2015 Panini Elite Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

Earlier this week Panini released their Elite Baseball card set.  Go here for a complete checklist.  This is a foil-based brand with a 200-card base set.  Check out all of the Dodger cards in the base set below.

Of note, this is the first Panini set to include ballplayers in their college Baseball uniforms.  Unfortunately, no Dodger players are a part of those insert sets.

#15 Joc Pederson                                 #35 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 7/3/2015 - Dodger Links - 14 New Dodgers Added to the Franchise Yesterday

With the All-Star Game just around the corner I though this AP press wire photo of the 1962 All-Star Game starting pitchers would be a good way to start this Independence Day weekend.  Featured above is Don Drysdale and Jim Bunning.  Pic via eBay.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Brandon League closing out rehab stint, designated for assignment."
• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider tells us a bit more about the nine international prospects the Dodger signed yesterday: "Dodgers sign nine international prospects, led by Yadier Alvarez, Starling Heredia."  Jon also spoke with Dodger senior vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes here: "Teenagers are no wasteland for Dodger international scouts."

On Alvarez: “He’s one of the more talented teenage right-handed pitchers who a lot of us who have been doing this a long time have seen,” said Byrnes, who added that Alvarez throws 97 mph, “occasionally touching 99-100, with very little effort and some pretty good feel for secondary pitches.”

On Heredia: “That is rare,” Byrnes said. “I don’t think it’s fair to comp him, but at least the physique (compares) to Kirby Puckett. Fireplug body, nicknamed ‘The Pitbull’ down there, and a real strength-speed combination. Very strong body, but even with that build, he can really run. In any arena, finding a good combination of strength and speed is really rare.”

• Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Chase DeJong and infielder Tim Locastro from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for three international signing slots: 27, 57 and 117. DeJong and Locastro have been assigned to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

DeJong, 21, was recently promoted to the Blue Jays’ Single-A Dunedin affiliate in the Florida State League, but only appeared in games with Single-A Lansing of the Midwest League this year, where he was 7-4 with a 3.13 ERA, a .231 opponents’ batting average and a 1.08 WHIP in 14 starts. The Long Beach native is in his fourth year of pro ball and has an 11-13 record with a 3.69 ERA in 56 career games (45 starts). He was originally selected by Toronto in the second round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Woodrow Wilson High School.

Locastro, 22, had a .310/.409/.421 slashline this year with Lansing, hitting five home runs and driving in 25 runs in 70 games. He has a .305 career batting average and a .399 on-base percentage in 180 minor league games in three professional seasons, earning selections as a 2014 MiLB.com Toronto organization All-Star and also a 2014 Single-A Northwest League All-Star. The New York native was originally selected by the Blue Jays in the 13th round of the 2013 First-Year Player draft out of Ithaca College.

• And here's another Dodger press release on an acquisition of a couple more players-this time from the Braves:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Caleb Dirks and outfielder Jordan Paroubeck from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for international signing slot No. 87. Dirks has been assigned to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and Paroubeck will head to Arizona and continue rehabbing a minor quad injury.

Dirks, 22, made 17 combined relief appearances for the Braves’ Single-A Rome and Single-A Advanced Carolina affiliates, going 1-2 with three saves and posting a 0.68 ERA (2 ER/26.2 IP). Since being promoted to Single-A Advanced Carolina on May 8, he has pitched 16.2 scoreless innings in 11 relief appearances and was limiting hitters to a .148 average (8-for-54). The Riverside, CA native is in his second professional season and has a 2-2 record with a 1.53 ERA in 38 career games. He was originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft from California Baptist University.

Paroubeck, 20, was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round (69th overall) of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Serra High School in San Mateo, CA. The switch-hitter batted .286 with four homers, 24 RBI and 26 runs scored in 34 games (all in left field) for San Diego’s Arizona League squad last season. In 2015, the 6’2 Paroubeck was dealt from San Diego to Atlanta in the Craig Kimbrel trade and played in 25 extended spring training games this year. 

• We have apparently signed another pitcher, via a tweet from Matt Eddy:

#Dodgers sign RHP Trevor Cahill, 27-year-old groundball machine whom #Braves released on June 20.

— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) July 2, 2015

Per Eric Stephens it's a minor league contract (link)

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Mets Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts tomorrow against the New York Mets, and several former Dodgers are scheduled for an autograph session with fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

Tommy Lasorda’s Trattoria will be offering the BLT Pizza during this homestand.  It features a fresh dough pizza slice with shredded mozzarella cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, topped with shredded iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes and drizzled with creamy Ranch dressing.  Check out a pic of it on the left.

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Friday, July 3rd at 7:10 PM
RHP Noah Syndergaard vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw
ESPN / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Friday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM. It is Friday Night Fireworks, so fans will be able to go down onto the field after the game to watch the spectacle. The theme will be Country Rock Music featuring classic country songs covered by rock artists: Buck Owens covered by The Beatles, Merle Haggard covered by The Grateful Dead, Marty Robbins covered by Old 97’s, Dolly Parton covered by The White Stripes and Johnny Cash covered by Social Distortion.  Go here for information about future firework themes.

Dodger alumnus Mickey Hatcher will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Kris Preston. 
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Friday include a Joc Pederson autographed photo, Zack Greinke autographed baseball and Clayton Kershaw autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 8:45 p.m.

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Saturday, July 4th at 4:15 PM
RHP Matt Harvey vs. RHP Zack Greinke

 FOX / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Saturday's game starts at 4:15 PM.  Auto gates open at 1:45 PM, and stadium gates open at 2:15 PM.

The Extreme Loaded Dogs stands will be offering the Independence Day Dog on the 4th of July, only.  It consists of a quarter pound all beef Super Dodger Dog served with Applewood smoked bacon, pickled chips, potato salad and pickled red onions.  Check out a pic of it on the left.

A 4th of July Postgame Musical Performance and Fireworks Show will be presented by Kurios From Cirque Du Soleil.  Fans are invited to enjoy both a patriotic musical performance by the USO Show Troupe and 4th of July fireworks spectacular.

U.S. Coast Guard Second Class Petty Officer Mike Dalager, accompanied by Grand Folk Railroad guitarist Bruce Kulick, will perform the national anthem. U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Maria Guerra of Chino Hills and U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Samara Arias of Van Nuys will both throw a ceremonial first pitch. A color guard unit will be on hand and a giant flag will be unfurled in center field by more than 100 members of all branches of the military – U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard.

Dodger alumnus Al Downing will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• The Military Heroes of the Game are U.S. Navy E4 Bobby Prevost and U.S. Navy E4 Kelly Prevost.

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Sunday, July 5th at 1:10 PM
LHP Steven Matz vs. RHP Mike Bolsinger

 SNLA/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Sunday's game starts at 1:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 10:40 AM, and stadium gates open at 11:10 AM.  It is Photo Day and fans are invited to take photos of their favorite Dodgers on the field prior to the game. Fans can enter the field through center field and photos opportunities will take place from 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Fans can take photos of players, but are asked not to ask for photos with players. Autographs will also not be permitted.

Viva Los Dodgers will be at the historic 76 station beginning at 11:00 a.m. and will feature musical entertainment by DJ Raul Campos and Ballet Folklorico Otomi. Dodger broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela will make a special appearance from approximately 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Valenzuela will take photos with fans and fans will receive a complimentary photo printout courtesy of Blue Print.

Former Miss Nevada, Ellie Smith, will perform the national anthem.

Dodger alumnus Kenny Landreaux will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion plaza from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Justin Lits.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Sunday include an Andre Ethier autographed photo, Adrian Gonzalez autographed baseball and Yasiel Puig autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 2:45 p.m.

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2015 Onyx Authenticated Platinum Elite Baseball - The Yadier Alvarez Auto'd Card

Have you ever heard of the Onyx Authenticated card company?

Up until a few weeks ago I hadn't heard of them either. 

It's a small card company that gears itself towards prospects, and featured in one of their products is an autographed Baseball card of recent Dodger international signee Yadier Alvarez.  Check it out above, and a reverse of the card is below.

The set itself is called 2015 Onyx Authenticated Platinum Elite Baseball.  Go here for a description and partial checklist.  I am not aware of any other Dodger players or prospects in the set.  BTW, the set includes other top flight prospects like Miguel Sano, Carlos Correa, Tyler Kolek and Byron Buxton.

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Dodgers Sign Yadier Alvarez on First Day of International Signing Period

As you may know, the MLB international signing period just opened up today, and as expected the Dodgers are busy rounding up some of the best prospects available.  As reported earlier today, via Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com, they have already signed up four players; including a highly touted right-hander named Yadier Alvarez.

According to industry sources, the Dodgers agreed to terms with Alvarez, 19, ranked No. 2 on MLB.com's Top 30 International Prospects list (for $16Mil); outfielder Starling Heredia, ranked No. 5, for $2.6 million; infielder Ronny Brito, ranked No. 21, for $2 million; and shortstop Oneal Cruz for $950,000. The club hasn't confirmed any of the deals.

Sources indicate the Dodgers are also among the teams with serious interest in Cuban outfielder Eddy Julio Martinez, 20, ranked No. 1 on the list. Martinez is expected to command a signing bonus of more than $10 million. Los Angeles was also linked to shortstop Lucius Fox, ranked No. 3, from the Bahamas for several months.

BTW, the Alvarez signing is now official.  Via a pic tweeted by FanGraphs writer Kiley McDaniel and Ben Badler of Baseball America, he signed his Dodger deal today.  Check out the pic below.

In celebration of this recent Dodger signing I made the above fantasy card of Alvarez using a pic from Sports World News (Getty) and the 1971 Topps Baseball card design.   BTW, Alvarez already has a Baseball card on the market, so I'll be sharing a pic of that soon.

UPDATE:  Via a Dodger press release:  They signing nine international ballplayers today.

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the signings of nine international prospects, including four ranked in Fangraphs.com’s scoutboard 2015 International Prospects list: Yadier Alvarez (No. 1), Starling Heredia (No. 12), Ronny Brito (No. 15) and Oneil Cruz (No. 33).

“We’re excited to add nine highly-skilled prospects as we continue to re-stock, inject talent and build depth at all levels of our organization,” said Dodger Vice President, International Scouting Bob Engle. “These signings are a testament to the hard work of our scouts and the international appeal of the Dodger brand.”

The Dodgers signed six players from the Dominican Republic and one player each from Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua:

• Yadier Alvarez, 3/7/1996, Cuba, RHP, 6’2”, 172, Bats R/Throws R
• Starling Heredia, 2/6/1999, Santo Domingo Norte, DR, OF, 6’1”, 220, Bats R/Throws R
• Ronny Brito, 3/22/1999, San Francisco de Macoris, DR, SS, 6’0”, 168, Bats R/Throws R
• Oneal Cruz, 10/4/1998, Bani, DR, SS, 6’4”, 174, Bats L/Throws R
• Christopher Arias, 5/1/1999, Santo Domingo Norte, DR, OF, 6’2”, 182, Bats L/Throws L
• Ramon Rosso, 6/9/1996, Santo Domingo, DR, RHP, 6’4”, 215, Bats R/Throws R
• Carlos Rincon, 10/14/1997, Guerra, DR, OF, 6’0”, 175, Bats R/Throws R
• Luis Rodriguez, 3/2/1999, Cumana Sucre, Venezuela, SS, 6’0”, 150, Bats S/Throws R
• Aldo Espinoza, 9/11/1998, Managua, Nicaragua, 2B, 6’0”, 168, Bats R/Throws R

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Blog Kiosk: 7/2/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Say what you will about our controversial outfielder, but one thing remains clear.  Yasiel Puig is beloved by the younger set.  Kid adore him, and it's quite clear to me that he loves them back. 

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015 from yesterday's game.  Below are some links to check out:

• GCRL compares the similarities and differences between the Dodger base cards found in packs and in the factory sets.  Notably, AJ Ellis has two different base cards this year.
• Craig Calcaterra at Hardball Talk writes a fair and balanced story on Molly Knight's book about the Dodgers, here.

I hope those distinctions are clear, despite my rah-rahing for Yasiel Puig. I hope that we can agree that we do not have to consider Puig the same way his teammates or the press does, as we are the audience for his baseball entertainment, not people who share close quarters with him. Put differently, I hope we are totally capable of thinking that Puig is amazing and fun in some aspects (i.e. when he takes the field) even if he is less so in others.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPN, "Don Mattingly says clubhouse is 'solid' despite Yasiel Puig revelations."

“It was just different stuff we had talked about and it was them presenting information to him,” Mattingly said. “I saw on [MLB Network] them talking about it like it was an on-going thing. It’s not an on-going thing. The clubhouse is solid.”

• Via Alex Espinosa at MiLB,com, "Cal notes: Quakes' Bird sticking to stretch."

"It's a little unusual," Bird said. "But I get the velocity because I'm not going to the plate quick. I'm getting my leg up high and everything is in line. I'm more direct. There's not a lot of wasted energy. It's similar to a reliever, or a closer … because from the windup, I would kind of get my direction off and lose my balance at the top of my leg kick. Going to the stretch, that's kind of been eliminated."

• Via MiLB.com, "Four OKC Dodgers Named to Triple-A All-Star Game: Barnes, Buchter, Seager, and Sweeney heading to Omaha
• This is an important read.  From former King winger Rich Clune at The Players Tribune, "The Battle."  He writes about his struggle with drug and alcohol abuse while a player.

I don’t care how many times you have messed up, or been arrested, or made your family cry. I don’t care how many times you told your teammates, “That’s it, man. I’m done.” Until you are really ready to get help, nobody can say anything to change it.

...
Between the ages of 15-24, I was not here. I was checked out. I did not exist. Rich Clune the pro hockey player existed. He got in over 150 fights and drove drunk and chased women and laughed and cried and lived in oblivion. But Rich Clune, the kid who loved art and film and read books and thought deeply about life, that guy was just not around. He couldn’t cope with the pressure.

• Here's a look at the July issue of Dodger Insider magazine below; featuring Don Drysdale and Zack Greinke on the cover.  Jon Weisman has all the juicy details hidden inside here.
  

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