Dennis Santana opens eyes in California League All-Star game
According to Kyle Glaser of Baseball America, Dennis Santana opened some eyes with his one inning of work in the California League All-Star game.
• Rancho Cucamonga righthander Dennis Santana opened eyes, sitting in the mid-90s with his sinker and flashing a devastating low-80s slider and mid-80s changeup. The Dodgers prospect struck out two in a scoreless fourth inning, including Giants No. 4 prospect Reynolds.
Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/braden-bishop-steals-show-california-league-star-game/#ZhGzKt0AeABcjpxQ.99
Other Dodger prospect performances.
- Luke Raley started in LF and went 0 – 2.
- DJ Peters replaced Raley and collected a single hit in two at-bats.
- Will Smith started at catcher and collected a single in two at-bats.
- Isabel pinch hit, stayed at 1st and collected one walk in two at-bats
Dustin May / Brendon Davis shine in MWL All-Star game
Dustin May got the start for the East in the MWL All-Star game and pitched one scoreless inning.
Brendon Davis made the most of his one at-bat in the MWL All-Star game, crushing a home run to CF as a pinch hitter. Alexis Brudnicki of Baseball America said it was the longest home run of the year for Davis.
On the East side, Loons infielder Brendon Davis carried his home run power from the derby and launched his longest one of the year to dead center in the ninth in the losing cause.
Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/monte-harrison-swats-homers-swaps-jerseys/#s8moC6jC4jt6MTg2.99
Keibert Ruiz went one for two as all three Loons contributed even though the East lost to the West 5 – 2.
This was quite the baseball family affair for the East squad. Bo Bichette the son of Rockie great Dante was the starting SS. He was replaced by Fernando Tatis Junior. Vlad Guerrero Junior was the 3rd baseman. Bo is nothing like his father while Vlad Guerrero Junior seems to be just like his father.
Chasing Piazza and Green thru June 20th
Crazy times. At this point in 1993, Mike Piazza had only 14 of his 35 record home runs. Given the rate that Cody Bellinger is hitting home runs, I felt we should start tracking the all-time LAD home run record set by Shawn Green when he hit 49 home runs in 2001.
Bellinger has now fallen below the historical marker of a home run every 10 plate appearances. As you can tell from his home run rate below he’s blowing away the greatest LAD rookie home run hitters in history and even though he missed all of April is ahead of the Shawn Green pace. Green would hit 10 home runs in July and 12 more in August so Bellinger has his work cut out for him.
Oh, I guess I should add the all-time Rookie home run mark of 49 by Mark McGwire to this list. If he’s chasing Shawn Green, he is certainly chasing Mark McGwire.
Next home run
| Player | Year | PA | HR | HR/PA | Total HR Thru June 20th | Total |
| Mike Piazza | 1993 | 401 | 22 | 18.23 | 14 | 35 |
| Joc Pederson | 2015 | 458 | 22 | 20.82 | 18 | 26 |
| Corey Seager | 2016 | 522 | 22 | 23.73 | 15 | 26 |
| Shawn Green | 2001 | 396 | 22 | 18.00 | 17 | 49 |
| Cody Bellinger | 2017 | 219 | 22 | 9.95 | 22 | ??? |
If this confusing here is a quick legend.
PA – this is the number of plate appearances it took for each player to reach 22 home runs. We used 22 home runs because that is where Bellinger is right now. This would be within 4 PA of accuracy as I didn’t check the game log for the specific plate appearance they hit the home run.
HR – This is a marker showing you 22 home runs.
HR/PA – this is the home runs per plate appearance pace when they each hit their 22nd home run.
Total HR by June 20th – self-explanatory but it includes games of June 20th
Total – season home run total
Did the Dodgers snag George Springer for nothing?
Jeff Sullivan did an exhaustive look at the stats of Chris Taylor for Fangraphs on Tuesday. Joe Davis mentioned the story last night either before or after Chris Taylor crushed a home run to deep left field. Joe mentioned that the writer came to the conclusion that the hitter that most Chris Taylor most resembles is George Springer.
For the new Chris Taylor, at the plate, easily the closest comp has been recent George Springer. They’re close up there in all four categories, and while Springer has shown the slightly better peak strength, Taylor has made more consistent contact. So, when you wonder how Taylor’s wRC+ might regress, you might decide to be strongly anchored to Springer’s 130. Perhaps that’s still too high, I don’t know, but Taylor has been showing legitimate offensive skills, and his defensive versatility is an obvious plus. Pitchers will have time to try to figure this out, but Taylor hasn’t given an inch.
That would be insane. He may be right.
Chris Taylor trying to catch Davey Lopes
While Cody Bellinger is hitting home runs, Chris Taylor is running wild. In the month of June, Chris Taylor has seven stolen bases while being caught………..never.
Davey Lopes holds the record of ten stolen bases with zero caught stealing. That was expected because Davey rarely got caught stealing. That is why Maury Wills would never make a list like this.
What was shocking. Matt Kemp. What was more shocking. Franklin Stubbs. Are you kidding me?
Hey look, manager Dave Roberts made the cut off of six stolen bases without being caught.
This is a tough list to make because once you get caught, you gone.
Player Split Year SB PA R H HR RBI CS BB OPS Davey Lopes June 1978 10 119 21 33 5 13 0 14 .923 Matt Kemp June 2011 8 108 18 33 9 23 0 17 1.268 Eric Davis June 1992 7 47 2 9 0 5 0 4 .509 Chris Taylor June 2017 7 67 12 17 3 13 0 5 .844 Franklin Stubbs June 1988 6 73 9 12 2 7 0 7 .617 Raul Mondesi June 1995 6 109 20 36 4 13 0 7 .959 Dave Roberts June 2004 6 78 14 24 1 8 0 5 .892
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 6/20/2017.
I only left the run column on because of Eric Davis. He only scored two runs in the month. It was like he was A. J. Ellis.
Mike Kekich rears his strange head
Sandy Koufax has the best game score against the NYM at Dodger Stadium, courtesy of his no-hitter in 1962. It was far from a perfect game since Sandy walked five. It was also against one of the worst teams in baseball history, the newly formed NYM in 1962.
The game that catches my eye though, is the game by Mike Kekich. Mike Kekich was basically known for one thing and it wasn’t pitching. Kekich was involved in one of the stranger non baseball related activities when he and fellow Yankee pitcher Fritz Peterson switched wives.
Mike Kekich Notes:
- Kekich was a 23-year-old rookie for the Dodgers in 1968 and would be traded to the NYY on Dec 4th, 1968 for outfielder Andy Kosco.
- The game that shows up on this leaderboard was the greatest game of his career.
- It was his only major league shutout.
- It was the only time he struck out over ten hitters.
- It was the only time he had a game score greater than 90. He did have two other game scores over 80 in 1971.
- Kekich would pitch 860 major league innings, make 112 major league starts, and still end his career with an ERA+ of only 73. It would seem he was a bad pitcher for a long time.
This might be the most game scores over 80 against any one franchise at Dodger Stadium.
Pete Richart also made the list. I wish I had not stumbled upon Mike Kekich cause I would have loved to have written about Pete Richart. If you are read our comments you will find this tidbit by El Camino Gary:
I remember this game so vividly. On April 12, 1962 I was one month shy of my tenth birthday.
I was sitting in the kitchen listening to the radio by the stove and keeping score, with help from Vin.
My parents and sister had gone across the street to visit neighbors.
I was in the house alone, the only light on in the house was the bulb on the fan hood over the stove, shining on the score sheet of my program from a recent visit to Dodger Stadium.From the outset of the broadcast, Vin was excited that Richert was now with the team and was ready to see him perform.
Williams faltered early and Richert was brought into the game.
Richert struck out the first batter he faced, Vada Pinson, to end the second inning.
In the third, Richert struck out four batters. Frank Robinson, Gordy Coleman, Wally Post, and John Edwards. John Roseboro had the third strike on Coleman get by him and Coleman made it to 1B.
Then Richert struck out Tommy Harper for the first out of the fourth inning.
Richert got the first twelve batters he faced out, a record for a rookie debut at the time.
Richert earned the win in this game.
Vin was excited! So I thought that the next great pitcher had arrived!Of course, Richert is part of one of your favorite trades.
Richert, FRANK HOWARD, Ken McMullen, Dick Nen, and Phil Ortega for
Claude OSteen, John Kennedy, and $100,000Richert played on four World Series teams. One with the Dodgers and three with the Orioles.
Player Date Opp Rslt IP H ER BB SO GSc Sandy Koufax 1962-06-30 NYM W 5-0 9.0 0 0 5 13 95 Mike Kekich 1968-08-04(2) NYM W 2-0 9.0 1 0 2 11 94 Clayton Kershaw 2016-05-12 NYM W 5-0 9.0 3 0 1 13 93 Don Sutton 1970-07-17 NYM W 1-0 10.0 5 0 3 12 91 Sandy Koufax 1965-06-20(1) NYM W 2-1 9.0 1 1 2 12 91 Fernando Valenzuela 1985-09-06 NYM L 0-2 11.0 6 0 3 5 87 Bill Singer 1968-08-03 NYM W 8-0 9.0 3 0 4 10 87 Sandy Koufax 1966-05-28 NYM W 7-1 9.0 3 0 2 10 87 Sandy Koufax 1963-05-19(1) NYM W 1-0 9.0 2 0 1 5 87 Burt Hooton 1977-05-03 NYM W 4-1 9.0 4 0 2 11 86 Don Sutton 1968-06-10 NYM L 0-1 10.0 5 1 3 10 85 Don Drysdale 1968-04-13 NYM W 1-0 9.0 4 0 1 7 85 Claude Osteen 1966-05-27 NYM W 4-0 9.0 3 0 2 6 85 Sandy Koufax 1965-04-22 NYM W 2-1 9.0 4 0 1 9 85 Pete Richert 1964-09-12 NYM W 8-0 9.0 2 0 3 5 85 Don Drysdale 1962-07-01 NYM W 5-1 9.0 5 1 1 13 85 Andy Messersmith 1974-05-01 NYM W 2-1 11.0 6 1 2 5 84 Claude Osteen 1971-08-17 NYM W 4-0 9.0 3 0 2 5 84 Chan Ho Park 2000-08-19 NYM W 4-1 9.0 4 1 2 10 83 Hideo Nomo 1995-08-31 NYM W 6-5 7.1 2 0 2 11 83 Andy Messersmith 1975-08-30 NYM W 7-0 9.0 5 0 3 8 82 Don Drysdale 1966-07-24(1) NYM W 5-0 9.0 6 0 3 10 82 Burt Hooton 1980-09-03 NYM W 2-0 8.1 4 0 2 8 81 Claude Osteen 1973-08-09 NYM W 1-0 9.0 4 0 1 3 81 Claude Osteen 1965-06-21 NYM L 0-1 9.0 2 1 3 5 81 Don Drysdale 1962-05-23 NYM W 3-1 9.0 4 1 1 7 81 Tommy John 1972-07-18 NYM W 2-1 9.0 5 0 0 5 80 Claude Osteen 1967-09-28 NYM W 3-0 9.0 5 0 0 3 80
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 6/20/2017.
Cody Bellinger owns the Dodger / Mets Total Base leaderboard
[Update June 20th, 2017] Corey Seager with three home runs and a double now has 14 total bases obliterating the old total base record against the Mets at Dodger Stadium
Considering the Mets have been coming to Dodger Stadium since 1962, it is amazing that no LAD has been able to have a double-digit total base game against the Mets.
Cody Bellinger, however, had nine total bases last night and that was good enough to tie Gary Sheffield and Jim Lefebvre at top of the total base leaderboard against the Mets at Dodger Stadium. All three hitters did it the same way. Two home runs, and one single. There was a thirty-four-year span between Lefebvre and Sheffield. Must have been all those great Met pitchers.
Lefebvre did it during his remarkable sophomore season in 1966.
Player Date Tm Opp Rslt PA R H HR TB RBI BB Cody Bellinger 2017-06-19 LAD NYM W 10-6 5 2 3 2 9 4 0 Gary Sheffield 2000-08-19 LAD NYM W 4-1 4 2 3 2 9 3 1 Jim Lefebvre 1966-05-29 LAD NYM L 6-7 4 3 3 2 9 3 1
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 6/20/2017.
On the flip side, the Mets have had some huge games against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Claudell Washington hit three home runs and a single for thirteen total bases. Dave Kingman hit three home runs for his twelve total bases. Even Lee Mazzilli was able to put up a double-digit total base game. You will note that it has not been done in 37 years.
Rk Player Date Tm Opp Rslt PA R H HR TB RBI 1 Claudell Washington 1980-06-22 NYM LAD W 9-6 5 3 4 3 13 5 2 Dave Kingman 1976-06-04 NYM LAD W 11-0 5 3 3 3 12 8 3 Lee Mazzilli 1978-09-03 NYM LAD W 8-5 5 2 4 2 10 3
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 6/20/2017.
Font goes up in flames
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Wilmer Font was smacked around last night after all the times I’ve commented on how hot he has been. Font walked six batters in just four innings. He had walked only six in his previous six games combined.
He had a good run.
Brandon Morrow isn’t doing himself any favors in trying to get back to the Dodgers. You could understand if he is down after doing very well for the Dodgers but still got sent back to AAA. Has to be a different mindset when you have tasted major league success like Morrow and can’t get back to the show compared to those young arms who are just trying to get there. In the end, both types want to make it and stay. Since Morrow came back to AAA after throwing six scoreless innings for the Dodgers he has given up five runs in just 2 2/3 AAA innings.
Ross Stripling threw a nice scoreless inning as he waits for his AAA time to end so he can replace Brock Stewart.
Carlos Rincon wins MWL home run hitting contest
Yesterday marked a few minor league all-star game festivities and two Dodger prospects played prominent roles. Some roles are more prominent than others.
Carlos Rincon the 19-year-old power hitting prospect for the Great Lake Loons won the Home run derby contest over Vlad Guerrero Junior. Vlad is considered the best prospect in the MidWest league so a tip of the hat to the young Rincon for scoring an upset.
The two teenagers from the Dominican Republic brought a special combination of power, excitement and fun to the home of the Great Lakes Loons—the Dodgers’ affiliate and Rincon’s regular season field—and gave a crowd that stuck through hours of rain delays everything it had been hoping for through three hard-fought rounds of competition, eventually seeing the Loons outfielder take the crown.
“This is more fun that I can imagine,” Rincon said through his manager and translator Jeremy Rodriguez. “Every time I hit a home run I could feel the energy from the crowd screaming. That just gave me more energy to hit home runs, because I love the energy from the fans, and the fans definitely helped me win tonight.”
Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/carlos-rincon-vladimir-guerrero-jr-put-show-midwest-league-home-run-derby/#HuBBm4ck0GIzuDTo.99
Not to be outdone, Luke Raley of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes was part of a group who won the cow milking contest.
Rancho Cucamonga’s Luke Raley won the cow-milking contest over the North team of Visalia’s Mason McCullough, San Jose’s Mike Connolly and Modesto’s Nick Neidert.
Raley, the Dodgers’ seventh-round pick in 2016, celebrated by drinking some of his freshly squeezed milk and convinced his teammates to take a victory sip as well.
“That was the first time I’ve ever milked a cow,” said Raley, a native of Hinckley, Ohio. “I did all right for my first time I think. The milk tasted pretty good actually. A little warm. I can’t complain.”
Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/marty-herum-wins-home-run-derby-in-front-of-home-crowd-california-league/#FWU3vT7FT72BSx55.99
Chasing Piazza on June 20th
Yesterday we looked at how Cody Bellinger was doing on chasing down the Mike Piazza LAD rookie record of 35 home runs. Cody hit two more last night becoming the fastest to 21 home runs in the history of baseball. At this rate, he might hit 35 home runs before August 1st.
Below is a quick table of how long it took each of the Dodger rookies to hit their first twenty-one home runs of the season. The PA are estimated within 4 PA. The table also shows how many home runs they each had by June 19th.
| Player | Year | PA | HR | HR/PA | Total HR by June 19th | Total |
| Piazza | 1993 | 372 | 21 | 17.71 | 13 | 35 |
| Pederson | 2015 | 407 | 21 | 19.38 | 17 | 26 |
| Seager | 2016 | 474 | 21 | 22.57 | 15 | 26 |
| Bellinger | 2017 | 210 | 21 | 10.00 | 21 | ??? |
If this confusing here is a quick legend.
PA – this is the number of plate appearances it took for each rookie to reach 21 home runs. We used 21 home runs because that is where Bellinger is right now.
HR – This is a marker showing you 21 home runs.
HR/PA – this is the home runs per plate appearance pace when they each hit their 21st home run.
Total HR by June 19th – self-explanatory but it includes games of June 19th
Total – season home run total
Dodgers, Yesterday and Today 