Welcome to the Blue, Kyle Garlick!

The Dodgers have once again shuffled their roster. Along with both Caleb Ferguson and Matt Beaty, the Dodgers are bringing up 27-year old Kyle Garlick for his first stint of Major League ball.

The Dodgers today recalled IF Matt Beaty and selected the contract of OF Kyle Garlick. To make room on the 25-man roster, the Dodgers placed RHP Kenta Maeda on the 10-day injured list with a left adductor contusion.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 17, 2019

He is a southern California kid (La Habra) who plays the outfield, and bats and throws right-handed. This season at Oklahoma City he is slashing .280/.375/.627/1.002 in 35 games, and has exhibited some pop. He has ten homers so far, to go along with 20 RBI and 20 runs scored. Over five minor league seasons (covering 418 games) he is slashing a more than respectable .283/.341/.519/.860 with 78 career homers. Per Baseball Prospectus:

A 28th-round senior sign in 2015, Garlick is old for the level. He shows natural bat-to-ball skills and raw strength that translates into game power despite an unorthodox swing that doesn't incorporate much lower half. That swing has undergone some overhaul since last summer, specifically in the setup and launch, and his production hasn't missed a beat. He wants to hit in the box, though he has exhibited improvement in his command of the zone against hard stuff in particular this spring. The successful adjustments are a good sign, though the path is narrow. Poor foot speed limits his ceiling on the bases and in the field, so the bat will need to carry him to a 25-man cameo or three.

2019 Bowman Mega Box Chrome - All the Dodgers Cards

The newest retail exclusive product is now sitting on store shelves of your local Target. It is Topps 2019 Bowman Mega Chrome Boxes and for $19.99 you get four regular 2019 Bowman packs (originally released in mid-April) and two exclusive Mega Box Chrome packs. The Mega Box Chrome packs pulls 100 cards from the 2019 Bowman base set and uses a unique background design -- called "mojo" -- with a chromium finish to distinguish it from the Bowman brand. This hexagonal-styled parallel can only be found in these packs. Four Dodger prospects are a part of the 100 card mojo base set -- Dustin May, Keibert Ruiz, Gavin Lux and Cristian Santana. There is also an autographed mojo card of Cristian Santana and an insert mojo card of Will Smith. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base Chrome Mojo

#BCP-80 Dustin May            #BCP-118 Keibert Ruiz

Blog Kiosk: 5/17/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Just another fantastic vintage press photo (eBay link) -- this time it's of a successful steal of third, dated 9/29/1938. Per the descriptor on the reverse.

Can't Catch This Thief
Boston Braves catcher Al Lopez slides safely into third with one of his two stolen bases in yesterdays game with the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. In the fourth inning of the first game Lopez swiped third as Dodgers third sacker Cookie Lavagetto turns with catcher Greek George's late throw. The Bees won the opener 2-1, with the Dodgers taking the nightcap 8-6 before 2,822 paying patrons.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 then Pirates slugger Hank Greenberg reached out to Jackie Robinson during a game at Forbes Field. While standing on first base he asked Jackie if he was hurt during a collision with him earlier in the game and then says, "Stick in there. You're doing fine. Keep your chin up." Knowing that Greenberg knew first hand the difficulties he had been facing, due to his own Jewish heritage, Jackie would later name him his "diamond hero." In 1978 Dodger slugger Lee Lacy hit his third consecutive home run as a pinch-hitter -- becoming the first player to have ever done so.
• Happy Birthday, Al Mays, Rube Vickers, Elmer Steele, Harry Riconda & Dick Smith!

2019 Topps Now - #237 - Kenta Carries Dodgers

Last nights effort on the part of Kenta Maeda has earned him his fourth Topps Now card - his first of the 2019 season. His first three all came out during his rookie season in 2016, so it's been quite some time since he's been issued an online exclusive card.  Go here to check it out and order. Below is what's written on the reverse:

Kenta Maeda did it all for the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching 6 2/3 shutout innings and allowing just thee hits while striking out 12. The pitcher also drove in the team's only two runs on two hits at the plate. The Dodgers went on to win the game 2-0 thanks to the herculean effort from the right-hander.

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Blog Kiosk: 5/16/2019 - Dodgers Links - Maeda Does it All

Masterful.

Kenta Maeda struck out 12 Padres (a team season high), walked none and scattered three hits to stifle San Diego and record his fifth win of the season. Best yet, he provided all the offense the Dodgers would need. With two on he hit an 'excuse me' bloop single that drove in the pair in the second inning. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It’s hard to imagine him being any better, really, especially when you just saw a team less than 10 days ago,” said manager Dave Roberts. “To go out there, play that cat-and-mouse game, execute the fastball like he did tonight, the slider down below, the split-change…it was really, really fun to watch.”

...
“You see what happens when you put the ball in play,” Verdugo said. “Good things happen.” 

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 1970 a fourteen year old fan named Alan Fish was struck by a batted baseball at Dodger Stadium and would unfortunately die four days later. This marked the first fatality of a fan from a batted ball in a Major League game. In 2000 was the infamous fight at Wrigley Field that started when Dodgers catcher Chad Kreuter, sitting in the Wrigley exposed bullpen, was hit in the back of the head and had his hat stolen by a unruly fan. Several players and coaches jumped into the stands during the ensuing melee. 
• Happy Birthday, Watty Clark, Rube Walker, Rick Rhoden, Mitch Webster & Eugenio Vélez!

2019 Topps Big League Baseball - All the Dodger Cards

Big League Baseball boxes, Topps answer to collectors who are seeking something more affordable, are now on store shelves. There are 403 base cards (11 of which are Dodgers) and only a handful of high-end autographs available -- there are no relics in the set. A box of 24 packs sell for about $35, so this brand is perfect for collectors on a budget.

Check out all of the Dodgers cards that are available below. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base

#2 Max Muncy