The phenomenon, AKA Shohei Ohtani, has just been a marvel. I think you can count on one hand the number of players who can play offense at or near the level of Shohei. But NONE of them are under the world wide scrutiny as is Shohei. It is remarkable as he just brushes all that away and just plays baseball. Doc has said that Ohtani is due to be back in a Cactus League game on Friday against Cleveland.
OTOH, Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks to be better than advertised. I remember an early Twitter video where other teams’ fans were watching Yamamoto in a bullpen session, and told us all how hittable he is going to be. In his LAD debut against Texas and most of their starting lineup…2.0 IP, 19 pitches, 16 strikes. His splitter is unhittable. His fastball is almost unhittable. He threw all 4 of his pitches and for strikes. Will he get hit and beat in games? Of course. They all do. But I do not see him losing many. Will we get to see another ROY and CY in the same year? Last one was Fernando in 1981. Hmmmm. The Dodgers won a WS that year against NYY. I think a repeat would be outstanding.
The Dodgers will have Yoshinobu Yamamoto embarrassing hitters with his devastating splitter for the next 12 years
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) February 28, 2024
What did Shohei think of Yamamoto’s debut?
Yoshinobu Yamamoto on how he’s feeling after his spring debut for the Dodgers: “Relieved.”
As for Shohei Ohtani’s evaluation of his outing? “So-so,” Yamamoto said with a laugh.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 28, 2024
The Dodgers have played 7 games and have started 7 different pitchers. Three (Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller, and Yoshi Yamamoto) are in the rotation. The other four (Landon Knack, Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt, and Ryan Yarbrough) will be vying for spots in the rotation. Emmit Sheehan and Walker Buehler have not yet pitched this spring due to injuries.
Sheehan has general soreness, and I suspect the Dodgers will take their sweet time in starting him up. We have been told that Buehler will not pitch in the Cactus League, but Buehler believes he might be able to pitch in the Freeway Series. We will find out in less than 4 weeks.
James Paxton will become the 8th starter when he is expected to pitch against the Reds in a night game on Thursday.
Two veteran late inning high leverage relievers returning from injuries have pitched in the spring. Daniel Hudson has appeared in 2 games, pitching 1.0 scoreless inning each time. He has 2 BB and 2 K. Blake Treinen has appeared in 1 game and pitched a scoreless 1.0 inning with a K.
Ryan Brasier and Evan Phillips look to be in mid-season form. If Treinen and Hudson get back to their high expectations, with Brasier and Phillips, the late innings look to be locked down.
Two pitchers have pitched in 3 games with demonstrably different results. Ricky Vanasco has been terrific. 1.0 IP in each of this three games. He has allowed 0 runs on 1 hit combined in those three games, with no walks and 3 K. The second pitcher? Elieser Hernández. He has not pitched nearly as well. He was hurt a bit in Wednesday’s game by some poor CF play by Travis Swaggerty, and runner interference from Griffin Lockwood-Powell, but it did not alleviate the hard hit balls. He has allowed 6 runs on 6 hits in 2.2 IP, with 1 BB and 4 K.
A couple of MiLB LHRP are getting noticed (and should be). Alec Gamboa and John Rooney have both pitched in 2 games with 2.0 scoreless IP. Both pitchers had 2 Ks. We might see one or both in LA some time this summer.
Another LHRP, Ben Harris, has faced one batter in 2 games and retired both via a K. Harris is another big strikeout pitcher with wildness. If he can harness that control, he is another one to watch.
Joe Kelly looked very rusty in his first outing on Wednesday. He will be ready to go when the season starts.
Offensively, it has been the kids who have opened eyes. Four NRI have appeared in each of the seven games: Drew Avans, Travis Swaggerty, Austin Gauthier, and Ryan Ward.
Gauthier (Mr. OBP) had 3 hits in 10 AB with 3 other BB. His OBP is .462 with only 1 K. He really is a baseball player who will get a shot in MLB. He has played exclusively at 2B (his best position) this Spring, but I believe he will play all over when he returns to MiLB camp. I hope he gets some OF work.
Ryan Ward has hit the ball hard and in clutch situations all Spring. He leads the team with 6 RBIs. He has 4 hits in 10 AB with 3 doubles. Two other MiLB players have 5 RBIs. Catcher Chris Okey is 3-4 with 5 RBIs (HR) and Andy Pages is 4-10 with a HR and triple, and 5 RBIs.
The fear for Pages was that he was returning from shoulder surgery, and his offense (especially power) might be a little tardy in coming back. Well, the HR hit on Wednesday was absolutely obliterated. He also had a triple off the wall, that probably would have been caught with Leody Tavares in CF. But the hard hits and power seem to be just fine thus far.
Another RF that has been a star this Spring has been José Ramos. I do not know if something has clicked, but he has been fantastic. He leads the team in hits with 5, including a double and HR. Admittedly, I have not been his biggest advocate, but he is making me a believer.
Another NRI who is having a good spring is 1B Kevin Padlo. Kevin is 3-9 with 5 BB and 3 K. He will undoubtedly start the season at OKC at 1B. Chris Owings has shown that he can still play offensively and defensively at the MLB level.
SS Trey Sweeney looks to be a better defensive SS than expected, with a solid arm. He also has 3 hits in the Spring. He is getting a good look.
I can envision a Padlo, Gauthier, Sweeney, and Owings starting infield in OKC.
Mookie and Freddie have not had many PA, but have had a good Spring thus far. Another of the regulars, Max Muncy, has had a good start, including a HR and single off a LHP. But Max was hit in the hand by a Cody Bradford pitch and was eventually removed from the game. It is being ruled a left hand contusion. Just to be sure Max is scheduled for an Xray on Thursday. This seems eerily like the JT broken wrist from a 2018 Spring HBP by Kendall Graveman.
It looks like Kiké Hernández will be in the lineup on Friday. As Phil Jones mentioned, Jason Heyward has faced 3 LHP before hitting 2 RHP. He has hit the ball well against LHP, but his 1 hit was against a RHP.
I do not believe we can draw any conclusions from one defensive play by Gavin Lux. It wasn’t good, but let’s see more before we can draw any conclusions. He has hit the ball well this Spring, including a couple of long oppo drives that just died at the fence. Overall he is 3-11 (singles) with 1 BB and 1 K. Being out for a full year, he has seemingly returned.
Overall, what the Dodgers have shown for the first week of ST is that their kids (NRI and MiLB) are better than their opponents. The Dodgers have 14 Cactus League games remaining before they leave for Seoul, South Korea. I would expect that the regulars will get a little longer look. But the Dodgers depth is unassailable, and both OKC and Tulsa should have some outstanding players knocking on the door.
Finally, after watching these two Twitter videos, tell me that the Dodgers, with Ohtani, are not living free in Giants’ fans heads.
Live reaction to Ohtani’s first at bat as a Dodger.
This is not a reenactment. pic.twitter.com/rI6Z0IRsFX
— KNBR (@KNBR) February 27, 2024
to KNBR's credit … they did air the Ohtani 2-run HR later …. https://t.co/KNPLK51Z8f
— Peter Sison (@pksison) February 27, 2024
Yamamoto opened up some eyes. Concerned about Muncy being hit. I have seen a couple of stars have their seasons ruined because of spring injuries. Remember Pedro Guererro???? Thurs and Friday are both night games. Reds tomorrow.
How did we Dodger fans get so lucky to go from Rick Honeycutt to Mark Prior as pitching coaches. It’s nice not having a revolving door there, wondering if the next guy is going to know what he is doing. We always know Prior has everything under control. I’m sure there is a lot of support from the analytic department.
Thanks for the comprehensive report. A lot of reasons for optimism.
I wonder if a guy like Ryan Ward has a chance when guys like Pages, Ramos and Vargas are perceived to have more upside.
What if Gauthier becomes Outman 2.0 and sneaks up to grab a starting job? He could play 2b if Mookie moves back to RF next year.
Vargas being made more irrelevant every day.
Still worry a little bit about 3B long-term. Maybe Joendry slides over.
Jeff–Great job on this site. It’s professional and polished.
I’m enjoying spring training so far. Yamamoto was electric yesterday. Nice to see Ohtani hit one out in his first game. I would think both were nervous, but with their performances that should be a non issue going forward.
Some observations:
Max Muncy, the former round mound of the long ball, looks to be in great shape. Hopefully, he will change his hitting approach and swing at more first pitch strikes!
Lots of good stuff from many prospects. Very impressed with Pages and Ramos so far. Productive seasons in AAA might create some competition in the OF in 2025.
I’m a fan and a defender of Gavin Lux at SS. His bat should play well and would like to see him in the ninth spot like in 2022. In that spot he becomes a potential bottom of the order on base hitter for Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman. MT has forever stated that he can’t play SS. I felt if he could play equal to Seager or even average it would be fine considering his offense and the rest of the team’s offensive could overcome any deficiencies in the field. So, sure as S#&%! the first ball hit to him completely has a brain fart. Charges the ball, catches the ball, and with plenty of time to make the play, while throwing off the wrong foot, limp arms a 40 foot throw half way to first base. So, it might not be his ability to physically play the position, but the mental aspect of playing defense. Let’s see what happens.
The pitching has been solid so far by most of the staff. Even most of the prospects and NRI’s. Know it’s only two hitters, but I like Harris’s stuff. I didn’t realize he had control issues. With the three hitter rule he is definitely going to have to get that “under control” if he wants to pitch for the Dodgers.
I’ve been a fan of Miguel Vargas. But, this spring he hasn’t looked very positive. Currently, he is being passed by Pages and Ramos. But, it’s still early. I will be really disappointed if he proves to be another overrated Dodger position prospect.
James Outman is having a rough start. But, he’s a grinder and I look for him to continue his success. I guess the Outman – Margot platoon that was strongly predicted by Timmons isn’t going to happen. I didn’t get the logic behind that platoon idea. I know Outman only hit one of his 23 HRs off a LH pitcher. But, to suggest that Margot should platoon with Outman in order to increase the power against LH pitching was flawed. Why? Because Margot hit ONE HR against LH pitching in 2023. But, now irrelevant.
A few days ago I mentioned that it would be nice to have Kiki on the team this year. At the time it looked like either the Angels or Giants would be his next team. Old Bear declared that there was no way he would be a Dodger. It just couldn’t happen. There was no place for Kiki on the Dodgers. Everyone knew this. Until there was! It’s cool to have him on the team. He’ll definitely keep the team loose on their quest to a World Series victory. He’ll add the cherry on top to a team that’s going to be amazing to watch and cheer for.
Phil Jones, it’s nice to have you contributing here. Your analysis and thoughts are always informative.
Carry on.
I can tell you right off Yamamoto would drive me crazy in the dugout. Maybe the interpreter can coach Yamamoto up on US dugout protocol, at least as I encourage. In the top of the first, with your team batting, don’t pace around the dugout with your glove on waiting for a double play so you can get out there and pitch. Back when, it was selfish and bad luck. Maybe watch your teammates and root them on, instead. Or go up the tunnel to rep your mechanics, not in full view in the dugout. It’s not being an interested and attentive, supportive teammate. This isn’t Japan anymore. But maybe they put up with it since he’s unhittable.
I personally like players during games to try to work on situational hitting, even in Spring Training games. You can bang away and swing with no plan in BP or the cage but in Spring games I like guys to practice whats called for. After CT3’s lead off double, Lux took a big hack on the first pitch he saw and popped it up to left. WTF. Take that pitch and try to get something to pull to move the runner. It’s a wasted at bat, even in spring training.
Rick Monday stats me to death and makes points that I guess he thinks are insightful that are frequently lame. He has a little Tim McCarver in his over analyst bag. Right off he pointed out that Yamamoto shows his pitch grip in his glove…….to the centerfield camera! He talked about it Yamamoto’s entire outing. He’s like a dog on a pot roast. He then went on to point out its illegal to use technology to see that from centerfield. So WTF is the point of that? I guess he’s advocating; changing the kids mechanics and glove position to prevent cheating? Anyone can sit at home all day and watch pitchers grips in there gloves from the centerfield camera, especially a camera directly behind the pitcher. I wouldn’t be eager to change anything with this kid right now, He obviously takes his mechanics seriously, and I’d make sure he could easily move his glove closed before I started tinkering.
Later Rick stated how we could tell what was coming, “Because of the position of his hand on the baseball”. Brilliant. I kinda think the position of the hand on the baseball determines EVERY pitch, by everybody. He and Neverette reach their expiration date quickly with me.
Is Vargas ever going to hit a pitch on the barrel with a nice quick, short hack? How about a line drive or hard ground ball, even? I know lifting the pitch is all the rage but he is long and loopy; fouls off or pops up, everything. Vargas has 3 outcomes; sweep swing and miss, foul pop up or fair pop.
Let’s not make Barnes, Yamamoto personal catcher, please. With Kershaw out for now,let’s not go there.
I’m learning to like Jose Ramos, the 23 yr old non-roster invitee. He’s now 5 for 9 and I like his game. Same for Pages. We can use outfield depth in the organization.
The most improved Dodger is Kirsten Watson. She doesn’t mumble down her shirt anymore. Her interviews with players are so much better then when she started. Now shows humor and her personality.
Night game at Goodyear. Should be another beautiful 75 degree night.
Gotta love it.
The Giants announced this morning that Tristan Beck has been diagnosed with an aneurysm in his upper arm. That does not sound good at all. In fact it sounds downright scary. He will not open the season on the roster, and the Giants do not know how long he will be out. Maybe some of our more medically knowledgeable commenters can provide some information as to how scary this may or may not be. Regardless, even though he is a Giant, I hope he has a full recovery of this.
I learned that the Dodgers new SS prospect, Noah Miller, is the brother of Brewers utility player, Owen Miller. I also learned that Miller led all MiLB SS in defensive runs saved. He is an outstanding defensive SS who has the ability to stay there. Too often we hear about a SS who will undoubtedly be moved to 2nd or 3rd. We are hearing more rumbling that 6’ 4” Joendry Vargas will probably end up at 3rd. But they said the same thing about Corey Seager.
I have always been a big defensive fan, which is why I was always a Jacob Amaya fan. But at some point they have to hit, thus I was not upset with the Miguel Rojas trade last year. And the same will be true with Miller. This was a fun quote from Noah:
“We’ve been the opposite our whole lives. I’ve been the defensive guy. He’s been the hitting guy. So it’s kind of nice because in the offseasons I’m teaching him how to field, and he’s teaching me how to hit. It’s 100 percent been a huge impact to the game for me, having an older brother who’s been through it … me struggling offensively a little bit, I have a guy to talk to. He was hitting .300 in the big leagues in May so it’s nice to go to somebody and have somebody who’s been through it in the big leagues to talk to.”
For those interested in hearing more on Noah:
https://twitter.com/MarkASimonSays/status/1762208618269618615?s=20
Jeff, the big difference in your blog and LADT is that you are subjective and Mark is objective. I prefer your approach.
I have been asked by several out there if I have noticed a change in LADC since Mark reopened LADT. The answer is NO. I did not start LADC to be in competition with LADT, and I have never tried to compete with Mark. I fully acknowledge that he has more followers than me, and by a wiiiiiiidddddeeeee margin. But I started LADC for me. I love to write, I love the Dodgers, and I like doing so without the name calling and constant consternation. I am not going to change who I am because Mark has more followers, and I suspect Mark did not like playing in a less combative environment at LADC and felt more comfortable reopening LADT. Good for Mark. I do not need to wish him luck because he does not need it.
My developer has constantly been after me to do more to increase my traffic. I am not willing to spend that kind of money to get more clicks. That is not why I started LADC, and not why I continue it.
I think most commenters here at LADC also comment on LADT. I certainly expect the number of comments on this site to subside a bit, but not the content. The commenters at LADC are extremely knowledgeable and can appreciate different points of view without taking exception to the disagreement. Sometimes I respond to comments because I have a point of view, but never to increase comment count. Many times I never respond. Mark has always been welcome here to comment, but I doubt that he will now that LADT is back up and running.
Hopefully Bear will continue to write here. He has not told me otherwise, so I expect him to continue. BTW, I do have one more of his in the queue.
Bottom line, I am paid up through another season, and I do not plan on leaving. I enjoy writing about the Dodgers. Hopefully all of you will continue as well.
As a daily visitor to both LADC and LADT, I’m glad to see that Mark has re-started his blog. I view it as the Yin to LADC’s Yang. The blogs have very different personalities, and although I prefer the atmosphere over here, I get a lot from each of them.
I compliment Mark on behaving himself over here, but I’m sure he’s much happier in his own back yard (so to speak).
Add me to the list of Rick Monday non-fans. He’s like the professor who put you to sleep in the lecture hall. Always impressing himself with knowledge that nobody came to hear. And I hate his style which makes every sentence into a question. Oh well, to each his own. I have no problem with Neverett. And yes, Kirsten has improved dramatically.
Love what I’m seeing from both Ramos and Pages but we’re looking at a very small sample size, often against minor league pitching, so let’s not get too excited just yet. Maybe Ramos has turned a corner, but remember that AF has now left him unprotected in two Rule 5 drafts. Pages, on the other hand, has really surprised me by showing great swings after major shoulder surgery. If I had to bet on one of the two, my money would be on Andy.
Phil, give YY a break on his pacing before going out to pitch yesterday. It was his first outing after signing a huge contract. He was anxious to show everyone (and himself) he was worth the money.
Kike was interviewed on Foul Territory today. Said he had a deal worked out with AF to come back a month ago but that deal was dependent upon moving Margot, which Andrew thought he had accomplished. But the deal fell apart overnight so Kike was left waiting.
Finally told AF he had to sign early this week or he would have to go somewhere else and Andrew finally got it done.
Kike said if he hadn’t signed here he probably would have gone to the Yankees.
Okay I’ll bite. What is the General Body Soreness that Sheehan is experiencing. Like really.
I feel like Vin Scully would’ve described Paxton’s delivery as being powered by ropes and pulleys.
Sweeney hits a bomb in the 8th inning. Lux had a hit and an RBI and an error.
Really interesting interview with Kike on the YouTube show “Foul Territory.”
One nugget: He said he called “Andrew” to get a sense of the state of negotiations, to let him know his agent wasn’t bluffing and needed to get a deal done soon or he’d have to sign elsewhere. Within a couple days, Margot was traded.
Also said he thought he had worked out a deal with the Dodgers a month ago but the Dodgers need to move Mar
Gowdy and Knack are fun to watch