Home

Author:  Published Date: August 24, 2022

  • Marlins Edge Dodgers in Pitching Duel at Dodger Stadium

    Marlins Edge Dodgers in Pitching Duel at Dodger Stadium

    The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped a tightly contested 2–1 decision to the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night, a game defined by elite pitching, limited offensive opportunities, and one key breakthrough inning that ultimately proved decisive. Behind a strong outing from Janson Junk and just enough timely hitting, Miami managed to outlast a dominant—but unsupported—performance from Shohei Ohtani.

    How the Game Was Won

    Miami scratched across its runs in a methodical fashion rather than through one explosive inning. The Marlins broke through in the 2nd, when Agustin Ramirez was hit by a pitch, stole 2nd, took 3rd on a bad pickoff by Ohtani, then scored on a sac fly by Owen Cassie. That first run could not have been more gift-wrapped, that’s for sure.

    Christopher Morel was making his return and reached base to lead off the 5th and later came around to score to give the Marlins their 2nd run, which proved to be all they needed.

    Los Angeles, meanwhile, was largely stifled until late. The Dodgers were held scoreless through seven innings before finally breaking through in the eighth. Will Smith delivered an RBI single—scoring the team’s lone run—but the rally stalled there, emblematic of a night where timely hitting never fully materialized. The Dodgers went just 1-8 with runners in scoring position, so they didn’t get many in scoring position, and only delivered once when they did.

    The final line told the story: Miami 2 runs on limited chances, Los Angeles 1 run despite comparable opportunities.

    Offensive Performances: Missed Chances Define Dodgers

    The Dodgers’ offense was quiet overall, but Will Smith stood out as the clear bright spot. He finished with three hits and drove in the only run, continuing a steady early-season profile as one of the lineup’s most consistent bats. He’s hitting .273, with an OPS of .723, so, while not spectacular, especially considering he only has 3 home runs, Smith has been very solid.

    Freddie Freeman added a hit, maintaining his typical all-fields approach and strong on-base presence at .341, although his average is well below the .300 mark at .270, and he came into the season very motivated to get back to that .300 mark for the season. 

    Other contributors were limited. Andy Pages, one of the hottest hitters in baseball to start 2026, entering with a very good average of .324, had a hit. Pages, while the average still looks good, is hitting just .192 in his last 7 games and .212 in his last 15. Baseball is a marathon, and it’s a game of ebbs and flows, and he’s in the middle of experiencing that. Alex Freeland was the only other Dodger to collect a hit.

    For Miami, Otto Lopez was the offensive catalyst, collecting three hits and consistently applying pressure on the Dodgers pitching and defense. His strong start to the season (.325, with an OPS of .866) continued, showing a balanced profile of contact and situational hitting. Morel’s return added another dynamic element, as he reached base and scored, while Caissie and Stowers supplied the key run-producing swings.

    Pitching Breakdown: Ohtani Dominates, But Lacks Support

    All eyes were on Shohei Ohtani, and he delivered a performance that, on most nights, would be enough to win. The right-hander went six innings, allowing just two runs (only one earned) on five hits while striking out nine and issuing three walks.

    From just about every perspective, Ohtani’s outing was electric. His swing-and-miss stuff generated elite strikeout numbers (9 in 6 IP), and his fastball-splitter combination consistently overpowered hitters. His season ERA dropped to an astonishing 0.60, highlighting just how dominant he has been through the early portion of 2026.

    Yet, because the Dodgers struggled to score, he was given NO margin for error. So, as dominant as he was, the Marlins got a few well-timed hits and baserunners and manufactured runs without ever truly squaring him up. And they certainly didn’t square him up consistently. It was a classic case of pitching dominantly—but not 100% perfect—in a low-margin game.

    Opposing him, Janson Junk turned in arguably the best start of his season. He tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out four. Junk leaned heavily on weak contact, and that created efficiency for him, which eventually allowed him to go six innings. He did a GREAT job at changing speeds, locating, moving the ball, and keeping the Dodgers hitters off balance.

    The Marlins bullpen handled the rest. Tyler Phillips nailed down the save, navigating late pressure to preserve the one-run lead.

    Postgame Reaction: Frustration and Perspective

    After the game, manager Dave Roberts emphasized the missed opportunities, noting that the team “just couldn’t cash in” despite putting runners in manageable spots. His tone reflected a mix of frustration and confidence, pointing to the underlying process being sound even if the results fell short.

    Will Smith echoed that sentiment, focusing on the difficulty of facing a pitcher like Junk when he’s locating effectively. He highlighted that the offense “had chances” but couldn’t deliver the big hit when needed.

    For Shohei Ohtani, the takeaway was more measured. He pointed to execution details—particularly a few pitches that extended innings—as the difference, while maintaining that his overall command and stuff felt strong. His performance reinforced his role as the staff ace, even in defeat.

    Final Takeaway

    This was a game that perfectly illustrated the thin margins of baseball, even when it’s the Dodgers, who are HEAVY spenders, and the Marlins, who are NOT. The Dodgers received an ace-level outing from Ohtani and a standout performance from Smith, yet still fell short due to a lack of timely offense. Miami, on the other hand, capitalized on its limited opportunities and paired that with a shutdown pitching effort.

    In a long season, games like this are less about panic and more about process. But on this night at Dodger Stadium, the difference was simple: one team got the big hit when it mattered—and the other didn’t.

    Become a subscriber to our Dodgers Daily YouTube page and follow us on Twitter @dodger_daily, on Instagram @dodger.daily, or on TikTok @dodgers_daily.

    Also, please consider donating to our Live Dodgers Dawgs shows to help Dodgers Daily keep growing. We go live several times a week, and we’d love to have you join the chat. This site will always be free to its viewers, but it does take time and money to run, so any-sized donation would be greatly appreciated.

     

  • Myles Caba Promoted to AA Tulsa

    Myles Caba Promoted to AA Tulsa

    Left-hander Myles Caba is the latest arm to climb the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching ladder, earning a promotion from High-A Great Lakes Loons to Double-A Tulsa Drillers on Saturday. The move reflects both his dominant early-season performance and the organization’s growing confidence in his long-term role.

    Background and path to pro ball

    Caba’s journey to affiliated baseball wasn’t the traditional high-round draft route. In fact, it wasn’t through the draft route at all, as he went undrafted and signed with the Dodgers as an undrafted free agent. A native of New York, he pitched collegiately for the Miami Hurricanes, where flashes of swing-and-miss stuff were paired with some injury adversity early in his career. He showed promise in limited action, posting a 1.89 ERA with strong strikeout-to-walk numbers before undergoing elbow surgery.

    The Dodgers signed him to a minor league deal in July 2024, a typical low-risk, high-upside move for an organization known for pitching development.

    Dodgers’ career so far

    Since entering the system, Caba has steadily moved through the lower levels:

    • 2025: Opened with Rancho Cucamonga Quakes before earning a promotion to Great Lakes
    • 2025–early 2026: Established himself as a reliable bullpen arm with the Loons
    • April 2026: Promoted to Tulsa

    Across his minor league career, he’s posted a 2.78 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 64.2 innings, underscoring his ability to miss bats at a high rate.

    2026 season breakout

    Caba’s promotion is rooted in how dominant he’s been to start 2026, and how good he’s been overall since joining the system. Before and immediately after the move, he has:

    • A 0.84 ERA in Double-A through his first outings
    • 14 strikeouts in just 10.2 innings
    • A microscopic 0.66 WHIP

    Even prior to the promotion, he was trending upward at Great Lakes, contributing to strong team pitching performances and picking up wins in relief appearances.

    The combination of strikeouts and run prevention made him one of the more effective relievers in the system early in the season.

    Pitch mix and profile

    Caba is a left-handed reliever (6’1”, ~205 lbs) whose game is built around bat-missing ability rather than pure velocity.

    His statistical profile paints a clear picture, and it’s one of success:

    • High strikeout rate (roughly 12.9 K/9)
    • Elevated walk rate at times, suggesting a power-over-command profile
    • Likely mix: fastball paired with swing-and-miss secondary pitches (slider/curve/change), typical of Dodgers-developed relief arms

    In practical terms, he fits the mold of a modern relief specialist:

    • Attacks hitters with deception and angle from the left side
    • Misses bats at an above-average rate
    • Can be used in leverage spots against both lefties and righties if command holds

    Why was he promoted?

    Caba’s move to Tulsa wasn’t just routine—it was earned. Several factors drove the decision:

    1. Dominant performance
    His strikeout rate and sub-1.00 ERA made it clear he had little left to prove at High-A.

    2. Organizational need
    The Dodgers frequently challenge relievers aggressively, especially those showing swing-and-miss stuff, to see how their arsenals play against more advanced hitters.

    3. Development trajectory
    At 24 years old, Caba is at a stage where the organization needs to test him quickly. Double-A is often considered the biggest jump in the minors, particularly for pitchers.

    4. Early success in Tulsa
    He didn’t just arrive—he immediately produced in his 1st outing with the Drillers this afternoon, Tuesday afternoon, which gives some validation that the time was now.

    What comes next

    If Caba continues to miss bats at his current rate while tightening command, he could quickly move into the upper tier of Dodgers relief prospects. The next checkpoints are:

    • Sustaining performance against Double-A hitters
    • Improving walk rate
    • Handling higher-leverage innings

    Given the Dodgers’ track record of developing bullpen arms, Caba’s rise from minor league free-agent signing to Double-A contributor in under two years is notable—and potentially just the beginning.

    Become a subscriber to our Dodgers Daily YouTube page and follow us on Twitter @dodger_daily, on Instagram @dodger.daily, or on TikTok @dodgers_daily.

    Also, please consider donating to our Live Dodgers Dawgs shows to help Dodgers Daily keep growing. We go live several times a week, and we’d love to have you join the chat. This site will always be free to its viewers, but it does take time and money to run, so any-sized donation would be greatly appreciated.

  • Elementor #29721

    Elementor #29721

    The Dodgers’ 5–4 comeback victory Monday night wasn’t just another notch in the win column—it was a microcosm of their 2026 identity: relentless offense, resilient pitching, and star power delivering in defining moments.

    Trailing 4–2 entering the ninth inning, Los Angeles dramatically flipped the game—highlighted by a breakthrough swing from one of their most scrutinized stars.

    Game Flow: Early Control, Midgame Trouble, Late Chaos

    Los Angeles struck first. Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman opened the bottom of the first with back-to-back hits, setting up a two-run single from Teoscar Hernández for a quick 2–0 lead.

    But the game shifted in the middle innings.

    The Marlins chipped away in the fourth before delivering the biggest blow in the fifth:

    • Walk issues mounted for Yamamoto
    • Traffic on the bases is built
    • Liam Hicks launched a three-run homer

    Suddenly, Miami led 4–2.

    The Dodgers threatened again in the seventh, loading the bases—but failed to capitalize. That missed opportunity made the ninth-inning comeback even more improbable.

    The Ninth Inning: Patience, Pressure, and a Breakthrough

    The rally began quietly—with discipline.

    • Back-to-back walks to open the inning
    • A bunt pop-up briefly stalled momentum
    • Then Ohtani delivered: a ground-rule RBI double to make it 4–3

    Miami intentionally walked Freeman to load the bases, setting the stage.

    After a strikeout, the pressure fell squarely on Tucker.

    On a 0–1 pitch, he lined a splitter into center field—two runs scored, game over.

    A three-run ninth. A 5–4 win. And a stadium eruption.

    Yamamoto Breakdown: Effective… Until He Wasn’t

    This was easily the most uneven outing of Yamamoto’s young MLB season.

    The Line (Contextualized)

    • 5 innings
    • 4 runs (3 earned)
    • 4 walks (uncharacteristically high)
    • 1 pivotal mistake pitch

    Yamamoto entered the game with a 2.48 ERA and five quality starts in five tries —a model of efficiency and command.

    That command wavered on Monday.

    What Went Wrong

    • Loss of feel for the strike zone (four walks)
    • Elevated pitch counts
    • Forced into hitter’s counts

    Those walks came back to haunt him. Two baserunners from free passes scored on Hicks’ homer—turning a manageable inning into a game-changing swing.

    The Bigger Picture

    Even in a “bad” outing:

    • He limited the damage outside of one inning
    • Kept the Dodgers within striking distance
    • Avoided a complete collapse

    That’s the mark of a frontline starter—winning without your best stuff.

    Bullpen: Quietly Dominant, Again

    While the offense will grab headlines, the bullpen deserves equal credit.

    • 4 scoreless innings to close the game
    • Stabilized momentum after Yamamoto exited
    • Kept the deficit at two

    Without that shutdown work, there is no ninth-inning drama.

    This continues a growing trend: the Dodgers’ bullpen is becoming a strength, not a question mark.

    The Moment: What Tucker’s Walk-Off Means

    This wasn’t just a hit—it was a potential turning point.

    Tucker entered the game:

    • Batting just .236
    • Carrying the lowest OPS among regular starters
    • Under pressure from a $240 million contract

    And he looked it.

    Until that swing.

    Why This Matters

    1. Confidence Reset
    Even teammates acknowledged he “needed it.”
    Moments like this can unlock a hitter pressing under expectations.

    2. Role Validation
    The Dodgers didn’t sign Tucker to be solid—they signed him to deliver in moments like this.

    3. Lineup Balance
    If Tucker heats up, the lineup transforms from elite to overwhelming.

    This could be remembered as:

    The moment Tucker became a Dodger.

    Offensive Trends: Still Elite, Still Evolving

    The Dodgers’ offense has been potent—but not flawless.

    Key Themes

    Hot-and-Cold Superstars

    • Ohtani had been in a mini-slump but is now heating up (multi-hit surge, RBI double Monday)
    • Tucker has struggled—until now

    Depth Carrying the Load

    • Hernández delivering early-game production
    • Role players consistently contributing

    Situational Hitting

    • Occasionally inconsistent (bases loaded, 7th inning)
    • But capable of explosive late innings

    Overall, this is still one of baseball’s most dangerous offenses—especially late in games.

    Starting Pitching: Still a Strength

    Even with Yamamoto’s shaky outing, the rotation has been excellent.

    • Yamamoto: ace-level consistency entering the night
    • Multiple starters delivering strong early-season performances
    • Depth remains strong even with rotation decisions looming

    The takeaway:
    One rough start doesn’t change the fact that this is a top-tier rotation.

    Bullpen Trends: From Question Mark to Weapon

    This group is trending upward fast.

    • Multiple recent shutdown performances
    • Ability to hold deficits and protect leads
    • Increasing trust in late-game situations

    Monday reinforced a growing truth:
    The Dodgers can now win games in multiple ways.

    Biggest Storylines Right Now

    1. Tucker’s Emergence (or Turning Point)

    Is this the beginning of a hot streak—or a one-night flash?

    2. Ohtani Heating Up

    His recent surge suggests the MVP-caliber version is returning.

    3. Rotation Decisions Looming

    With reinforcements nearing, lineup and pitching roles could shift.

    4. Championship Standard

    At 20–9, the Dodgers are once again setting the pace in the NL.

    Final Takeaway

    This wasn’t just a comeback.

    It was:

    • A test of resilience
    • A showcase of depth
    • And potentially a defining moment for a superstar trying to find his footing

    The Dodgers didn’t just win—they reinforced why they’re one of baseball’s most complete teams.

    And if Tucker truly finds his rhythm after this?

    The rest of the league may have a much bigger problem.

    Become a subscriber to our Dodgers Daily YouTube page and follow us on Twitter @dodger_daily, on Instagram @dodger.daily, or on TikTok @dodgers_daily.

    Also, please consider donating to our Live Dodgers Dawgs shows to help Dodgers Daily keep growing. We go live several times a week, and we’d love to have you join the chat. This site will always be free to its viewers, but it does take time and money to run, so any-sized donation would be greatly appreciated.

  • Patrick Copen Dominates, Loons Wild Comeback Weekend & More

    Patrick Copen Dominates, Loons Wild Comeback Weekend & More

    Published: April 28, 2026
    By: Casey Porter 

    The Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system delivered a weekend full of standout pitching, explosive offense, and emerging breakout performances across all four levels.

    From a dominant Double-A outing by Patrick Copen to a jaw-dropping ninth-inning comeback by the Great Lakes Loons, here’s a complete breakdown of all the action from the Oklahoma City Comets, Tulsa Drillers, Great Lakes Loons, and Ontario Tower Buzzers.

    OKC Comets: Late-Inning Struggles Continue

    The Oklahoma City Comets showed flashes offensively throughout the weekend but couldn’t quite string together complete performances.

    Outfielder James Tibbs III remained a focal point in the lineup, consistently hitting in run-producing spots. He came to the plate in a key late-game situation with a chance to tie things up, and leads the PCL in home runs, so he’s off to a good start.

    Offensively, OKC generated early momentum in multiple games but struggled to capitalize late—a trend that ultimately defined their weekend.

    On the roster side, the pitching staff saw movement:

    • Jordan Weems was placed on the development list
    • Paul Gervase was activated to bolster bullpen depth

    While the results weren’t ideal, Oklahoma City continues to serve as a proving ground for players on the verge of contributing at the major league level. This years AAA Club has a TON of AAAA depth, more than I can remember, so there’s a lot of MLB quality depth to choose from if the Dodgers get in a pinch, and need to turn to some veterans to fill in short stints. 

    Tulsa Drillers: Patrick Copen Headlines Dominant Pitching

    The Tulsa Drillers were powered by one of the most impressive pitching performances across all of Minor League Baseball this season.

    Copen’s Breakout Performance

    Right-hander Patrick Copen delivered a statement outing:

    • 6.1 innings pitched
    • 1 hit allowed
    • 0 runs
    • 9 strikeouts

    The performance earned him Texas League Pitcher of the Week honors and further solidified his breakout start to the season. Through his first stretch of 2026, Copen has established himself as one of the most intriguing arms in the Dodgers system. In fact, this was his 2nd outing of the year where he went EXACTLY 6.1 innings, giving up just 1 hit, 0 runs, and 9 Ks. Baseball is a CRAZY game!

    Supporting Performances

    Tulsa’s success wasn’t limited to the rotation:

    • Cam Day locked down an extra-inning victory with a high-velocity save. 
    • Kyle Nevin provided timely run production in the middle of the order
    • Josue De Paula continued to show advanced plate discipline, reaching base multiple times. DePaula is hitting WELL above .300 and has walked more than he’s struck out, which has come to define him.
    • Jake Gelof added on-base consistency and pressure atop the lineup. Gelof is off to a slow start, which is disappointing considering the tear he ended last year on, but he’s starting to get hot, and few can impact the ball as much as he can.

    The Drillers continue to combine power arms with disciplined hitting—making them one of the most balanced teams in the organization.

    Great Lakes Loons: Comeback of the Year Candidate

    No team in the system made a louder statement this weekend than the Great Lakes Loons.

    Ninth-Inning Chaos

    In one of the wildest games of the year, the Loons:

    • Overcame a four-run deficit in the 9th inning
    • Scored 13 total runs
    • Stole eight bases without being caught

    It was a complete offensive eruption fueled by aggression, speed, and timely hitting.

    Offensive Standouts

    • Nico Perez crushed a grand slam and drove in four runs
    • Mike Sirota added a home run and multiple hits
    • Charles Davalan chipped in three RBIs
    • Jesus Galiz and Jose Izarra contributed extra-base hits

    In a rare feat, every player in the lineup recorded either a run scored or an RBI.

    Key Pitching Moment

    Reliever Dilan Figueiredo delivered a crucial scoreless outing to stabilize the game late and help secure the comeback win.

    The Loons showcased not just talent—but depth, athleticism, and resilience.

    Ontario Tower Buzzers: Big Bats, Costly Mistakes

    The Ontario Tower Buzzers displayed plenty of offensive upside but were ultimately undone by defensive miscues.

    Vargas Powers the Offense

    Infielder Joendry Vargas led the way with a standout performance:

    • Leadoff home run
    • Bases-clearing double
    • Multiple RBIs

    He was the clear offensive catalyst and one of the most impactful hitters across the system this weekend.

    Defensive Issues Prove Costly

    Despite scoring six runs, Ontario committed three errors, all of which contributed directly to opponent scoring in a 9–6 loss.

    The game served as a reminder of the developmental focus at the lower levels—where raw talent is evident, but consistency remains a work in progress.

    Final Thoughts: Depth on Full Display

    This weekend offered a snapshot of why the Dodgers continue to boast one of baseball’s deepest farm systems:

    • Frontline pitching is emerging, highlighted by Patrick Copen
    • Dynamic offenses are developing, especially in Great Lakes
    • Triple-A depth remains steady, with OKC housing MLB-ready contributors
    • Young prospects are flashing upside, led by Joendry Vargas

    From top to bottom, the Dodgers pipeline continues to produce—and this weekend was another strong indication that the next wave of talent is already on the rise.

    Become a subscriber to our Dodgers Daily YouTube page and follow us on Twitter @dodger_daily, on Instagram @dodger.daily, or on TikTok @dodgers_daily.

    Also, please consider donating to our Live Dodgers Dawgs shows to help Dodgers Daily keep growing. We go live several times a week, and we’d love to have you join the chat. This site will always be free to its viewers, but it does take time and money to run, so any-sized donation would be greatly appreciated.

  • Are the Dodgers Efficient or Reckless Spenders? P1

    Are the Dodgers Efficient or Reckless Spenders? P1

    Are the Dodgers Efficient or Reckless Spenders? A Study of the Andrew Friedman Era P1

    Dodgers’ Financial Might

    The Los Angeles Dodgers, to the chagrin of a large portion of the baseball world, have won back-to-back World Series Championships. This era of Dodgers baseball has cemented itself as a dynasty, with the very real potential to add additional championships over the next several years. They have become the model franchise in baseball. And yet, this run has not come without criticism. 

    During this recent run, the Dodgers have been extraordinarily aggressive to acquire star-power talent to their roster to give themselves the best chance at winning. This has included offseason signings of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Freddie Freeman, to name a few. It has also been through trades and contract extensions, such as Mookie Betts and Tyler Glasnow. They have utilized their large market and financial might to bring and keep players on their roster, which can be contrasted with other organizations across baseball. To examine this in detail, let’s look at the Andrew Friedman era of Dodgers baseball when it comes to two specific financial factors: Free Agency and Contract Extensions.

    –       The Los Angeles Dodgers have had the highest contract commitments via Free Agency and Contract Extensions (at least $3.26 billion) in all of Major League Baseball in the Andrew Friedman era.

    –       The Los Angeles Dodgers have committed around $500 million more on Free Agents and Contract Extensions than the 2nd highest team (the New York Mets) in the Andrew Friedman era (2015-2025).

    –       The Los Angeles Dodgers have at least double the amount of money committed to Free Agents and Contract Extensions than 24 MLB teams (not including NYM, PHI, SD, NYY, and BOS) in the Andrew Friedman era (2015-2025). 

     Common Criticism

    There is no doubt the Dodgers have committed above and beyond what other teams offer in these avenues under Andrew Friedman. This has certainly caused the ire of many fans of other fanbases, who redirect the frustration over lack of spending on the Dodgers, who spend a lot more than other teams. This is not to say this is the only point of frustration; deferrals within the structures of the Dodgers contracts are often cited in similar vein, as an example. It’s also not to say there isn’t any validity into this argument. 

    One common attack on the Dodgers’ approach towards acquiring star talent is that the Dodgers relentlessly and (perhaps) reckless throw money around, and that is the sole cause of their success. With the large amount of money spent on acquiring talent, it’s at least a valid question to ask: Do the Dodgers recklessly throw money around to acquire talent, or are they efficient with the dollars they spend?

    This is an essential question to analyze, which will help determine whether Andrew Friedman has excelled at player acquisition, or if the large financial resources have been the main rational as to his success.

    Measurements for Analysis

    To answer this important question, it is essential I lay the groundwork for the research I have done. I will be looking at the Andrew Friedman era of baseball (2015-2025). Below is a breakdown of my process and clarification of certain measurements:

    –       Contract Measurement: First, how I am measuring contracts. We are looking at Free Agents or Contract Extensions in which their contracts start anywhere between 2015-2025. For these measures, these are the contracts that are paid by a specific organization until they are traded, or their contract ends. If a player is traded prior to their original contract ends, the year in which they are traded is included in the trade. For example, Rafael Devers was traded to the San Francisco Giants 2 years into his massive contract extension. Instead of putting the full contract on the Red Sox, to measure efficiency for how he did for Boston, his contract for 2024 and 2025 will be counted. However, nothing following that will be counted. This is not a perfect measurement, as he was only in Boston for half a season in 2025. However, to provide consistency for this measurement, this was used for each team and contract.

    –       Contract Extensions: Contract Extensions are counted towards a player as long as they eat up at least 1 year of free agency or were originally signed to take up at least 1 year of free agency. Thus, if a player is signed to a contract extension after 2 seasons in MLB that lasts 5 years (takes up 1 year of expected free agency), this contract is included in the list. If, however, a player signs a contract with a club option that lasts in arbitration (Alex Vesia’s contract for 2025-2026, for example) but does not buy a year of free agency, that contract is not included.

    –       Deferrals and Luxury Tax: The total contract commitment was used to evaluate the contract. No adjustments were done to account for deferred contracts. For example, Shohei Ohtani’s contract of 10 years for $700 million was used as is and doesn’t account for the deferrals instituted for luxury tax purposes. 

    –       WAR Measurement (fWAR) and Monetary Value: Fangraphs WAR was used to measure the value of a player during given years. This has a monetary valuation of ~$8-10 million per WAR for true value. A consistent value of $9 million per WAR was used for all years (2015-2025). No adjustment to lower that value for earlier years was used.

    –       Expected War (xfWAR): Based on the $9 million per fWAR valuation, an Expected Fangraphs WAR (xfWAR) metric was created. This is, based on the commitment paid through the 2025 season, how much fWAR should a team expect to get out of a player. For example, if a player is paid a 1 year, $18 million contract, that player had an xfWAR of 2.0. 

    –       Efficiency of Contract Commitment: To measure efficiency of how well a contract is for a team, a player’s xfWAR is subtracted from their fWAR (actual WAR – expected WAR, or fWAR-xfWAR). This will be the main measurement to see how well organizations do. Take, for example, a player that signs a 1 year, $18 million contract. He has an xfWAR of 2.0. Let’s say he puts up a 1.5 fWAR during that contract. His fWAR-xfWAR was -0.5, meaning the contract had negative excess fWAR compared to expected.

    Now that the metrics used for this analysis are clarified, the question remains: How have the Dodgers performed in Free Agency and Contract Extensions under the Andrew Friedman era? 

    Dodgers in Free Agency and Contract Extensions

    After conducting my research, here are the following main takeaways of the Los Angeles Dodgers:

    Free Agency and Contract Extensions

    –       The Dodgers have signed 63 players through Free Agency, which ranks 6th in all of MLB. 

    –       The Dodgers have signed 15 players to Contract Extensions, which ranks 3rd in all of MLB.

    –       Combining both Free Agency and Contract Extensions, the Dodgers have received the highest fWAR through these means of all teams in MLB, with a total fWAR (thus far) of 207.3. This value is at least 50 fWAR higher received by an organization than 27 other MLB teams. This result isn’t completely surprising, as we have previously established that the Dodgers spend more in financial commitments than other organizations.

    –       When looking at the efficiency of signings (Fangraphs WAR – Expected Fangraphs WAR), the Dodgers are 5th in MLB at contract efficiency, behind only Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Seattle. The 4 MLB teams the Dodgers trail are smaller markets with significantly less contract commitments and have prioritized and relied upon signing players to contract extensions over free agents.

    Below is a table of how all 30 MLB Teams from 2015-2025 performed for Free Agents and Contract Extensions:

    Free Agency

    –       Through Free Agency, the Dodgers have received the highest fWAR among all 30 MLB teams, with a total fWAR added of 120.7.

    –       When looking at the efficiency of signings (Fangraphs WAR – Expected Fangraphs WAR), the Dodgers are 6th in MLB at contract efficiency, behind only Tampa Bay, Texas, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Milwaukee. Three of the five clubs ahead of the Dodgers have made 1/6th of the contract commitments that LA has in this time period, so the bar to exceed expectations is drastically lower. 

    Below is a table of how all 30 MLB Teams from 2015-2025 performed for Free Agents:

    Contract Extensions

    –       Through Contract Extensions, the Dodgers have received the 4th highest fWAR among all 30 MLB teams, with a total fWAR added of 86.6. This is behind Atlanta, Cleveland and Houston.

    –       When looking at the efficiency of signings (Fangraphs WAR – Expected Fangraphs WAR), the Dodgers are 8th in MLB at contract efficiency, behind Cleveland, Atlanta, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Chicago (AL), and Miami. Five of the seven teams had at least half the financial commitment in contract extensions, so the expected bar was lower for other teams to pass. 

    Below is a table of how all 30 MLB Teams from 2015-2025 performed for Contract Extensions:

    Further Detail on Dodgers

    Regardless of whether you are looking at Free Agency or Contract extensions, the Dodgers have ranked in the top ten of MLB (mostly in top 5) in both value received (fWAR) and contract efficiency (fWAR-xfWAR). An extraordinary effort by an organization that has spent vastly more than other MLB teams. 

    Looking at individual offseasons for the Dodgers (a player is categorized in an offseason if their contract starts that season. For example, Shohei Ohtani’s numbers all count in 2024 stats because his contract with the Dodgers started in 2024), here is how the Dodgers have fared each offseason:

    The Dodgers have consistently produced positive offseasons by efficiency (fWAR-xfWAR), with ten of the eleven offseasons in the Andrew Friedman era having a fWAR-xfWAR greater than -1.5. Seven offseasons have seen positively in efficiency. To this point, the worst offseason by dollars committed in comparison to expected results was 2025, which had a fWAR-xfWAR of -10.7 (315th of 330th offseason by that metric in MLB since 2015). Andrew Friedman and the rest of the front office have consistently put up good, efficient offseasons, which has contributed to leading the Dodgers to having sustained success. They have 5 of the top 60 offseasons in all of MLB in the Andrew Friedman era (2024, 2022, 2021, 2017, and 2016). 

    Below are all the Free Agents and Contract Extensions that have signed in the Andrew Friedman era (per my research):

    Overall Trends

    This article has been primarily focused on the Los Angeles Dodgers and how they have done through Free Agency and Contract Extensions. However, there are larger takeaways the industry can make on the trends noticed during research. Below are a list of three main takeaways I had:

    Free Agency is NOT the most efficient way to acquire production.

    While Free Agency is a common and valuable tool for MLB front offices to use, it is not always efficient in getting the production spent vs the value returned. Here are some statistics to highlight this:

    –       23 of the 30 teams had a negative fWAR-xfWAR, meaning they did not get the production they were expecting and paid for from 2015-2025. 

    –       The average fWAR-xfWAR an MLB team received through all Free Agent signings from 2015-2025 was -13.7. 

    –       Only 38.34% of players who signed via free agency had a positive fWAR-xfWAR. For players who signed a $100+ million contract, that percentage was higher (47.83%), but comes at a high risk of being a really bad contract (28.26% of $100+ million free agent contracts had an fWAR-xfWAR of -5 or worse).

    –       Only 28.13% of players who signed a $50-100 million contract via free agency had a positive fWAR-xfWAR, ten percent less than the average for all free agent signings and twenty percent less than the average for expensive free agents.

    Contract Extensions, especially when you identify young talent, is well worth the cost for teams.

    Contract Extensions were by far the best and most efficient way an organization received the most value per dollar spent. Here are some statistics to highlight this:

    –       25 of the 30 teams had a positive fWAR-xfWAR, meaning they got the production they were expecting and paid for from 2015-2025. 

    –       The average fWAR-xfWAR an MLB team received through all Contract Extensions from 2015-2025 was 14.1.

    –       60.75% of players who signed via contract extensions had a positive fWAR-xfWAR. For players who signed a $100+ million contract, that percentage was higher, at a 62.16%. 

    –       35.14% of these higher contract players drastically overperformed contract worth (fWAR-xfWAR of 5 or greater), whereas only 13.51% of these players drastically underperformed contract worth (fWAR-xfWAR of -5 or less). 

    –       All players that drastically underperformed who were signed to long-term contracts were at least 30 years old when signing the contract.

    –       64.81% of players who signed a $50-100 million contract via contract extension had a positive fWAR-xfWAR, which is a higher percentage than the $100 million contracts (opposite of free agency). 

    Spending money does not correlate with efficiency, but spending money helps elevate the floor of production.

    This point (especially the latter statement) might seem obvious, but it is so true. Spending money gives you access to talent you might otherwise not have. Even if a player underperforms what they are paid, they can still add serious value for a team. For example, if a player is paid $36 million per year, they are expected to produce 4.0 WAR. If, however, he produces 2.5 WAR in a season, that’s still a valuable asset, even if it is an underperformance of -1.5 WAR.

    Below is a scatter plot comparing the financial commitment via Free Agency and Contract Extensions from 2015-2025 and the fWAR-xfWAR by team:

    –       This has an r^2 value of 0.003, meaning there isn’t any predictive value between a team spending money and getting value on that contract. Thus, the teams that excel in this category buck the trends. Credit to the Dodgers.

    Below is a scatter plot comparing the financial commitment via Free Agency and Contract Extensions from 2015-2025 and the fWAR by team:

    –       This has an r^2 value of 0.610, meaning there is good predictive value between a team spending money and getting fWAR for that contract. Spending money helps build a solid foundation. The Dodgers spend the most money, so they are efficient and have a solid floor.

    Conclusion

    The Los Angeles Dodgers, under the leadership of Andrew Friedman, have taken an aggressive approach to acquire and retain the best talent in all of MLB. To do so, they flex their financial might. This, however, is not done with an abandonment of efficiency; rather, the Dodgers are intentional with the signings they make and expect those players to meet the expectations of their contracts. And, to the Dodgers’ credit, those players have mostly delivered to their contract potential. This exemplifies an area that has helped contribute to the dynasty that is now Dodgers baseball: an extreme attention to detail.

    The Andrew Friedman era is impressive. The ability to acquire the right personnel, combined with the owners’ financial willingness to raise the floor, is impressive. It is, however, not the only area in which the Dodgers have succeeded in the Andrew Friedman era.

    Part 2 to come soon…

    Bonus: Top 30 Contracts in MLB from 2015-2025

    Here are the top 30 contracts (thus far) by fWAR-xfWAR since 2015 (only 5 of the top 30 were free agent signings):

    Bonus: Bottom 30 Contracts in MLB from 2015-2025

    Here are the bottom 30 contracts (thus far) by fWAR-xfWAR since 2015 (22 of 30 were free agent signings): 

    Resources Used for Research

    The main resources used throughout the entirety of my research were via Spotrac and Fangraphs. Here is the link to both websites:

    Spotrac: https://www.spotrac.com

    Fangraphs: https://www.fangraphs.com

    Link to Excel File

    Here is the link to the Excel file I have created containing all 30 teams’ contracts from 2015-2025. It is very possible (and perhaps likely) I missed out on a few contracts. Feel free to take a look and provide any feedback via DM to my X (@AustinBru99).

    https://1drv.ms/x/c/0a138b8cc052419a/EdE_47T08VxKv4yp1kHEURUBTa43sgjfnp6l24BAL8Lwvg

  • Another Comeback Win, Muncy is Back, Hope Crushes & More

    Another Comeback Win, Muncy is Back, Hope Crushes & More

    The Dodgers picked up a very nice win in comeback fashion, which was their 35th comeback win of the year. That goes to show this club gets behind early a lot, but then comes back late a lot as well. 

    The Dodgers are still striking out too much, 14 times yesterday, but almost everybody contributed, which is how you bust out of slumps

    At the end of the day, it felt like we stole one yesterday, which is more in line with how this team built the best record in the National League up until about a month ago.

    On Monday, the game was dominated by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mookie, Teo, and Rojas. Yesterday was the bullpen, Edman, Will, and Conforto, so it’s good to see this lineup lengthen like that, where any section can win a game on any given day. 

    Managers

    This series features two of the most accomplished managers in the history of baseball in Terry Francona and Dave Roberts, and yesterday Roberts got the upper hand. 

    Roberts took Glasnow out at the perfect time, he put in 2 rookies, Dreyer and Casparius, he took out Banda with 2 outs, and brought in Diaz, who he left in for the next inning.

    Then, after using Vesia for middle relief on Monday, he gave him the ball to get the last 3 outs on Tuesday, and Vesia plowed right through it. 

    Further, after the 2nd GREAT at bat from Michael Conforto, he pinch ran James Outman, who scored from 1st on the double by Will Smith, then went to Center for the bottom of the 9th. 

    Meanwhile, Terry Francona pinch hit for Jake Fraley in the next at bat after he hit a home run to tie the game, then he took our old buddy Scott Barlow out in favor of Graham Ashcraft, and the Dodgers scored 2 to tie the game in that frame.

    Offense

    Although the Dodgers won and the offense was resilient, the fact that Shohei Ohtani wore the Golden Sombrero stole the show. The Reds kept feeding him “strike to ball” backfoot sliders, then showing the fastball up and in, and he kept swinging at them, and missing. 

    That’s what happens when you have a “dead pull” approach. 

    Ohtani needs to pepper the Left-Center field gap to stay on the ball.

    Tommy Edman gave the Dodgers the lead in the 2nd with a 2-run bomb, but, more than that, he’s filled in admirably at 3rd base in the stead of Max Muncy, which is exactly why the Dodgers coveted him so much this time last year. 

    Will Smith is amazing, and, yes, the 2 hits in the 7th were lucky because they weren’t hit very hard, but hitters tend to make their own luck when they put the ball in play.

    Never apologize for a Texas League hit; they’re earned, and you know they’ve hit just as many balls hard that were caught, so it’s baseball evening itself out. 

    AP Photo/Aaron Doster

    Freddie Freeman has looked much better lately, and if you watch the Dodgers Dawgs podcast, we mentioned on Saturday that his swing looked healthy again for the first time in a long time. So, it’s no surprise he’s hitting the ball well.

    Glasnow

    Much like Dustin May’s last start, the outing from Glasnow last night was weird and hard to evaluate. There were times he looked dominant, but, yet, he only had 3 Ks. He didn’t get hit much, but when he did, the ball left the yard. 

    And then the walks.

    That’s the part he needs to clean up the most, no question. He was a touch erratic in his rehab outings, so still trying to knock off some rust, but, even as good as his stuff is, if he’s falling behind in counts and giving away free baseball, it’s not going to work. 

    Tonight, Shohei Ohtani takes the mound, and he’ll face Nick Martinez, a 6’1″ right-hander who enters with a 4.69 ERA.

    Martinez is in the 86% in BB% and 5% in hard hit %, so he puts hitters in play, and typically when he does, it’s soft contact. He’s very unpredictable, which is why hitters have a hard time barreling him up. He throws his 4-seam the most, but just 22%, followed by his cutter at 20%, changeup at 19%, Sinker at 16%, then he’ll throw a handful of sliders and changeups as well. 

    He’s gonna try and get ahead with his 4-seam, then put the Dodgers hitters away with soft contact from his cutter, then swing and miss with his changeup.

    Become a subscriber to our Dodgers Daily YouTube page and follow us on Twitter @dodger_daily, on Instagram @dodger.daily, or on TikTok @dodgers_daily.

    Also, please consider donating to our Live Dodgers Dawgs shows to help Dodgers Daily keep growing. We go live several times a week, and we’d love to have you join the chat. This site will always be free to its viewers, but it does take time and money to run, so any-sized donation would be greatly appreciated.

  • Zach Penrod: Just Kept Going

    Zach Penrod: Just Kept Going

    Zach Penrod is a left-handed pitcher in the Dodgers organization who has traveled a long and winding road to get to where he’s at. His road started in Idaho, wound its way to Oregon, back to Idaho, to independent ball, then to Boston, and now with the Dodgers. 

    It’s a story that needs to be told, one of perseverance and a young man who, in the face of every negative odd, continued to believe in and bet on himself. That young man’s name is Zach Penrod, and he’s good, and he’s ready to make an impact. 

    So, when asked how someone goes from Idaho to the Major Leagues, Penrod didn’t mince words.

    It took a while and took a lot of determination, and maybe my being too dumb to give up in a lot of senses. 

    So lets unwind this thing, one step at a time. 

    The Road

    Credit Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

    Penrod went to Corban University out of High School, which is NAIA, as a 2-way player, and with the intent to become a Major Leaguer as an outfielder. He liked it and the people there, and it was a good place to get his feet underneath him, but he started pitching again after his Sophomore year, then decided to transfer back home to Northwest Nazarene, a DII school in his hometown of Nampa.

    Credit-Northwest Nazarene Athletics

    Penrod always liked the program at Northwest Nazarene, and wanted to go there out of High School, but didn’t get the offer he wanted, so he was excited that the situation came full circle. They were going to have him play 1st base and pitch, and that only lasted a couple of months before he was back in the outfield. 

    He started closing out games and hitting in the 3-hole, and he was having a lot of fun playing baseball. 

    Credit-Northwest Nazarene Athletics

    After his career at Northwest Nazarene, he went undrafted and signed as a Free Agent with Texas where he spent the next couple of years. Then Covid hit, then he got cut, then he spent the next 3 years in Indy ball with several different organizations. 

    Penrod played  2021 with Boise, an independent team in his own backyard. He enjoyed that experience because he got to play baseball and stay at home, so, as he put it, he had the best of all worlds. 

    He was putting a lot of pressure on himself because he felt like he needed to get picked up by someone back in affiliated ball, so things kept spiraling, he couldn’t quite figure it out, so he went back to Boise for 2022. 

    That year he got traded to Billings to give him a chance to pitch in the playoffs so he could get seen. He finished the rest of that year with Billings, then signed the next year with Ottawa, then got traded to Missoula, and finished that year there. 

    Then, Boston called and made an offer, that required no thought, he signed and it was a no brainer. 

    Here’s what Penrod said about how he got out of Indy ball and on with the Red Sox. 

    I think it was one of those things where I changed my mindset a little bit. I was 26 years old, it was my 3rd year of Indy ball, I was getting married at the end of the year, so it was like, get it going or give it up. 

    So, I came to the decision that 2023 would be my last year, so instead of pitching to get picked up, I decided to just have fun with it my last year, and see where it goes from there. 

    I just went out and enjoyed what I was doing, I didn’t try and throw as hard as I could, and luckily enough I put something together and got on a roll and that roll just kept going until one day the Red Sox called. 

    They asked if they could release my medicals, and I was like, sure, why not and the next Monday they called and asked if I would like to have a contract, and I didn’t have to think about it, I said “where do I sign.” 

    Penrod went on to mention that Michael Schlact, the manager of Missoula, really stuck his neck out for him, and for that, he will be forever grateful. Schlact called Boston and told them that Penrod was a Major Leaguer, and that he was so confident that if he was wrong, they could never take one of his players again. 

    And, he wasn’t wrong, Penrod made his MLB debut that season!

    MLB Debut to the Dodgers

    Credit – MLB Baseball

    Penrod made his MLB debut at Yankee Stadium, and says the craziest part of it was that they called him at 10:30 at night and told him he was going to Yankee Stadium. He didn’t know where the Major League club was playing at that moment, but they told him he was going to pitch in a 1:00 game the next day and that he had a 6:00 A.M. Flight.

    He says he didn’t have time to think about it, his daughter had been born the week before, so he was caught up with that, so he didn’t really have time to process it. 

    He went to Yankee Stadium straight from the Airport. They told him they weren’t sure he’d pitch, but then he did, and made his MLB debut. 

    Penrod had more momentum than ever, he was finally given the chance to build a Major League career, and entered 2025 ready to be a mainstay. But, as luck would have it, he hurt his elbow to start this year’s Spring Training, then he got traded to the Dodgers, and here we are. 

    The Pitch Mix

    Penrod has been pitching in relief but has a 4, used to be 5 pitch mix, but he’s combined the cutter and slider. He added a 2-seam since coming to the Dodgers and feels like it’s maybe his best weapon.

    He throws a good changeup, which is his “feel” pitch, and it’s his favorite pitch to throw. His 4-Seam rides the top of the zone well, but the pitch he’s working on the hardest is the cutter. Penrod says he’s found a good groove for that pitch, and he can throw it both to righties and lefties, and it works the North/South and East/West combos. 

    When asked what he’s doing well enough right now to be a consistent Major Leaguer, here’s what he said. 

    Yeah, I think I’m throwing strikes. I’ve struggled with command in the past, but right now I have a pretty good feel for the zone. Like I said, the changeup might be missing a little bit right now, and that might be what’s holding me back, but I’m confident I can get Big League hitters out, because I’ve done it before. 

    What a story! This dude just keeps going, and so nothing but mad respect. You gotta root for a guy like this!

    It’s a Great Day to be a Dodger!

    Become a subscriber to our Dodgers Daily YouTube page and follow us on Twitter @dodger_daily, on Instagram @dodger.daily, or on TikTok @dodgers_daily.

    Also, please consider donating to our Live Dodgers Dawgs shows to help Dodgers Daily keep growing. We go live several times a week, and we’d love to have you join the chat. This site will always be free to its viewers, but it does take time and money to run, so any-sized donation would be greatly appreciated.

  • Noah Miller: Gold Glove Hot Bat

    Noah Miller: Gold Glove Hot Bat

    Noah Miller is a shortstop in the Dodgers system who is one of the best infielders in ALL of Minor League Baseball. He won the Gold Glove for shortstops at the Minor League Level in 2023 while he was still in the Twins organization, which was right before he was traded to the Dodgers. 

    Background

    Miller grew up in Wisconsin, a big Gavin Lux fan, and for very natural reasons. Both are from Wisconsin, and Miller’s older brother played travel ball with Lux. In the off-season, he would get to hang out with Gavin and see how he did things firsthand. then, when he got traded to the Dodgers, Lux helped Miller get familiar with the organization.

    Owen, his older brother, has also made the Major Leagues, so the younger Miller had 2 future Major Leaguers to learn from at an early age. It’s no wonder he grew up to love baseball and is on the doorstep of the MLB himself. 

    Here’s what Miller had to say about what his brother has meant to him. 

    You’re talking about someone who taught me almost everything I know, between him and my dad. I mean, he’s six years older than me, so I grew up getting beat up by him and learning how to be tough. 

    I was still young when he was in College, so I learned a ton from getting to be around that, and I was just 15 when he went into pro ball, so that gave me a great perspective on looking at Colleges, or what it would be like to get drafted.

    It was a big help because everything he learned, he was teaching me, so I knew those things 6 years earlier, so it helped my process, that’s for sure.

    Pro Career

    Miller got drafted in 2021 out of High School by the Twins in the Competitive Balance Round A, which happens between the first and second rounds. The Competitive Balance rounds are meant to help smaller-market teams who are eligible if they are among the 10 smallest markets or have one of the 10 lowest revenue pools in MLB. 

    Here’s what he had to say about Draft Day

    Yeah, I was committed when I was a Sophomore, but I always knew, with my brother in pro ball, that I had a chance to get drafted. I didn’t know anything going into draft day, I just had a couple of good workouts, and when the draft approached after my Senior year, I knew I had a chance late in the first round. 

    I got a call that the Twins were interested, then my agents called to tell me that we had a deal with the Twins. I didn’t believe it until it came up on the screen, and I was with my parents and my sister, and it was a special moment.

    After getting drafted, Miller got sent to the Minor League complex of the Twins in Fort Myers, Fla., to finish out the remainder of that short season. The next year, in 2022, he spent the entire season in Low A, then spent 2023 in High A, which is when he won his Gold Glove award. 

    After that season, in February of 2024, the Twins traded him to the Dodgers for Manuel Margot and Rayne Doncon. He started 2024 in High A Great Lakes, then got moved to AA Tulsa at the beginning of August of that year, and started this year, 2025, with Tulsa. He then got promoted to AAA OKC on July 4th this year, which is where he currently is. 

    He likely would have been promoted sooner if it weren’t for a knee injury that kept him out of game action until May 9th, where he played 8 games at the Complex before being shipped to Tulsa. 

    The Business Side

    Any time a player gets traded, but especially the first time, it’s always a weird range of emotions. You’re excited that another organization values you, but there’s a lot of unknown, and that can be unsettling. 

    Miller says that the process was very interesting.

    It was very, very interesting. My brother had gotten traded, so I had seen that process, but I had my own take on it. Obviously it was emotional because I was leaving all my buddies with the Twins, and we had just beaten the Dodgers in the Playoffs, so that was an interesting part of it. 

    I came over here and met all the guys, and obviously, the Dodgers are the best, so I was very excited with the opportunity, but it was also very emotional. 

    The Tools

    Click to watch Miller in action and him talking about his tools

    Miller is an elite defender at the shortstop position, as evidenced by the Gold Glove he won in 2023. He’s also turning himself into a very good offensive player as a switch hitter, and is having his best year this year as a pro on the offensive side of the ball. 

    Miller’s defense, however, is something he’s worked very hard at for as long as he’s been playing baseball. 

    The defense is something I’ve focused on my whole life. I’ve always loved hitting the racquetball against the wall and playing catch with myself. When I started playing travel ball, I got constant reps in our indoor facility, and I constantly got ground balls and ground balls, and you just keep getting better and better when you do that. 

    The instincts started to come, and I just started going out there and playing the game.  

    As per the offensive side, here’s what Miller had to say

    I just keep trying to improve and get stronger and faster, make good decisions, and stick to the approach. In talking with our hitting coaches, that’s the big thing is sticking with what we talk about, because the Dodgers have the best hitting coaches. 

    Miller went on to say that his defense is likely his biggest strength, and that his bat-to-ball is pretty good, but that he needs to keep getting stronger and adding power. He also said that he needs to keep getting his knee better and get back to 100%

    Finishing Up

    If you’ve ever watched Miller on TV, or any kind of video, let me give you this warning, it doesn’t do him any kind of justice. Until you see him in person you can’t get a full grasp of how big he is, and how fluid he moves. You also can’t feel his competitive and positive energy through the camera either, so there’s a whole lot to like. 

    Miller will keep working, he’ll keep grinding, and someday soon he’ll be just like his brother, and just like Gavin Lux, 2 of his main influences, because he’ll be a Big Leaguer too.

    It’s a Great Day to be a Dodger!

    Become a subscriber to our Dodgers Daily YouTube page and follow us on Twitter @dodger_daily, on Instagram @dodger.daily, on TikTok @dodgers_daily, or on our new discord server by following this link, https://discord.gg/zFM3yYCv.

    Also, please consider donating to our Live Dodgers Dawgs shows to help Dodgers Daily keep growing. We go live every Sunday & Wednesday Evening at 5:00 Pacific, and we’d love to have you join the chat. This site will always be free to its viewers, but it does take time and money to run, so any sized donation would be greatly appreciated.

  • Chris Newell: Treasure Trove of Tools

    Chris Newell: Treasure Trove of Tools

     

    It’s no secret that the University of Virginia, under the direction of Brian O’Connor, has been one of the best baseball programs in the country for a good while now. They’ve sent numerous players to pro ball, including Chris Taylor and Josh Sborz, who are former Dodgers, and 3 current Dodgers, Jake Gelof, Brandon Neeck, and Chris Newell, The Dodgers just added another Cav with this years draft with Matt Lanznedorfer. 

    So, the bar has been set high in Charlottesville, in both talent and expectations. 

    That’s the “Culture” outfielder in the Dodgers system, Chris Newell, became accustomed to, and those are the expectations he’s used to. 

    Newell grew up playing baseball in the Newtown Edgmont Little League, attended Malvern Prep, and then went on to play for UVA. Now, he’s with the Dodgers, so he’s been a part of three of the best organizations at each level that any young player could be a part of.

    Newell says he feels very blessed, and thanks god for all of the opportunities he’s been given.

    Background

    Newell grew up playing baseball in the Newtown Little League both as a pitcher and a position player, and while playing there, he met EJ Moyer, a coach who ended up being one of his biggest influences. Moyer coached Newell at Newtown, became one of his tournament coaches, and then was also an assistant at Malvern during Newell’s prep career. 

    Moyer is a large reason why Newell ended up at Malvern, as was the Head Coach there, Freddy Hilliard, who just eclipsed the 400-win mark this year.

    He grew up pitching and playing the field, but his pitching career ended when he was 16, when he had to undergo Tommy John Surgery. That surgery came after his Freshman year of High School, so all he could do was hit as a Sophomore, then stayed as an outfielder only from that point on.

    Newell had about as good of a career as you could have, winning the Gatorade Player of the Year and 2 state titles. Newell says it’s an experience he’ll never forget.

    Yeah, you know, I think the individual accolades were cool, but winning the 3 State Championships in a row is something I’ll definitely never forget. Especially going out my Senior year with that team to win the 3rd one in a row was pretty special, and it’s something that I definitely won’t forget.

    UVA

    Photo by Aaron Fitt

    After a legendary Prep Career, both at Malvern and Newtown, Newell knew nothing but winning, so UVA fit right in. At UVA, he played alongside Brandon Neeck and Jake Gelof, both players in the Dodgers organization, and developed a great relationship with both of them. 

    He says it’s been nice to have them to lean on.

    Jake and I would hit together all the time, both during and after practice, and developing that relationship is special. It’s crazy that all 3 of us happen to be here together, and I think it speaks volumes to the program at Virginia.

    Brandon and I got to experience our first experiences in pro ball together, and it was nice having each other to lean on and to go through it together has been great.

    Pro Ball

    Newell was drafted in the 13th Round of the 2022 Draft and spent the remainder of that Summer at the complex. He got off to a hot start in 2023 with Rancho, then got moved up to Great Lakes in June of that year, but got injured and played only 1 game after July 26th. 

    He started 2024 with the Loons at the High A Level, then got promoted at the beginning of August to AA Tulsa, where he’s been since. 

    Newell wanted to be a pro baseball player his entire life, so getting drafted and playing pro ball has been a full-circle moment for him. 

    Yeah, getting drafted is definitely different for everybody. A lot of people think that Draft Day is going to be this great special day, but in reality, it’s very stressful because of all of the uncertainties. 

    You never know how things are going to go, and being from the East Coast, getting drafted by a West Coast team was a little bit different. I was a little nervous about that at first, just being away from my family, and that was a little bit hard at first, but I think I ended up in the right place.

    Treasure Trove

    Click to watch Newell play and talk about his Tools

    Newell has every tool you could possibly want in a prospect. He has good size at 6’2, he can run, he has a world of power, and a beautiful left-handed swing that should lend itself to him becoming a good hitter.

    As with all young players, he’s in the process of finding the best version of what he can be.

    Yeah, the tools are there, it’s just being able to combine them together, and being able to create consistency is where I need to improve. I feel like I have the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball, but I think it’s more about understanding who I am as a player and continuing to define myself. 

    I think my anchor is my defense. I really take pride in my defense in the outfield, and I don’t really care which outfield position it is, because I’ve played all 3 of them. I think where I need to improve is a little more bat-to-ball and putting the ball in play a little more to give myself the chance to impact the game. Whether it be hitting the ball over the fence, or getting on 1st with a base hit, or stealing a base, I think I still have a lot more to offer than I’ve shown so far.

    To understand the impact Newell can have on games, or sets of games, all you have to do is go back and watch the runs the Hoos made in 2021 to the College World Series. Newell had 5 stolen bases, and he hit 4 home runs in the postseason, including 2 in the College World Series.

    He has great tools, and he’s shown them in the biggest moments.

    Finishing Up

    Newell has great experience in the game, he has a great work process, high expectations, and is working every day to reach the goal he set for himself all the way back in Kindergarten, to make the Major Leagues. 

    It was a pleasure to get to speak with Chris, and an honor to get to tell at least part of his story. 

    It’s a Great Day to be a Dodger!

    ,

  • Sean McLain: Gritty, Tough and Good

    Sean McLain: Gritty, Tough and Good

     

    As players continue to wind their way through professional baseball, one thing they hear a lot is to trust the process. Put your work in every day, give yourself the best chance you can to have success, compete as hard as you can, then let the chips fall where they may. 

    Sounds easy, but baseball is hard, and it’s not as easy as Sean McLain, an infielder in the Dodgers organization, makes it look.

    One of the big reasons McLain makes handling the everyday challenge of baseball look so easy is that he grew up with two brothers who are both in professional baseball. Matt, his older brother, is already in the Major Leagues, and Nick is in A Ball, so Sean had to learn how to compete at an early age if he wanted to win… at anything!

    And if you know anything at all about Sean McLain, he doesn’t just want to win anything; he wants to win everything.

    As he puts it, when they were growing up, it didn’t matter what it was, the 3 brothers were always competing.  

    Yeah, it was golf, tennis, basketball, Lacrosse, I mean we played all the sports growing up. Whoevers day it was, that’s who won, but we’re all pretty even when it comes to being athletic and having the ability to play multiple sports.

    Sean and his brother Matt both got to play in the same game during Spring training, and on the same team in the Arizona Fall League, and those are experiences he’ll never forget.

    Oh yeah, that was pretty special. It’s always special any chance I get to play with him, whether he’s on the other team or alongside him like we did in the Fall League, it’s very special to have that opportunity. 

    So that was cool, and I made a really good play on defense against one of Matthew’s teammates, so that was cool too.

    Background

    McLean grew up in Irvine, California, as one of the best players in the region, and helped Beckham High pile up a 26-4-1 record and a Pacific Coast League Championship. 

    He had made himself one of the better players in  Southern California, and after a great prep career, chose Arizona State when it came time to choose a college. 

    His freshman year at ASU was 2020, so he saw very limited action, but he busted onto the scene in 2021. In that year, his Sophomore year, he hit .322, and had a 23-game hit streak, which tied with former Dodger, Andre Ethier’s streak back in 2003.

    He was awarded as a Collegiate Baseball News freshman All-American, an ABCA All-West Region first team selection at second base, and an honorable All-Pac-12 choice.

    He followed that up by hitting .333 in 2022, had an on-base percentage of  .430 and he scored 57 runs in 56 games.

    During the Summer after the 2022 season, he got drafted in the 5th Round, and that’s when he decided to become a pro. 

    Here is McLain on his time at Arizona State and why he chose to be a Sun Devil.

    I just wanted to go somewhere where I could develop and become the best baseball player I could. So, I went to Arizona State, I thought it was the right coaching staff, and it turned out to be.

    I enjoyed my 3 years there, and it was a really good spot for me, so I was able to mature and become a better baseball player there.

    Gym Rat

    McLain has a carrying tool on the field, which is his defense, but he also has a carrying trait, and that is that he LOVES baseball. He eats, sleeps, and drinks baseball, and no one is going to put more into the off-the-field process than he is. 

    When asked how he developed that trait, here’s what he said.

    I think my dad! My dad instilled in me when we were young to just compete every day in any sport. I have an older brother who kicks my butt, and I’m lucky to have that because my older brother taught me how to take it on the chin, and work harder and get better, so I’m very thankful for that. 

    Pro Ball and Quad Injury

    McLain got drafted in the 5th Round of the 2022 draft, but fought injuries for his short season after being drafted and then his first full pro season in 2023. He loves baseball, and if given a choice, being on a baseball field is where he would choose pretty much every day and twice on Sundays. Baseball has turned into an identity for him, so when he injured his quad and only played in 8 games in 2023, it was very hard on him

    He had to basically rewire his brain, and take all of his carrying tool traits, and apply them elsewhere, something that was a learning process, but also something he accomplished. 

    McLain kept grinding and rehabbing, and finally got a full bill of health in 2024 and so far in all of 2025 as well. 

    Here’s what he had to say about that process.

    Yeah, to be honest with you, it sucked. I kind of felt worthless because I wasn’t myself. I couldn’t be a baseball player, so I had to be a good person, a good boyfriend, and other stuff like that. 

    I had to take my identity off of just being a baseball player. I couldn’t get competitive on the baseball field, so I had to get competitive in other areas like the training room.

    The Tools

    Click to watch McLain in Action and Talking About His Game

    McLain plays Major League caliber defense right now, that’s not debatable, and he can make every play, and make it look easy. He is very good at coming in on the ball both ways, and he can also go deep in the hole to make plays while showing a quick release and a strong arm.

    The speed at which McLain makes it to the Major Leagues will likely come down to how much impact he can make on the offensive side. He has always been a good hitter, as his career at Arizona State would show, but admits that his offense so far at the professional level needs to get better. 

    The offensive game needs to improve for sure, and I’m working on it very hard. I’m working with Blake, our hitting coach, and I’m getting after it every day. I know I’m not going to wake up tomorrow, and I’m all of a sudden going to be in the Big Leagues, or even AAA, so it’s definitely something that is going to take time. It’s gonna take a lot of reps in the cages, and I’m doing that, and I’m just trying to take it day by day, and I just try to win every day.

    McLain doesn’t see himself as someone who is going to hit 20 or 30 home runs, he sees himself as someone whose gonna hit the ball from gap to gap. He says that it comes down to the pitcher and the matchup and those types of variables, and that he sees himself as being very “hitterish” and hitting the ball around the yard, and stealing more bases.

    McLain can play anywhere in the infield but prefers shortstop, and can also play outfield. 

    Finishing Up

    As an editorial, McLain is my type of player. He’s tough, he’s gritty, he loves the everyday process of baseball, and working on his game is a passion. So, you can bet he will not stop until he’s reached his goal, which is to be the next big leaguer in the McLain family. 

    It was an honor to get to meet and interview Sean, so big thanks to him for spending time with Dodgers Daily. 

    It’s a Great Day to be a Dodger!

    Become a subscriber to our Dodgers Daily YouTube page and follow us on Twitter @dodger_daily, on Instagram @dodger.daily, on TikTok @dodgers_daily, or on our new discord server by following this link, https://discord.gg/zFM3yYCv.

    Also, please consider donating to our Live Dodgers Dawgs shows to help Dodgers Daily keep growing. We go live every Sunday & Wednesday Evening at 5:00 Pacific, and we’d love to have you join the chat. This site will always be free to its viewers, but it does take time and money to run, so any sized donation would be greatly appreciated.

    ,