2020 Bowman Sterling -- All the Dodger Cards

Here is a look at all of the Dodgers found in packs of Topps 2020 Bowman Sterling brand. Go here for a complete checklist.

Many of the Dodgers top prospects are a part of this set; including Dustin May and Gavin Lux. It is also notable that Andy Pages, the ballplayers who had been traded to the Angels as part of the Joc Pederson trade that was cancelled, also has an autographed card available here.

As you know, this is a mid to high-end product that will cost you about $300 for a box of five packs. Each pack consist of six cards and you are guaranteed at least five autographs per box.

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#BSR-55 Brusdar Graterol         #BSR-63 Tony Gonsolin

2019 Leaf Trinity Baseball - All the Dodger Prospects

I really hate Leaf sometimes, and this set is an example of why. Featured here are cards from their recently released Trinity brand of baseball cards -- except it's not designated as a set from 2020. Instead, Leaf is calling this their 2019 Leaf Trinity baseball set. Considering that we are already in the eighth month of 2020 makes Leaf's dating absurd. Nevertheless, I've got pics of the three Dodger prospects in the set. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Clear Autographs

#CA-GL1 Gavin Lux      #CA-GL2 Lux-Alt Image

2019 Leaf Valiant Baseball -- All the Dodger Prospects

I don't know why Leaf does this. Once again they release a new card set (just last week), but claim it is a 2019 product. Why? I dunno. Nevertheless, here's a gander at the Dodgers' included in this prospect set. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base Autographs

#BA-GL1 Gavin Lux        #BA-JL1 Jimmy Lewis

2020 Topps Pro Debut -- All the Dodger Prospects

Do you love Dodger prospects? Well, if you do then this set is for you.

Featured below are all the Dodgers' found in packs of Topps 2020 Pro Debut Baseball card brand. It includes everyone from Andy Pages (subject of trade rumors to the Angels over the winter) to Diego Cartaya (a catcher believed to have the highest ceiling in our system). Best yet, it includes the very first card of late-blooming slugging outfielder Zach Reks -- a guy who could very well be next in line to follow Justin Turner, Chris Taylor and Max Muncy as a ballplayer who came out of nowhere.

Go here for a complete checklist. Check out all the Dodger cards below.

Base & Chrome

#PD-9 Andy Pages - Ogden Raptors

Normal Base                                     Chrome Card

2019 Leaf Flash Baseball -- All the Dodger Prospects

I too wish it was still 2019.

As you may know, Leaf Trading Cards has this penchant for turning back the clock on their products. For instance, check out this new card set that just arrived on collector doorsteps. It is their Leaf Flash brand and it focuses on top-end MLB prospects on super-sparkly designed cards. Also, Leaf has designated this set as a 2019 product -- even though we are well into the fourth month of 2020. Why! I do not know.

The Dodgers cast of prospects available in this set are Gavin Lux, Jimmy Lewis, Kody Hoese and Michael Busch. Lux is currently with the Dodgers and is slated to be their Opening day second baseman. Lewis, Hoese and Busch were all drafted by the club in 2019 and are several years away from stepping on a Major League field. A complete checklist of the set can be found here.

Check out the cards below.

Base Autographs

#BA-GL1 Gavin Lux         #BA-JL1 Jimmy Lewis

Blog Kiosk: 2/26/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Check out this vintage, likely 1950's era, photograph featuring former Dodger and Negro League star Dan Bankhead, available via eBay (link here). As you may know, he was acquired by the Dodgers in 1947 from the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro American League in hopes he could perform some magic for the playoff bound Brooklyn Dodgers. Unfortunately, he was wild and ineffective.

Often compared to Bob Feller, Bankhead sported a blistering fastball with a good curve, but faced control issues when in the Majors. Overall, he played parts of three season for Brooklyn -- going 9-5 with a 6.52 ERA.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1952 Dodgers all-star pitcher Don Newcombe is sworn into the Army to serve in the Korean War. The 26-year old would miss the next two seasons, and struggle on the field his first year back in 1954. Then, he would go on to regain his old form over the next two seasons by winning a collective 47 games and leading the Dodgers to its first World Series championship in 1955. In 2001 the Dodgers traded outfielder Devon White to the Brewers for Marquis Grissom. In two seasons Grissom would slash .245/.281/.450/.731 with 38 homeruns, 120 RBI's and an OPS+ of 94.
• Happy Birthday, Preacher Roe, Ron Negray & Matt Luke!

2019 Leaf Ultimate Baseball -- All the Dodgers Cards

Leaf has recently issued a new Baseball set, but for whatever reason they continue to pretend it's a brand from 2019. Featured here are their 2019 Leaf Ultimate Baseball cards and it includes several Dodger prospects found within packs. They include Gavin Lux, Jimmy Lewis, Kody Hoese and Michael Busch. Go here for a complete checklist. Check out all the Dodger players below.

Rookie Signatures

#RS-GL1 Gavin Lux        #RS-JL1 Jimmy Lewis

2019 Leaf Metal Draft -- All the Dodger Cards

To Leaf 2019 is not over. In fact, there are at least two products they are releasing during the first quarter of 2020 that will carry the "2019" moniker -- the first of which came out last week. It is their Leaf Metal Draft brand and like always it's filled with some of the games top prospect. Go here for a complete checklist.

Featured Dodger farmhands include the #2 prospect in the land, Gavin Lux, Jimmy Lewis, Kody Hoese and Michael Busch. See all of their cards below.

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#BA-GL1 Gavin Lux

2019 Bowman’s Best -- All the Dodgers Cards

Bowman's Best, a prospect-centered Topps brand, was released this week for collectors to hoard. It once again features some of the top youngsters in the game today, and includes on-card autographs that have been so popular with collectors. Overall, there are five Dodgers' available in the 'Veterans and Rookies" part of the base set, but no Dodgers' highlighted in the 'Top Prospects' portion. There are, however, five Dodgers' prospect autographed cards to chase after. Go here for a complete checklist.

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#11 Hyun-Jin Ryu              #14 Clayton Kershaw

2019 Panini Elite Extra Edition -- All the Dodger Cards

Panini's Elite Extra Edition Baseball set is out and it's filled with a bunch of Dodger prospects -- including one ballplayer who's getting his very first card, Ryan Pepiot. Go here to see a complete checklist.

Overall, there are nine Dodger youngsters in the 200 card base set, and all of them have autographed base parallels available to chase after. There are also insert cards of Gavin Lux and Keivert Ruiz.

BTW, Ryan Pepiot is an interesting ballplayer who I'll be keeping keeping an eye on. He was drafted in the third round this past June and recently completed his first year of professional play. Via Brian Crawford at Baseball Essential:

His ability to strikeout batters transitioned nicely to the pro game, as Pepiot racked up 31 strikeouts in 23.1 pro innings split between the AZL Dodgers and the low-A Great Lakes Loons. 

Pepiot records strikeouts regularly thanks to the feel that he has of his four-pitch mix. 

“I throw four pitches. I throw a fastball, a slider, a curveball, and a changeup,” explained Pepiot. “When I’m on the mound, I try to get ahead of hitters early with my fastball. When I’m able to do that, I can mix in my off-speed pitches to keep hitters off-balance.”

He also says that he's comfortable enough in his changeup to throw it in any count, and that's something you love hearing from a prospect.

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#25 Kody Hoese

2019 Bowman Draft -- All the Dodger Cards

2019 Bowman Draft Baseball cards are now in stores and it's filled with some of the top up-'n-comin' Dodger prospects in the minors. Go here for a complete set checklist.

Overall, there are seven Dodgers' in the 200 card base set; including the very first Topps-produced cards of Brandon Lewis, Jack Little and Michael Busch. Notably, five of the seven Dodgers here are listed (according to MLB Prospect Watch) in their top-30 rankings. Check that listing out below:

#5 Jeter Downs
#7 Kody Hoese
#8 Michael Bucsh
#19 Jimmy Lewis
#23 Christian Santana

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Base                                Base Chrome

#BD-40 Brandon Lewis     #BDC40 Brandon Lewis

2019 Panini Prizm Draft Picks - The Dodger cards

Panini's Prizm Draft Picks brand hit the collectors market last week, and I've got pics of most of the Dodger prospects to share. Go here for a complete checklist.

There are three recent Dodger draftees in this set, and each one has at least one base card and an autographed card to chase after. In 2019 the Dodgers had two first round draft picks and both of them are represented here. Kody Hoese, the 25th overall pick, has two base cards and an autograph card in the set.  Michael Busch, our other 1st round pick (31st overall), has a base an auto'd card available. The third Dodger is right-handed high school hurler Jimmy Lewis -- who had apparently signed with the club as their second round pick from the 2019 Draft, but has not yet pitched in a minor league game. He has both a base and autographed card available.

On a side note, Jimmy Lewis is currently in the early stages of a throwing program. An MRI by the Dodgers showed there to be a slight labrum tear. Fortunately, surgery was deemed not necessary at this time. Lewis should hopefully be on the mound next season.

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#22 Kody Hoese              #32 Michael Busch

Blog Kiosk: 11/7/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

As I am wont to say, "Baseball will break your heart". Check out the above 1939 press photo showing the hard-luck case of Vito Tamulis (eBay auction link).

May 18, 1939 -- Vito Gets the Hard Luck Crown -- Vitautras C. Tamulis (right) today wore the Major League's hard luck baseball crown, the Brooklyn left-hander, shown with manager Leo Durocher (left) and Lynn Lary, pitched 11 innings (boxscore) of that 19 inning struggle at Chicago yesterday, allowing only four hits, but couldn't come up with a win. His whole career has been like that.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2016 the Dodgers traded catcher Carlos Ruiz to Seattle for Vidal Nuno III. Ruiz came to Los Angeles as a late-season addition for their playoff run -- a trade that sent popular backstop AJ Ellis to Philadelphia. Carlos Ruiz got into 14 games and slashed .278/.350/.333/.683.
• Happy Birthday, Joe Hatten, Dick Stuart, Rich Rodas & Orlando Mercado!

2019 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Baseball -- All the Dodger Prospects

Panini's 2019 Contenders Draft Picks Baseball brand hit stores last week and I've got pics of all the Dodger prospects highlighted in it. It includes regular suspects like Gavin Lux, Miguel Vargas and Diego Cartaya, and a couple of 2019 Dodger draftees who are looking to make a name for themselves -- Kody Hoese and Michael Busch. Check them all out below. Go here for a complete checklist.

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#15 Kody Hoese              #19 Michael Busch

Blog Kiosk: 8/7/2019 - Dodgers Links - Nine More Wins!

Let's hear it for the old guys! Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“What he’s done for our entire group, namely the young catchers, just the entire group of ball players, his insight, his experience — and now you talk about when he does get an opportunity to play, just his toughness, his compete and obviously the at-bat quality…he’s got some big hits for us this year, none bigger than the one tonight,” Roberts said.

Old guy Russell Martin was a major catalyst for the Dodgers last night. After trailing for most of the night, he came up with two-on and doubled to give the Dodgers a lead that they would not relinquish. His hit started a rally that would score seven runs in the sixth inning, and would provide starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu with his third career playoff win.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1936 the Dodgers fire their manager, Casey Stengel. He had a 208-251 record as Brooklyn's skipper over three season. In 1977, in Game 3 of the NLCS, the Dodgers score three runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 6-5 lead over the Phillies. The Dodgers eventually win the series the next day to advance to the World Series. In 1978, in Game 4 of the NLCS, the Dodgers defeated the Phillies on a tenth-inning run scoring single by Bill Russell to win the NL pennant and earn the a right to face the Yankees in the World Series (boxscore). 
• Happy Birthday, Al Burch, Phil Lewis, Tony Malinosky, Phil Ortega, Rudy Law, Jim Bruske & Brickyard Kennedy!,

Dodgers Second Pick of 2019 Draft - 31st Overall - Michael Busch

With the Dodgers second pick on Monday, 31st overall, they chose another college bat in University of North Carolina infielder Michael Busch. The Dodgers announced him as a second baseman, but he mostly played first base this season. Per a Dodger press release:

After making their first pick, the Dodgers added another impact bat in University of North Carolina’s Michael Busch with the 31st overall selection. Busch started all 126 games for the Tar Heels over the past two seasons, batting .304 with 29 home runs and 120 RBI over that stretch while earning All-ACC honors both years. This season, the junior from Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota launched 16 home runs while playing multiple positions in the infield and the outfield. The left-handed hitter, who was scouted by Dodgers’ scout Jonah Rosenthal, was also impressive during his stint using wood bats in the Cape Cod League during the summer of 2018, where he posted a .322 batting average and earned All-Cape Cod League honors with the Chatham Anglers. 

“Michael is a guy who we thought was one of the better bats in the Cape, both in terms of performance and swing, as well as overall defensive versatility,” Gasparino said. “He’s been a staple in the UNC program. They rave about his makeup and his character, and we’re excited to add him to our organization.”

Blog Kiosk: 6/4/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Walker Buehler was brilliant last night during the Dodgers 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks, but I wanted to take a moment to highlight Kenley Jansen. With his 18th save of the season, he is just 14 saves away from reaching 300 in his career.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1964 Sandy Koufax threw his third no-hitter of his career. He blanked the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium, 3-0. Overall, he recorded 12 strike outs and allowed just one walk. In 1968 Don Drysdale threw his sixth consecutive shutout of the season, extending his scoreless streak to 54 innings, when he defeated the Pirates, 5-0. This is also the day Robert Kennedy made note of Drysdale's efforts in a speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the CA primary. You can watch that portion of the speech here. Soon thereafter, he would be assassinated. In 1972 the Dodgers retired Roy Campanella's number - #39. In 1998 the Dodgers traded Hideo Nomo to the Mets for Dave Mlicki and Greg McMichael. In 1990 Dodgers ace Ramón Martínez struck out 18 Atlanta batters to defeat the Braves, 2-0. His effort tied a club record for strike outs in a game with Sandy Koufax, and was one short of the Major League record.
• Happy Birthday, Lee Magee, George Watkins & Rick Wilkins!