2018 Topps Pro Debut - All the Dodgers Cards

Topps' minor league Baseball card brand Pro Debut officially hit store shelves this week, and I've got pics of every Dodger card available to look at below. Go here for a complete checklist.

This set is stacked with some of the best Dodger prospects currently in our system; including the recently called-up pitcher Dennis Santana. Other notables are Keibert Ruiz, Yadier Alvarez , DJ Peters and Mitchell White. Heck, all nine Dodgers' in the base set are all worth paying attention to.

Something notable is a fun mascot card featuring Tremor of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes - a Dodgers Single-A team.

Base

#9 Mitchell White                 #38 Ibandel Isabel

Blog Kiosk: 5/31/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ross Stripling has risen to the occasion. Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“When a guy like Kershaw goes down, and Rich Hill, and Kenta gets hurt and Hyun- Jin (Ryu), it’s the next one up (mentality). It’s been great that they’ve trusted me to keep filling that role every five days. I just focus on what I’m doing, my scouting report, Rick Honeycutt prepares me, and just going out when they hand me the ball and get outs till they take the ball from me.”

The right-hander ended the month with a 1.20 ERA — fifth best in the Majors in May by a pitcher who tossed t least 25 innings. In 30 innings, he struck out 41 batters and walked four.

Not only has Matt Kemp surprised us all by leading the Dodger offense, but Ross Stripling has been ace-like. He went seven inning of four hit ball last night to record his third win of the season -- recording nine strike outs and allowing just one run.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1937 the Brooklyn Dodgers ended Carl Hubbell's consecutive-game winning streak at 24 (over two season) at the Polo Grounds by defeating the Giants, 10-3. In 1948 Tommy Lasorda, as a member of the Schenectady Blue Jays in the Phillies system, struck out 25 batters in a 15 inning game to defeat the Amsterdam Rugmakers.  Lasorda has said that he likely threw more than 300 pitches that day. In 1965 the Dodgers, for the first time in history, field an all switch-hitting infield in the second game of a doubleheader against the Reds.  The players were Wes Parker, Jim Lefebvre, Maury Wills and Jim Gilliam.  In 1968 Don Drysdale pitched his fifth consecutive shutout -- while on his way to breaking the scoreless innings streak. This is the game where a Giants batter was called out on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch since he was ruled to have not made an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch.
• Happy Birthday, George Smith, Kenny Lofton & Dave Roberts!

Welcome to the Blue, Dennis Santana!

Originally signed as a 17-year old shortstop out of the Dominican Republic, Dennis Santana is now poised to make his Major League debut in a Dodger uniform as a pitcher soon. Per his own tweet, he was called at midnight and told to jump on a plane to Los Angeles. He's a big leaguer now! Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed right-handed pitcher Kenta Maeda on the 10-day disabled list with a right hip strain and recalled right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana (#77) from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

2018 Topps Tier One - The Scarce Dodgers Cards

Here is a last look at some of the Dodgers' cards found in packs of Topps' 2018 Tier One Baseball card brand. Featured below is largely a checklist of various scarce inserts. Many of the cards listed below are "1 of 1's", so when possible I've included an example of the card.

One insert set of note is the below Signature Tools Autograph Relics, and as you can see it features a piece of a pen used by the player to sign autographs -- I kid you not!

I am still waiting for previously chewed gum relic cards. 

Signature Tools Autograph Relics (#/1)

• #STAR-AV Alex Verdugo
• #STAR-CK Clayton Kershaw
• #STAR-MP Mike Piazz
• #STAR-SK Sandy Koufax

#STAR-CK Clayton Kershaw     #STAR-MP Mike Piazza

Blog Kiosk: 5/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another DL bound pitcher. As you certainly know, Kenta Maeda suffered a right hip strain during last nights loss to the Phillies, 6-1. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"It's unexpected. Murphy's Law type of thing," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who said he anticipates Maeda being placed on the disabled list. "But our guys are resilient. We keep finding ways to win and battle." 

On the heels of Brock Stewart's four-inning spot start on Monday night, the Dodgers' bullpen had to pick up 7 1/3 innings from Maeda on Tuesday night. That's 12 1/3 bullpen innings in two days, a toll that could be felt for days to come, especially with a weekend series at Coors Field against the first-place Rockies. 

"I thought our 'pen did a good job trying to eat up 23 outs," said Roberts. "It's not ideal. It was really stressed today."

Photo above via Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Boston Braves outfielder Bama Rowell became the first player to hit the Bulova clock located above the right field scoreboard with a long drive at Ebbets Field. His wallop shattered the clock face, causing glass to fall on the field and onto Dodger outfielder Dixie Walker. The event is said to have been the inspiration for a similar incident found in the book The Natural that was written by Brooklyn author Bernard Malamud. BTW, Rowell's hit, recorded as a double, should have earned him a free watch from Bulova, but did not receive it until 41 years later, on Bama Rowell day in his hometown of  Citronelle, Alabama. In 1962 Maury Wills becomes the 7th player in history to hit home runs from each side of the plate during a single game. The feat was accomplished against the Mets during the first game of a doubleheader that afternoon.
• Happy Birthday, Jesse Whiting, Al Mamaux, Ed Rakow & Manny Ramirez!

2018 Topps Tier One - Dodgers Autograph and Relic Cards

Topps' high-end Tier One Baseball card brand hit stores last week, and I've got pics of many of the Dodgers cards found in packs. Go here for a complete checklist. For the most part, the cards seen here are the more common cards available - if there is such a thing for a brand that includes two autographs and a relic per $100+ pack. You should see the Talent Autographs, Break Out Autographs, Prime Performer Autographs and the Tier One Relics.

Tier One Talent Autographs

#TTA-AV Alex Verdugo                #TTA-CS Corey Seager