He has a lot of hype behind him, but the thing I think I like most about him is his attitude. In Spring Training, he was asked about the Giants success last season and gave a great quote:
"Champions last year. Not this year."If that wasn't enough, he was quoted today in reference to making his first big league start:
"No, I'm not excited," De La Rosa said. "It's what starters do. They start. I'm not nervous. I never get nervous. I don't feel butterflies when I pitch; I don't feel anything. I grew up in the streets. How can I be scared of anything compared to that?"The kid has ice water in his veins and his attitude is something the Dodgers haven't had in quite some time. Granted, he has all of five Major League innings under his belt, but it's hard not to get excited for him.
Let's hope his arm backs up his words.
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The Dodgers were back at it again today at MLB Draft. The team's second-round pick was 3B Alex Santana from Mariner High School in Florida. The good news: he's a third baseman. The bad news: he was the 72nd-best prospect in the state of Florida (he was pick No. 73 overall), power is a concern (despite being 6'4) and some think he might be a better pitching prospect.
Jim Callis of Baseball America said he was an "easy sign." Seems to be a theme for the Dodgers' draft plans this year.
Rounds 3-16
3. C Pratt Maynard, North Carolina State
- Probably the Dodgers' best draft choice. There are concerns about him remaining behind the plate long-term.
4. RHP Ryan O'Sullivan, Oklahoma City University
- Brother of Royals' RHP Sean O'Sullivan, Ryan has a nice fastball-curveball combination.
5. RHP Scott McGough, Oregon
- Two consecutive college relievers for the Dodgers, McGough has a mid-90s fastball and low-80s slider.
6. RHP Scott Barlow, Golden Valley HS
- Finally, the first high school pitcher for the Dodgers. Sounds like a junk-baller, though.
7. 3B Scott Woodward, Coastal Carolina
- 6'2, 205, has good speed and OF experience.
8. LHP Rick Anton, Utah
- They grabbed the wrong University of Utah player (Cron). Has four pitches and is left-handed, so he has a chance.
9. C Tyler Ogle, Oklahoma
- He was the heir apparent to Dodgers' prospect J.T. Wise. He's a bat first, glove second catcher.
10. LHP Jamal Moore, Westchester HS
- Upper-80s fastball, not much to get excited about.
11. SS David Wingo, South Carolina
12. 1B O'Koyea Dickson, Sonoma State
13. RHP David Palladino, Emerson Jr. Sr. HS
14. SS Justin Boudreaux, Southeastern Louisiana
15. RHP Craig Stem, Trevecca Nazarene University
The two best Dodger picks are probably the third- and fourth-rounders, unfortunately. Frank McCourt cannot get out of town soon enough. This is the most unimpressive draft since 2005, which still produced Ivan DeJesus, Josh Bell and Jon Meloan.
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