As much as I preach “process” when it comes to Spring Training or any early season baseball, I’m not gonna lie: winning still feels a lot better than losing. So, when Dalton Rushing walked it off last night to book-end Shohei Othani, who led the game off with a home run, I was super excited.
In fact, I woke up this morning still excited about it.
So, there was a lot of great action last night, and the mix between the prospects and the Celebrity is unlike what any other roster in baseball can put on the field. So, as a Dodgers fan, you should appreciate every second you get to be witness to what were seeing.
Let’s get to the action!
Thursday’s Action
Landon Knack got the start on Thursday!
1.1 IP 2H 1K 1BB 37 pitches, 22 strikes, left with 2 on base, so not perfect, but good to get things started. This year will be a big year for Landon, who has worked his ass off to make an impact. His starts were pretty much split last year between LA and OKC, so he made an impact in 2024 and hopes to continue but add to that this year.
Kelvin Ramirez, welcome to the Big Time! Dude came out and stranded 2 inherited runners, then executed with the bases loaded. Well Done, Kelvin!
Fastball that has touched 98 at Great Lakes, tumblin’ change up, had long stretches of complete dominance, especially early last year.
Unsurprisingly, he got out of his jam; he’s used to high leverage and almost always comes through.
Pretty Swing from Michael Conforto! Dodgers fans have been waiting to see what they’re gonna get out of the $17 million contract for Conforto, and hopefully, this swing settles him down and gets him comfortable. There is some “opportunity cost” to signing Conforto, and that is that Andy Pages is shut out, so he needs to be good to justify that.
Dude just needs to get his timing down, settle in, and keep repeating this swing.
Jared Karros continues to build momentum! Karros posted a 2.79 ERA last year with AA Tulsa, a WHIP of 1.08, and had 74 Ks in 67.2 Innings.
Fastball looked great at the top of the zone; velo was very good and is climbing; his spiked curveball is ++, and sequencing, location, and execution are ALL Big League.
Check out the cutter/slider to strike out Toglia (Lefty), then the 3 sliders to start Stallings (righty), and how he kept adding depth as the count continued to be more in his favor.
Then he nailed a 4-slot fastball to start the next at-bat, followed that with a tumbler, threw another cutter/slider on the inner half to a lefty, and fastball up as a show pitch to set up the big curveball. He didn’t land the curveball, which was the “Put-Away” aspect of that sequence, but he does consistently, and it’s an example of his advanced sequencing. And how his execution is almost flawless.
That was fun! If you enjoy the art of pitching, Karros is one you don’t want to miss when he pitches.
Super pumped to continue to watch this young man grow and progress
The A-Team bullpen arms were in action yesterday, and while they gave up some runs, it’s good to see things continue to move closer to being game-ready.
Kirby Yates 0.2IP 2H 1R 2K 1BB
Fastball was in the 93-94 range good tail at times.
Good to see Blake Treinen and his DURTY slider/sweepter on the main field.
1IP 1H 0R 1K 0BB
Treinen was THE FIRST pitcher I was hoping the Dodgers re-signed in the off-season because this dude did work toward the World Championship.
Last year’s Regular Season, 1.93 ERA, WHIP 0.94, 56 K,s 46.2 IP. Post Season: 2.19 ERA-pitched in 9 games, didn’t give up a run in 6 of them, never gave up more than 1. Instrumental in EVERY series, and his “EDGE” is something I totally trust coming out of the pen.
He’s at the top of my “Trust Tree”.
Click the video on the left to watch the full at bat from Alex Freeland on Thursday. I left it unedited because it’s always fun to listen to Tim talk about the prospects.
Tim does such a great job talking about the young guys!
Freeland “just missed” this pitch but shows the power potential to all fields and from both sides of the plate. Combined with the 30+ stolen bases he gets every year, there’s a lot to like.
Tanner Scott had quite the journey to become the elite Left-Handed reliever he has become. I say that to say that his first 2 outings haven’t been great, but this dude knows how to grind.
His control/command has never been elite, so it’s not surprising that it’s an issue early on. But his stuff is so good that it gives him a margin for error, and he’ll start executing at a higher level as he starts stacking outings on top of each other.
And, as we’ve seen with various pitchers so far, we never know what each guy is working on, if there is something new they’re trying to implement, or what the exact plan is.
Here is every pitch of his outing!
Anthony Banda made quick work of the Rockies in his 1 inning of work yesterday. Banda is making $1 Million dollars, which is an incredibly team-friendly deal for what has been done with the Dodgers.
I speak to “Culture” and “Margins” quite a bit because it can’t be overstated how well this Front Office does in those areas. And how overshadowed that can get with all the money they spend.
Regardless of financials, you still have to get the “right” players, you still have to win on the margins so your weak links aren’t too much to overcome, and you still have to create a system that gets the best out of everybody.
Getting the best out of everybody isn’t limited to just the players.
The chefs, the grounds crews, the broadcasters, the trainers, the scouts, the roving instructors, the coordinators- ALL of it is elite in this system.
Friday Night Lights
Shohei Ohtani made his much-anticipated return, and it was straight out of Hollywood. He was facing his former team, cameras were popping everywhere, and he stepped into the box and deposited a home run over the left-field wall.
For many, even though it was just Spring Training, that was a moment they won’t ever forget, and he produces these moments one after the other.
How valuable is Will Smith to this team? When Smith plays, whether it be at catcher or DH, the Dodgers win over 60% of the time. When he doesn’t play, they win barely over 50% of their games.
Smith is a 2x all-star, which speaks for itself, but that stat that Tim Neverett brought to the party was telling as to his value.
First Up/Down for Dustin May on the Spring went sideways in the 2nd inning. Looked electric in the 1st inning. It was not surprising he was not as sharp after sitting down, getting back up and having to pitch.
Coming back off Tommy John, execution is a process.
You know you cover prospects when you wait to go to the fridge while Jack Little is pitching and risk missing Shohei Ohtani hitting the next inning. And all to make sure you’re back in time to watch Nick Frasso pitch.
Or you’re just straight weird! Or Both!
Little looked good on the main field! The typical arsenal is 2S 94-95, SL 84-85, 4S 93-94. He’s a good strike thrower with an execution focus.
Little has worked in every type of relief role in the Minors. He’s pretty chill, in terms of mannerisms and mentality, but when he gets fired up, he’s must see TV.
The Dodgers got Nick Frasso for Mitch White and River Ryan for Matt Beaty. That is All!
Well, not really. Frasso is a super talented righty who crossfire, has very good velo, and 7 feet of extension. He’s been hampered by multiple injuries in his professional career; last year, it was a shoulder. So, hopefully, he can stay healthy and cash in on the potential he’s always had.
Jackson Ferris made his debut on the main field. Ferris has all the “its” in terms of confidence, the way he carries himself, and in the way he pitches.
Speaking of trades, Ferris came over with Zyhir Hope for Michael Busch and Yency Almonte, and, as good as Michael Busch is, that was a win for the Dodgers.
Ferris finished last year with an ERA of 3.20 and a WHIP of 1.18 & had 145 Ks in 126.2 IP. He went at least 5 innings in 17 of his starts last year and at least 6 innings 6 times. Last season was a complete success for Ferris in every way imaginable: health, consistent length in his outings, and great results. Dodgers fans should be VERY excited about this young man. After all, he was the Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the Year last year.
Ferris is tough to pick up for lefties & has seemingly easy power. Moves the ball right very well with big sweeping breakers and cut FBs with good velo & plus deception. There is a lot of swing & miss potential
Can get in the 96 range
Tommy Tanks! My man, Tommy Edman, strikes AGAIN!
There’s a bunch of fancy ways to describe a player, but here are my most simple.
He’s a player you want on YOUR team! He’s a “little guy” that’s not really a “little guy” That dude is a ballplayer. And, that stands the test of time!
I say it over & over, but Dalton Rushing’s hit tool is just one tool in his bag that makes him so good. Dude does his best work when it matters most.
There’s a reason the Dodgers haven’t traded him, even though, as Kike said, the roster is fuller than a “Bad Bunny” concert.
Atta Baby Rush! Dude is ALL about winning!
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