Los Angeles Dodgers' Winter League Wrap-Up + Dodgers Digest Debuts.

This picture has nothing to do with the post, but I came across it and LOVE it.

Most of my analytical work for the past three and a half years was written up at Memories of Kevin Malone and ChadMoriyama.com.

However, that has changed with CM.com mostly closing down its doors as a new mega-Dodgers' blog is about to hit the interwebs. It was a fun ride, and I may still post occasionally over there, but for the foreseeable future -- or until the Dodgers hire me, cough cough hint hint -- I'll be writing about the team here, as in the olden days of 2009-2010.

I'm jumping back into the saddle with a general recap of some key and notable Dodgers' prospects who participated in Winter League baseball.

Key Prospects....and Dee Gordon:

Corey Seager - SS

Seager, the Dodgers' first-round pick in 2012, spent the winter in the Arizona Fall League. In 19 games he struggled at the dish, hitting just .181/.253/.306/.559 with five extra-base hits and a 25:7 K:BB mark.

Seager's struggles don't concern me one bit for a number of reasons. First, it's a small sample size. Second, he's only 19. Third, it was Corey's first full season of pro ball and he admitted he was fatigued when the AFL rolled around. Finally, he's uber-talented, and I'm of the opinion that more often than not the exceptionally talented pan out.

I have Seager as my number one L.A. prospect. Whether he sticks at shortstop or more than likely moves to third, he'll give the Dodgers an impact and cost-controlled bat moving forward, something they desperately need and haven't had in quite some time.

Joc Pederson - OF

Pederson cemented himself as a top prospect in 2013, garnering a top spot in most Dodger prospect lists. He followed up a breakout 2012 campaign with another excellent showing, slashing .278/.381/.497/.878 with a .398 wOBA as a 21-year-old in his first taste of Double-A ball.

His strong play continued into Winter League action as he tore up the Venezuelan Winter League to the tune of a .255/.439/.473/.912 line in 34 contests and over 100 plate appearances. He drew an incredible 36 walks but did whiff 42 times while clubbing 13 extra-base hits.

While I'm not positive Pederson will stick in center field long-term, he does provide great depth and is one of the few guys major league or near-major league ready who can man center. He also happens to be the club's best trade bait among minor leaguers actually available in a deal, as I wrote about last June.

Alexander Guerrero - 2B

Guerrero was the name on Dodgers' fans minds, finally signing in Los Angeles after a prolonged "will he, won't he?" courting period. He came to Winter Ball late and was sidelined for some time due to a hamstring injury.

He was shut down eventually to ensure he didn't further injury himself and prioritize the club over his Dominican Winter League team. In 12 DWL games he hit .289/.325/.447/.772 with four extra-base hits. The second base job in 2014 is basically his to lose, and though it's fair to say he could certainly use some minor league seasoning, he is 27.

Also of note: he finally has his work visa, so no Ronald Belisario-esque worries.

This is not a Yasiel Puig situation due to Guerrero's advanced age, although of course he's nowhere near as talented as #ManBearPuig is. However, if Alexander has anywhere near the type of Spring Training that Puig did last year, he won't have to worry about heading to Albuquerque or Chattanooga to start the year.

Dee Gordon - CF(!)

Gordon makes this list rather than the below one because he stands a very real chance of making the bench for the 2014 major league squad. He was moved to center field in an attempt to increase his versatility and usefulness to the big league club.

Gordon posted a 12:5 K:BB mark in 12 games of Winter League action and an impressive slash line of .381/.426/.397/.823. I don't put any stock in those excellent offensive numbers, however, as it's 16 games in Winter Ball. His 669 plate appearances of .256/.301/.312/.613 MLB offensive output with a .274 wOBA means significantly more to me, although it is nice to see him get on-base so he can use his incredible speed.

Unfortunately, you can't steal first. Well, you theoretically can if you're adept at drawing walks. Remember kids, CLOG THOSE BASES CONSTANTLY.

If Gordon, soon to be 26, can competently field the position to any degree he could easily find himself with one of the last bench spots, as his speed and positional versatility could be quite the asset if used properly.

Other Notable Players and/or Performances:

Matt Magill - RHP

Magill, 24, is probably slotted in as the 7th or 8th arm amongst Dodgers' starters, although he did everything he could in five Puerto Rican Winter League starts to fall further down the depth chart.

He posted a 1.57 WHIP and 6.43 ERA in 21 innings while walking 13 and striking out 16. Magill posted big strikeout numbers in the minors and entered 2013 coming off of an excellent 2012 in AA (2.93 FIP, 10.33 K/9, 3.75 BB/9) before struggling in a short major league stint and not looking overly impressive in AAA this year.

The talent is there for Magill to be a solid number four or five starter, and on the plus side he still has no trouble missing bats. He must cut down on the free passes moving forward though if he doesn't want to transition to the pen, ala Chris Withrow.

Jose Dominguez - RHP

Dominguez, who saw action in the bigs last season (9 games, 8.1 IP, 3.53 FIP) before suffering an injury, struggled in ten relief outings in the Dominican. Jose, a big strikeout guy in the minor leagues, struck out eight against four walks in ten innings. He posted an ERA of 5.40 during his stint in the DWL.

At just 23 years of age, Dominguez will begin 2014 in either Double or Triple-A. Should one of the newcomers (Chris Perez, Jamey Wright) struggle or injuries befell members of the Blue Crew pen, Dominguez will be on the short-list of call-ups for the bullpen corps.

Nick Buss - OF

Buss, who got into eight games down the stretch in 2013, hit .301/.337/.495/.832 in 23 games in the Venezuelan Winter League. He had nine extra-base hits and only whiffed eleven times. However, he only drew three walks during his time in Venezuela.

Buss' ceiling did not change with his performance, as he's already 27 and is still a fourth outfielder at best and more of a fifth outfielder/AAAA player in actuality.

Angel Castro - RHP

Castro, 31, was excellent in eight starts in the Dominican Winter League. He fanned 37 against 13 walks in 48 innings of work while posting a 1.29 ERA. I don't like ERA, but I'm also not going to take the time to calculate FIP for Winter Ball and a 31-year-old career minor leaguer.

Castro, in his first season in the Dodgers' organization, was quite good in hitter-friendly Albuquerque. He's way, way down on the depth chart but every organization needs depth in the high minors.

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All Winter League numbers can be found here, via MLB.com

Image via Salon.

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A new Dodgers' blog debuts today: Dodgers Digest. It features my writing mentor and former blogging boss, Chad Moriyama; Mike Petriello of MSTI fame; Dustin Nosler of Feelin' Kinda Blue; and newcomer Daniel Brim.

Go and check it out. Good luck gents.

Joe Torre Should Be Fired. Immediately.

Joe Torre must be fired now if we are serious about winning, because he clearly isn't.

Torre brought in Jonathan Broxton to close out Sunday's game against the Yankees. The Dodgers led by 4 runs, Ronald Belisario had just thrown a measly 12 pitches the previous inning, and most importantly, Broxton had pitched or warmed up the previous 4 days. That's right, Sunday made it 5 days in a row of taxing Broxton's arm.

That is simply unacceptable, and Torre's decision is inexcusable.

Torre clearly doesn't care about Broxton's health, and putting in a clearly tired pitched doesn't scream "I'm trying to win this game" either.

I've never been a big Torre fan; he misuses his bullpen, puts together often horrific lineups, and favors veterans over younger, better, and more upside-laden players. This horrific decision is the final straw for me, and should be for every fan of the Dodgers. Jonathan Broxton will shoulder much of the blame from the traditional media and most Dodgers fans in all likelihood, but he was put in a position to fail. A tired pitcher against one of the best offenses in all of baseball? That's a clear recipe for failure.

Managing your bullpen properly: so easy, Caveman Torre still can't do it.

Fire Joe Torre Now. Before it's too late.

[Image via nomass.org]

Dodgers Notes From Sunday's Game 5/2/2010

Dodgers 9, Pittsburgh 3

Box Score.

• Hiroki Kuroda went 8 very good innings (1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 K, 1 BB, 1 WP, 97 pitches - 70 for strikes).
• Bullpen: 1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 K, 1 BB.
• Andre Ethier hit his 8th and 9th HRs of the season.
• Blake DeWitt (2 Doubles, 2 Singles) reached base 4 times, Matt Kemp (Double, Single, BB), Ethier (2 HR, Single), James Loney (Double, 2 Singles), and Jamey Carroll (2 Singles, BB) each reached base 3 times, while Xavier Paul (Triple, Single) reached base twice.
• The offense struck out 6 times, walked just twice, but clubbed 7 extra-base hits.
• Ethier drove in 4 runs and DeWitt knocked in 3 during his perfect 4-4 day at the plate.
• Kemp made a great diving catch in left-center.
  
• Why was Ronald Belisario brought in to get one out when the score is 9-3? If George Sherrill, or anyone for that matter, can't get one out with a 6-run lead, they shouldn't be anywhere near a major league roster or field. Just more proof that Joe Torre can't manage a pitching staff, specifically a bullpen. I'm just shocked he didn't bring in Ramon Troncoso to get the out, what with his 896-game pace he finds himself on.
  

Dodger Roster Moves Weekend Roundup: Manny Ramirez, Xavier Paul, Hong-Chih Kuo & More!

Reviewing recent roster moves made by the club, we find:

Manny Ramirez heads to the 15-day DL due to a right calf strain. Xavier Paul has been recalled to take ManRam's place, though it is likely he will serve in a reserve role and spell the tandem of Garrett Anderson and Reed Johnson, with Anderson likely to get the bulk of the playing time.

I would personally like to see Paul get the majority of the starts over the next 2 week. Highest upside, clearly, and what's the point of calling him up to be a reserve when he could be playing full-time in AAA? Isn't that the reason why he wasn't our 4th OF to begin the season? Paul's AAA numbers: .361/.409/.574/.983 through 15 Games and 66 plate appearances.

FREE XAVIER PAUL

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Ronald Belisario returns, and Jon Link heads back to AAA after making one appearance and throwing 2 scoreless innings. Link looked good, and will probably see time up in the show again this season, certainly when rosters expand, if not sooner.

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Hong-Chih Kuo returned from elbow issues, while a corresponding move saw Jeff Weaver head to the disabled list with a strained lower back.

Dodgers Notes From Thursday's Game 4/22/2010

Cincinnati 8, Dodgers 5

Box Score.

• Vicente Padilla went 6 innings (4 Runs [3 ER], 8 Hits, 8 K, o BB, 1 HR Allowed, 94 pitches - 67 for strikes, 1 throwing error and 1 fielding error {in my book}). I heard our terrible announcing tandem say the fielding error had been taken away, and it was. But it really was a terrible play by Padilla, even if he probably would have been beaten to first base.
  
• Bullpen: 2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 K, 3 BB [1 IBB]. 4 Relievers.
  
• Andre Ethier hit his 5th HR of the season, and Garret Anderson chipped in with a pinch-hit, 2-run shot, his 1st of the season.
  
• Matt Kemp (Single, BB), Russell Martin (2 Singles), and Blake DeWitt (Single, BB) each reached base twice.
  
• Manny left the game after re-aggravating his right calf on a single. Joe Torre says he'll miss most if not all of the weekend series.
• Hong-Chih Kuo made his season debut, and Ronald Belisario pitched on back-to-back days, making his second appearance. I don't particularly care how they pitch now, considering the time they missed. Just the fact that they're back is, for the time being, good enough for me.
• The offense struck out 8 times, drew just 2 walks, and only had 2 extra-base hits.
  

Dodgers Notes From Wednesday's Game 4/21/2010

Dodgers 14, Cincinnati 6

Box Score.

• Hiroki Kuroda went 5.2 innings (6 Runs [3 ER], 7 Hits, 4 K, 2 BB, 2 HR Allowed, 103 pitches - 61 for strikes).
• Bullpen: 3.1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 2 BB, 1 K. 4 Relievers.
• Matt Kemp launched yet another opposite-field HR, his 7th of the season. Andre Ethier clubbed his 4th long-ball of the young season.
• Rafael Furcal swiped his 7th base of the season. a night after stealing two.
• Kemp (HR, 2 BB, HBP), Manny Ramirez (3 Singles, BB), Ethier (HR, 2 Singles, BB), and Furcal (Triple, Double, Single, BB) each reached base 4 times, James Loney (3 Singles) reached base 3 times, and Russell Martin (2 Singles) reached base twice.
• Manny reached another milestone, the 1800 RBI mark.
• Ronald Belisario made his season debut, throwing a scoreless inning. Jon Link was sent back down to AAA.
  
• Jeff Weaver left the game with an apparent lower-body injury. For his sake, let's hope it's just the "Chan Ho Park" type of lower-body injury and not something long-term.
• The offense drew 6 walks, struck out just 5 times, and knocked out 5 extra-base hits.
• The best part about no one being at games? You can hear everything fans yell out, including this gem after Kemp was hit by a pitch: "Hey Kemp, we've got Rihanna to rub it out for you!".

Russ Ortiz Is Gone!

Russ Ortiz has finally been designated for assignment, and Jon Link has been recalled to take his place. Link will almost certainly be sent back to AAA once Hong-Chih Kuo and Ronald Belisario return.

Ortiz's comments:

Ortiz said he asked if the club wanted to keep him and was told yes, but Ortiz said he's not sure he would accept.

"If it's for a specific purpose for the opportunity to come back, yeah," he said. "But I'm not going to go down just to put a uniform on. I don't need to put a uniform on to be happy."

Ortiz said he was undone by three bad innings, but acknowledged that he didn't pitch well enough to remain in the Major Leagues for the entire year, as was his goal.

"It's kind of incomplete for me," he said. "If anything, I let myself and my teammates down."

You were undone because you're an awful pitcher Russ Ortiz.

My ode to you, Russ, is no longer needed.

Thank god for that.

Belisario Arrived Fashionably Late

Ronald Belisario has finally left Venezuela and reported to camp, where he was placed on the restricted list.

The restricted list gives Belisario 30 days to get in baseball shape and impress the club enough to not waive or trade him, as he is out of minor league options. Joe Torre has already declared that Belisario won't be on the Opening Day 25-man roster:

"We're not going to do it at the start of the season," Torre said. "Last year, at least we knew where he was [pitching on the Minor League side after arriving two weeks late]. This is pushing the envelope too far. We haven't seen what he's done."

I should probably start using a new picture of Belisario, but this one just calls to me each time.

Ronald Belisario Needs A Visa, And He Needs It Now

Ronald Belisario will miss the beginning of workouts for pitchers and catchers for the second consecutive season, once again due to visa problems in his attempts to leave Venezuela, reports Ken Gurnick.

Ronald Belisario Pleads His Case

Not guilty your honor.

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Notes From Saturday's Game

Matt Kemp batted 4th.

• How often should Kemp bat 4th or higher: 100% of the time.
• Odds that Joe Torre moves him down, most likely as soon as Sunday: 100%.

1. Clayton Kershaw dominated the Braves (7 IP, 10 K, 1 BB, 2 Hits, 104 pitches - 71 for strikes). Clayton struck out the side in the 5th, had at least 2 Ks in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innings, and had streaks of 10 and 9 consecutive batters retired. His Game Score was an outstanding 82.
   
2. Russell Martin should have pinch-hit for Brad Ausmus in the 7th. My reasoning here.
3. That called 3rd strike to Ausmus in the 5th that resulted in a strike-em-out-throw-em-out looked like a ball to me, though the home plate ump had a big strike zone all night long.
   
4. Tony Abreu got his first start since 2007, giving Casey Blake a rest.
5. Ronald Belisario returned. Scott Elbert goes back to AAA.
   
6. I've never seen Vin Scully wink before tonight.
7. Kawashima? Come on Vin, say it with me. KAWAKAMI.
   
8. One more thing concerning our fantastic announcer: Since when is Garret Anderson an "outstanding player"? G.A.'s career looks like this (he surprisingly has 824 career XBH):

PA: 8818
OBP: .327
SLG: .467
OPS: .794
OPS+: 105
BB: 414
Most BB in a season: 38 in 141 Games (2006-Age 34)

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I've been listening to this song a lot recently.

Welcome Back

Ronald Belisario.

The rookie reliever hasn't pitched since July 5 due to a strained right elbow. He relieved Clayton Kershaw to start the 8th and recorded two outs on the ground before walking Kelly Johnson. Ronald was then pulled and replaced by George Sherrill.

Words of advice Ronnie: Don't let Joe Torre anywhere near your arm.