Blog Kiosk: 5/27/2016 - Dodgers Links - Sandoval, Utley and Julio Urias

I've got that #JulioFever.  So much so, I decided to make a few more Urias fantasy cards last night.  Check them out above.  The photo used on the left is from SportsCenter on twitter, and on the right is a Getty pic grabbed from Last Word on Sports.

It is becoming more clear that the Dodgers youth brigade is coming, and today's surprise starting pitcher is just one of many we should expect in the near future.  How sweet it is that we get to enjoy the fruits of our patience.

Last night Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman answered several questions from the press corps, and Urias was the main topic.  Fortunately, Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider shares it in total.  Check it out here.  Below is a snippet:

Is this a spot start? Or is Urias in the big-leagues to stay?
We’re going to assess where things are after this start and go from there. We haven’t made any long-term determinations at this point. Obviously, we have to be mindful of his workload for the season. On the one hand, you want to make sure he gets the range he wants. On the other hand, you want to balance the “right now” part of the season with potentially September as well, having as many capable arms as we can have then. So we’re just going to get through tomorrow night and continue to assess it.

I suspect that he will eventually bounce around from AAA and Los Angeles throughout the season; much like how Stripling and Bolsinger are doing that right now.  Heck, he might even spend some time in the bullpen to lessen the number of innings he throws.  BTW, Ken Rosenthal shared some words of wisdom from Zach Greinke on Julio Urias on twitter:

Former #Dodgers RHP Zack Greinke described Julio Urias to me this spring as “the most perfect pitching prospect I’ve ever seen.” 1/2

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 26, 2016

I asked Greinke why. He said: 1. Urias is left-handed. 2. Stuff is plus-plus. 3. “He’s nasty, but not so nasty you think he’ll blow out.”

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 26, 2016

Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1888 fan favorite Adonis Terry pitched his second no-hitter for Brooklyn at Washington Park. 

Welcome to the Blue, Julio Urias! A Boatload of Fantasy Cards

As you no doubt know by now Julio Urias is coming to "The Show" tomorrow.  On the mound he'll be sporting Los Angeles Dodger Blue in that evenings game against the New York Mets, and I think every Dodger fan in the world will be glued to their television set to witness it.  It's the kind of event that will be remembered and spoken about by fans for years to come.  Hopefully, he can rise to the occasion and not get bogged down by unrealistic expectations.

Not that you shouldn't expect the world from him.

Urias has been spectacular since he turned pro just three years ago (at the age of 16).  In fact, today marks the third anniversary of his first professional game. Here's a quote by Urias after that game with the Loons, per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“With the first couple guys, I was feeling kind of nervous. After that, I was really happy because I was making my debut and things ended up going well for me,” Urias said after the game. “I just wanted to do what (Loons pitching coach Bill Simas) told me. I just wanted to throw strikes and keep the ball down. If you do that, you can pitch in any league.”

On his recent play in the PCL for the Oklahoma City Dodgers Dave Cameron at FanGraphs makes note of how dominating he's been there:

Urias, though, is running a 1.10 ERA/2.89 FIP in his first 41 innings in the PCL (a notorious hitters league), and four of the five runs he’s allowed came in one appearance, back on April 16th. He allowed the fifth run in his next outing on April 22nd, a five inning affair where he gave up just two hits, walked one, and struck out eight. He’s pitched in five games since then, and posted the following line.

2016 Topps Pro Debut - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Following up on pics of all the Dodgers base cards found in packs of Topps 2016 Pro Debut set, here is a look at the insert cards.  Unfortunately, there are no Dodgers autograph cards available in this set.

Pennant Patches

#PP-GH Grant Holmes                 #PP-JDL Jose De Leon

Blog Kiosk: 5/26/2016 - Dodgers Links - No All Star Game for Vin, Dodgers Sweep and Julio Urias

"If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky!"

As a part of Adrian Gonzalez's bobblehead night Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellarcame out to perform the national anthem before the game.  You can see them in the photo at the very top, via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Their appearance was the start of an festive affair that included an outstanding performance by Scott Kazmir on the mound, an attempted inside-the-park home run by a Reds player that ended with a perfect relay to home to get him out (watch it here), and a welcome sweep at a time when the Dodgers sorely needed it.  The Dodgers are now two games above .500.

Following up on the sombrero theme, it has been announced that Dodgers left-handed prospect Julio Urias will be called up from Oklahoma City on Friday to pitch that evenings game in New York.  Oh Boy!  The 19-year old will be the youngest player in the league when he comes in.  He'll be taking over for Alex Wood in the rotation, who is currently experiencing arm soreness but is expected to pitch again on Monday.  I suspect this will only be a spot start for the kid.  Although I have my reservations about bringing the kid up this soon I certainly welcome the opportunity to see what he can do on the big league level. 

 Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1971 Maury Wills records his 2,000th career hit against the Giants.  In 1996 former Dodger Mike Sharperson died in a car accident in Nevada at the age of 34.  He was an All-Star for the Dodgers in 1992.  Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider wrote a great story about him today.  Check it out here.  It is worth your time.

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Kirk Gibson and Flipper Anderson

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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2016 Topps Pro Debut - All the Dodgers Base Cards

Certainly related to the wealth of talent currently within the farm system, the Dodgers have eight base cards within the recently release 2016 Topps Pro Debut Baseball card set.  As you know, this brand highlights the best and brightest prospects in the game, and features these players on the flagship Baseball card design.  I love the fact that they are all wearing the uniforms of their minor league teams.  Go here to see a complete checklist.

Below are pics of the eight Dodgers prospects in the set.  Of note, this set includes the very first licensed card of right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz.  He was drafted 78th overall by the Dodgers last year, and is currently pitching in high-A ball for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

#26 Alex Verdugo                                #46 Cody Bellinger