Dodgers Blue Heaven

Sunday, June 08, 2014

Sunday Dodger Videos: McGwire, Scully and Impersonating Dodger Pitchers

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Bobby Crosby at Dodger Films captures something awesome. Check out Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw impersonating each other on the mound.

Video Link:

Mark McGwire recalls his days playing for the 1982 Anchorage Glacier Pilots team under Coach Jim Dietz and how playing on the team was a dramatic game changing moment for him as a baseball player for the rest of his life. The video is via www.glacierpilotslegacy.com.

Video Link:

RIP, Don Zimmer. Vin takes some time to remember Don Zimmer and his importance to baseball.

Video Link:

Vin Scully narrates a commemorative video celebrating the Dodgers 10,000 wins as a franchise.

Video Link:

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Saturday, June 07, 2014

Check out the Results of the First Two Days of the Dodgers 2014 Draft - Picks #1 to #10

The Dodgers passed along a press release announcing their first 10 picks from the 2014 amateur Baseball Draft. They provided a brief description of each player. Check it out below. I also included some brand new fantasy cards and twitter comments. Click on any pic to embiggen.

(Photo used via @Dodgers on twitter)

The Dodgers today announced their selections from the first two days of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. Los Angeles made eight picks today after drafting Conway High School (SC) right-hander Grant Holmes (Twitter - @GHolmes_14) with the 22^nd overall selection and Sahuaro High School (AZ) outfielder Alex Verdugo with the 62^nd overall selection in the second round yesterday.

(Photo used via StudentSports.com)

Through the first two days of the draft, the Dodgers selected six right-handed pitchers, two outfielders, one infielder and one catcher. The club used seven picks on college players and three picks on high school prospects.

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3rd Round

(Photo used via LV Review-Journal AP/Mark Ylen)

With their first pick on the draft's second day, Los Angeles selected right-handed pitcher John Richy (Twitter - @jrichy45) out of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder went 11-4 with a 3.20 ERA (43 ER/121.0 IP) and 113 strikeouts in 16 starts for the Rebels this season. As a junior this season, Richy led the Mountain West Conference in innings, strikeouts, wins, starts, and also registered five complete games. In his career at UNLV, the 21-year-old has posted a 3.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio (189 K/56 BB).

So blessed to be drafted by the dodgers! Thank you to everyone who has been there for me
— John Richy (@jrichy45) June 6, 2014

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4th Round

(Photo used via Perfect Game)

The Dodgers selected their third pitcher of the draft in University of Washington (WA) pitcher Jeff Brigham (Twitter - @jbrigs34) with their fourth-round pick. Brigham finished the 2014 season going 7-4 with a 2.90 ERA (29 ER/90.0 IP) in 16 starts, giving up one run or less in six of his starts with a total of eight quality starts on the season. The 22-year-old junior from Federal Way, WA is listed at 6-foot, 198-pounds and earned Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 and First Team All-Academic honors.

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5th Round

(Photo used via video screengrab at BBWebTV)

In the fifth round, Los Angeles selected McEachern High School (GA) third baseman Jared Walker (Twitter - @JRod_Walker), the first infielder the Dodgers selected in the draft. Walker, 18, batted .466 with a 1.253 OPS in 31 games for the Indians, amassing three homers, 30 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in his senior campaign.

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6th Round

(Photo used via Pantagraph.com/Bob Poynter/AP)

The Dodgers picked right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart (Twitter - @B_Rock_one5) out of Illinois State University (IL) with their sixth-round selection after the 22-year-old went with 3-2 with a 2.36 ERA in 11 games (one start) this season. Stewart, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, also appeared in 120 games as an infielder during his four-year playing career with the Redbirds, batting .266 with a .343 on-base percentage. The redshirt junior, who is the son of San Diego scout Jeff Stewart, was previously drafted by the Mets in the 40^th round of the 2010 First-Year Player draft out of Normal West High School (IL), but did not sign.

Indescribable feeling!! So happy to be a Los Angeles Dodger!! Now It's time to get to work!
— Brock Stewart (@B_Rock_one5) June 6, 2014

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7th Round

(Photo used via The Chimes)

In the seventh round, Los Angeles selected its fifth right-handed pitcher in California Baptist University hurler Trevor Oaks (Twitter - @trevoaks), who posted a perfect 11-0 record with a 1.68 ERA (20 ER/107.0 IP) in 15 starts for the Lancers. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder earned All-American honors in the NCBWA in addition to winning the PacWest Pitcher of the Year after leading the league in wins, strikeouts (107), ERA and shutouts (2).

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8th Round

(Photo used via Odessa America/Edyta Blaszczyk)

The Dodgers selected catcher Hunter Redman (Twitter - @HunterRedman1) out of Texas Tech (TX) in the eighth round. On the year, the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder is batting .252 with 17 RBI in 42 games for the Red Raiders, who are set to face College of Charleston in the three-game set at the NCAA Super Regionals this weekend. Before transferring to Texas Tech, the 21-year-old played in four games for the University of Texas (TX) in 2012 and 52 games for Midland College (TX) in 2013. Redman's brother, Reid, is a pitcher in the Marlins' organizations and was a 37^th-round selection of the Dodgers in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, but did not sign.

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9th Round

(Photo used via orangeandwhite.com/Mark Crammer)

In the ninth round, the Dodgers picked Clemson (SC) right-handed pitcher Matt Campbell (Twitter - @MattyIce36). In his senior season for the Tigers, the 22-year old allowed only three earned runs in 32.0 innings (0.84 ERA), while registering eight saves with 45 strikeouts against 15 walks. In his career at Clemson, the three-time All-ACC Academic selection amassed 19 saves with a 2.75 ERA (33 ER/108.0 IP), while posting an 11.17 strikeouts-per-nine-innings ratio in 78 career relief appearances.

Couldn't be more humbled and honored for the opportunity the @Dodgers have given me! Thank you everyone who has helped me get to where I am!
— Matt Campbell (@MattyIce36) June 6, 2014

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10th Round

(Photo used via orangeandwhite.com)

Los Angeles' last selection on the second day of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft was Coastal Carolina (SC) outfielder Colin Hering (Twitter - @shooting_gaps24). In two years at Coastal Carolina, the left-handed hitting Hering posted a .350 on-base percentage with 17 stolen bases in 113 games. In his two years prior to transferring to Coastal Carolina, the 23-year-old played two seasons at Bellevue College (WA), leading the NWAACC with 39 RBI his sophomore year and was the NWAACC runner-up for North Region MVP.

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Blog Kiosk: 6/7/2014 - Dodger Links - Arruebarrena Sent Down, Guerrero's Ear and Holmes YouTube Connection

So, did the Dodgers get the message? Well, one win doesn't make the grade. Ask me that quesyions a couple weeks down the road. Graphic above via @Dodgers on twitter.

Chad Moriyama at Dodgers Digest tells us all about the Dodger draft picks from #6 to #10 who were chosen yesterday.
Via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times, " Dodgers Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp agree with Don Mattingly's criticism."

Gonzalez’s response: “True – I mean, lately. The last two series we were.”

Kemp also didn’t dispute Mattingly’s description of the team.

“I mean, we haven’t been playing very good baseball,” Kemp said. “I think we would all agree.”

ICYMI: Erisbel Arruebarrena was optioned back to Albuquerque, and infielder Miguel Rojas is back up with the Dodgers, via a Dodgers press release. This move was done to give Erisbel some playing time while taking advantage of a player who is on fire right now:

Rojas has been on a power surge of late, with all four of his home runs coming during his active eight-game hitting streak (.412, 14-for-34) that preceded his call-up.

JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers put up an interview with Dodgers 2014 1st Round Draft pick Grant Holmes - he tells us he learned his top-ranked curveball from the most unlikeliest of places - YouTube.
Left Field Pavilion creates a couple of great graphics for potential All-Star Game selections Yasiel Puig and Dee Gordon. Go here to check out his awesome Zack Greinke graphic, as well.
Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Dodgers prospect Alex Guerrero's repaired ear is on the mend."

Doctors have detected circulation and growth in the surgically reattached portion of Alex Guerrero's left ear, increasing the chances that the ear can be saved, according to his agent, Scott Boras.

This is just plain dumb, and I would argue wrong. Check out this article by Harrison Mooney at Puck Daddy about a Hermosa Beach restaurant that briefly had a little taunt/chirp at Kings fans expense (the place bills itself as a Chicago restaurant) after they defeated the 'Hawks, so Kings fans with thin skin went on Yelp to trash the place - and ultimately try to hurt their livelihood. Stop it, please! There's nothing wrong with chirping. It's allowed in sports. Heck, this sports fan even respects a good taunt. So please, stop feeling hurt and start being happy about the Kings being in the Finals!
Via his instagram, Yasiel Puig saw snow for the first time.

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Friday, June 06, 2014

The Yasiel Puig McFarlane Figurines are Now Available

The McFarlane MLB Series 32 figurines are now out, and it includes Cuban slugging sensation Yasiel Puig. Head over to your favorite hobby shop or toy store to find one.

Of special note, there are at least three different versions available. Directly below is the normal Puig figurine and its packaging. It shows Puig in his home white uniform.

This next figurine is considered the Bronze Collector Level Yasiel Puig action figure. They are limited to just 2,000 serial numbered figurines. As you can see, this action figure features a rather large over-sized head - like, freakishly big.

The scarcest figurine is below. It is the Silver Level Variant, numbered to only 750 copies and features Yasiel Puig in the Dodger road grey uniform.

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The Draft Continues for Dodgers - Here are their 3rd, 4th & 5th Round Picks

This morning starts where the Dodgers left off. They will be choosing picks #3 to #10.

At #3 for the Dodgers, 98th overall, is right-handed hurler from UNLV John Richy. He is originally from Golden, Colorado, is 6'4" tall, 210 lbs. and is a junior at UNLV. In 2014 he went 11 - 4 with a 3.20 ERA. Richy completed 5 games, threw 121 inning, struck out 113 and walking only 24.

In celebration of his selection I made the above fantasy card for him. As you can see he sports a mighty fine Rollie Fingers-style mustache. I grabbed the photo from the Las Vegas Review-Journal (pic by Chase Stevens) and used the vintage 1987 Topps Baseball card design. BTW, Ron Kantowski at the Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote an interesting story about the origins of the mustache, here.

Chambers said he did it to support the team. The UNLV players recently started growing mustaches to express camaraderie and esprit de corps.

It's akin to what NHL players do during the playoffs - they all grow beards.

Below are his stats from the his UNLV biography page:

Here are a couple of links about what he brings to the table:

Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers pick John Richy in 3rd round of 2014 MLB Draft."
Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Dodgers draft UNLV RHP John Richy in third round."

BTW, Richy is apparently a True Blue Dodger fan. Check out his tweet here: (Whoops! Sorry, I must learn to read this twitter thing. A teammate of Richy is actually the Dodger fan - My Bad!)

A big shout out to @jrichy45 of @unlvbaseball getting drafted to my favorite team @Dodgers
— Anthony Zuniga (@PapaZuni) June 6, 2014

I like this kid already!

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For the 4th Round, 129th overall, the Dodgers picked University of Washington junior right-handed pitcher Jeff Brigham. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, he had Tommy John surgery in 2012. Brigham measures 6'0" tall, 200 lbs. and is 22 years old. Per the MLB draft tracker:

He regained his velocity, albeit inconsistently, with a fastball that sits 92-94 mph and has touched 97. The life on Brigham’s fastball has led to a ton of ground-ball outs but not many strikeouts. His slider and changeup are both well behind his fastball, however, and both will need a good amount of development to be useable pitches. Brigham does go right after hitters and has been generally around the strike zone. His health history, his size and his stuff might mean a path to the bullpen at the next level.

It appears he might be a work in progress. If he figures it out he'll be slated to join the Dodger bullpen someday. BTW, Jeff is on twitter, and can be followed here @Jbrigs34. You can check out his biography page at UofW here. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA also has a report on him, here.

In celebration of his selection I made the above fantasy card for him. I grabbed a photos from a Seattle Times article (pic by Jim Bates) and used the 1987 Topps Baseball card design. I would have used a different design, but I currently only have this template at my disposal. Maybe I'll make more fantasy cards for these kids using a different design later on.

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The Dodgers 5th round pick, 159th overall, is McEachern High School 3rd baseman Jared Walker. He measures 6' 3", 200 lbs., bats left-handed, but throws right. He is projected as having plus power potential. At just 18-years of age he'll have plenty of time to develop.

Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

"The lefthanded hitter has hitting instincts and a line-drive stroke with natural strength. He has good bat-to-ball skills, though his approach will require refinement, and average raw power that projects to plus down the road," read the Baseball America scouting report. "A team might try him at third base, but his defensive future likely lies in left field."

Eric shares a video of Jared in action.

In celebration of his selection I made the above fantasy card for him. I grabbed a photo of Jared from his Perfect Game biography and used the 1987 Topps Baseball card design.

UPDATE: BTW, Jared has a couple of cards in 2013 Leaf Perfect Game Showcase Baseball set. Check them out below.

Base Card #99 Jared Walker Base Auto #JW2 Jared Walker

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Our 2014 1st & 2nd Draft Picks Already have Baseball Cards - Check them Out Here

It amazes me that even prep ballplayers have Baseball cards today. I never would have thunk that a major manufacturer like Topps would already have cards available on the marketplace before the amateur draft, but here we are.

As you likely know by now, the Dodgers 2014 1st Round Draft Pick was right-handed hurler Grant Holmes, and he already has a couple of cards available to chase. Heck, if you include cards made by Leaf Trading Cards then there are even more than that. So, since I like to write about the Dodgers and their cards, check out what is available of Holmes below.

This is a 2013 Bowman Perfect Game "All-American Classic" card that were only available during a showcase ballgame at PETCO park in San Diego on August 11, 2013. Attendees received only 1 random card, so it may be scarce.

#PG-GH Grant Holmes

This next cards is a 2013 Bowman Under Armour "All-America Baseball Factory" card that were only available during a showcase ballgame at Wrigley Field in Chicago on August 24, 2013. Like the card above, attendees received only 1 random card. BTW, our 2nd Round Pick, Alex Verdugo, also has a card in this set - you can see it to the right of Holmes, below.

The below cards were made by Leaf Trading Cards in 2013. It is from a set called 2013 Leaf Perfect Game National Showcase Baseball, and they feature prep ballplayers who were participants of Perfect Game High School Classic Showcase events held throughout the country last year. Hundreds of the best high school prospects in the country are featured in the set. Check out the Grant Holmes cards below. Unfortunately, Verdugo is not included in the set.

Base Card #260 Grant Holmes