Trading value?
David Hood at TBLA put up a post ranking the Dodger rookies/prospects by trade value. His number one option to be traded was Alex Verdugo and he gave excellent reasons for ranking him as number one.
1. Alex Verdugo: Talented offensive player that might have more hype than ceiling, a year away from reaching the major leagues, but stuck in a crowded position with the Dodgers. Verdugo might be the most qualified player for this list yet, and last’s year’s number one helped net Rich Hill and Josh Reddick. Verdugo could be a centerpiece to a splash trade at this year’s deadline if need be, with plenty of outfield talent in the system to cover his loss.
For some reason, my mind keeps imagining Lorenzo Cain in Dodger blue and Alex Verdugo in Royal blue. Cain is a free agent after 2017 and it is doubtful that he’ll end up signing an extension with the Royals this summer given he’s now 31. If he had been an FA in 2015 after his World Championship season, I expect he’d have backed up the truck.
Cain is a superb CF, who still crushes left-hand pitching. His stat line against LHP the last two years:
2016
.371 .420 .596 1.016
2015
.335 .391 .568 .959
The Dodgers may not need Cain if Gutierrez does his job or Joc starts to hit LHP, but I kind of think neither will and that Cain may start to look enticing by June.
Adrian Gonzalez can’t wait for tonight
Adrian Gonzalez has a long history of success against major league pitching but his most success might be against Trevor Cahill who will take the mound for the Padres tonight. At least in the non Homer Bailey category.
| PA | Hits | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | BA | OBP | Slug% | OPS |
| 30 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 8 | .400 | .457 | .800 | 1.257 |
Might be a good day for Puig to take an off day as he is just 2 for 12 against Cahill.
Per rotowire, overall the Dodgers have a .940 OPS against Cahill, so I don’t expect that scoreless string to last long.
Dodgers shut out in 2nd game
Maybe this was more about the Dodgers scoring 14 runs yesterday and coming back to earth tonight, or maybe it really was about Clayton Richard being left-handed.
I only know that this will be the best game that Clayton Richard pitches this year, and maybe the last great game of his career.
Too soon to say the Dodger woes against LHP are with us again, but after a performance like that, you can hear the whispers.
Logan Forsythe did his job, no one else did.
Is Corey Seager going to bounce every throw to 1st base this year?
Last year the Dodgers didn’t get shutout until April 27th by the infamous Justin Nicolino. Yeah, he’s left handed. It was his first start of the year and the only game in which he did not allow a run. He didn’t even make the 2017 Marlin rotation.
Just remember the LAD were putrid against LHP last year and still won 90 games.
Broadcast Notes 4/4/17
Listening to Joe Davis and Orel telling stories, so I thought it might be fun to document them for those who don’t have Spectrum.
When Ross Stripling entered the game in relief of Kenta Maeda, we learned a little more about Ross. He was a walk on at Texas A&M and only went there for the finance degree. His father convinced him to talk to the coach so he did and lo and behold they had an opening. Why? Because the Dodgers had drafted and signed Nathan Eovaldi who had committed to Texas A&M.
The Arco top tier play was an excellent running catch by Puig in RF headed toward the foul line. That was as good as it got for the Dodgers tonight.
I’m not fact checking this, but Joe Davis said that Urias is the first Dodger pitcher to wear a single digit number since Bobo Newsom. Bobo broke in with Brooklyn in 1929 so if this is true, that would mean that Urias is the only LAD starter to wear a single digit number. He wears number 7. This is more of the Eric Stephen area as he knows everything about player numbers. I know nothing about them. Except that the number 32 has been awesome in Los Angeles.
Baseball notes for 04/04/17
I just watched Stephen Piscotty have one of the more painful turns you will watch and you can pin most of the blame on Contreras. He was hit on the right elbow by a pitch from the hard throwing Jake Arrieta. He advanced to 2nd and was plunked on the left elbow on the throw from the catcher Contreras. He scored from 2nd on an infield ground ball but Contreras missed the throw as Piscotty was sliding home and it hit him square in the head. It laid him out but eventually he got up and made his way to the dugout and probably the training room.
Richie Weeks is still playing baseball. He showed up today batting cleanup for the Tampa Bay Rays. In the bottom of the 8th he came up with the bases loaded but struck out.
Maybe CC still has some life in his left arm, as he threw five shutout innings against the Rays.
Staying on the Rays, batting 5th and playing SS for them was Tim Beckham. Beckham was the overall number one pick of the 2008 draft. The Rays could have saved the world from three Giant rings by simply picking Buster Posey instead of Tim Beckham. I hope Friedman didn’t have anything to do with that pick.
Carlos Santana is the leadoff hitter for the AL Champion Indians. Santana entered the game with over 150 home runs and over 600 career walks. Grandal is basically Carlos Santana but with the ability to catch. Maybe someday Grandal will parlay his patience into a leadoff role. Carlos is one of twenty active players to have at least 150 home runs and 600 walks. Carlos is one of three active switch-hitters to have at least 150 home runs and 600 walks. The other two being Carlos Beltran and Victor Martinez.
The Rockies are on the road against the Brewers and they have two wins, and Greg Holland has two saves. That is your NL Western Division leading Rockies.
Danny Espinosa didn’t get to enjoy a walk off but his 3-run home run in the top of the 9th gave the Angels a 7 – 6 victory. Espinosa can do two things well, play great infield defense and hit home runs. Tonight he did what he was acquired to do. Has to be special when your first hit for your new team is a game-winning home run.
Tigers could really use an outfielder
Watching the Tiger/White Sox game I can’t help but feel the Dodgers have a plethora of outfielders better than what the Tigers are using in CF and LF. JD Martinez is hurt but Tiger fans must be hurt knowing that they have to turn to Mikie Mahtook as their starting RF while JD is on the mend.
Brett Eibner, Segedin, Scott Van Slyke, Trayce Thompson, and Dickson must be wondering what they did wrong to end up in such a deep organization where they are either plying their trade in AAA or on the bench. Heck, even Tyler Holt could give Mikie a run for his money.
Clayton Richard to test new Dodger lineup against LHP
The LAD Achilles heel last year was LHP, and it didn’t have to be Chris Sale or Madison Bumgarner lefty aces, it simply had to be someone who pitched with the left hand.
Clayton Richard fits that bill. He’s not very good but he does throw with the left hand. The Dodgers tried to solve this problem by bringing in Logan Forsythe and Franklin Guiterrez. I’m writing this before lineups are posted but I expect both of them to be in the lineup today. I am curious where Puig will hit in the lineup against LHP. It is Turner who struggles against LHP, not Puig but since Richard shouldn’t be around long you can’t really make a lineup based on the starting pitcher.
If this wasn’t the 2nd game of the year I’d expect Adrian Gonzalez might sit, but I doubt he’ll be sitting out the 2nd game of the year.
However, the Dodgers do tonight against Clayton Richard nothing should be made of it, but I am curious how the right-hand mashers do. The only chink in Justin Turner’s armor last year was his dismal performance against LHP. If Turner can fix the chink, he might indeed be a long-shot MVP candidate.
Gonzaga Bulldogs just come up short
It was hard for me to be very excited about Dodgers opening day with Gonzaga taking on the legendary basketball program of North Carolina for the right to declare themselves the best college basketball team in the country.
Like many of you, I never went to the college I root for. I fell for Gonzaga during the Don Munson run of 1999 and have never looked back. The program thrived under Mark Few and while making a mockery of the West Coast Conference they were never able to advance to the final four until this year.
They have had a plethora of WCC Players of the Year but until this year none of them could carry the team beyond a certain level.
I didn’t cry with Adam Morrison when his team blew a huge lead to UCLA but I understood his grief. I had watched him morph from a crew cut freshman to the long mangy haired highest scorer in basketball.
Dan Dickau was a perfect college point guard but he couldn’t carry his team far enough.
Blake Stepp had game but not in March
Ronny Turiaf was a man among boys in the WCC but his manhood was tested in March
Derek Raivio, Jeremy Pargo, and Matt Bouldin all did great work as leaders of their team but none of them could manage March.
Kelly Olynyk was a big man who could shoot from the outside but he couldn’t shoot the team very far in March.
Kevin Pangos made shot after shot throughout his college career, until March.
I thought it might be the same for Nigel Williams-Goss and at first, it was. He struggled in the first three games. The team advanced to the Sweet 16 but not because of Nigel but because of the excellent team that surrounded. That all changed when he displayed his leadership in the next three games bringing Gonzaga within one game of being National Champions.
The big men Przemek Karnowski / Zach Collins / Jonathan Williams all played a prominent part in getting Gonzaga to the final game, but they couldn’t handle North Carolina.
Karnowski got position time after time but left his shots short and kept missing shots he’d made all year. Freshman Collins had been a beast against the GameCocks and did damage when he was able to play but foul trouble plagued him the whole game.
It was a wonder that the Zags were even in a position to win with two minutes to go given how handicapped they were with all their big men in foul trouble most of the second half.
Goss tried his best, made some key shots but with two minutes to go he re-injured his ankle and tried to do too much from that point on and it was not to be.
As a fan, I was able to enjoy this game because I never expected Gonzaga to ever be playing for a national title and all I really wanted was a good game. I got that, it wasn’t pretty but it was still a competitive game.
One of the best parts of being a fan of a Gonzaga-type program is that you get to watch the players grow from year to year. Collins won’t be a one and done. I watched Karnowksi win more games than any NCAA Men’s basketball player in history. In history.
In history.
I’m already looking forward to next year.
Chavez Ravine gets a facelift
Per Dodger notes here are some updates to the stadium:
The first sculpture in Dodger Stadium history, appropriately depicting Jackie Robinson, will be unveiled on the left field reserve level plaza area (Lot B) on April 15, marking the 70th anniversary of Robinson creaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
The reconfiguring of the ring road in centerfield has been enlarged in order to improve circulation and create a new premium lot “H” between the Historic 76 Station and the centerfield transit road.
In an effort to continually improve access to Dodger Stadium and improve ridership on the METRO bus lines service, the pedestrian loading area in centerfield has been reconfigured to provide a dedicated area with uniform pedestrian lighting.
As part of Dodger Stadium’s continued commitment to greening the surrounding park, additional landscaped islands of olive trees, palm trees and the native succulent plants of the region have been planted at either end of the transit street.
This season the Dodgers are excited to welcome the new Budweiser-branded concession stand located down the third base line. This Bud & Burgers stand will serve our newest culinary creation inspired by our fans: the Dodger Burger. With the world famous Dodger Dog grilled to perfection on top of a delicious patty, this is a can’t-miss item for the 2017 season! In addition, Budweiser has created a simulated batting experience by the left field Bud bar that encourages fans to swing for the fences at every home game.
Dodger fans will enjoy the new King’s Hawaiian Grill, opening in the Left Field Plaza, where they can enjoy a special menu featuring a pulled pork Dodger Dog, pulled pork sliders, lava wings, smoked pork nachos and much more.
The popular Think Blue BBQ has come to the Reserve Level in right field, adjacent to the kid’s area.
Some of the new dishes Dodger fans can look forward to enjoying during the season include:
· BaseBowls featuring Poke bowls, Teriyaki Chicken bowl, Kalua Pork bowl and the Vietnamese Rice Noodle bowl. – Field Level – 3rd base side – Aisle 45
· Chick-N-Tots…house made marinated chicken bites dressed to your liking with chili cheese, Buffalo sauce, garlic, oil and parmesan cheese and just ordered naked. – Field Level – 1st base side – Aisle 8
· Healthy Items…Mediterranean Quinoa salad and Strawberry & Beets Salad. Fresh Sandwiches such as Turkey Club, Albacore Tuna Salad and Grilled Vegetable Flatbread. – United Healthcare Market Place Locations on Field Aisle 5/ Loge Aisle 137 and Reserve Level Aisle 5
· Trolley Dodger Treats…Fans can satisfy their sweet tooth with funnel cakes topped with powdered sugar, chocolate drizzle and whipped cream; glazed churro; a cinnamon sugar churro served with blue ice cream, deep fried Oreos and Twinkies. – Field Level – 1stbase side – Aisle 46
· Shock Top Bratwurst…a Levy exclusive, the spicy pork bratwurst link infused with Shock Top beer served on a warm bun with caramelized onions and spicy brown mustard. – Field / Loge and Reserve Levels in the Extreme Loaded Dog Stands – Field Aisle 48 / Loge Aisle 135 / Reserve Aisle 2
· TASTE OF LA…this suite package features seasoned bottomless popcorn; an assortment of sushi and an L.A. Mezze board featuring cheeses, spring rolls, Caesar salad, sliders, wraps and beef sticks.
After you have taken care of your appetite, fans can visit the many new memorabilia displays throughout the stadium.
Dodger fans will see a number of new memorabilia displays including a gallery adjacent to the Vin Scully Press Box including Vin Scully’s headset and other objects from his broadcast booth during his final season with the Dodgers. The club level is also home to a new display case at the left field entry that features game worn jerseys from Dodger greats including Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax and others. Fans with tickets on field, loge and club and anyone with a season ticket can access these areas.
The right field baseline club, also known as the Ketel One Club, is home to a display featuring game used bats from nearly every All-Star that has worn the uniform of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This display is open to anyone in the right field concourse and faces the bullpen overlook in right field. You do not need a ticket to the baseline club to view this display.
Groups will find new areas to enjoy Dodger baseball. A new mini-suite has been constructed inside the Stadium Club on the right field club level to host groups of 15. The loge level party boxes, which can host groups of 12 to 16, have been given a new look and improved surroundings. Areas on the field level concourse near each foul pole have been created for groups of 15 to 60. The areas have standing room, bar stools and high top tables.
LAD feast on Padre pitching
Yazmani Grandal:
- Hit two home runs, one right-handed, one left-handed becoming the first LAD to ever do that on opening day.
- He joins Raul Mondesi as the only LAD to ever hit two home runs on opening day. Mondesi did it twice.
- Joins AJ Ellis as the only LAD catcher to drive in at least three runs on opening day. Looks like a trend since Ellis did it in 2016.
- First vegetarian catcher to hit two home runs a game from both sides of the plate
Joc Pederson:
- Hit the first LAD grand slam on opening day since Eric Karros in 2000
- Drove in five runs, the first LAD to do that since Raul Mondesi in 1999.
- Drove in five runs as a Center Fielder, the last LAD to do that on opening day was Kenny Landreaux in 1983 who drove in six.
- Before Joc gets a big head, just a reminder that Matt Kemp drove in five or more runs seven times as a CF.
Player Date PA H HR RBI Don Demeter 1959-06-11 5 4 2 5 Don Demeter 1959-04-21 6 3 3 6 Eric Davis 1993-05-18 5 1 1 5 Gary Thomasson 1979-08-17 4 2 1 5 Jim Wynn 1974-05-11 5 4 3 5 Ken Landreaux 1983-04-05 6 3 0 6 Matt Kemp 2008-04-26 5 1 1 5 Matt Kemp 2009-05-07 5 3 1 5 Matt Kemp 2009-08-02 5 3 1 5 Matt Kemp 2009-08-04 5 4 1 5 Matt Kemp 2011-07-29 5 2 1 5 Matt Kemp 2009-04-19 5 3 2 5 Matt Kemp 2011-06-04 6 3 2 6 Milton Bradley 2005-05-13 4 2 2 5 Pedro Guerrero 1982-07-20 4 3 1 5 Rick Monday 1978-05-19 4 2 2 6 Tommy Davis 1960-07-30 6 2 2 5 Willie Davis 1972-08-02 5 3 1 5 Willie Davis 1961-05-27 5 3 2 5 Willie Davis 1973-04-19 5 2 2 5
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 4/3/2017.
I found it strange that a plethora of Dodger center fielders had driven in five runs, a few six runs, but no CF has ever driven in seven runs. I expect Joc to remedy that.
Oh and Ryan Schimpf crushed a home run off of Kershaw. That didn’t surprise me, what surprised me is that he also hit a single and didn’t strike out once. Going to keep my eye on this kid. Big Mac says he’s the real deal. That would be cool, baseball needs players like Ryan Schimpf.
Corey Seager:
- Spoiled the 1st inning with an error on a throw that Adrian Gonzalez used to corral
- Blasted a three-run home run
Justin Turner:
- He made an out in his first and last at-bat.
- In between, he hit two doubles and a single
Puig:
- Got the first intentional walk as a LAD using the new guidelines where no pitches are thrown
- He ended up walking twice and hitting a double from the eight spot
Clayton Kershaw did some basic Kershaw stuff. Ho hum.
Dodgers, Yesterday and Today 