Taiwan Trip Opened Up Doors For The No-Name Gang
by Eric Stephen on Mar 15, 2010 10:32 PM PDT
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The Dodgers' trip to Taiwan provided a fun opportunity for many players and team employees to experience a different culture, and play some baseball in a festive environment, even it was only for two games instead of three. The trip also affected the Dodgers left behind in Arizona, as roughly half the team was half a world away. As a result, the Dodgers gave plenty of playing time to many of their youngsters, giving them the opportunity to suit up (you know, in high-numbered nameless jerseys) in big league games. Here's a summary of recent draftees with their playing time over the last six games:
| Player | Age | Draft | Level | G | PA | Comments |
| Pedro Baez | 22 | 2007* | A+ | 4 | 6 | *signed out of Dominican Republic |
| Steven Caseres | 23 | 2008 | A+ | 3 | 3 | Got a hit, a walk, and scored a run |
| Brian Cavazos-Galvez |
23 | 2009 | Rookie | 2 | 1 | One PA, one booming HR |
| Dee Gordon | 22 | 2008 | A | 2 | 2 | |
| Andrew Lambo | 21 | 2007 | AA | 4 | 5 | Two walks and a run scored |
| Preston Mattingly | 22 | 2006 | A+ | 2 | 3 | A hit and a run, playing for pops |
| Jaime Pedroza | 23 | 2007 | A | 1 | 1 | |
| Kyle Russell | 24 | 2008 | A | 2 | 5 | Delivered first RBI among minor leaguers |
| Angelo Songco | 21 | 2009 | A | 2 | 3 | A double and a homer in 3 PA |
| Scott Van Slyke | 23 | 2005 | A+** | 3 | 4 | A hit and an RBI |
| Matt Wallach | 24 | 2007 | A | 1 | 1 | son of Tim |
| Pitcher | Age | Draft | Level | G | IP | Comments |
| Ethan Martin | 21 | 2008 | A | 1 | 1.0 | scoreless inning vs Angels today |
| Matt Sartor | 25 | 2007* | AA | 1 | 0.1 | *undrafted FA signed in 2007 |
| Chris Withrow | 21 | 2009 | AA | 1 | 1.0 | 3 strikeouts in his stellar debut |
**Scott Van Slyke did play three games in Triple A at the end of 2009.
That's a total of 34 plate appearances and 2.1 innings in big league camp from recently acquired amateur talent. In addition to this group of youngsters, others from minor league camp who have played in spring games are Jay Gibbons, Anthony Hatch, Christian Lara, Timo Perez, and Brandon Watson.
Now that the Taiwan travelers are back in camp, coupled with tomorrow's off day and the minor league games starting Friday, I suspect there will be a scant few, if any, opportunities for the young guns in big league camp. But it was fun while it lasted.
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Laker game
Had to be one of the most exciting finishes in a long time for such a meaningless game. The last second desperation three pointer bouncing off the rim three or four times. wow!
vr, Xei
That
plus the wide-open Curry shot that I thought for sure was going in.
It seems like every game in Oakland ends up seeming like a game and a half in the exhaustion meter.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 15, 2010 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks
Also added the minor league level for 2009
by Eric Stephen on Mar 15, 2010 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I just saw Ethan Martin make Kendry Morales look like a fool a 12-6 curve. Effortless delivery, too.
No wonder BA ranked it as the best curve in the system. Bottom dropped out like a ton of bricks. Jeebus.
by silverwidow on Mar 15, 2010 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I know a lot of us like Withrow over Martin. But I’m beginning to think a great part of it is that Martin was simply held back by the Dodgers in 2009.
A full season (and by that, I mean few restrictions such as only 3 innings outings) will go a long way for Martin’s development and shoot him up the prospects lists.
It’s funny, some scouts think Martin might end up a reliever, but from what I’m seeing, he’s uses WAY more curves that Withrow (limited sample size). To my eyes, it’s a future plus-plus pitch (at least 70).
by silverwidow on Mar 15, 2010 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I spoke too soon — after flashing those great breaking pitches to start the inning, Martin went almost exclusively fastball.
This is going to be a very interesting year to compare these two arms, that’s for sure.
by silverwidow on Mar 15, 2010 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I really think both guys are future impact big leaguers. The ball just flew out of Martin’s hand with such ease, and the curveball had some nasty action. Obviously both need more experience, but both have top of the line ability. A future homegrown rotation of Kershaw, Bills, Withrow, Martin, Miller/Gould seems like a decent possibility.
by UCLADodger32 on Mar 15, 2010 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I just got acute localized high blood pressure. I can only imagine silverwidow’s reaction to reading a rotation like that.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Mar 15, 2010 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Gimme 95 mph with a devastating breaking ball and silverwidow will be ALL OVER that.
by silverwidow on Mar 16, 2010 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Great post
I just hope one of those outfielders pans out some day. (Also praying for Baez to break out.)
I think Mario Songco will pan out for the Dodgers in a couple of years
by Dodgermanramon on Mar 15, 2010 11:59 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Saw van slyke play A ball bs the Nuts. He was good. I’d love to see him in the bigs.
by Skunkburner on Mar 15, 2010 10:52 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Brandon Watson
I don’t know if I even heard of this cat before tonight. His transaction history is like a carousel: it’s dizzying but ultimately goes nowhere.
Went to the same HS as Brian Barton, Westchester, and is six months older than him.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Mar 15, 2010 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions
The Rockies are holding a ceremony this year to honor the career of Dante Bichette.
This has to be good karma for the Dodgers. :)
Batting helmet
Is Lambo wearing the Kazoo helmet in that picture like David Wright wore last year?
Yes I believe so. Safety first! ;)
by Eric Stephen on Mar 16, 2010 7:43 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Ethan Martin's line looks worse than what it was
He gave up a hit and then a blooper that landed. But he made the Angels look ridiculous with that curve. More than once he took that fastball(must have been mid 90s) and blew it past guys… If I remember, wasnt it when Martin was on the mound and the Angels hitter literally took strike 3 because he knew he couldnt catch up?
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Mar 16, 2010 1:39 PM PDT reply actions
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