Monday, August 04, 2014

Welcome to the Blue, Carlos Frias!


So, we're only finding out now that Dodger veteran reliever Chris Perez has been pitching with pain?  Come on, guys!

It has just been announced that Chris Perez is going on the 15-day disabled list.  He has been suffering from bone spurs in his right ankle the last couple of months; which doesn't sound fun at all.

In his place, the Dodger call up longtime Dodger farmhand Carlos Frias.  This is his very first trip to the "Show," and as you can imagine he's as excited as ever.  Via a tweet from MLB.com reporter Michael Lananna:



Frias has been in the Dodger system since they signed him out of the Dominican Republic as a 17-year old.  He has quietly risen through the ranks and now is a starting pitcher for the Albuquerque Isotopes.  Frias throws an low-90's fastball and a slider.  Per a Dodger press release:
Frias, 24, has combined to go 10-5 with a 4.58 ERA in 21 games (20 starts) with Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Albuquerque this year. The native of the Dominican Republic, who is making his first appearance on a 40-man roster, was a non-roster invitee to the club's 2014 Spring Training camp and made four appearances in Cactus League play. Frias will wear jersey no. 77.
You should expect him to pitch out of the bullpen as the Dodger long reliever - in place of Paul Maholm.  He may also provide a spot start, if needed.

BTW, Frias was one of the ballplayers ejected when Erisbel Arruebarrena went crazy in Reno, and was in the midst of serving a seven game suspension for his actions during the ensuing melee.  It's unclear to me if he is still serving his suspension.  The suspension was levied on July 28th, so today would be exactly a week later.

In celebration of Frias' officially becoming a Dodger, I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photo taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014 from Spring Training and the 1987 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are his career minor league statistics, via Baseball Reference:


And if you want to get a quick look at him pitching watch the video below.  This is from a couple months ago.  He is on the mound pitching against Blake Lalli of  the Reno Aces.

Video Link:

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2014 Bowman Platinum Baseball - The Dodger Insert Cards

Following up on Friday's post featuring the Dodger base cards found within 2014 Bowman Platinum Baseball packs, I now show you the various Dodger insert cards that are available.  Tomorrow I'll have photos of the relic and autographed cards.  Go here to check out all of my previous post on this set.

1989 Bowman is Back Silver Diamond Refractor

#89BIB-HJR Hyun-Jin Ryu

Cutting Edge Stars Set

#CES-YP Yasiel Puig

Toolsy Die-Cuts Set

#TDC-CS Corey Seager                        #TDC-JP Joc Pederson

Toolsy Die-Cuts 5-Tool Parallel Set

#5TDC-YP Yasiel Puig

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Angels Series Starts Tonight - Scheduled Autograph Signings, Game Give Aways and Other Stuff!


The next homestand starts this evening against the Anaheim Angels, and several old-tyme Dodgers will be in the house to sign free autographs for fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.  BTW, the Dodger and Angels play two in LA starting tonight, then they play two in Anaheim starting on Wednesday. 

UPDATE:  I thought I should also note that since we are playing the Angels all fans can watch the next four games on FoxSports West (Angels Broadcast).  Better yet, it won't be "blacked-out."  You'll just not be able to listen to Vin Scully.

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Monday, August 4th at 7:10 PM
RHP Zack Greinke vs. RHP Garrett Richards

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  The first 20,000 fans will receive a Dodgers cap.  See it on the right.

Recording artist Tony Orlando will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Ruby Lewis, who currently stars in Queen’s rock theatrical “We Will Rock You” at the Ahmanson Theatre through August 24, will perform the national anthem.

Former Dodgers Al Ferrara (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Derrell Thomas (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 
  • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Sean Mc Tague of Temecula. Mc Tague enlisted and serves as an Avionics Electrical Technician and an MH-65D Flight Mechanic responsible for maintaining and repairing electrical systems. He also serves as a flight safety observer. Mc Tague has served deployments to the Bering Sea and provided support during hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike. His accolades include the Meritorious Service Medal and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. 
  • Tomorrow, three Dodgers RBI teams that participated in the MLB Jr. RBI Showcase Classic during Memorial Day weekend, Venice Boys and Girls Clubs, the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks and MLB Urban Youth Academy Compton, will be recognized pregame in center field. Prior to the on-field recognition, all 45 players and six coaches will be receiving New Balance shoes courtesy of Andre Ethier. Ethier will join them for a photo opportunity in center field as well.

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Tuesday, August 5th at 7:10 PM
LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. LHP Hector Santiago

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  The first 20,000 fans will receive a Dodgers cap.  See it on the right.

Supermodel and 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model Chrissy Tiegen will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Former Dodgers Matt Luke (in right-field pavilion plaza) and Mickey Hatcher (in left-field pavilion plaza) will be signing autographs for fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 
  • The Veteran of the Game presented by Bank of America is U.S. Navy Operations Specialist Second Class Spencer Bryant of Thousand Oaks. Bryant enlisted in 2009 and serves onboard the USS Anchorage where he helps to maintain more than 8,000 maritime tracks, plotting the ship’s position, heading, speed and operating marine electronic navigation which helps the USS Anchorage to safely navigate thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean. He has also served onboard the USS Jarrett, where he provided humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Guatemala. Bank of America will present an authenticated flag and display case to Bryant. The flag has proudly flown over Dodger Stadium and is symbolic of the way in which our men and women in the Armed Forces proudly serve and protect our country. Navy veteran and Director of Southwest Sales and Performance Manager Merrill Edge Jason Geitter will present the flag on behalf of Bank of America.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/4/2014 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends


Martin Lawrence visited the Dodgers yesterday afternoon, and got really chummy with the Blue Crew.  Pic above featuring Yasiel Puig and Lawrence via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014Go here to see more pics by Jon from yesterday.

On a side note, it's unfortunate the Dodgers lost the weekend series against the Cubs... And yeah, it sucks.  But ya know, that stuff happens.  Baseball is filled with so many twist and turns it never makes much sense to fret about the minute.  Instead, I prefer the more patient and macro approach to fandom.   Overall, the Dodgers are one of the better run producing teams in the league (4th) and has a pitching staff still regarded as one of the best.  And when you consider that they currently have the best record in the National League, I just feel there's much more to be thankful for than worried about.

Sure, there's plenty of room for improvement, and I suspect the Dodgers will make some moves to improve.  It's just that the constant harping about this guy or that guy, or the lack of an impact deadline trade stinks of irrational sensationalism.  As a Dodger fan I'm in a happy place, the Dodgers are in a happy place, and you should be too.  Come on folks, were in 1st place, and odds are we will continue to compete the rest of the season.  That's something to hang your hat on. 
  • ICYMI:  Over the weekend pitcher Paul Maholm was sent to the DL, and reliever Paco Rodriguez was called back up.  Maholm is likely headed for surgery.  He was diagnosed with a right ACL tear
  • Via Andy Kamenetzky at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers 'come through in big moments'"
Via Don Mattingly: We’ve got plenty of guys here that have come through in big moments. We didn’t have Adrian. We didn’t have Yasiel. But we do have Matt [Kemp]. We do have Hanley [Ramirez]. We still have Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier. There’s a number of guys that have come through for you, not counting even the [Scott] Van Slykes and J.T.’s [Justin Turners] and the Dee Gordons. 
  • There were of couple of big signing events over the weekend at WSS stores in Los Angeles.  It included Dodger greats such as Yeager, Mota, Johnstone, Jarrin, Valenzuela and Cey.  Fortunately, a couple of bloggers shared their experience.  Check out Blue Skinny Fan's post at the event featuring Yeager, Mota and Johnstone, hereRoberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy shares his day getting autographs from Jarrin, Valenzuela and Cey, here.
  • Apparently, the cat is now out of the bag.  The rumored outdoor NHL hockey game between the Kings and San Jose Sharks next season will be happening on Saturday, February 21st at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, via Harrison Mooney at Puck Daddy.  Ticketmaster briefly had tickets for sale before realizing their mistake.
  • The Chronicles of Fuji writes about, "Two Powerful Words."  He explains why being a teacher has been all worthwhile.

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Sunday, August 03, 2014

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

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

Check them out below.

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Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes

Pitcher - RHP Matt Magill posted a 3-2 record with a 4.63 ERA (6 ER/11.2 IP), striking out 10 batters against four walks in nine July appearances. The right-hander held opposing batters to a .227 batting average (10-for-45), while not allowing a home run in the month. The 24-year-old Simi Valley native is in his seventh professional season with the Dodgers after being selected by the club in the 31st round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

(pic via MiLB)
Player - 1B Brock Peterson batted .379 (36-for-95) in 27 July games for the Isotopes. During the month, Peterson ranked among Pacific Coast League leaders in doubles (10, 4th), batting average (.379, 5th), hits (36, T-8th), RBI (22, T-8th), on-base percentage (.454, 3rd) and recorded 11 multi-hit games. Peterson was acquired by the Dodgers on July 1 from Washington for cash considerations. The Washington State native was originally drafted by the Twins in the 49th round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft.

Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts

(pic via MiLB)
Pitcher - LHP Jarret Martin posted a 3.57 ERA (7 ER/17.2 IP), fanning 17 batters against eight walks in 11 July appearances. The Bakersfield native did not allow a home run in the month, while holding the opposition to a .190 batting average (12-for-63). On the season, the left-hander has posted a 1-1 record with a 3.40 ERA (18 ER/47.2 IP) in 39 relief appearances and also has four saves. Martin was originally acquired by the Dodgers in a three-player trade with Baltimore on Dec. 8, 2011.

(pic via MiLB)
Player - 1B O'Koyea Dickson posted a .326 batting average (30-for-92) with a .398 on-base percentage in 26 July games to earn the Dodger Pride Award for Chattanooga. During the month of July, Dickson led the team in doubles (9), hits (30), home runs (4), and RBI (16), while earning Southern League Player of the Week honors for the period ending July 28. The Bay Area native went to school at Sonoma State University and was a 12th-round selection by the Dodgers in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.


Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Player - RHP Lindsey Caughel went 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA (8 ER/32.0 IP) and 32 strikeouts in four July starts (five games). The 23-year-old had opened the month with consecutive starts without allowing an earned run, totaling 13.0 innings with 15 strikeouts. On the year, Caughel is limiting opponents to a .172 (15-for-87) clip with runners in scoring position. Caughel was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 23rd round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.


(pic via MiLB)
Player - OF Jeremy Rathjen batted .363 (37-for-102) in 26 July games, while leading the team in runs (20), doubles (9), home runs (6) and RBI (20). The Houston, Texas native recorded his first multi-homer game of the year on July 24 with a season-high five RBI and on the year, he is hitting .283 (71-for-251) with 11 home runs and 36 RBI in 68 games for the Quakes. The 24-year-old was selected by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.


Single-A Great Lakes Loons

(pic via MiLB)
Player - RHP Jacob Rhame went 1-0 without allowing a run in 12 July appearances (18.1 IP) to go along with one save. Rhame limited opposing hitters to a .086 average (5-for-58) with 27 strikeouts against five walks. On July 19 against Kane County, Rhame struck out five of the six batters he faced in his two perfect frames. On the season, Rhame is 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA (14 ER/53.1 IP) in 40 relief appearances and has also notched four saves. The 21-year-old was a sixth-round selection of the Dodgers in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.

(pic via MiLB)
Player - INF Paul Hoenecke powered three home runs and plated 16 runs in 26 games in July for the Loons. The 6-2, 205-pounder had his most productive game of the season on July 20, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI in a Great Lakes 9-5 victory over Kane County. On the season, the 24-year-old is batting .253 with 13 home runs and 53 RBI. The Wisconsin native, who attended the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, was selected in the 24th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.


Rookie-level Ogden Raptors

(pic via MiLB)
Pitcher - RHP Jose DeLeon posted a 3-0 record with a 1.38 ERA (4 ER/26.0 IP) in his five July appearances for the Raptors, leading the Pioneer League in wins, ERA, strikeouts (35), opponents' batting average (.189) and WHIP (1.08). The Puerto Rico native struck out at least seven in four of his five appearances in the month. Overall, DeLeon is 4-0 with a 3.04 ERA (16 ER/ 47.1 IP) in seven starts and two relief appearances. He has been dominant against right-handed batters, limiting opponents to a .194 batting average (21-for-108). The 21-year-old was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 24th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.

(pic via MiLB)
Player - C Julian Leon batted .370 (34-for-92) with five homers, a triple, eight doubles and 23 RBI in 24 games in July, while stringing together a 12-game hitting streak (July 14-31) and recording a trio of three-RBI games. He ranked among Pioneer League leaders with a .627 slugging percentage (6th) in July. On the season, the Mexico native is performing well in clutch situations, hitting .400 (2-for-5) when the bases are loaded and .375 (18-for-48) with runners in scoring position. The 18-year-old was signed by Los Angeles as a non-drafted free agent on July 10, 2012.


Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers

Pitcher- RHP Kevin Guzman went 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA (6 ER/25.0 IP) in five starts in July for the Arizona League Dodgers. The Venezuela native limited opposing batters to a .217 batting average (20-for-92) with 22 strikeouts, while allowing only three walks in the month. In his last start during the month of July, he allowed only one hit and one unearned run in 6.0 innings, while striking out four and issuing only one walk against the AZL Reds. On the season, Guzman is 1-1 in seven starts with a 4.02 ERA (14 ER/31.1 IP) and has three starts without allowing an earned run. The 19-year-old was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on May 29, 2013.

Player- OF Alex Verdugo batted .324 (24-for-74) with six doubles, a home run and 11 RBI in 21 games during the month of July, leading the team in hits (24), batting average (.324) and walks (12) in the month. The 18-year-old is batting .305 (32-for-105) with nine doubles, two homers and 18 RBI in 29 games this season for the AZL Dodgers. He currently leads the team in hits (32), doubles (9), RBI (18) and runs (18). The Tucson, Arizona native was selected by the Dodgers in the second round of June's First-Year Player Draft.


Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Dodgers

Pitcher- RHP Hector Rodriguez went 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA (3 ER/31.0 IP) in six starts in July, while limiting opposing batters to a .159 batting average (17-for-107) and striking out 20. On July 24, he threw 6.0 hitless and scoreless innings while striking out five. Rodriguez shined in his last three July starts, recording consecutive wins and limiting batters to a .111 batting average (6-for-54) during that time. Overall, the Venezuela native is 4-3 on the season with a 1.63 ERA (10 ER/55.1 IP) in 11 games and has limited batters to a .173 batting average (34-for-197), which is the fifth lowest in the Dominican Summer League. The 19-year-old was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on December 6, 2012.

Player- OF Johan Mieses batted .378 (28-for-74) with four home runs, a triple, four doubles and 11 RBI in July. The Dominican Republic native led the DSL Dodgers in batting average, homers and stolen bases (12) during the month. On the season, he is batting .300 (48-for-160) and leads the team in home runs (5), triples (7), doubles (10), RBI (21) and stolen bases (23). Mieses is clutch when runners are in scoring position with two outs, batting .348 (8-for-23) with two triples, two doubles and six RBI this season. The 19-year-old was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on May 31, 2013.

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Sunday Dodger Videos: Walk Off Magic Last Night

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Hanley Ramirez came through with a walk off 3-run home run last night.  Watch Hanley and Matt Kemp talk about it below.  BTW, you can watch the dinger here.

Video Link:

Stadium Bound has video of Jeff Bridges two first pitch pitches from last nights game.  You can also watch him announce the Dodgers lineup here.

Video Link:

Did you catch this yesterday?  Well, the usher sure did.

Video Link:

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