Welcome Back, Scott Elbert!

I had almost forgotten all about him.  Per a report via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, Scott Elbert will be rejoining the Dodgers in San Francisco tonight.  Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, Red Patterson has been DFA's in a corresponding move.  Per Weisman:

Since clearing waivers and accepting an assignment to the Isotopes in August, Elbert allowed seven runs, 14 hits and three walks in 7 1/3 innings while striking out six, but that was skewed when he gave up five runs while getting one out at Las Vegas on August 8. From August 14 to the end of the season, Elbert pitched 4 2/3 shutout innings with five strikeouts.

As you'll recall, Elbert was the Dodgers 1st round draft pick in 2004.  He had originally been drafted to be a starter, but like so many high-flying prospects the bullpen soon became his calling.  In 2011 he finally solidified himself as an integral part of the Dodger relief staff - as our lefty specialist.  That season he pitched in 47 games, allowing just 9 earned runs over 33.1 innings and saved two games.  He also struck 34, walked only 14 and left-handed batters hit only .191 against him.  The next season he pitched in 43 games but regressed a bit - left-handers batted .271 against him.

Unfortunately, arm problems that began with shoulder issues that caused him to miss most of the 2007 season continued to plagued him.  His 2012 season was filled with several trips to the DL and finally ended with surgery in mid-September.  Then, a setback resulted in another surgery several months later in January 2013.  By mid-year he looked ready to go again, but pain emerged in his elbow after pitching on consecutive days in rehab.  So on June 10, 2013 he had Tommy John Surgery.  Just over a year later Elbert returned to the mound and has been working on getting back into game shape. 

I don't know if we should expect much from him, but it'll be nice to have another experienced lefty arm in the bullpen.  Just as a reminder, Elbert throws a low 90's four-seam fastball and a high-80's slider.  He also uses his slider as his out pitch.  It'll be interesting to see if some of the zip he used to have is still there.

In celebration of Scott Elbert's return to the Dodgers I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photograph grabbed from Dodger photographer Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2012 and the 1971 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are his career statistics, via Baseball Reference:

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Shoulder Inflammation Sends Ryu to the DL

If recent history is any indication, this move by the Dodgers is just precautionary and not indicative of something worse.  After all, they played it safe by not allowing Greinke to start in Australia and held back Kershaw when he felt something unusual in his shoulder. 

This time, they decide to place Hyun-Jin Ryu on the 15-day disabled list due to some recent left-shoulder inflammation.  It cropped up after his last start, and it uncharacteristically had yet to disappear.  Per a report from Ken Gurnick, they do not have plans for an MRI just yet.

Also, the Dodgers do a little more shuffling by sending down Paco Rodriguez (who was just called up on Thursday) and Red Patterson (who started yesterday as a 26th man), and bring back up Chone Figgins (who was sent down on April 21st) and Jose Dominguez (who was sent down on the 27th).

Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled infielder/outfielder Chone Figgins and right-handed pitcher Jose Dominguez, placed left-handed pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu on the 15-day disabled list with left-shoulder inflammation (retroactive to April 28), returned left-handed pitcher Paco Rodriguez to Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned right-handed pitcher Red Patterson to Triple-A Albuquerque

Figgins, who will be appearing in his second stint with the club, has played in nine games this season (nine PH appearances), going 1-for-6 with three walks for a .444 on-base percentage. The 12-year Major League veteran was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on April 21 and played in eight games for the Isotopes, batting .280 (7-for-25) with two doubles and three runs scored.

Dominguez returns to the club for his fourth stint this season, having pitched in four games. The hard-throwing was optioned to Albuquerque on Sunday and last appeared in a game for the Isotopes Monday vs. Salt Lake, firing 2.0 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. On the season, Dominguez has pitched in four games at Albuquerque, allowing only one earned run in 5.0 innings (1.80 ERA).

There is no word yet on who will take over Ryu's spot on the rotation this coming Sunday, so twitter is filled with speculation.  Some possibilities include Stephen Fife and Zach Lee.  All I do know is that Puig has certainly given Ryu a big hug in hopes it makes him feel better.

(pic above via @Dodgers on twitter)

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Welcome to the Blue, Red Patterson!

The Dodgers add a 26th man to the roster.  Using the rare "26-Man Roster Rule" the Dodger add right-handed starting pitcher Red Patterson due to the unexpected doubleheader today.  He will start the 2nd game this evening against the Twins, and it'll be his Major League debut.  BTW, Dan Haren will start the 1st game today.  Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Red Patterson from Triple-A Albuquerque and designated Albuquerque outfielder Nick Buss for assignment. Patterson, who will wear No. 51, was added to the roster as the 26th man for today's doubleheader at Minnesota and will make his Major League debut in the second game.

Patterson has gone 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts this season with the Isotopes, last pitching on April 24 at Fresno and allowing five runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings in a loss. The 26-year-old has gone 33-12 with a 3.40 ERA in 132 games (58 starts) in five minor league seasons after he was selected in the 29th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Patterson has 432 strikeouts, while walking only 148, in 440.0 career minor league innings.

The Texas native made his first appearance in Major League camp this year as a non-roster invitee and allowed only one run in 11.2 innings (0.77 ERA), going 0-1 and limiting opponents to a .146 batting average (6-for-41).

I always love watching new Dodger prospects on the mound for the first time.  He has quietly rose up the Dodgers ladder, and is considered a sleeper pick among prospect hounds.  Patterson throws a fastball in the low-90's and a "spike" curveball - a combination slider/curve.  Per an interview with Hugh Bernreuter at mlive.com:

“I’ve never been able to throw a real curve, so I came up with the spike, basically digging my fingernail into the ball,” Patterson said. “It doesn’t move 12-to-6, but more 3-to-9, but even then it sometimes moves different ways.

The above quote is from 2011, so I am unsure if this pitch is still in his repertoire.  

In celebration of Patterson officially becoming a Dodger and playing in his first Major League game later today, I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photo grabbed from Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014 taken during his appearance in an exhibition game against the Australian National team in Australia and the 1962 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are Red Patterson's career stats, via Baseball Reference:

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Blog Kiosk: 5/1/2014 - Dodger Links - 10,000 Wins!

Last nights win against the Twins make it 10,000 franchise wins since joining the National League.  Graphic above via Dodgers on tumblr.  Bill Chuck at the Daily Gammons has more details, as well as, an explanation of some of the discrepancies regarding the Dodgers true win total.

• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Dodger minor league report: Week 4 — Starting pitching power."  Eric Stephen at True Blue LA puts together a minor league report, as well.
• Via Jon Weisman on Dodger Insider, "The ballad of Hee Seop Choi."  I do remember when Choi destroyed Twins pitching 9 years ago - If only he could have done that consistently versus other clubs.
• Via Chris Olds at Beckett tells us about, "Topps’ latest wall art series takes a look back at vintage MLB logos."  It includes a great looking Brooklyn Dodgers logo superimposed on a vintage 1959 Topps Baseball card.  See it on the right.  They are limited to just 99 copies.
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Clayton Kershaw throws 5 innings in rehab start in Chattanooga."

"I think it went alright. I got my pitch count up there. With 87 [pitches], I would have liked to get through six or seven, but the goal was to get the pitch count up there," Kershaw told reporters after the game (per the Lookouts).

• Via Mark Simon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Greinke rolls through April again."
• An old friend alert:  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "At Least Five Teams Showing Strong Interest In Hanrahan."  I'm actually surprised somebody hasn't thrown the Dodgers name in there - just for the heck of it.

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Blog Kiosk: 3/12/2014 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

What a great photo of a broken bat in the hands of Juan Uribe.  Pic taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.

• I'd like to extend my condolences to Don Mattingly and his family.  Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, he will be absent the next couple of days to attend a family funeral.
• Mark Langill at Dodger Insider shares a great story about the day Dodger manager Wilbert Robinson tried to catch a Baseball dropped from a plane.  It's tales like this that make Baseball so great.
• FYI, the Dodgers reassigned relief pitcher Red Patterson to the minor leagues yesterday. 
• Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com writes, "Exploring the Australia Effect on 2014".

On the 2004 games the Yankees played in Japan: “We came back with four spring training games and that was miserable and we started bad,” Mattingly said. “Those are the things I worry about. The bell rings, those two games count, then you come back and say, ‘Don’t matter.’ I worry about bad habits.” 

• Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest writes, "What it would take for Joc Pederson to make the Dodgers".
• Chris St. John at Beyond the Boxscore takes a look at the, "2014 Los Angeles Dodgers Consensus Top 65 Prospects".
• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dan Haren 'tired,' not going to Australia a possibility".

"They would like to try to help me stay back, because it's a lot of travel to go over there just to be insurance," Haren said. "If I have to do it, I would do it. I told them I would have no problem doing it. But if I'm not going to throw there and I could stay back, that's better for everybody."

• Check out some preview picks from 2014 Allen & Ginter, via Larry Pauley at Sports Collectors Daily.  Check out the Puig and Ebbets Field cards below.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 15/Road Game 7

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS (4-6-4) at Kansas City Royals (6-5-1)
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 – 1:05 p.m. | Surprise
RHP Dan Haren (0-0, 1.50) vs. LHP Jason Vargas (0-0, 0.00)
Spring Game 15/Road Game 7
Television/Radio: SNLA/None

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(Dee Gordon signs for a young fan, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

BLUES BROTHERS: The Dodgers and Royals square off for their only meeting of the spring today at Surprise Stadium. The clubs will meet again in the regular season, June 23-25 at Kauffman Stadium, for the first time since 2005 and Kansas City holds a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series.

• The Dodgers made a flurry of roster moves over the last 24 hours, reassigning RHP Red Patterson to minor league camp this morning following yesterday’s moves of optioning RHP Matt Magill and reassigning C JC Boscan, RHP Carlos Frias, INF Brendan Harris and INF Clint Robinson to minor league camp.
• Minor league position players suiting up today include C Webster Rivas (#89), C Kyle Farmer (#88), OF Noel Cuevas (#92), OF Trayvon Robinson (#93), INF Daniel Mayora (#91), INF Aaron Bates (#95), INF Darnell Sweeney (#84), RHP Craig Stem (#96), LHP Danny Coulombe (#83), RHP Sam Demel (#38).

GREAT SELECTION OF TIES: The Dodgers registered their fourth tie of the spring yesterday, 8-8, against the A’s. Andre Ethier (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI) and Juan Uribe (2-for-3, HR, RBI) gave the Dodgers the early lead with first-inning home runs and, along with Hanley Ramirez (2-for-3, R), finished the day with multi-hit games. Hyun-Jin Ryu delivered 5.0 strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits, and lowered his spring ERA to 2.45 in three starts. Kenley Jansen closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning and has allowed just two hits in 4.0 scoreless innings in four appearances this spring.

• The Dodgers’ record for ties in a spring is five, set in 2006 (15-13-5).

(Hyun-Jin Ryu, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

LIEUTENANT DAN: Dan Haren will make his third start of the spring today after tossing 4.0 scoreless innings in his last start on Thursday against the Angels in Tempe. The 33-year-old has allowed just one run in 6.0 innings this spring and finished the 2013 campaign on a roll, going 6-3 with one save and a 3.14 ERA in his final 13 games with Washington (12 starts) after July 27.

• The Monterey Park, CA, native faced the Royals once last year and allowed four runs on eight hits in 7.0 innings in a no-decision (eventual 6-4 Washington defeat) on Aug. 25 at Kauffman Stadium. Haren has gone 5-2 with a 2.77 ERA (23 ER/74.2 IP) in 11 career starts against Kansas City.
• Backing Haren today will be Jose Dominguez (last pitched on March 8 vs. SEA, 2.0 IP, 0 R, 1, H, 1 BB, 3 K), Javy Guerra (last pitched on March 9 vs. SF, 1.0 IP, 0 R, BB, K), Paco Rodriguez (last pitched on March 8 vs. SEA, 1.0 IP, 0 R, K), Chris Withrow (last pitched on March 8 vs. SEA, 1.0 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 H, BB, 2 K) and Jamey Wright (last pitched on March 8 vs. SEA, 2.0 IP, 1 R, 2 H, BB, WP).
• Dominguez (5.0 IP), Guerra (5.0 IP) and Rodriguez (3.0) are all unscored upon this spring.

BASE BANDIT: Dee Gordon has the day off today, but the 25-year-old has had quite a spring on the base paths, as he leads all big leaguers in steals with eight (8-for-8 in SB attempts). Despite playing in only 181 games since 2011, Gordon ranks 16th in the NL with 66 steals and has been successful on 77.6% of his stolen base attempts in the big leagues (66-for-85).

(Andre Ethier's home run swing, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!: The  Dodgers will open the 2014 season 11 days from today (!) against the D-backs in MLB’s Opening Series in Sydney, Australia. The historic Sydney Cricket Ground has been undergoing renovations to prepare for the first-ever MLB games to be played Down Under. The club will depart Arizona following its March 16 game against the Rockies and land in Sydney on March 18. Following a few days of workouts and sightseeing, the Dodgers will play Team Australia in an exhibition on March 20 and then take on the D-backs on March 22 and 23 to open the regular season.

• Clayton Kershaw will be the Opening Day starter for the first game against the D-backs in the 2014 Opening Series in Sydney, Australia. This will mark Kershaw’s fourth consecutive Opening Day start for the club and he has not allowed a run in his three previous outings (19.0 IP). The left-hander has racked up 19 strikeouts in his three Opening Day starts against the Giants (2013 – SHO, 2011 – 7.0 IP) and Padres (2012, 3.0 IP, exited game due to illness). Hyun-Jin Ryu will pitch the second game in Australia.

ALL-STAR TEACHERS: Yesterday, Major League Baseball, Target Corp and PEOPLE announced the “Target Presents PEOPLE All-Star Teachers” campaign, which celebrates remarkable current and retired teachers who make an impact on the lives of their students and communities. All-Stars Adrian Gonzalez and Carlos Beltran will lend their support to the initiative by encouraging fans to nominate an outstanding teacher beginning today through May 6 at AllStarTeachers.com. Nominees will have the chance to represent their favorite team and be honored during the pre-game ceremony of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game on July 15 on FOX. MLB, Target and PEOPLE will review nominations and select three teachers per MLB team, with the 90 finalists to be announced on June 5. From June 5 through June 29, fans will be encouraged to visit AllStarTeachers.com to read nominees’ submission stories and vote for their favorite teachers.  All 30 winners, one representing each MLB Club, will be announced during All-Star Week.

(Uribe, Punto and Puig, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 13/Home Game 7

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

--------------------------

 San Francisco Giants (6-4) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (4-5-3)
Sunday, March 9, 2014 – 1:05 p.m. | Camelback Ranch - Glendale
LHP Edwin Escobar (0-0, 0.00) vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw (0-2, 18.00)
Spring Game 13/Home Game 7
Television: SNLA/Radio: KLAC/KTNQ

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Dodger Fandom, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

SUNDAY FUNDAY: The Dodgers will take on the Giants this afternoon in the Dodgers’ lone contest of Cactus League play against their NL West rivals. Last year, despite winning the division, the Dodgers went 8-11 against their neighbors to the north. The Dodgers play their “North American” slate home opener in just 26 days against the Giants at Dodger Stadium

• Camelback Ranch – Glendale announced that today’s contest with the Giants is sold out.  Fans only have six chances left to see the Boys in Blue at Camelback before they take off to Sydney, Australia next Sunday: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday (two games) and next Sunday. 
• Yesterday, the Dodgers played to their third tie of the Cactus League campaign, knotting with the Rangers at 5-5 in their first of two games on the day. Mike Baxter had two hits and two RBI for Los Angeles and is now hitting .333 this spring. Not to be outdone, Justin Turner had two hits and two runs scored, upping his average to .375 in Cactus League action. On the mound, Paul Maholm allowed one run in 3.0 innings and RHP Seth Rosin allowed his first run of the spring (an unearned one), keeping his ERA at 0.00.   
• In the nightcap, the Dodgers fell to Seattle, 8-5. Outfielder Joc Pederson belted a two-run homer and missed a second one by inches, settling for a 410-ft double. The young prospect is hitting .211 this spring with two home runs and five RBI. On the mound, Jose Dominguez fired 2.0 more scoreless frames and has now tossed 5.0 innings without allowing a run this spring.
• Minor league position players suiting up today include IF Corey Seager (#91), IF Ozzie Martinez (#87), OF Jeremy Hazelbaker (#89), OF Scott Schebler (#90 and OF Noel Cuevas (#92).
• Seager is making his first appearance with the big league camp this season and was the Dodgers’ first-round selection (18th overall) in the 2012 draft. The North Carolina native’s brother, Kyle, plays for the Seattle Mariners and started at Camelback Ranch – Glendale last night. Last season, the Dodgers’ No. 1 draft pick in 2012 hit .309 with 12 homers and 57 RBI for Single-A Great Lakes, before getting promoted to Double-A Chattanooga, where he hit four homers in 27 games.   

(Home plate umpire and former Dodger Batboy Alex Ortiz, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

ON THE MOUND: Newly minted Opening-Day starter Clayton Kershaw will make his third start of the spring season this afternoon. Kershaw has allowed eight earned runs in 4.0 innings in Cactus League play thus far. The left-hander has dominated the Giants during the course of his seven-year career, going 11-5 with a 1.38 ERA in 22 games (21 starts) vs. San Francisco. In 2013, the reigning Cy Young Award winner was 3-1 with a 1.38 ERA in five starts against the Giants.    

• RHP Javy Guerra is slated to make his fourth appearance of the spring. Despite allowing six hits in 4.0 Cactus League innings, Guerra has yet to allow a run this spring.
• Also set to see action is RHP Red Patterson, who has tossed 4.1 scoreless innings this spring in two games. Patterson last pitched on Tuesday vs. Seattle and went 2.0 scoreless frames while recording two strikeouts.  
• Minor leaguer RHPs Steve Edlefsen (#84) and Justin Souza (#88) will back up for the Dodgers this afternoon. Edlefsen, one of the newest Dodgers, was signed out of the club’s Feb. 27 open tryout and has appeared in 27 big league games during the course of his career with the Giants in 2011-2012, going 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. The 28-year-old was originally selected by the Giants in the 16th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Nebraska.

(Joc Pederson, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!: The  Dodgers will open the 2014 season 13 days from today (!) against the D-backs in MLB’s Opening Series in Sydney, Australia. The historic Sydney Cricket Ground has been undergoing renovations to prepare for the first-ever MLB games to be played Down Under. The club will depart Arizona following its March 16 game against the Rockies and land in Sydney on March 18. Following a few days of workouts and sightseeing, the Dodgers will play Team Australia in an exhibition on March 20 and then take on the D-backs on March 22 and 23 to open the regular season.

• This morning, Dodger skipper Don Mattingly announced that Clayton Kershaw will start Game 1 of the Opening Series in Australia and Hyun-Jin Ryu would take the mound for Game 2. The Sydney start will be Kershaw’s fourth-career Opening Day nod.

RUN FOR THE CAUSE: This morning in Los Angeles, the LA Marathon kicked off at Dodger Stadium and a member of the Dodger family took part as Heather Howell, J.P.’s wife, ran in order to raise support and awareness for human trafficking. Howell is affiliated with “Run for Hope” at the marathon and is running for two shelters located in Southern California: one is a 72-hour rescue center, and the other a long-term rehabilitation and restoration program that provides for intense counseling, medical, and legal needs of victims, as well as GED and job search.

(Camelback Ranch, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014)

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

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

Check them out below.

Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes

(pic via Milb.com)

Pitcher – RHP Red Patterson posted a 1-1 record with a 1.57 ERA (5 ER/28.2 IP), which was the second-best mark in the Pacific Coast League in August, and allowed just 17 hits in five starts in the month. Patterson capped off the season with three consecutive quality starts, while allowing two runs or less in all five of his starts in the month. The 26-year-old, who was originally selected by the Dodgers in the 29th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, finished the year at 7-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 39 games (12 starts).

(pic via MILB.com)

Player – OF Nick Buss posted a .321 batting average (36-for-112) with two home runs and 19 RBI in 29 August games. His nine doubles tied for the fourth-best total in the Pacific Coast League in the month and on the season, Buss batted .303 with 17 home runs and a PCL-best 100 RBI. Following the season, the 26-year-old was honored with a selection to the All-PCL Team, as elected by the league’s field managers and media representatives. Buss was originally selected by the Dodgers in the eighth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Southern California.

Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts

Pitcher – RHP Ross Stripling posted a 1-3 record with a 1.67 ERA (6 ER/32.1 IP), the fourth-best in the Southern League, in six August starts. Stripling, 23, limited opposing hitters to a .238 batting average (29-for-122) during the month, while striking out 24 and walking only 10. On the year, Stripling combined to go 8-4 with a 2.82 ERA in 27 games (22 starts) with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Chattanooga in his second professional season. 

Player – OF Joc Pederson ranked among the monthly Southern League leaders in home runs (7, T-3rd), walks (19, 4th) and on-base percentage (.387, 11th) in 26 August games. He was named the Southern League Player of the Week for the period of August 12-18, batting .435 (10-for-23) with three home runs and eight RBI in six games. Pederson, 21, finished the season with a .278 batting average and 58 RBI in 123 games, while leading the Southern League with a .497 slugging percentage and ranking among the league’s best in home runs (22, T-2nd), stolen bases (31, T-3rd), on-base percentage (.381, 3rd) and runs scored (81, 2nd).

Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Pitcher – RHP Lindsey Caughel posted a 0-1 record with a 2.20 ERA (8 ER/32.2 IP) in five starts during the month of August. Through the end of the regular season, Caughel led the Quakes with both 116.2 innings pitched and 112 strikeouts, while ranking seventh among California League qualifiers with a 4.01 ERA. Caughel, who is slated to start tonight’s decisive Game 3 of Rancho Cucamonga’s first-round playoff series against Inland Empire, combined to go 4-10 with a 3.63 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) with the Quakes and Single-A Great Lakes this season.

Player – INF Chris Jacobs posted a .363 batting average (29-for-80) with seven home runs and 15 RBI in 21 August games. He led the California League with a .738 August slugging percentage, tied for the monthly lead in homers and ranked among the circuit’s best in batting average (4th), extra-base hits (15, 7th) and on-base percentage (.433, 8th). The 24-year-old batted a combined .261 with 17 homers and 52 RBI in 102 games this season with Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Chattanooga in his seventh professional season.

Single-A Great Lakes Loons

Pitcher – RHP Ralston Cash posted a 2-0 record with a 0.71 ERA (1 ER/12.2 IP), while striking out 11 batters against four walks in six August relief appearances. Cash finished the season strong and allowed just two runs (one earned) in 13.2 innings (0.66 ERA) in seven second-half appearances. Overall, in 16 games with the Loons this season, Cash posted a 3.19 ERA and limited opposing hitters to a .206 batting average, while striking out 56 in 53.2 innings. The 22-year-old was originally selected by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.


Player – OF Aaron Miller posted a .314 batting average (32-for-102) with six doubles, four home runs and 18 RBI, which tied for 10th in the Pioneer League in August. Miller recorded multi-hit games in 11 of 26 August games, while posting hitting streaks of seven (Aug. 22-29) and eight games (Aug. 11-19) during the month. Miller finished the season with a .263 batting average with 13 doubles, nine homers and 48 RBI in 88 combined games with the Loons and Double-A Chattanooga.

Rookie-level Ogden Raptors

(via MiLB)

Pitcher – RHP Scott Barlow posted a 3-1 record in six August starts, posting three quality starts and striking out 22 against just nine walks in 28.0 innings. The 20-year-old finished the campaign with a 4-3 record and a 6.20 ERA in 15 starts for the Raptors in his second professional season after being selected by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Golden Valley High School.

Player – C Kyle Farmer batted .333 (22-for-66) with seven doubles and 15 RBI in 15 August games, including a season-ending nine-game hitting streak. Farmer finished the season with a .342 overall batting average, a .383 on-base percentage and a .532 slugging percentage in 39 games, while hitting .368 (21-for-57) with runners in scoring position.

Arizona League Dodgers

Pitcher – RHP Lenix Osuna finished the season with a 7.0-inning scoreless streak in his last four games and posted a 3.38 ERA (4 ER/10.2 IP) in six relief appearances in August. On the season, Osuna went 2-1 with one save and a 1.82 ERA in 17 relief appearances, while limiting opponents to a .202 batting average. The 17-year-old was signed by the Dodgers on June 10, 2012 out of Los Mochis, Mexico.

(Pic via Bleacher Report)

Player – OF Theo Alexander was selected as the August Dodger Pride winner for the AZL Dodgers as he closed out the campaign with a .392 on-base percentage. During the course of the season, Alexander excelled with runners on base, hitting .292 (14-for-45), and finished the season with a .253 overall batting average, five homers and 20 RBI in 27 games. The 19-year-old was originally selected by the Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

Dominican Summer League Dodgers

(Pic via Coquivacoa Television)

Pitcher – LHP Jairo Pacheco posted a 0.57 ERA (1 ER/15.2 IP) in four August starts, including closing the season by pitching 12 consecutive scoreless innings in his last three starts. The 17-year-old limited opponents to a .132 batting average (7-for-53) in August and held hitters to a .169 batting average overall, including just a .075 mark (3-for-40) against left-handed hitters. On the season, Pacheco posted a 1-1 record with a 1.24 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 43.2 innings in 17 games (six starts) for the Dodgers after he was signed as a free agent on January 26, 2013.

Player – OF Ariel Sandoval posted a .339 batting average (21-for-62) with seven RBI in 16 August games, including seven multi-hit efforts during the month. Sandoval stole seven bases during the month and finished the season ranked second on the club with 19 stolen bases. Overall, the 17-year-old batted .255 with 16 RBI in 63 games.

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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.  

Check them out below.

Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes

(pic via Milb.com)

Pitcher – RHP Red Patterson posted a 2-1 record with a 2.13 ERA (6 ER/25.1 IP), striking out 21 batters against six walks in eight appearances (four starts) in June. The McKinney, Texas, native held opposing batters to a .269 batting average and ranked among the Pacific Coast League leaders in ERA (2.13, 5th) in the month. The 26-year-old was selected by the Dodgers in the 29th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

(pic via MILB.com)

Player – OF Nick Buss posted a .289 (28-for-97) batting average, three home runs, nine doubles (T-4th, PCL) and 29 RBI in June. On the season, Buss has been a consistent hitter, batting .279 with 11 home runs and 62 RBI and was recently named a Pacific Coast League All-Star. The Michigan native was selected by the Dodgers in the eighth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts

(pic via his twitter)

Pitcher – RHP Ross Stripling posted a 4-1 record with a 2.29 ERA (9 ER/35.1 IP), striking out 29 against four walks in six June starts. The Pennsylvania native yielded just one home run in his 35.1 innings and held the opposition to a .206 batting average, while his four wins ranked atop the Southern League leaderboard in the month. Stripling has posted a 5-1 record with a 2.21 ERA (13 ER/53.0 IP) in 11 games (nine starts) this season for Chattanooga and will be one of seven Lookouts to represent the Southern League North Division in the All-Star Game. The 23-year-old was selected in the fifth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Texas A&M University.

(pic via MILB.com)

Player – OF J.T. Wise posted a team-leading .351 batting average (20-for-57) with 20 hits, six doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI and a .422 on-base percentage in 21 June games. The 27-year-old is the great nephew of former Yankee second baseman Bobby Richardson, an eight-time All-Star who was also the Most Valuable Player of the 1960 World Series. Wise, who attended the University of Oklahoma, was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

(pic via MILB.com)

Player – RHP Jon Michael Redding went 1-1 in June with a 2.70 ERA (5 ER/16.2 IP) in nine games (two starts) for the Quakes. In the month, the 26-year-old did not surrender a home run while striking out 12 in his 16.2 innings and as a starter (last three appearances), has allowed only one run in 12.2 innings. On the year, the Valdosta, Georgia, native has posted a 2.00 ERA (10 ER/45.0 IP) in 22 games (three starts). Redding was selected by the Dodgers in the fifth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Florida Community College at Jacksonville.

(pic via MILB.com)

Player - OF Scott Schebler batted .341 (29-for-85) with six homers and 17 RBI in 22 June games, ranking among the California League leaders in batting average (9th), homers (T-6th), extra-base hits (14, T-9th) and slugging percentage (.647, 5th). On the year, the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native has a .308 batting average (7th, Cal League), 15 home runs (T-7th, Cal League) 46 extra-base hits (1st, Cal League), a .616 slugging percentage (1st, Cal League), and a league-leading 10 triples. Schebler has hit safely in 22 of his last 23 games since June 12 and is hitting .415 (39-for-94) during that span. The 22-year-old was selected by the Dodgers in the 26th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Single-A Great Lakes Loons

Player - RHP Scott Griggs went 2-0 and did not surrender a run in nine June relief appearances (16.2 IP), limiting opposing hitters to a .111 batting average with 25 strikeouts, while only yielding six hits. On the year, the La Jolla, California, native has a 2.61 ERA (11 ER/38.0 IP) with 61 strikeouts and is holding opponents to a .161 batting average. As a senior at UCLA in 2012, Griggs established the school’s single-season saves record with 15 in 17 opportunities. Griggs was selected by Los Angeles in the eighth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

(pic via MILB.com)

Player – INF Leo Rodriguez batted .341 (30-for-88) with nine RBI and 16 runs scored in 24 games in June, recording eight multi-hit performances and a seven-game hitting streak from June 11-16, in which the infielder batted .444 (12-for-27). On the season, the 21-year-old is batting .306 with 49 hits and 14 walks in 47 games. Rodriguez has also excelled against right-handed pitching, posting a .325 batting average with five doubles and eight RBI. A native of the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez was signed as a non-drafted free agent on June 1, 2009.

Rookie-advanced Ogden Raptors

(pic via MILB.com)

Pitcher – RHP Jonathan Martinez posted a 1-0 record with a 0.75 ERA (1 ER/12.0 IP) in his two starts for the Raptors, ranking atop the Pioneer League leaders in ERA and also ranking 14th in the league in with a 1.25 WHIP in June. Overall, Martinez has appeared in 11 games (seven starts) this season between Single-A Great Lakes and Rookie-level Ogden, combining for a 2-3 record with a 4.47 ERA (22 ER/44.1 IP). The 19-year-old was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on May 31, 2011.

(pi via MILB.com)

Player – OF Gerson Nunez batted a team-high .364 (12-for-33) with three homers and seven RBI in the first eight games of the season (June), stringing together a seven-game hitting streak to kick off the year in which he hit .429 (12-for-28). The Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, native has excelled against right-handed pitching, hitting .448 (13-for-29), with all three of his home runs coming against righties. Nunez was signed by Los Angeles as a free agent on Feb. 9, 2012.

Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers

(pic via Keystone Giants)

Pitcher- RHP Robert Rogers posted a 0-0 record with a 1.50 ERA (1 ER/6.0 IP) in his four June appearances, notching three saves, which tied for the league lead. In his 6.0 innings of work for the month, opposing hitters batted .227 against the right-hander, while striking out four and not allowing a walk. While at Keystone College in Pennsylvania, Rogers set the school record with 245 strikeouts and his career 1.72 ERA is fourth-best in school history. The 22-year-old was drafted in the 32nd round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft by the Dodgers.

Player- INF Justin Chigbogu batted a team-high .342 (13-for-38) in nine June games for the Arizona League Dodgers. The infielder started the season on a nine-game hitting streak that stretched from June 20-30, batting .342 (13-for-38) with all five of his home runs coming during the streak. Chigbogu was recently promoted to Rookie-advanced Ogden, where he is batting .357, 5-for-14in four games. The 18-year-old out of Kansas City, Missouri, was signed by Los Angeles in the fourth round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Dodgers

Pitcher- LHP Wellington Serrano posted a 2-1 record with a 1.17 ERA (3 ER/23.0 IP) and 15 strikeouts against eight walks in five June starts. Serrano has limited right-handed hitters to a .159 batting average (10-for-63) with 14 strikeouts and was signed by Los Angeles on June 2, 2012 as a free agent.

Player- INF Jose Javier batted .296 with 8 RBI in 21 games in June. Javier has been clutch on the season, batting .350 with six RBI with runners in scoring position. The 20-year-old was signed by Los Angeles as a free agent on March 22, 2011.

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