he probably would not have had as many opportunities.  In his last two games, he had 4 consecutive hits including a long HR and a double.  He certainly turned his ST around with those 4 ABs.

23 AB, 6 hits, 1 double, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 BB, 8 K.

 

Other 40 Man ST results:

  • Eddys Leonard – 22 AB, 9 hits, 1 double, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1BB, 5 K
  • Yonny Hernandez – 22 AB, 6 hits, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 7 K
  • Jonny DeLuca – 20 AB, 7 hits, 1 double, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 2 K
  • Jorbit Vivas – 18 AB, 5 hits, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K
  • Andy Pages – 17 AB, 4 hits, 1 double, 3 RBI, 6 BB, 6 K

Other non-40 man players:

  • Devin Mann – 21 AB, 6 hits, 3 doubles, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 7 K
  • Ryan Ward – 21 AB, 7 hits, 1 double, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 2 K
  • Drew Avans – 18 AB, 4 hits, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 8 K

Diego Cartaya got extensive catching experience along with 14 PA.  He got 1 hit with 3 BB and 4 K.  He did hit a couple of hard hit outs.  This will be a BIG year for Cartaya to break out.  Will he?  The consensus of evaluators certainly believe he will.

Busch, Leonard, Vivas, DeLuca, Pages, and Cartaya have been optioned.  There is no reason that they will not get additional AB in an MLB ST game.  Mann, Feduccia, Ward, and Avans are still with the ML club, at least they have not been sent out.

With the loss to Mexico on Tuesday, Great Britain was eliminated. Trayce Thompson should be back at Camelback on Wednesday.  Venezuela has advanced to the quarterfinals, so David Peralta will be continuing in the WBC.  USA, Mexico, and Canada are all 2-1 with Mexico facing Canada on Wednesday.  If USA beats Columbia on Wednesday, they will advance.   Still to be determined:  Mookie Betts, Will Smith,  Freddie Freeman, Julio Urías, and Austin Barnes.

 

 

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Oldbear48

The main reason I really felt the regulars should be with the team is because of all the uncertainty around this team. There are a lot of decisions to be made the next two weeks, especially in the outfield. Outman is really forcing their hand. But I also think they are confident enough in the veterans to send him back to OKC where he would play everyday and not be in a platoon situation, which seems to be the way things are stacking up now. But if Heyward or Thomson flame out, he could easily be called back. I think the real need right now is another infielder. They have 7 guys who can play the outfield. Middle infielders, not so much.

Dave

I see this as helping the decision making process. It gives them a chance to get a good look at guys on the bubble,wether in camp or in WBC games. No it’s not perfect but it’s only every 4 yrs.

Oldbear48

I get that, but I still want the big boys in camp. I am not a fan.

Dionysus

Team comraderie innit?

Badger

I’m not a fan either Bear. But some feel it doesn’t matter where the guys are playing, as long as they’re playing. I’d just as soon they were here cruising toward Opening Day.

I still believe the team knows who they want here to start the season. I’m not saying I know, but I think they do. My guess is Thompson/Heyward, making 4 L/R outfielders, and Taylor who can play anywhere. I’m not really a fan of signing a 34/35 year old Peralta. He’s a 1 WAR outfielder. Granted he hits RH better than average (.778 last year) but it’s my opinion we could get that out of Outman for about $6M less.

I’m sure Friedman knows what he’s doing. But so do other GMs, many of whom aren’t watching the budget as closely as the Dodgers are.

SandyIsTheGreatest

We should’ve just handed LF to Taylor, CF to Outman, and rolled with Thompson as the extra OF and one more guy from among the rest. Peralta will have to prove his worth to me but four nickels doesn’t equal one quarter.

OhioDodger

Freeman out of the WBC. Dodgers pulled the plug on that.

Bumsrap

You took the words right out of my mouth. Well, maybe only what I was thinking because you said it so well.

Here’s a mouthful: right proximal ulnar collateral ligament sprain

I am enjoying the enthusiasm of the international fans. They are having a ball.

Badger

Our players have nothing to do with international fans enthusiasm Bum.

I would enjoy the WBC just as much if Outman, Feduccia and Busch were playing instead of Mookie, Freeman and Smith. In fact, I’d enjoy it more. I don’t give a rats ass who wins that tournament.

It’s my opinion the extra at bats have nothing to do with who will start the season on the field for the Dodgers. It’s my opinion those decisions are already made.

These are just opinions Jeff.

Last edited 1 year ago by Badger
Bumsrap

International fans would be enthused without a USA team but having one is the icing on the cake for the eventual champion.

How many opportunities do many of the participating countries get a chance to say We Are #1?

Last edited 1 year ago by Bumsrap
Badger

Let them say it! Fans in the US know better.

Saying your #1 and actually being #1 are not the same thing. There are no countries anywhere in the world who are better at baseball than we are. The US has scattered players all over the tournament. Japan doesn’t. Dominican Republic doesn’t. Mexico doesn’t. I won’t be the least bit disappointed if the US doesn’t win this thing. In fact, I hope the Dominican or Puerto Rico wins. Those countries could use something going right for them. And when it’s over we can get back to business here, which is crowning the best baseball team in the world.

Badger

Amaya – 1 for 19 (single). 1 BB, 9 K

So, you’re saying he’s due.

I checked, of those 19 at bats he’s only struck out 9 times.

ok, he’s not ready.

But he’s on the 40 and starting with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

Dionysus

Ouch

Badger

Freddie was in an ice bath and not available for comment.

Dionysus

I think Ramos could be as good as Pages but Pages takes more walks. Who are the best in the system in drawing walls? Guesses: Busch. Rushing, Cartaya?

SandyIsTheGreatest

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