Although winning isn’t always the main goal of a Spring Training game, it is always more fun to win than it is to lose. And the Dodgers won their first game of Spring Training on Sunday afternoon at Camelback Ranch.
Dustin May had an exciting return to the mound, Andy Pages made a nice catch, Hyeseong Kim continues to impress, there was a lot of good prospect action, and we’ve got it all covered.
It was super cool to see Dustin May back on the bump against live hitters in a game. The movement of his 2S is a welcome addition to the Dodger’s overall pitching arsenal. For one, his stuff is insanely good, but it also creates even more diversity in the offerings each team will have to prepare for when facing the Dodgers.
Imagine having to prepare for Blake Snell’s Four-Seam, slider Curve, and change from the left side and Glasnow’s from the right. Then, imagine having to prepare for Yamamoto and Gonsolin’s split-finger, pinpoint movement and execution, Sasaki’s explosiveness, and May’s crazy movement and overpowering nature.
The Dodgers have not only acquired incredible arm talent, they’ve also created diversity in the mixes of their starters, which will make them that much more difficult to face.
Again, the Dodgers have money, which allows them to get the guys they want, but that should not take away from how intelligently crafted each decision has been for the Front Office.
Matt Sauer turned in a good outing yesterday for the Dodgers throwing up 2 scoreless innings.
4S & 2S, Slider, Curve, Sinker, Split. That’s a lot to get to in short bursts of relief, which suggests he could be put in more of a “bulk inning”, or at least “multiple inning” role as he was yesterday.
It’s always fun getting familiar with new faces, new journeys, and new offerings, so super excited to see more of Sauer.
Watching Hyeseong Kim beat out that ball to 1st base was fun. Of course, if the Dodgers scouting system wanted him the way they did, that’s good enough for me, so watching is more of a “what did they see in him” type of situation.
The first couple of things that have stuck out for me are his arm strength and just how easily he generates it. Smooth could be a word used when watching him throw, but he can put some MPH behind his throws, and it seems very easy for him.
Then, the foot speed, which combined with great “bat to ball” skills should provide a lot of “margin for error” in his offensive game. Meaning, he won’t have to get a clean base hit that finds outfield grass to get a hit. He will be able to generate other ways to get on base, which is the type of offensive profile that this club can always use. It will offset some of the “feast or famine” that other hitters in the lineup have.
Also, he is showing to be very versatile He has the speed and arm strength to play a very good outfield too.
Have a Spring Training Zyhir Hope! Dodgers fans have to be enjoying watching this young man take advantage of his opportunities on the Main Field. Of course, you don’t want to make too much of anything about Spring Training, but it does show that the “bigness” of being “the show” has not been too big for him.
The Dodgers do such a great job in evaluating not just physical tools, but all the mental aspects that are required for a player to be able to handle the pressures of playing for the Dodgers. Or anyone in the MLB for that matter. It’s one of the reasons why they almost never lose in trade situations, and the Hope Farris trade is looking better by the day.
Sam Carlson had his loud tools on display! After walking the first hitter, he then retired the side in order flashing a slider with good depth, a fastball in the mid-90s that he used at the top of the zone and on both sides of the plate.
The “ride and run” on his FB at the top of the zone to the arm side should make him a nightmare for righties if he commands his location. Especially if he can land his slider/cutter to make hitters have to honor a left turn. He also showed the ability to have his fastball to his glove-side “hop”, or tail back over the plate.
All the tools are there, the plan is obviously in place, now it’s the fun part of watching it get put together outing by outing.
David Bote provides very good depth into the Dodgers system. Bote has 6 years of MLB experience, and that experience will be invaluable for the younger guys around him. Especially if he’s in OKC, which is where he would start if the season started tomorrow.
But one aspect of his situation that I think is big is that he also has 1 Minor League option still available. So, if the Dodgers selected his contract, and eventually put him on the 26-man roster, they wouldn’t have to DFA him to send him back down to OKC.
That roster flexibility is something that could be very valuable on a roster with as much talent, but with much less flexibility, as the Dodgers have.
Jose Hernandez was releasing the ball with a lot of confidence yesterday, his slider looked good, his fastball rode the top of the zone, and his misses were in spots where he couldn’t get hurt.
When he pitches like that, he’s very good!
That was fun to watch, now it’s all about stacking one performance like that after the other and creating consistency.
Congrats to Alex Freeland for getting his first hit on the main field yesterday, and he “ambushed” the first pitch.
Freeland is a switch hitter with a world of power potential and a great athlete, which his 30+ stolen bases each season show.
Beyond that, this dude don’t play!
He is in “compete mode” at all times, and he has leadership skills in making those around him follow in line.
No one will outwork Freeland, no one is more motivated, and no one is on more of a straight-line mission to accomplish their goals. Really rootin’ for this guy to have a proper opportunity to display everything he has to offer.
Wreck ’em!
Ryan Sublette was impressive again in his 2nd appearance in Spring Training on the Main Field.
Sub throws a 2S & a 4S, then also a Cutter & Slider. Good movement, a tough angle to hit off of, and lots of potential to be a very effective reliever.
Led Lemont High to 2 State Title, went to Texas Tech, who has their program rolling, and played on the same Summer team as Bobby Miller.
Imagine being a dad who is coaching their kid’s team, and telling your kids they’re facing Bobby Miller and Ryan Sublette in the next game. The only 2 words of advice I’d have would be, Good Luck! I would take visitors if I were the coach of that team and won the toss, then would make that game as painless as possible.
Atta Baby Kody Hoese!
There are some guys you root for a little harder, and he’s at the top of that list. Dude has had one setback after the other, and has never complained, never made an excuse, and, instead, has continued to work and grind to get back on top of his game.
Dude is really turning the corner on offense, really fun to watch.
Keep Rakin’ Kody!
Classic GLP!
For one, Griffin Lockwood-Powell is the All-Time RBIs leader in Central Michigan history #FireUPChips, so no surprise he knocked in a run. And, he centers his timing around thinking right center, so it’s even less surprising he hit this double.
Even at the professional level, pitchers like to stay away from big dudes like him, especially with 2 strikes, so being so good at using the opposite field is very valuable. Especially when you can do it while not losing power.
Brandon Neeck played Collegiately at Virginia and was teammates with Chris Newell, a very talented outfielder in the Dodgers system, and Jake Gelof, who is an equally talented infielder.
Neeck really turned a corner towards the end of last year after making a bunch of adjustments and taking his lumps to get them mastered. He stayed “bought-in” because he is smart enough to see the big picture in terms of creating the best version of himself.
The ball comes out of his hand behind a lefties back, he has some ‘ride and run” on his fastball, and he creates very steep angles that make it difficult for hitters.
Slider and change are good, and he mastered his sequencing to the point where he was the best reliever in the Midwest League from July 13th on. From that point of the season until the end, he posted an ERA of just 0.45, a K% of 31%, just a 7% BB%, 0.63 Avg. Against, and .127 Slug against.
Dude is climbing, stay tuned!
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