Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Well, it got off to a late start, but baseball is definitely back, and the Dodgers have actually already made first cuts in Spring Training. Today they optioned or reassigned 16 players, which leaves the big league camp at 51.
40-man roster guys optioned were James Outman, Eddys Leonard, Jacob Amaya, and Jorbit Vivas. The non-roster invitees were reassigned, and they were Miguel Vargas, Kody Hoese, Michael Busch, Andy Pages, Carson Taylor, Ryan Noda, Hunter Feduccia, Bobby Wahl, Yefry Ramirez, Robbie Erlin, Jon Duplantier, and Sam Gaviglio.
The players remaining includes Kevin Pillar, who recently signed a minor-league deal with the team (uh, sure, I guess), and also Hanser Alberto, who was finally added to the 40-man roster after finalizing the deal agreed upon like two weeks ago. However, it does not include Matt Beaty, who was designated for assignment to make room. Beaty is useful off the bench, with a .262/.333/.425/.758 line for his career, but he’s primarily a first baseman and now the Dodgers have two of the best in the league at the spot, plus Edwin Rios is back and Jake Lamb exists in an emergency situation. Unfortunate numbers game, but he’ll likely find himself on his feet elsewhere.
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Getting to the highlights, Victor Gonzalez went from low-key World Series hero to left off the playoff roster in a year. Injuries and sticky stuff enforcement appeared to hurt him, but the most important thing he needs to do is get back to being a strike thrower. The upside is certainly there.
Vargas was part of the crew cut today, but boy did he give everybody a look at the reason Dustin has loved him for so long. He went 3-for-7 with three walks and just one strikeout in his brief audition.
Speaking of Edwin Rios being back, he looks a lot more normal at the plate now that his shoulder isn’t destroyed. Probably not a coincidence. He has three hits in six at-bats this Spring with two walks and no strikeouts.
Darien Nunez wowed me with his stuff in his MLB debut last year, though he ended up giving up over a run an inning. I still have hope because the stuff … it is so nice.
Justin Hagenman is 25 already, but the pen arm is looking like a potential contributor, as he has paired missing bats with staying the zone so far in his career. Stuff looks solid and he hides the ball extremely well. Has two scoreless innings thus far, giving up just a hit.
Guillermo Zuniga is a 23-year-old reliever now and handled his first taste of advanced ball well last year, striking out 49 and walking just 13 in 35.1 innings while carrying a 3.06 ERA. He sits 93-96 mph with the fastball and has an above-average slider. Not eye-popping stuff, but probably just a bit of progression away from a shot.
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In terms of statistical standouts, there are a few for better or worse.
Jason Martin: 3-for-9, 2 HR, 2 BB, 3 K, 1.455 OPS
Michael Busch: 4-for-7, 2 2B, 1.428 OPS
James Outman: 5-for-9, 1 HR, 1.389 OPS
Eddy Alvarez: 4-for-10, 1 HR, 2 BB, 2 K, 1.238 OPS
Jake Lamb: 5-for-14, 2 2B, 1 HR, 1.071 OPS
Cody Bellinger: 2-for-9, 5 K
Andy Pages: 0-for-9
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Baseball!
