Looking at Baseball America's Top 10 Dodgers' prospects from 1992-2000

This is how Baseball America ranked the Dodgers’ Top 10 prospects from 1992-2000. There are tons of familiar names on this list because this was a large part of my formative years.

Slightly off-topic, but Baseball America Executive Editor Jim Callis is leaving the publication and taking a job with MLB.com, beginning in September. Best of luck to him as he's truly one of the best in the business.

1992

1. Pedro Martinez RHP

2. Raul Mondesi OF

3. Carlos Hernandez C

4. Jamie McAndrew RHP

5. Billy Ashley OF

6. Pedro Astacio RHP

7. Eric Karros 1B

8. Henry Rodriguez OF/1B

9. Greg Hansell RHP

10. Mike Piazza C

- This could be the most star-studded list with two future hall of famers in Martinez and Piazza. Karros and Mondesi were Rookies of the Year while Astacio and Rodriguez had decent careers. Ashley might have been the most powerful Dodger prospect ever. All of these guys played in the majors.

1993

1. Mike Piazza C

2. Raul Mondesi OF

3. Roger Cedeno OF

4. Greg Hansell RHP

5. Pedro Martinez RHP

6. Todd Williams RHP

7. Billy Ashley OF

8. Omar Daal LHP

9. Todd Hollandsworth OF

10. Rick Gorecki RHP

- Every player on this Top 10 played in the majors, and all did so as Dodgers at one time. Martinez dropped to five presumably because BA (and Tommy Lasorda) thought he was a reliever. Daal made his first appearance on the list, as did future ROY Hollandsworth (that was a down year).

1994

1. Darren Dreifort RHP

2. Todd Hollandsworth OF

3. Roger Cedeno OF

4. Rick Gorecki RHP

5. Raul Mondesi OF

6. Jose Parra RHP

7. Todd Williams RHP

8. Kym Ashworth LHP

9. Dwight Maness OF

10. Michael Moore OF

- Dreifort was the No. 2 pick in the 1993 MLB Draft, so his topping this list is no surprise. He went onto have a nice career. The only other impact player was Mondesi.

1995

1. Todd Hollandsworth OF

2. Antonio Osuna RHP

3. Chan Ho Park RHP

4. Roger Cedeno OF

5. Paul Konerko C

6. Karim Garcia OF

7. Rick Gorecki RHP

8. Greg Hansell RHP

9. Felix Rodriguez RHP

10. Kym Ashworth LHP

- The Dodgers’ international infusion was apparent in this Top 10, with Osuna, Park, Garcia and Rodriguez were all amateur free agents. Konerko was the Dodgers’ No. 1 pick in 1994. Hideo Nomo made his debut this season, but he wasn’t signed before BA released its Top 10. If he was, he would have topped this list.

1996

1. Karim Garcia OF

2. Chan Ho Park RHP

3. Todd Hollandsworth OF

4. Paul Konerko 1B

5. Wilton Guerrero SS

6. Roger Cedeno OF

7. David Yocum LHP

8. Onan Masaoka LHP

9. Felix Rodriguez RHP

10. Adam Riggs 2B

- After jumping from High-A to Triple-A as a 19-year-old, Garcia, rightfully so, topped this list. Too bad it never translated to Major League production. Guerrero made his debut after being signed on the international market. Funny thing is, the Dodgers chose to sign him instead of his brother Vladimir Guerrero. And Wilton also corked his bat, earning the moniker, "Corky."

1997

1. Paul Konerko 3B/1B

2. Karim Garcia OF

3. Wilton Guerrero 2B

4. Adrian Beltre 3B

5. Damian Rolls 3B

6. Onan Masaoka LHP

7. Ted Lilly LHP

8. Alex Cora SS

9. Adam Riggs 2B

10. Omar Moreno, Jr. OF

- Konerko, the best player on the lists from 1995-98, finally tops the list. He was looking like the heir apparent to Karros, who posted back-to-back sub-.800 OPS seasons (despite hitting 34 and 31 home runs). Beltre was signed as a 16-year-old, despite it coming out a few years later he signed before he was 16. Lilly and Cora made their first appearances.

1998

1. Paul Konerko 1B

2. Adrian Beltre 3B

3. Mike Judd RHP

4. Dennis Reyes LHP

5. Ted Lilly LHP

6. Onan Masaoka LHP

7. Adam Riggs 2B

8. Kevin Gibbs OF

9. Alex Cora SS/2B

10. Jeff Kubenka LHP

- If not for Konerko, Beltre would have topped this list. Reyes was another international signee and was dubbed the next Fernando Valenzuela (lazy comp). Konerko would be traded for Jeff Shaw and Lilly was part of the package that landed Mark Grudzielanek and Carlos Perez from the Montreal Expos.

1999

1. Angel Pena C

2. Chin-Feng Chen OF

3. Mike Judd RHP

4. Steve Colyer LHP

5. Luke Allen OF

6. Luke Prokopec RHP

7. Glenn Davis 1B/OF

8. Jorge Piedra OF

9. Onan Masaoka LHP

10. Adam Riggs 2B

- The fact Pena topped this list should tell you all you need to know. Chen was the Dodgers’ big signing out of Taiwan while Prokopec had some brief success. I’ll remember the game in 1999 when he shut down the Astros for 8 2/3 innings before Davey Johnson lifted because Prokopec couldn’t get the final out he needed (kind of like Zack Greinke last night). The Dodgers still won.

2000

1. Chin-Feng Chen OF

2. Eric Gagne RHP

3. Hong-Chih Kuo LHP

4. Jason Repko SS

5. Hiram Bocachica 2B

6. Mike Judd RHP

7. Luke Allen 3B

8. Brennan King 3B

9. Steve Colyer LHP

10. Kris Foster RHP

- Despite Chen never panning out, Gagne and Kuo gave the Dodgers some great seasons as relievers. Repko, when he wasn’t busy injuring Rafael Furcal, spent significant time on Major League rosters. Colyer pitched a little bit with the Dodgers while Foster went to Baltimore with Geronimo Gil for Mike Trombley.

-----

Despite the sharp downturn the system took after 1998, there was some really good talent in this 9-year stretch. From 1999 through about 2003, the system was near the bottom. Logan White’s first season was 2002 and was tasked with turning the farm system around. It’s safe to say, he did.

Photo credit: SD Dirk, Flickr

Hong-Chih Kuo expected to sign with the Mariners

So, instead of watching the halftime show at Super Bowl XLVI, I'm blogging about Hong-Chih Kuo possibly heading to the Seattle Mariners

Earlier today, Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times tweeted Kuo's agent said the left-hander was close to signing with a team.

Jayson Stark of ESPN confirmed this afternoon Kuo is close to signing with M's. No terms are known yet. Considering Kuo is coming off a horrific season, it'd be surprising if he got more than a minor-league deal.

It was just one winter ago Kuo was coming off an All-Star season and one of the best by a left-handed pitcher in Dodgers' history: 1.20 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 4.4 H/9 and a 11.0 K/9 rate.

Injuries and an anxiety disorder led to a miserable 2011: 9.00 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 7.7 BB/9 and a 12.0 K/9 rate. While the K-rate is impressive the rest of this numbers are not.

It's unfortunate because he looked like he was going be dominant for a long time, despite being a constant injury risk (more than the average pitcher).

Here's hoping he can overcome his issues and injuries (five surgeries on his left elbow) and return to his pre-2011 form.

For everything he did on the mound, he'll always be remembered for this.

Photo credit: SD Dirk on Flickr

Dodgers sign John Grabow to minor-league deal

The Dodgers signed veteran left-handed reliever and local product John Grabow today to a minor-league deal. Well, the announcement was today, but this news was broken on Saturday by John Scanlan, a Dodger fan, on Twitter.

"#Dodgers sign LHP John Grabow. Terms not known."

Scanlan coached Grabow in high school, which is how he heard about this news before any media reported it.

Grabow, 33, has been in the Majors since 2003, when he debuted with the Pirates. It took him a few years to get acclimated, but he had his most successful season in 2008, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 7.1 H/9, 7.3 K/9. His other peripherals weren't so great -- 1.1 HR/9, 4.4 BB/9, 1.68 K/BB, but he actually did better against right-handed hitters than lefties, despite giving up eight of his nine home runs to righties.

He has a three-pitch arsenal: a fastball that ranges from 87-90 MPH, a low-80s slider and a low-80s changeup. His fastball velocity has been on the decline since 2006, but he's left handed and can throw strikes, which is about all you need to ink a minor-league deal these days.

Grabow does equally well against both sides for his career, though.



He isn't anything special, but I'm going to make a prediction right now: he'll make the Dodgers out of Spring Training as the team's LOOGY.

This allows the Dodgers to let Scott Elbert pitch against right-handers and could spell the end of Hong-Chih Kuo's time in Los Angeles, if there was still any doubt.

Other than that, there's not much else going on in Dodger land right now. There were faint mentions of the Dodgers having interest in guys like Jason Kubel, who signed today with the Diamondbacks, and Prince Fielder, but we all know that isn't going to happen.

Dodgers have interest in Daniel Murphy, plus arbitration news

The Dodgers are apparently enamored with the Mets' Daniel Murphy, as the club tried to acquire him during the Winter Meetings, reported by Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com.

Gurnick also wrote the Dodgers still might make a run at him.

Murphy, 26, put up a nice triple slash line last season -- .320/.362/.448 -- before suffering a season-ending left MCL tear in August. Murphy's short career has produced some solid numbers so far and at 26 (27 in April), he could be looking to bust out -- if he's recovered from his knee injury.

Fortunately for Murphy, the MCL is less vital than the ACL, so, in theory, he should recover from it. The proof lies with him tearing the MCL in his right knee, causing him to miss the entire 2010 season. He made it back from that just fine, so there's no reason to think he won't make it back from this tear.

There's no inkling as to what it'd take to acquire Murphy's services, but the Dodgers' plethora of right-handed pitchers could be in play. I'm not saying guys like Zach Lee or Allen Webster, but maybe guys like Chris Withrow, Shawn Tolleson and Steve Ames could interest the Mets.

Versatility seems to be the name of the game for the Dodgers, an Murphy is no exception. While he isn't known for his glove, he can play three different infield position and a little bit of left field. Third base appears to be his weakest position (where the Dodgers could use him most) and he could be passable at second base (where his bat would play best).

However, he's played mostly first base in his career and if the Dodgers were to acquire him, that's probably where he'd play.

Of course, that depends on whether the Dodgers offer incumbent first baseman James Loney a contract. In July, it seemed like a no-brainer that Loney would be gone. In October, it seemed all but certain he'd be tendered a contract. Now in December, question surround his November arrest and the fact he'll be due somewhere in the area of $6 to 7 million in arbitration.

All indications are the Dodgers will tender Loney a contract. The deadline is 9 p.m. Monday night.

Other players who need to be tendered before tomorrow night are Tony Gwynn and Hong-Chih Kuo.

Kuo is nearly certain to not be tendered a contract. He's undergone his fifth elbow operation and has contemplated retirement. It's so sad because in 2010, he was one of baseball's best relievers (not just lefties). In 2011, he was one of baseball's worst.

Gwynn is another story. The defensive specialist base-stealer could be looking for another team in less than 24 hours. However, it'd be a mistake for the Dodgers to not retain Gwynn's services.

Other than Matt Kemp, there isn't another outfielder who has a shot of breaking camp with the Dodgers who can legitimately play center field:

Andre Ethier
Juan Rivera
Jerry Sands

None of these guys could play even a passable center field. Newly signed Jerry Hairston could, but is that enough?

I wrote in March that Gwynn had a chance to fill a couple voids on the Dodgers'. While he failed to do that, there is still value in his glove and speed. He also shouldn't make too terribly much in the arbitration process (around $1 million or so at best), so it makes sense to try and retain his services.

If the Dodgers have their eyes on Murphy, Chase Headley or Hideki Matsui, Gwynn can start submitting his résumé to other teams.

It'd also mean Sands would likely begin the season in Triple-A, as not getting every day at-bats isn't going to help him any. I was for the Juan Rivera signing, but that was when I thought the Dodgers might trade Ethier. Now, the signing looks like a colossal waste of $4.5 million (I realize $4.5 million isn't a lot of money in baseball, but it is when a team is pinching its pennies as hard as the Dodgers are).

2011 Los Angeles Dodgers off-season preview: Arbitration-eligible Dodgers

The Dodgers are entering expensive territory with some of their arbitration eligible players. Before, guys like Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw and James Loney were making peanuts. Now, they're going to break the bank -- well, at least Kemp and Kershaw will.

The Dodgers have seven arbitration eligible players. Their 2011 base salaries are included.

Fourth-timers
Andre Ethier, $9.25M
Matt Kemp, $7.1M*

Third-timers
James Loney, $4.875M
Hong-Chih Kuo, $2.725M

Second-timers
Dana Eveland, $500,000 (estimated)
Tony Gwynn, $675,000
Clayton Kershaw, $500,000

First-timers
None

*-Included here despite avoiding arbitration last year.

Ethier: The Dodgers certainly aren't going to non-tender Ethier, but the salary he earns in 2012 will be a substantial amount. If he had continued to perform at his career clip, he could be looking at a $12 or $13 million payday. Instead, he struggled mightily -- especially in the power department -- and that might actually help the Dodgers in terms of salary (but not much). He's looking at about a $10-11 million payday.

Kemp: If the Dodgers are smart, they'll offer Kemp a long-term contract this winter -- provided they have the money, of course. A 7-year, $140 million contract might get it done. MLB Trade Rumors is predicting Kemp to get a $16.3 million payday if he goes to arbitration, which would be a record, and I'm sure he'd be worth every penny. If the Dodgers can get him for $12-15 million in 2012, that'd be a nice get.

Loney: With a hot August and September, Loney might have convinced the Dodgers to tender him a contract. Prior to August, he was a surefire candidate to get non-tendered. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back. His glove is among the best in the game and there's still the potential to be a good Major League hitter. For $6 million, the Dodgers could do a lot worse.

Kuo: Before a few days ago, the Dodgers were going to have a tough time deciding whether to bring Kuo back or non-tender him. With his most recent surgery, it should be a no-brainer -- Kuo has thrown his last pitch with the Dodgers. It's a sad fall from just one year ago when Kuo was considered among the best relievers in the game. He has all the talent, but he just underwent his fifth elbow operation and the Dodgers can't afford to spend $3-4 million on a guy who might not pitch (or be effective) in 2012.

Eveland: Eveland pitched in September and did a solid job. However, there's a reason the Dodgers ended up with the "crafty" (i.e. junkballer) lefty -- he's not that good. Still, the Dodgers could offer him arbitration because he could start. With Rubby De La Rosa down for the majority of the 2012 season and Nathan Eovaldi's role still undefined, Eveland could be an innings-eater (not necessarily effective, though).

Gwynn: Tony, Jr. was a solid reserve outfielder for the Dodgers. He wasn't expected to do much with the bat, but he did play great defense and stole some bases. He should absolutely be offered arbitration. He could make upward of $1.5 million in the process.

Kershaw: Ahh, we're finally here. The potential National League Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw made $500,000 in 2011. He pitched like a $20-million pitcher. He won't make that much, but he could make as much as $8 million if he goes to arbitration.

Chad Billingsley would be on this list, but he signed a contract extension just before the 2011 season.

The Dodgers are going to have to pay handsomely to keep their two best players, which is just fine. They'd be smart to explore long-term deals, but it might not be feasible money-wise. They're going to have to pay a little more to keep Loney and Ethier than their worth, but they probably can't do much better at either position. Gwynn, if retained, will be worth his salary. Eveland could be a decent source of cheap innings. Kuo might just retire than try to come back from a fifth surgery on his elbow.

Next up: Free agent position players

Most disappointing 2011 Dodgers' hitters and pitchers

In the final part of most surprising and disappointing series, we look at the most disappointing Dodgers' hitters and pitchers.

This list will have no trouble being populated, as this has been one of the most disappointing seasons in the last 20 years.

The most disappointing person in the organization, obviously, is Frank McCourt. But myself and hundreds of others have wasted too much time and too many words on this joke of an owner.

But the play on the field has been so poor that it almost overshadows the debacle that is Frank McCourt.

Most disappointing hitters

1. Andre Ethier
- Ethier started 2010 off on fire and looked like he was about to take full advantage of his prime years. Then he fractured his pinkie and he wasn't the same hitter. He still finished with a .292/.364/.493 line with 23 home runs, 82 RBI and 33 doubles. He had a nice start to 2011, including a 30-game hitting streak. However, there's been a complete power outage from Ethier. He has 10 home runs and 28 doubles, good for a .411 slugging percentage. Most of his traditional numbers are in line with his career numbers, except for the power.

He is hitting ground balls at a career-high rate (1.45 GB/FB, 44.3 GB percent), but he's also hitting line drives at a rate, 25.1 percent (sixth-best in baseball), bested only once in his career (2008, 26.6 percent). He is struggling mightily against sliders this season, as his Slider Runs Above Average (wSL) is at -9.1, which is third-worst in the majors.

And now he tells The L.A. Times' T.J. Simers that he'll need off-season knee surgery, which could explain his second-half slump and season-long power disappearance.

2. James Loney
- We all know Loney is never going to become a 20-home run hitter -- well, unless he plays in Colorado or Arizona for half the season -- but he was expected to do a lot more than he has this season. As was the case with Leon Landry, Loney is on a hot streak right now, including hitting the game-tying home run yesterday. His batting average is as high as it's been since July 8 (.274) and his on-base percentage is as high as it's been since July 5 (.323). His slugging percentage is as high as it's been all season, save for the first game. He's not even hitting doubles this season (17 in 423 ABs). That's how bad it's been for Loney this season. His .694 OPS isn't going to cut it from first base, no matter how good his defense is. The Dodgers were expecting -- and needed -- more from Loney in 2011.

3. Casey Blake
- It's kind of hard to be disappointed in a 38-year-old guy who should be a part-time player, but I'm a little down on The Beard. Even in his limited time, he hasn't put up good numbers: .254/.345/.371 in 61 games. The on-base percentage is good, but like Ethier and Loney before him, the power is all but gone. He has nine doubles, one triple and four home runs. His walk rate is back to his 2009 form (11.1 percent) and his strikeout rate is down just more than 4 percent from last season, but his Isolated Power (ISO, slugging - batting average) is down to .117 (.159 last season and .188 the two seasons before that). Blake's 2009 is a distant memory.

Now, I bet you're wondering why Juan Uribe isn't on this list. Well, I'm not saying I expected him to put up a .557 OPS, but I had a sneaking suspicion that he wouldn't come anywhere close to the 24 HRs he hit last season or the .824 OPS he put up in 2009. He is the worst free agent signing of the Ned Colletti era, and that's saying something considering this is the guy who signed the Jason Schmidt to a $47 million contract knowing full well he had a bum shoulder, Andruw Jones to an $18.1 million a year contract (thankfully only two years) and the noodle-armed wonder and out machine Juan Pierre to a 5-year deal.

Honorable mentions: Tony Gwynn, Dioner Navarro, Marcus Thames

Most disappointing pitchers

1. Hong-Chih Kuo
- A season ago, Kuo was an All-Star and arguably the best left-handed reliever in baseball. Now, he can't get anyone out without giving up a ton of runs in the process. His ERA is 10 runs higher than it was last season. That isn't a typo. He had a 1.20 ERA in 2010 and owns a 11.21 ERA in 2011. In fact, all his rate numbers are through the proverbial roof. All except his K/9, which is actually a career-best right now (13.2). He's dealt with injuries this season, but Kuo has never gotten on track. I wouldn't be surprised if he was non-tendered this off-season.

2. Jonathan Broxton
- Broxton caught a lot of heat last season for being a horrible pitcher after June 27. However, I was still in his corner and as expecting (hoping?) he'd be back to his previous form. He got a chance right off the bat. With a two-run lead, he gave up a solo home run to Pat Burrell but picked up the save. Some folks freaked out, some folks didn't. He started off the season with five consecutive saves (giving up a single run in two of those outings). He wasn't right physically, though, as his average velocity on all his pitches was down from previous years. His fastball clocked in at 94.1 MPH, his slider at 86.5 MPH and his changeup at 88 MPH. In fact, his velocity had been trending down since 2009. I was hoping a restful offseason would get him back on track, but it wasn't enough. He's been out since May 3 and isn't expected to pitch again this season. He might have thrown his last pitch for the Dodgers.

3. Chad Billingsley
- This spot could have gone to Ted Lilly, but I didn't expect Lilly to be all that good this season. I've always been a Billingsley backer, which is why it's tough to watch what he's doing this season. His peripherals aren't that out of sorts from his career numbers, but he's striking guys out at a career-low rate (7.5 K/9). In 2008, Billingsley had a 9.0 K/9 (201 strikeouts) and he's trended down every season since (8.2, 8.0, 7.5). I'm fine with him pitching more to contact, but coming off career-bests in WHIP, HR/9 and BB/9, I was expecting more out of Billingsley this season, especially after signing a long-term deal in Spring Training. He's a good No. 3 starter, but he'll likely not be the ace people were expecting back in 2006. He needs to throw more strikes to pitch deeper into games. He's at 6.12 IP/start, which isn't terrible, but could be better.

Honorable mentions: Lilly, Jon Garland, Vicente Padilla

Scott Elbert finally ready to live up to potential?

When Scott Elbert left Triple-A Albuquerque last season for "personal reasons," his prospects of being a successful Major Leaguer were dim. This season, however, he's shown (in limited work so far) he might be ready to turn the proverbial corner.

Before his outing Thursday, Elbert had not given up a run in 7 2/3 innings of work. He struck out eight batters, walked three and gave up four hits. Colorado got to him a little this weekend, but he did record his first career save on Sunday.

Despite his ugly ERA (5.63), he owns a 10.1 K/9 and 7.9 H/9 rate. He does need to exhibit better control (5.9 BB/9), but when Hong-Chih Kuo comes back, which could be soon, Elbert should not be optioned back to Triple-A. He's exactly what the Dodgers need -- another left-handed option out of the 'pen.

Most of all, Elbert just needs extended time in the Majors. He needs a chance to be a reliable reliever for the Dodgers. This up-and-down stuff isn't going to help matters.

#####

Rubby De La Rosa is awesome. He earned his third win of the season on Sunday by holding his own in Colorado. He got off to a rough start -- giving up three in the first inning on a Seth Smith home run -- but calmed down and and threw four scoreless innings. He came out for the sixth but left after one pitch with a forearm cramp. He isn't expected to miss his next start (Saturday). However, a former flame-throwing Dodger prospect had forearm issues that ultimately led to his being traded -- Edwin Jackson. Here's hoping it's nothing serious.

Matt Kemp is out of this world. He hit his National League-leading 20th home run today. He is the early favorite for June Player of the Month in the NL. Here's hoping the fans come to their sense and vote him in as a starter fore the All-Star game. He deserved to go two years ago when Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel selected an inferior Shane Victorino instead of Kemp.

One way or another, James Loney is going to be a Rockie before his career is over. I tweeted something after today's game:

"If Todd Helton unexpectedly retires this offseason, the #Rockies should go after James Loney. He loves hitting in Coors: .902 OPS #Dodgers"

My numbers were off. He now has a career .935 OPS in Coors, counting Sunday's grand slam. Loney has struggled mightily this season, but here's hoping this sparks him. In reality, it's not going to happen, but you never know. Unless he goes absolutely nuts for the rest of the season, he could be in another jersey next season -- or even as soon as July 31, provided he has any trade value whatsoever.

One thing that hasn't struggled is his glove. Loney is a plus defender and is one of the best at digging throws out of the dirt.

#####

Trayvon Robinson is riding a hot streak in Albuquerque. He went 5-for-6 on Sunday and is on a 14-game hitting streak. He's hit .390/.432/.610 in his last 10 games and has a .900 OPS on the season. He isn't too far away from a call-up.

Jerry Sands returned to Triple-A and hasn't skipped a beat. He's gone 5-for-11 with two doubles, two RBI, four walks and two strikeouts in three games. We have not seen the last of the Sandman this season in Los Angeles.

Dodgers' bullpen hit hard by injuries

Kenley Jansen was placed on the 15-day disabled list today, with the Dodgers calling up Josh Lindblom from Double-A and designating Travis Schlichting for assignment.

The top four (arguably) Dodger bullpen arms are all on the DL: Jansen, Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo and Vicente Padilla.

If you had the Dodger bullpen shaping up like this on May 29...

Rubby De La Rosa, Scott Elbert, Javy Guerra, Matt Guerrier, Lindblom, Mike MacDougal, Ramon Troncoso

...I'd like to get the lottery numbers from you.

Lindblom will be the third Dodger pitcher to make his debut this season (De La Rosa, Guerra). With Blake Hawksworth suffering a setback in his rehab, this could be the bullpen for the foreseeable future.

This puts pressure on the starting pitchers with a largely untested bunch of youngsters. Guerrier is the most dependable of the bunch, while De La Rosa has the most upside. So far, Elbert and Guerra have been great. MacDougal's low ERA is quite deceiving and Troncoso is, well, Troncoso (not the 2009 Troncoso either).

We'll see if manager Don Mattingly challenges his starters to throw deeper into games. Clayton Kershaw, who's pitching as I write this, has thrown 84 and 85 pitches (11 IP) in his last two outings. That's not nearly enough for the staff ace (averaging 100.8 per start). Ted Lilly, despite his struggles, has thrown more than 100 pitches just once this season (102 on May 20 at the White Sox). He's averaging 88.1 pitches per start (higher than his career average of 87.7). He could stand to pitch a bit more, if he isn't too busy giving up home runs. Chad Billingsley leads the staff in pitches per start (101.5) and has thrown 100 pitches or more in five consecutive starts and seven of his last eight starts. Hiroki Kuroda is averaging 97.7 pitches per start, while Jon Garland is averaging 92.5 pitches per start.

The rash of injuries this team has suffered is abnormal, but it's the reality of baseball (and all professional sports).

#####

Zach Lee, making his first start today in three weeks, was roughed up. He pitched 2/3 innings, giving up three hits, six runs, one home run, two walks while striking out one. I just hope he's rusty from the time off. The last thing the Dodgers want to do is rush this kid back -- especially from an elbow injury.

Rubby De La Rosa's debut a succes, but is that good?

Rubby De La Rosa was recalled on Tuesday and made his Major League debut in the eighth inning of a 5-4 game (the Dodgers were ahead).

He came in and didn't look like a kid making his debut. Despite running the count full to Hunter Pence, he struck him out with a 97 MPH fastball on the outer-half of the plate. He then got Carlos Lee to break his bat on a grounder to short (great pick by James Loney to save an error by Rafael Furcal). Finally, he got Brett Wallace to strike out on a breaking pitch after throwing a nasty changeup to get strike two.

He seemed to throw four pitches: a heavy, sinking fastball in the mid-to-upper-90s; a devastating changeup; a slider (which needs some work) and a curveball (which he got Wallace out on swinging).

To say I'm excited about this is an understatement. De La Rosa was dominant and of course that's a good thing. However, I fear the Dodgers will be enticed to use him primarily out of the bullpen in the future.

Some prospect experts have speculated he could end up at the back of the bullpen because he lacks a true third pitch (right now, at least), but he needs to be tried as a starter before making him a reliever.

It's a similar situation to Neftali Feliz, who was the Rangers' top prospect a year ago. They contemplated trying him in the rotation in the spring, but ultimately ended up keeping him as the closer. While he's great in that role, it makes me wonder, "What might have been?" if they tried him as a starter.

It wouldn't be the first time something like this happened. When Jonathan Papelbon had success as a closer in 2006 (0.92 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 9.9 K/9, 5.77 K/BB), he was still projected to be a starting pitcher. Boston left him in the closer's role in 2007 and, up until last season, he was really good at it.

The difference between Boston and Texas is Boston had starting pitching depth in 2007. It had just added Daisuke Matsuzaka to a rotation that featured Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield and Curt Schilling. The Red Sox needed help in the bullpen desperately.

The Rangers have gotten surprisingly good contributions from Matt Harrison, Colby Lewis and Alexi Ogando (who was a reliever last year), so keeping Feliz in the bullpen makes a little more sense than it did in Spring Training. After losing Cliff Lee, though, I thought it was a no-doubter that Texas would at least give Feliz a shot at starting.

The Dodgers don't exactly need starting pitching right now, as all five projected starters are healthy. So if De La Rosa pitches out of the 'pen this year, that's fine with me and wouldn't be surprising in the least. But come 2012, he should be given a shot to start. If he can be as good as some think, it'd be foolish to get only 70 innings a year out of him instead of 180-plus.

The Dodgers do have a dire need for bullpen arms, as Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo and Vicente Padilla are all on the disabled list.

Mike Axisa of FanGraphs wrote an article speculating whether De La Rosa could be the next Dodgers' closer. I have no problem with De La Rosa ending up as the Dodgers' closer -- in the future. The Dodgers need to not fall in love with him out of the 'pen before giving him a legitimate shot as a starter. If he fails in that role, the Dodgers can always move him back to the 'pen. It's not a bad problem to have.

Ultimately, I think Kenley Jansen ends up as the Dodgers' closer -- even if De La Rosa fails as a starter -- as Broxton isn't long for this team.

In 1993, Pedro Martinez pitched 65 games for the Dodgers -- 63 of which came out of the bullpen (2.65 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 10.0 K/9). When he was traded to Montreal, the Expos wasted no time making him a starter. I'd say that was the right move. Here's hoping De La Rosa follows suit, minus the whole being traded for a slappy second baseman.