Showing posts with label Jesmuel Valentin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesmuel Valentin. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

2014 Topps Heritage Minor League Baseball - All the Dodger Insert Cards

Here is a final look at some of the Dodger cards available in Topps 2014 Heritage Minor League Baseball card set.  This time I share all of the Dodger insert cards that can be found.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.

As you'll notice, there are no Dodger autographed cards.  Boo!


But there's a relic card for young infield prospect Corey Seager.  Oh... and a couple of manufactured cap logo patches too!  So there's that.


Overall, I thought this was a rather boring set for Dodger fans.  Of course, if you're a prospect hound then you'd probably enjoy this one.

Baseball Flashbacks Set

#FB-JU Julio Urias

There is also a Clubhouse Collection Patches card for Corey Seager (#CCP-CS) that uses the exact same design and photo as the card below.  The only difference is that a cut-up piece of a uniform patch is used.

Clubhouse Collection Relics Set

#CCR-CS Corey Seager

Minor League Baseball Hat Patches Set

#MP-CS Corey Seager

#MP-JP Joc Pederson

Road to the Show Set

#RTTS-CS Corey Seager                    #RTTS-JV Jesmuel Valentin

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Friday, September 19, 2014

2014 Topps Heritage Minor League Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

Topps just released a brand new Baseball card set and it's an minor league version of their Heritage card set they put out in March.  It is called 2014 Topps Heritage Minor League and it includes some of the best and brightest prospects in the game.  Go here for a complete checklist.  As you can see, this set borrows the vintage 1965 Topps Baseball card design.

There are seven Dodger prospects in the 200 card base set.  Check them all out below.  Of note, Jesmuel Valentin is no longer a part of the Dodger franchise.  He was traded to the Phillies a few weeks back as a part of the Roberto Hernandez trade.  Also, this will be the last time we see a Dodger prospect wearing an Isotope uniform on a Baseball card.  The Dodgers recently purchased an ownership stake in the Oklahoma City RedHawks AAA club, and will begin playing there next year.

BTW, there are Short Printed Variation cards of Julio Urias and Joc Pederson, but I have yet to see them.  I hope to have photos of those cards to share next week.

#17 Zach Lee                                      #22 Corey Seager

#55 Julio Urias                                 #76 Jesmuel Valentin

#127 Chris Anderson                                 #147 Tom Windle

#160 Joc Pederson

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Monday, August 18, 2014

Blog Kiosk: 8/18/2014 - Dodger Links - A Tough Weekend and Kemp's Ice Bucket Challenge


This was a very painful weekend series against the Brewers yesterday afternoon. The Dodgers got swept by our Central Division nemesis; having lost five of the six games we've played them this season.  BTW, this is the first time the Dodgers have been swept this year.  As a result, the Dodger now have just a 3.5 game lead over the Giants.  We are far from settling who will win the West this season.

The afternoon started well enough.  It was Cuban Heritage Day during Viva Los Dodgers, and much of the stadium was in a celebrating mood.  Puig and Hanley Ramirez greeted fans to much excitement, and Jessica Alba showed some great form during her warmups for her ceremonial first pitch.  Unfortunately, things went awry soon afterwards.

Foreshadowing the Dodgers start, Jessica Alba missed the plate during her first pitch, and starting pitcher Dan Haren gave up an first inning two-run homer to start the game.  From there, everything went downhill.  By the time the dust settled, the Brewers lead the Dodgers 7 to 0 at the end of the fourth inning.  The Dodgers wouldn't come close to threatening the Brewers lead the entire game.  Graphic above via @SportsNetLA on twitter.

Oh well.  Thankfully, the Dodgers get a day off today.  They have played twenty straight games, and are due for a rest.  As Vin Scully mentioned yesterday afternoon, Baseball union rules dictate that a team cannot play more than twenty games in a row.  No doubt, we need a little rest.

Now, here are some more links to check out.
  • ICYMI: Juan Uribe was placed on the 15-day DL on Saturday.  Carlos Triunfel was called up from AAA in his place.  This injury hurts.  For all the criticism Uribe received when he first joined the Dodgers he has since become an important part of the Dodgers offense and defense.  He's a spark plug, and is easily the most underrated player on the team.
  • BTW, to complete the Roberto Hernandez trade the Dodgers sent former 2012 1st round draft pick, Jesmuel Valentin, to the Phillies, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.  This completes one-half of the trade.  Another player is still slated to go to Philadelphia.  This might seem like a hefty exchange, but it really isn't.  As an infielder, Valentin appeared to be blocked at every potential position, but likely received a good depth piece in Hernandez for a pennant run.
  • You should expect Pederson and Guerrero in Dodger Blue in September, via Jim Bowden on twitter. With the injuries currently hampering the Dodgers, September couldn't come fast enough.


"We love Hanley," Kasten said." There is still lots of time this season for him to make a big impact in September, and hopefully in October.

"Both sides have agreed we'll sit down and talk at the end of the season and decide. We both decided that makes the most sense. As difficult a season as he's had physically, there is still lots of time for him to have an enormous impact for us."
Do not be shocked if the Dodgers part way with Hanley this winter.  Considering his injury history, the potential cost and the current minor league depth the club has in the infield, we just might choose to go another direction.  Of course, if Hanley takes a discount then the aforementioned issues might be worth it.


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Wednesday, July 09, 2014

Here are June's Dodger Pride Award Winners - Minor League Players of the Month for June

The Dodgers just announced their June Dodger Pride Award Winners.  This award celebrates the franchises best performers in the Minor Leagues for the month of June.  

Check them out below.

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Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes

Pitcher – RHP Carlos Frias ranked ninth in the PCL with a 3.09 ERA (11 ER/32.0 IP) in June, striking out 29 (13th, PCL) and issuing six walks in five starts for the Isotopes. The Dominican Republic native was named the PCL Pitcher of the Week for the period ending June 23 after allowing only one run in 13.0 innings in two starts that week, while striking out 17. The 24-year-old signed with the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent and was a Spring Training non-roster invitee for the club this season.

Player – INF Clint Robinson ranked ninth in the PCL with a .357 batting average (30-for-84), with six homers, five doubles and 21 RBI, while posting the fourth-highest PCL slugging percentage (.631) in 23 June games before his contract was selected by the Dodgers on June 25. Overall at Albuquerque this season, Robinson batted .309 with 14 homers and 56 RBI in 77 games for the Isotopes. The Missouri native made his Major League debut on June 27 vs. St. Louis and had his first hit and game-winning RBI on June 30 vs. Cleveland, and overall on the season is batting .333 (3-for-9). A non-roster invitee to the Dodgers’ 2014 Spring Training camp, Robinson was signed by the club on November 18, 2013 and was originally selected by the Royals in the 25th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts

Pitcher – RHP Andres Santiago ranked fifth among Southern League leaders with a 2.18 ERA (5 ER/20.2 IP) and third with a .228 opponents’ batting average (18-for-79) among pitchers in five games (three starts) in June. The Puerto Rico native struck out 16 and walked four in five June games and on the season has struck out 64. The 24-year-old was selected by the Dodgers in the 16th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.

Player – INF Daniel Mayora ranked seventh in the Southern League with a .350 batting average (36-for-103) in 26 June games, with one homer, four doubles and 19 RBI (6th, Southern League). On the season, the Venezuela native has a .283 batting average (91-for-321) and is tied for fifth in the Southern League with 47 RBI. Mayora has been a dependable situational hitter this season, batting .307(47-for-153) with runners on and .297 (27-for-91) with runners in scoring position. The 28-year-old was originally signed by the Rockies in 2003 as a non-drafted free agent and was signed by the Dodgers on November 8, 2013.

Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

(pic via MiLB.com)
Pitcher – LHP Dan Coulombe went a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities in June, allowing one run in nine appearances and ranking among California League leaders in saves during the month (T-3rd). The 24-year-old posted a 0.97 ERA (1 ER/ 11.1 IP) while striking out 16 and holding opposing batters to a .111 (4-for-36) average. On the season, the Arizona native is 3-0 with four saves and a 3.19 ERA (15 ER/ 42.1 IP), limiting opposing hitters to a .204 batting average (31-for- 152) and is tied for third in the California League in holds (8). The former Texas Tech University standout was selected by the Dodgers in the 25th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

Player – OF Aaron Miller ranked among California League leaders with three triples (T-1st), a .658 slugging percentage (5th), 19 RBI (8th) and five home runs (T-11th) in 22 June games for the Quakes. The Texas native batted .316 (25-for-79) with five homers, three triples, six doubles and 19 RBI during the month and was named California League Player of the Week for the period ending June 9. On the season, the 26-year-old is batting .274 (59-for-215), with eight homers, four triples, 19 doubles and 40 RBI, and has come up clutch with the bases loaded, posting a .375 (3-for-8) clip and a .333 (14-for-42) batting average with runners on and two outs. The former Baylor University star was selected in the first round (36th overall) in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

Single-A Great Lakes Loons

Pitcher – RHP Victor Araujo went 2-0 and a perfect 2-for-2 in save opportunities in June, striking out 17 and walking three in 12 appearances. The Dominican Republic native posted a 1.45 ERA (3 ER/18.2 IP) and tossed 12.2 scoreless innings between June 10-27. On the season, the 21-year-old is 4-1 with four saves with a 1.15 ERA (6 ER/ 47.0 IP) and is limiting the opposition to a .140 (22-for-157) batting average. Araujo was signed by the Dodgers as a free agent on November 26, 2009.

Player – INF Jesmuel Valentin posted a .321 batting average (26-for-81) in 21 June games, powering three homers, two triples, four doubles and nine RBI. The Puerto Rico native is hitting .280 (82-for-293) on the season with five homers, seven triples, 15 doubles and 36 RBI and has three four-hit performances for Great Lakes. The 20-year-old was selected by Los Angeles in the first round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

Rookie-level Ogden Raptors

(pic via MiLB.com)
Pitcher – RHP Abdiel Velasquez struck out nine batters in three starts in June, posting a 3.12 ERA (6 ER/17.1 IP). Overall, the Panama native is 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA (9 ER/28.1 IP) and has allowed two earned runs or less with 5.0 or more innings in four of his five starts. The 21-year-old was signed by the Dodgers on July 2, 2009.

(pic via MiLB.com)
Player – INF Justin Chigbogu ranked among Pioneer League leaders in June with 17 hits (T-6th) and eight RBI (T-9th) while posting a .293 batting average (17-for-58) in 15 games for the Raptors. The Missouri native strung together a 14-game hitting streak to open the campaign, batting .315 (17-for-54) during the streak. Chigbogu was drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.


Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers

Pitcher – RHP Yueri Gonzalez went 1-0 in two relief appearances in June, posting a 2.84 ERA (2 ER/6.1 IP). The Dominican Republic native limited opposing batters to a .240 batting average (6-for-25) and threw 3.1 scoreless innings in his first game, which was on June 22. On the season, the 21-year-old has gone 1-1 in four games with a 2.20 ERA (4 ER/16.1 IP), which is the13th-best mark in the Arizona League. Gonzalez was signed by the Dodgers on May 15 of this season after originally signing with Seattle on December 11, 2009.

Player - OF Deivy Castillo posted a .368 batting average (7-for-19) in six June games, with one homer, one triple and four RBI. Overall, Castillo has hit safely in eight of his 10 games with one home run, one triple, one double, six RBI and is tied for seventh in the Arizona League with six stolen bases. The 18-year-old is hitting well in clutch situations, posting a .429 (6-for-14) clip with runners on and a .400 (4-for-10) average with runners in scoring position. Castillo was signed by the Dodgers as a free agent on January 14, 2013.

Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Dodgers

Pitcher - RHP Miguel Urena went 2-2 in five starts in June, posting a 1.75 ERA (5 ER/25.2 IP) with 16 strikeouts against six walks, limiting opposing batters to a .187 batting average (17-for-91). On the season, the Dominican Republic native is 2-3 with a 2.12 ERA (7 ER/29.2 IP) in six starts and has limited left-handed hitters to a .162 batting average (6-for-137). The 19-year-old was signed by the Dodgers as a free agent on January 14, 2013.

(pic via ask.fm)
Player - C Hendrik Clementina batted .391 (25-for-64) in 17 June games, which was the fourth-best mark in the DSL, while powering two home runs, five doubles and seven RBI. The 17-year-old is hitting .322 (28-for-87) on the season and has seven multi-hit performances, including four games with three or more hits. The Dominican Republic native was signed by the Dodgers as a free agent on December 13, 2013.

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Thursday, June 05, 2014

2014 Topps Pro Debut - The Dodger Prospect Base Cards

With the 2014 MLB draft starting tonight it's only fitting that Topps would release their Pro Debut minor league Baseball card set this week.  The set features some of the best up-'n-coming prospects the Dodgers have in their system.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if half of the players featured end up on the Major League roster in a few years. 

BTW, there's a surprise omission from this set for the Dodgers.  Joc Pederson is nowhere to be found.  What's up with that?

Below are the Dodger prospect base cards.  I hope to have the insert cards available to show soon.

#30 Corey Seager - Quakes                 #63 Jesmuel Valentin - Quakes

 #171 Zach Lee - Lookouts                   #172 Julio Urias - Loons

#173 Chris Anderson - Loons                  #174 Tom Windle - Loons

#176 Scott Schebler - Quakes             #177 James Baldwin - Loons

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Monday, May 13, 2013

2013 Bowman Baseball - the Dodgers Insert Cards

Following up my flurry of post from last week featuring Dodger cards from the 2013 Bowman set, I finish it off with the Dodger insert cards below.  Check out my previous post featuring this set here.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

The below autographed Matt Magill card can only be found in packs sold at retail establishments like Target.

Retail Prospects Autographs

BPA-MM Matt Magill

 Chrome Autographed Rookies

#ACR-PR Paco Rodriguez
Top 100 Prospects

The Joc Pederson card on the right is a die-cut parallel card.

#BTP-48 Corey Seager                           #BTP-53 Joc Pederson

#BTP-58 Yasiel Puig                              #BTP-77 Hyun-Jin Ryu

Chrome Refractor Mini Cards 'Cream of the Crop'

#CC-LAD1 Corey Seager                     #CC-LAD2 Joc Pederson

#CC-LAD3 Yasiel Puig                         #CC-LAD4 Hyun-Jin Ryu

#CC-LAD5 Zach Lee

Under Armour Autographs

Jesmuel Valentin


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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Rize Draft Baseball - Dodgers Cards - Yasiel Puig

There's a brand new card set in the hobby.  While doing some searching on eBay I ran across a card company I had never heard of.  They were a non-licenced kind of concoction with no team logos and a poorly crafted design.  Still, it focused on many up-'n-coming prospects; including Yasiel Puig, so I had to pay attention.

The card company is called Rize, and the set has been dubbed Rize Draft.  On the reverse it indicates Leaf Trading Cards as the manufacturer, so I naturally assumed it was one of their products.  As I read more about the cards on a forum thread on FCB, I realized my assumption was wrong.  Rize is a separate company who purchased a licence from Leaf and had them produce the cards on their behalf.  This actually caused a bit of confussion and controversy on the FCB thread, so Leaf President Brian Gray responded to collectors on the thread.  

The cards appear to only be available online, via eBay, from a handful of dealers.  It's likely that cards were sold directly to those sellers.  For the time being, there are no packs available, and no autographed cards - although, an advertising sheet I saw indicates that some autographs will be made.  Of note, these cards provide the only base cards available for many newly drafted prospects.  For instance, the only Yasiel Puig non-autographed base cards in the hobby are these cards.

See the Rize Draft Dodgers cards below (front and reverse).  Click on any pic to embiggen.

#67 Yasiel Puig

#79 Corey Seager


#90 Jesmuel Valentin

This is a part of a insert set called World Class.  Yasiel Puig is the only Dodger in the set.

Here is another insert card of Puig called Rize of the Prodigy.

This insert set is called Emergence and includes both Puig and Seager.



The card below clearly looks like it should be an autographed multi-card.


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