Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 41 - Puig, Eric Smith interview, MLB Draft

On this episode of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (Dodger Diamond) talk about all things Yasiel Puig. We recorded before last night's epic performance, but holy Jesus this kid is good.

We also talk about the return of Hanley Ramirez, as well as Carl Crawford and Chris Capuano to the disabled list.

Corey Seager is back and playing in Midland, which is great to see. And Julio Urias had another solid outing for the Loons.

Speaking of the Loons, I had a chance to interview catcher Eric Smith, the Dodgers' 18th-round draft pick last season. He talks about his approach at the plate, his adaptation to catching and even touches a little on surefire No. 1 or No. 2 pick Mark Appel.

Speaking of the draft, it's tomorrow. Jared and I talk about our updated big boards and what we expect to happen tomorrow.

Finally, we answer listener questions. A lot of questions regarding Puig, Andre Ethier and his eventual departure and the draft.

Libsyn link
Direct link
iTunes link

Look for new episodes of "Dugout Blues" every Wednesday. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and review us on iTunes. We want to make this the best podcast we can so we're always looking for suggestions and ways to improve.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or certain topics/players you want to hear more about, feel free to email us (ladugout@gmail.com or feelinkindablue@gmail.com) or send us messages on Twitter (@Dodger_Diamond or @FeelinKindaBlue). You can also "Like" the podcast on Facebook. We always welcome audience participation.

Image credit: Joe Martin

Dodgers ink former Astros' prospect J.R. Towles to minor-league contract

The Dodgers on Wednesday signed former Houston Astros top prospect J.R. Towels to a minor-league deal. Don't worry, A.J. Ellis' job is plenty safe.

Towles, a catcher, has played in parts of five seasons in the majors and has posted a horrific .187/.267/.315 triple slash.

Towles, 29, is nothing more than minor-league depth, if you consider a catcher who can't hit depth. He has a career .284/.381/.453 line in the minors and had a .942 OPS in 19 games with the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals Triple-A affiliate) this season. He played in the Twins' minor-league system in 2011.

With Tim Federowicz ripping up Triple-A pitching, he shouldn't be long for the Pacific Coast League. Matt Wallach is the Isotopes' backup catcher after the club cut ties with Jesus Flores earlier this month.

The fact the Dodgers signed Towles to any kind of deal shows the complete lack of catching depth in the organization. Perhaps that's an area the Dodgers will address in next week's MLB Draft and the subsequent international signing period.

In theory, Towles is going to Triple-A Albuquerque to replace Federowicz, who should be displacing Ramon Hernandez in Los Angeles. In actuality, Towles is going to replace Matt Wallach, who will be demoted to Double-A and will likely replace Jan Vazquez.

The Dodgers really need Gorman Erickson to regain his flash of goodness from 2011 or for Pratt Maynard to take off behind the plate. Guys like Eric Smith and Tyle Ogle aren't good bets for long-term production behind the plate, even though I like Smith as a potential sleeper going forward.

Photo credit: SBoyd, Flickr

Great Lakes Loons announce 2013 roster, led by prospect Corey Seager

Seager

In the coming days, all the Dodger full-season minor-league affiliates will announce their opening day rosters. First up, the Low-A Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League.

There are a few surprises, but nothing earth-shattering.

The squad is led by 2012 first-round pick Corey Seager, one of the Dodgers' best prospects. The team also boasts 2012 draftees Zachary Bird, Lindsey Caughel, Jharel Cotton, Scott Griggs, Paul Hoenecke, Jeremy Rathjen and Eric Smith.

My predictions were decent. I hit on 14 of 25 players. Normally, 56 percent is nothing to really brag about. But, I do write about baseball and a .560 batting, on-base or slugging percentage is video-game like.

Roster

Catchers
Jose Capellan
Tyle Ogle
Eric Smith

Infielders
Alexis Aguilar
Bladimir Franco
Paul Hoenecke
Malcolm Holland
Corey Seager
Jesus Valdez

Outfielders
James Baldwin
Jeremy Rathjen
Devin Shines

Martinez

Starting pitchers
Zachary Bird
Ralston Cash
Lindsey Caughel
Jonathan Martinez
Angel Sanchez
Miguel Sulbaran

Relief pitchers
Daniel Carela
Jharel Cotton
Carlos Frias
Sawil Gonzalez
Scott Griggs
Luis Meza
Arismendy Ozoria

The biggest surprise is probably Sanchez being demoted. He's 23 years old and, despite a terrible season at Rancho Cucamonga, I didn't see that coming. The last time he pitched in Midland was his first professional season and it put him on the prospect map. He'll need to re-establish himself at Low-A -- potentially as a reliever.

This team is filled with pretty solid prospects. Bird, Cotton and Martinez are some of the more intriguing pitching prospects to make this squad. Rathjen, who I thought should have begun the season in Rancho, should form a nice middle of the order with Seager and Valdez.

Valdez

My best guess at a lineup

Baldwin CF
Shines RF
Seager SS
Valdez 1B
Rathjen LF
Smith C
Franco 3B
Hoenecke DH
Holland 2B

There's definitely some potential in the lineup. In a league where hitters don't usually fare well, the Loons could surprise some teams with their offense.

If they can get some decent pitching from some of the youngsters, they could compete for a playoff spot.

Photo credits: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

Dodgers' full-season minor league team preview: Great Lakes Loons

In the first of a four-part series, I'm going to look at my projected rosters for the full-season Dodger minor-league affiliates. First up, the Great Lakes Loons (Low-A).

The Loons went 67-73, which placed them sixth in the Midwest League's Eastern Division. The team was led by hitters like O'Koyea Dickson, Scott Schebler and Joe Winker and pitchers Arismendy Ozoria, Jarret Martin and Raydel Sanchez.

The 2013 squad should get a nice boost -- most of it coming from Pioneer League Ogden. This is my projected Loons' roster, which is sure to be wrong in some places.

Projected roster

Catchers (2)
Tyler Ogle
Eric Smith

Infielders (6)
Justin Boudreaux
Bladimir Franco
Paul Hoenecke
Delvis Morales
Corey Seager
Kevin Taylor

Outfielders (5)
Noel Cuevas
Malcolm Holland
Devin Shines
Pat Stover
Jesus Valdez

Starting pitchers (5)
Ralston Cash (if healthy)
Lindsey Caughel
Jharel Cotton
Carlos Frias
Jake Hermsen

Relief pitchers (7)
Victor Araujo
Daniel Coulombe
Gregg Downing
Sawil Gonzalez
Scott Griggs
Owen Jones
Craig Stem

The biggest name projected above is Seager, who figures to be the every day shortstop for the Loons. The Dodgers would be wise to challenge one of their best prospects to a great pitchers' league. He should be the No. 3 hitter for Great Lakes.

Valdez was good for the Raptors last season and it'll be interesting to see how he handles the Midwest League. He'll likely split time between right field and first base.

Smith, like Seager and Valdez before him, was good with Ogden and could be a middle-of-the-order guy for the Loons.

Cuevas, a surprise signing after the Dodgers chose him in the 21st round of the 2010 draft, struggled in his first showing with the Loons. He could be a starter with this year's squad.

My lineup
Holland CF
Cuevas LF
Seager SS
Valdez 1B/DH
Stover RF
Smith C
Hoenecke DH/1B
Franco 3B
Boudreaux 2B

I can guarantee it won't be like this, but that's how I'd do it.

As for pitching, if a guy like Ross Stripling is sent to High-A Rancho Cucamonga, the rotation could be a little thin.

Cash is a returning player who didn't finish the 2012 season. If he's healthy to start the season, he could be the Loons' Opening Day starter. Frias is also a returning player who split time between Great Lakes and Ogden in 2012.

Cotton and Caughel are sleepers who enjoyed success in the Pioneer League. Hermsen is the lone projected left-handed starter on my Loons squad.

The bullpen could be strong with guys like Coulumbe, Jones, Gonzalez and Griggs. Griggs would likely get first crack at closing for the Loons.

Photo credits

Seager: Courtesy of Perfect Game

Cuevas: mwlguide, Flickr