June 2016 – Page 6 – Dodger Thoughts

By Jon Weisman

With their fourth-round pick and the 131st taken overall in the MLB draft, the Dodgers selected their second 6-foot-6 player in a row: 20-year-old right-handed outfielder D.J. Peters, from Glendora High School by way of Western Nevada Community College.

Peters had a .519 on-base percentage and .734 slugging percentage in 2016 for the Wildcats, with 31 extra-base hits and 34 walks compared with 33 strikeouts. For context, his .419 batting average and 16 home runs in 2016 set school records. (He also had a 1.35 ERA in 6 2/3 innings)

As this Western Nevada story notes, Peters was taken in the 36th round twice before, by the Texas Rangers last year and by the Cubs after his senior year at Glendora.

Dodgers draft high school RHP Dustin May in third round

By Jon Weisman

On June 10, 2016

In Draft

[mlbvideo id=”741801983″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

Kicking off their selections in today’s second day of the MLB Draft, the Dodgers used their third-round pick (101st overall) on right-handed pitcher Dustin May from Northwest High School in Justin, Texas.

https://twitter.com/d_maydabeast/status/741334334817243136

May, who turns 19 in September, checks in at 6-foot-6, 180 pounds. Here’s the MLB.com scouting report on him:

Julio Urias to start Sunday in San Francisco

By Jon Weisman

On June 9, 2016

In Postgame

[mlbvideo id=”792815483″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]
By Jon Weisman

Preferring the idea of having Julio Urias face San Francisco’s lineup over Arizona’s, the Dodgers have flipped him with Mike Bolsinger so that the teenage lefty pitches Sunday against the Giants, while Bolsinger will go Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Dave Roberts announced the switch Wednesday after the Dodgers’ 1-0 loss to Colorado, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Urias will be pitching on four days’ rest.

As Dodgers eye 2016 draft, 2015 selections progress

By Jon Weisman

On June 8, 2016

In Draft, Minor leagues

Vanderbilt’s Walker Buehler was the Dodgers’ No. 1 draft pick in 2015. (Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

With three picks before the second round of Thursday’s 2016 MLB draft, the Dodgers are sitting pretty.

And on top of that, their top pick from 2015, Walker Buehler — who had Tommy John surgery in August before appearing in a professional game — is on course to make this year’s haul even stronger.

“Walker Buehler’s going to be ready to throw next year — he’s almost like a pick this year,” Gasparino said. “We feel good about his recovery, his rehab and where he’s at in the process.”

Corey Seager needs All-Star voting boost

By Jon Weisman

On June 8, 2016

In All-Star Game

Corey Seager has been on base a ton lately, but he's still underneath Colorado's Trevor Story in the NL All-Star shortstop balloting.

Corey Seager has been all over the bases lately, but he’s still underneath Colorado’s Trevor Story in the NL All-Star shortstop balloting.

By Jon Weisman

Corey Seager’s memorable week hasn’t boosted him into contention for a starting spot on the National League team at this summer’s All-Star Game, but there’s still time. Fan voting continues through the end of June at dodgers.com/vote.

Seager stands tall at shortstop, but he’s still looking up at the top five in the NL All-Star balloting.

Thanks to his latest hot streak, the 22-year-old is hitting .284/.346/.526 with 12 doubles and 14 home runs, and has extended his lead over NL shortstops in wins above replacement. He is at 2.8, which is 0.5 higher than the next-closest shortstop, San Francisco’s Brandon Crawford, and more than double that of vote leaders Addison Russell of Chicago and Trevor Story of Colorado.

Seager also ranks No. 1 among NL shortstops in weighted on-base average and weighted runs created. He is third defensively, behind Crawford and Philadelphia’s Freddy Galvis.

Put a smile on Seager’s face — #VoteCorey.

Honors await Kenley Jansen, but his relationship with Don Newcombe is truly something to cherish

By Jon Weisman

On June 8, 2016

In Publications

By Jon Weisman

When I set out to do our latest cover story for Dodger Insider magazine on Kenley Jansen, the initial idea was to talk to the big reliever about his potential first All-Star appearance, or his approach toward the Dodger career save record.

But quickly the story switched to an angle I was only too happy to explore — Jansen’s close relationship with Dodger legend Don Newcombe.

“He’s my father in the United States,” Jansen said. “That’s what it feels like.”

“I think he’s a fine human being, a fine human being,” Newcombe emphasized. “He’s like a son to me, and he wants me to just be a part of his life. That’s all. No big deal, no instructions or anything, just a part of him.”

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Jansen is 28 years old. Newcombe turns 90 in one week (his birthday will be celebrated at Dodger Stadium with his bobblehead night this evening). Generations separate them, but their connection runs deep — and it was a joy just to see how much.

Read the entire story by clicking here.

Beginning this year, the Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand plus one in October, 13 issues total. It is distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation. Dodger Insider magazine includes news, features, analysis, photos, games, stadium information and more. Fans who still wish to subscribe can do so at dodgers.com/magazine.

Walkoff hero Trayce Thompson: ‘I’m not scared to fail’

By Jon Weisman

On June 7, 2016

In Postgame

[mlbvideo id=”788811483″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

One locker separates the workstations of Trayce Thompson and Julio Urias in the Dodger clubhouse, which made for a funny scene when the hero of tonight’s game came by.

Julio Urías logs four long innings, sets strikeout mark

By Jon Weisman

On June 7, 2016

In Midgame

By Jon Weisman

Julio Urías remains in need of an efficiency expert, but that didn’t stop him from enjoying his most satisfying appearance as a Dodger to date — and setting a record to boot.

In his first appearance before his Los Angeles fans, Urías struck out seven — the most by a teenager in Los Angeles Dodger history — but used up 86 pitches by the fourth inning, leaving with a 3-1 lead over Colorado.

The Rockies bedeviled Urías by fouling off 19 pitches — 14 in his final two innings — and never surrendering a quick out. Urías faced 16 batters, and none saw fewer than four pitches in an at-bat.

But from the start, Urías countered his pitch-count difficulties with flashes of the brilliance that makes him so enticing.

Dodgers look for Julio Urías to apply lessons tonight

By Jon Weisman

On June 7, 2016

In Pregame

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Julio Urías, P

By Jon Weisman

In the hours before Julio Urías took the mound for the first Dodger Stadium start by a teenage pitcher since Dwight Gooden in 1984, Dave Roberts expressed high expectations for the 19-year-old left-hander, but also acknowledged the high degree of difficulty.

A swath of fan reaction since June 2, following Urías’ second consecutive losing start, focused on the fact that Urías wasn’t ready for the Majors. That might be true in and of itself — and it’s not as if the Dodgers have ruled out returning Urías to the minors.

But there’s also an overwhelming sense that the most important lessons Urías must learn can only come in the big leagues.

Once more unto the breach, dear Vin

By Jon Weisman

On June 6, 2016

In Uncategorized

[mlbvideo id=”784139783″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

For the final time as a Dodger broadcaster, Vin Scully commemorated the anniversary of D-Day, as he has for so many years. In the video above is how he concluded.

"I'm not trying to impress you. What I'm trying to do is impress the young people listening how important this day should always be." – Vin

— Jon Weisman (@jonweisman) June 7, 2016

Update: Here’s how Scully introduced his night of D-Day remembrances.

[mlbvideo id=”784025483″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Bolsinger’s number comes up again

By Jon Weisman

On June 6, 2016

In Postgame

By Jon Weisman

100 02x xxx -- 3
000 200 xxx -- 2
002 00x xxx -- 2
010 014 xxx -- 6

Above are the linescores against Mike Bolsinger in his four starts this year, and as you can see, he’s allowed one crooked number in each of them.

They’ve never been the same inning. One crooked number in the third inning (June 1), one in the fourth (May 24), one in the fifth (May 18) and one in the sixth (tonight).

Tonight brought the biggest crooked man of all, thanks to a three-run home run by Trevor Story in the sixth inning that doubled Colorado’s run total on its way to a 6-1 victory over the Dodgers.

As you can see, the crooks haven’t always broken in at the same point in the game, not always the same trip through the order. But come they have.

Dodgers play righty vs. righty card against Chatwood

By Jon Weisman

On June 6, 2016

In Hitting, Pregame

Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Trayce Thompson, RF
Adrian González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Scott Van Slyke, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Mike Bolsinger, P

By Jon Weisman

If you’re wondering why Dave Roberts chose to rest left-handed hitters Chase Utley and Joc Pederson against right-handed Rockies pitcher Tyler Chatwood, it’s mainly because right-handed batters have had more success against him.

This year, righties have an .788 OPS against Chatwood, while lefties are at .579. The split was even more pronounced in 2014, before Chatwood had the Tommy John surgery that forced him out of action in 2016. Chatwood has returned this year to lead Colorado starters with a 2.99 ERA.

Corey Seager: Not NL Player of the Week

By Jon Weisman

On June 6, 2016

In Awards

By Jon Weisman

One week ago today, Corey Seager went 0 for 4 with a career-high three strikeouts.

A trend was not forming.

Over his next six games, the 22-year-old shortstop went 10 for 23 with six home runs — five in the past three games against Atlanta — two walks and a sacrifice fly, giving him a .462 on-base percentage and 1.217 slugging percentage.

That would have made Seager the youngest Dodger to be named National League Player of the Week since Fernando Valenzuela won the honor twice in 1981 at age 21, except the Cardinals’ Matt Carpenter swooped in to take the award, with a .577 on-base percentage and .920 slugging percentage.

In the past 30 days, Seager has 12 home runs, with a .364 on-base percentage and .667 slugging percentage. He ranks seventh in Major League Baseball in wins above replacement, behind Mike Trout, Manny Machado, Dexter Fowler, Xander Bogaerts, Jose Altuve and Nolan Arenado.

Corinne Landrey has an analysis of Seager’s offensive explosion at Fangraphs.

The 10th anniversary of drafting Clayton Kershaw

By Jon Weisman

On June 6, 2016

In Draft, History

Flanked by Dodger scout Calvin Jones and his mother Marianne, 18-year-old Clayton Kershaw signs with the Dodgers. (Ben Platt/MLB.com)

By Jon Weisman

On June 6, 2006, the Dodgers made their best single front-office decision of this century and long before it.

Carl Crawford designated for assignment

By Jon Weisman

On June 5, 2016

In Transactions

By Jon Weisman

The Dodger career of Carl Crawford has come to an end.

Crawford was designated for assignment this morning, with the Dodgers recalling catcher-infielder Austin Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take his spot on the roster.

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Month: June 2016 (Page 6 of 8)

D.J. Peters, 6-foot-6 outfielder, taken in fourth round by Dodgers

Dodgers draft high school RHP Dustin May in third round

Julio Urias to start Sunday in San Francisco

As Dodgers eye 2016 draft, 2015 selections progress

Corey Seager needs All-Star voting boost

Honors await Kenley Jansen, but his relationship with Don Newcombe is truly something to cherish

Walkoff hero Trayce Thompson: ‘I’m not scared to fail’

Julio Urías logs four long innings, sets strikeout mark

Dodgers look for Julio Urías to apply lessons tonight

Once more unto the breach, dear Vin

Bolsinger’s number comes up again

Dodgers play righty vs. righty card against Chatwood

Corey Seager: Not NL Player of the Week

The 10th anniversary of drafting Clayton Kershaw

Carl Crawford designated for assignment

Buy ‘The Catch: A novel’

Buy ‘Brothers in Arms’

‘Brothers in Arms’ coverage

Instagram

Twitter

Recent posts

Other writing by Jon

Archives

Commenting guidelines

Attendance