I know these days/weeks come. First it was KJ after the 2021 season, and then JT after the 2022 season. Just this past week, two of my favorite Dodgers, Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor, for all practical purposes were simply released. Yes, we are reminded by these transactions that MLB is BIG business. MLB is a results oriented business, and neither CT nor Barnsey were producing.
It did not help (for them) that the Dodgers had capable replacements for both. Dalton Rushing for Barnes and Hyeseong Kim for CT. Both rookies show tremendous promise. They will fall on their face at some point(s) this year, but their futures are very bright and their time has arrived.
We fondly remember Tommy Lasorda talking about bleeding Dodger Blue. IMO, both Barnes and CT3 did just that. Both Barnes and Taylor did whatever was asked of them. There was never any Rafael Devers ego involved. Just play baseball HARD every game. Both players had the utmost respect from their teammates, even if fans did not share that respect.
Mark has done posts on Junkyard Dogs and had a great picture of one. I chose a different picture, but the tribute is the same. Chris Taylor and Austin Barnes epitomized junkyard dogs for the Dodgers.
Both players had their day in the sun in the playoffs. Austin Barnes was key in the LAD victories over Atlanta in the 2020 NLCS and over Tampa Bay in the World Series. The Dodgers lose to Atlanta in the NLCS if Barnes does not go out and direct Walker Buehler in Game 6.
Barnes will forever be a thorn for Blake Snell in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series. His management of the pitching in the 2020 WS was outstanding. As Buehler gave Barnes credit in Game 6 of the NLCS, Julio Urías did the same in the WS.
Barnes started 8 games in the 2020 playoffs, and the Dodgers were 7-1 in those starts. He started 4 games in the WS and the Dodgers were 4-0 in those games. Will Smith was the primary DH in the WS, but the team was 0-2 in his two WS starts as catcher. Was Will to blame? Absolutely not!! But the Dodgers sure seemed comfortable and confidant with Barnes as the catcher in those games.
For the 2020 playoffs, Barnes hit .320/.393/.440/.833.
Not to be outdone, Chris Taylor was the co-MVP in the 2017 NLCS with Justin Turner. In the NLCS, CT hit .316/.458/.789/1.248 with a pair of HR, a double, a triple, 5 BB against 2 K.
IMO, CT should have been the NLCS MVP in 2018 after hitting .364/.462/.500/.962.
And who can forget this catch in the 2018 NLCS Game 7?
He did even better in the 2021 NLCS hitting .476/.542/1.048/1.589 with 3 HR, 3 doubles, 9 RBI, 3 SB. Yes, that NLCS probably propelled him to that 4 year $60MM deal after 2021. After Kiké jettisoned the Dodgers following the 2020 WS to join the Red Sox in a starting CF role, CT became the full time Swiss Army Knife for LAD, and remained in that role until Sunday May 18, 2025.
I fully acknowledge that it was time for both players to move on. I don’t have to like it, but I do accept it.
Soon we will be adding yet another tribute to a great Dodger, Clayton Kershaw. After watching Saturday’s game, I was saddened because it just is not the same Kershaw. My family knows that Kershaw is my all time favorite Dodger, even more so than Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. My wife asked me why. My response?…simple. I was there for Clayton’s entire career, and I wasn’t for Koufax or Drysdale. I was there for Koufax’s and Drysdale’s greatest accomplishments. 1962-1966 were golden years for Koufax, Drysdale, and the Dodgers, but their careers started in Brooklyn, not LA.
I do not know what is next for Austin or CT, but I hope they get to go out on their own terms. I will follow both with a great affinity. I hope that at the end of their careers, KJ, JT, Barnes, and CT each sign a one day contract to retire as a Dodger.
Andrew Friedman addressed the media today. Here's what he said about the decisions to part ways with Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor this week pic.twitter.com/imu4x0TGi1
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) May 18, 2025
This year could also spell the end to the LAD careers of Max Muncy and Miggy Ro. An end of an era indeed.
MiLB GAME SUMMARIES
Round Rock Express (Texas) 5 – OKC Comets 3
Bobby Miller pitched his best game of the year. He completed 6.0 scoreless innings, 92 pitches. He only allowed 2 hits, but still walked 4 batters to go with his 7 Ks. Jose Rodriguez followed with 1.2 scoreless innings, before the bullpen blew another game.
Esteury Ruiz got the scoring started in the 7th with his 3rd HR.
Esteury Ruiz taking care of business to break a scoreless tie in the 7th inning! pic.twitter.com/NIWj4eEgks
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) May 18, 2025
The Comets picked up a 2nd run in the 8th. Austin Gauthier and Justin Dean singled, and Chris Okey walked to load the bases. Austin Gauthier was forced out at home, but Alex Freeland singled home Dean and a 2-0 lead.
In the 9th, Steward Berroa led off with a double. Kody Hoese singled Berroa to 3rd, and Berroa scored on a Gauthier sac fly.
The Comets took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the 9th. Joe Jacques hit two batters, but after two outs, Jacques was relieved by Julian Fernandez to get one out. Instead, he allowed a game tying 3-run HR.
After the Comets took the lead in the top of the 10th, Ryan Sublette took the hill for the Comets. He got two quick outs, with the placed runner still standing on 2nd. A walk and 2 singles later, and the Express walkoff a win in the 10th.
- Esteury Ruiz – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (3)
- Justin Dean – 2-4, 1 run
- Steward Berroa – 1-4, 1 run, double (1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (KC) 8 – Tulsa Drillers 1
For the third time this season, the Tulsa Drillers had a chance Sunday afternoon to extend a winning streak to five straight games. For the third time, they came up short.
The Naturals handed the Drillers an 8-1 loss.
Despite the final game defeat, the Drillers won the series with the Naturals four games to two. They have now won three of the four home series they have played this season.
Sunday’s finale started one hour and 21 minute late because of rain, but the outcome was determined early because of 23 year old Sam Ruta. The West Point graduate and Naturals third baseman opened the scoring with a three-run homer in the top of the first, followed by a two-run blast in the fourth. They were Ruta’s first two homers of the season.
The game’s outcome was determined when the Naturals added three more runs later in the fourth to up their lead to 8-0.
It was an unusually tough day for Tulsa starting pitcher Chris Campos. The right-hander, who entered the game with a 3.00 ERA, was charged with seven runs on six hits and three walks in 3.2 innings pitched. He was charged with the loss.
Naturals’ starter Ryan Ramsey took full advantage of the support from his teammates to improve his record to 3-1. He allowed just three hits and did not walk a batter in 5.2 scoreless innings.
Chris Newell accounted for all of Tulsa’s offense, hitting a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh.
COOP-RUN for Chris Newell
Chicken Dancers on the board
TUL1️⃣|NWA8️⃣ pic.twitter.com/q70fafLOVQ— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) May 18, 2025
The Drillers announced prior to the start of the game that outfielder José Ramos had been activated from the Injured List. To make room for Ramos, pitcher Tanner Kiest was moved to the Development List.
Domingo Geronimo followed Campos to the mound, and it was a difficult Double-A debut for the right-hander. Geronimo did not record an out, walking three and allowing one hit.
Jerming Rosario made his second relief appearance of the season, and it was another impressive outing. He struck out four in two scoreless innings. In two relief appearances since moving from the starting rotation, Rosario has allowed just three hits and no runs in four innings.
Since getting swept in the season-opening, three-game series with the Naturals, the Drillers have gone 6-6 against the Naturals. The two teams will not meet again until July 18.
Newell added a single in the ninth inning and was the only Tulsa player with more than one hit.
The Drillers played their fourth and final game as the Tulsa Chicken Dancers. They finished 3-1 under their alternate identity.
Great Lakes Loons 9 – Lake County Captains (Cleveland) 1
23 year old RHSP Patrick Copen pitched a gem Sunday. Copen had a no-hitter through 5.2 IP, allowing only one runner from a HBP. He gave up a single but got the final out of the 6th to reserve the shutout. The shutout was gone in the 7th with his first BB, then a WP, a single moving the runner to 3rd, and finally a ground out to plate the runner. Kendall George made a fine catch preserving the no-no at the time.
#Dodgers top prospect Kendall George keeps the no hitter alive for Patrick Copen with catch against the wall. pic.twitter.com/afYxs9tZit
— 🇺🇸 DooM_Sal (@msalas24) May 18, 2025
After striking out his final batter of the day, and 88 pitches, RHRP Jorge Gonzalez relieved Copen. Gonzalez pitched a scoreless 8th, and Christian Ruebeck pitched a scoreless 9th to wrap up the win.
#Dodgers Patrick Copen gets his tenth strike out of the game with a devasting slider. @greatlakesloons pic.twitter.com/1BN2FbKMXu
— 🇺🇸 DooM_Sal (@msalas24) May 18, 2025
Offensively, the Loons put up 9 runs on 10 hits and 1 BB. Along with the excellent pitching, the Loons slugged and ran their way to the victory.
Josue De Paula started the run production in the 1st with his 7th HR.
Josue De Paula keeps on raking 🔥
MLB's No. 33 prospect (@Dodgers) launches his 7th homer of the year, raising his OPS to .924 for the High-A @greatlakesloons. pic.twitter.com/qoAsHz7FxG
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 18, 2025
With two outs in the 3rd, George and De Paula each walked, and George scored on a Mike Sirota single.
RBI single Mike Sirota! pic.twitter.com/1AErGekwDR
— Great Lakes Loons (@greatlakesloons) May 18, 2025
The Loons put up 4 in the 5th, thanks to a Sirota 3-run HR following walks to George and De Paula. The 4th run of the inning came from a HBP, single, and 2 walks to force in a run.
MIKE SIROTA IS RIDICULOUS
The top #Dodgers OF prospect just hit his second home run with Great Lakes. Make it a 2.171 OPS midway through his third game at the High-A level pic.twitter.com/GEbigqIURW
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) May 18, 2025
The Loons finished the scoring in the 7th. Logan Wagner singled and Joe Vetrano drew a walk before Jake Gelof hit a 3-run HR of his own.
3-run shot from Jake Gelof! pic.twitter.com/39IuQBba31
— Great Lakes Loons (@greatlakesloons) May 18, 2025
The Loons had 8 SB, 6 by Kendall George. George has 19 on the season. He has been caught 5 times.
Kendall George just stole his SIXTH stolen base of the game and it's only the 6th inning! pic.twitter.com/ITNpKO68qr
— ∞ The Infinite Dodger ∞ (@InfiniteDodger) May 18, 2025
- Mike Sirota – 3-5, 1 run, 4 RBI, HR (2)
- Jake Gelof – 2-3, 2 BB, 1 run, 3 RBI, HR (1)
- Kendall George – 2-3, 2 BB, 2 runs. 6 SB (19)
- Josue De Paula – 1-2, 3 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 8 – Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) 0
The Quakes got back in the win-column on Sunday, shutting out the Inland Empire 66ers with an 8-0 win.
20-year-old RHSP, Christian Zazueta, fired six scoreless innings and the Quakes earned their league-leading fifth shutout of the year, as they won for the fifth time in six games in the series over Inland Empire. Zazueta was dominant all day, striking out eight without a walk, while allowing just three hits in his 6.0 innings of work. Nicolas Cruz and Cody Morse combined for three scoreless innings to finish it off. None of the Quakes pitchers issued a BB.
Rancho backed Zazueta early, as they scored three times in the first against Inland Empire starter Andre Sanchez. Jaron Elkins opened with a double. Samuel Munoz drew a BB. Elkins and Munoz pulled off a double steal with Elkins scoring and Munoz to 3rd on a throwing error. Munoz scores on a Joendry Vargas sac fly. Roger Lasso, Mairoshendrick Martinus, and Elijah Hainline each singled with Lasso scoring 3rd run in inning.
In the second, Jaron Elkins opened the inning with a triple and later scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-0.
Rancho added a run in the third on an RBI triple from Eduardo Guerrero that scored Victor Rodrigues who singled.
The Quakes put it away in the fifth, scoring three more to take a commanding 8-0 lead. Samuel Munoz and Roger Lasso each had an RBI hit in the fifth, while Joendry Vargas had a 2nd sac fly.
- Jaron Elkins – 2-4, 1 BB, 3 runs, double (8), triple (2), 20th SB of season
- Roger Lasso – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Mairo Martinus – 2-4, double (4)
- Eduardo Guerrero – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, triple (2)
Zazueta has some buzz. he came in the Ferguson deal, right?
Fire
The times they are a changin’. Indeed they are. With Pages, Kim, and Rushing, all on the big club and doing well, I think for the most part those position players will help change the lineup. In the big picture, there is still Conforto, and to a lesser degree, Muncy, but there is plenty of time to see how it plays out with them.
Pitching is our nemesis and I don’t see a cure on the horizon waiting to happen. This syndrome we are in has taken years to manufacture and the Dodgers are nowhere close to solving this. We are a terribly lucky club who have come far without the standard rotation that it takes to win big. Can we continue the Badger formula of needing 8 runs to win and cover the poor pitching we’re getting? I think even Badger has upgraded the 8 runs to 9, but is 9 enough for us to win games? It’s kind of laughable but we’re here. Do I dare say that we need a total rebuild of our pitching, coaching, and training staff? We’re not far from that place and many other organizations would do just that, but AF is a stubborn bugger who has failed miserably to address this problem. Just my 2 cents.
Sirota is doing even better at GL than at RC. What a start he is having there. Amazing. If he continues like that he should reach AA as early as this season. Maybe even AAA.
DePaula also doing amazingly well at GL . Still only 19 years old.
Not so good news on the big league club. Pitching staff is in shambles. Need reenforcments ASAP.
Wrobleski and Miller probably the only guys at AAA who can help. Miller had a really good game yesterday.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well not much to be said about the lost weekend. Offense was stifled for two games, and when they did come back, the pen blew it. Lets move on.
The problem with the pitching staff is an organizational and entire sport obsession with chase rates and strikeouts. The starters are unable to get past the fifth inning and go deep into games because by the time they reach the fifth inning they are already at 85 pitches. Why are they at 80-85 pitches by the fifth inning?
Chase rates and edge pitches leading to too many 3-ball counts. Those 3-ball counts including any and all foul balls mean they are going 8-10 pitches per batter which is way too many. There is no efficiency at all. The club does not want their pitchers throwing strikes. the reason they do not want anyone throwing strikes is because that leads to balls being put in play. They do not want any balls put in play, and would prefer as many outs via strikeout as possible.
The next time you watch a Dodgers game, pay attention to how many 3-ball counts there are. Even Eric Karros commented on it during the final game of the A’s series. He said.. “He’s making way too many pitches. There is no reason to make this many pitches. It’s time to be more aggressive.” I.E. stop nibbling on the edges of the plate and challenge these hitters.
The Dodgers had a 6-2 lead at the time in that game, eventually winning 19-2. Jeff once said that some of those edge pitches drift back over the plate as well, and get crushed at times, which is true. It leads to walks, home runs, and inneficient pitching in general.
Nobody can prevent injuries, but you can help out your staff by having your starting pitchers go deeper into games, alleviating wear and tear on the bullpen. It’s time for the Dodgers to stop obesessing over chase rates, edge pitches and strikeouts and go back to a more old school approach. They should be teaching young pitchers how to challege hitters and pitch deep into games. inducing weak contact is fine. Trust your infield.
That’s the issue, nobody challenges hitters anymore. You don’t see any control guys, or strike throwers or pitchers who pound the strike zone. ALl of the relievers are coming in throwing sweepers and sliders, and the starters are making 8-10 pitches per hitter and don’t care about issuing free passes.
The Dodgers won the world series last year with 3 starting pitchers and bullpen games. Can they do that again? Maybe, but it’s going to be considerably more difficult.
Nice tribute today Jeff D. to Barnes and CT3. They provided a lot to the Dodgers past success as you pointed out. I do want to respectfully question your choice of words when you wrote “Both players had the utmost respect from their teammates, even if fans did not share that respect.”
Maybe you saw lack of respect by some fans. I didn’t. What I did see, and expressed myself about CT3 was it was just time for a change. We all know and you mentioned, this is a production business. This isn’t Boy’s Town. I’m sure both knew that as well. All players have an expiration date and a smart GM must make these uncomfortable moves for the benefit of the team. I saw fans asking for a change while still having respect for both players for what they did for the teams in the past and for their quality character.
It was just time.
I just sat in stunned dismay yesterday in the first inning as I watched Gonsolin knowing at his finger and bleeding all over his pants the day after Yates went down. WTF? How is it possible to lose this many pitchers the last 3 seasons?
There are still too many questions and not enough answers.
Last winter, I asked if Seattle has been really lucky or are they on to something 3 years running?
In 24, they had 4 guys with 30 of more starts. All 4 had at least 175 innings topped by Logan Gilbert with 208 innings. 6 starting pitchers pitched 161 games.
In 2023 the Mariners had 6 starting pitchers start 149 of 162 games.
In 2022, Seattle had 6 guys start 154 games.
At the same period, the Dodgers used 36 pitchers in 2023 and 40 in 2024, using 17 starting pitchers.
In 2023, Clayton Kershaw led the Los Angeles Dodgers in innings pitched with 131.2 innings.
In 2024, Gavin Stone led the Dodgers in innings pitched with 25 starts and 140⅓ innings. Tyler Glasnow was next, throwing a career-high 134 inning and 22 starts.
Seattle’s Logan Gilbert has had 3 consecutive seasons with 33, 32 and 32 starts, averaging 194 innings per season.
The Mariners used far less starters and they pitched far more innings.
Perhaps their good fortune has also come to an end? As of May 19, 2025, the Mariners have three of those durable pitchers: Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Bryce Miller, on the 15-day injured list, while Jackson Kowar, Greg Santos, Trent Thornton, and Matt Brash, are on the 60-day or 15-day IL. 7 guys pales in comparison to the Dodgers but nobody has the secret sauce to avoid pitching injuries.
It’s hurting the game when guys like Garrett Cole are on the shelf.
Paul Skenes is a must watch. He picked up another loss yesterday for the Pirates. His line; a complete game 8 innings on 102 pitches, 3 hits, 1 walk. 9 K’s and 1 earned run. It was on a grounder booted and ruled a hit, a 29 hop single up the middle and a fielders choice grounder for a run. His Pirates got shut out and he took the loss. No 5 innings and 85 pitches for this guy and I hope he doesn’t break down.
Baseball America top prospects of the week:
5. Patrick Copen, RHP, Dodgers
The Scoop: When we’re talking about High-A Great Lakes on the Hot Sheet, it’s usually because of that stacked outfield that keeps producing at the plate. This time, it was Copen’s dominance on the mound that made him the team’s lone representative. The righthander showed off his command and ability to pound the zone against the Guardians’ High-A team this week, but really, he’s been one of the most reliable arms in the rotation all season. He’s given up just one home run across 39.1 innings. (JC)
Yasiel Puig was released by his Korean team and is returning to the US for treatment on his bad shoulder.
Could Rojas be the next veteran let go if LA decides that Freeland is ready? I don’t think the Dodgers want to move Betts off of SS yet.
Knack needs to be on his game and efficient. Teo expected to be activated today, most likely Outman gets optioned. LA linked to McMahon of the Rockies. Do not know why, except for homers, he is not hitting much better than Max.
AL Player of the Week: Miguel Vargas, Chicago White Sox
Bellinger has 9 hits in his last 5 games, 4 of them doubles and 2 homers. He has raised his average to .258. Yanks are only team in East above .500.
Teo activated, Outman sent to OKC.
Three Dodgers have 3 career homers against Pfaadt, Muncy, Freeman and Kike. Freddie has 13 driven in against him and Muncy 10. But Muncy is batting just .200 against him. Betts, Conforto, Edman, Freeman and Kike all have an OPS above 1.000 against Pfaadt. Ohtani has a homer and 9 RBI’s against him, but is hitting .222 against him Smith, .375 with a homer and 8 driven in.
sportswriting in the 50s:
https://x.com/danhopp/status/1924610597020176739?s=46
I said it before and I’ll say it again, you throw minor league pitchers against Major League hitters you better be prepared to score and score plenty.
Thanks for the many memories, but it was time to go. Wish you both success in wherever you go and whatever you do.m