Podcast: 'Dugout Blues' episode 44 - Kershaw, Puig, brawl, Urias, draft

On this episode of "Dugout Blues," Jared Massey (Dodger Diamond) talk about Clayton Kershaw's potential extension and whether it's a good or bad thing that the information was leaked. I don't think it was a big deal.

After a mini-tangent by yours truly, we talk about that Yasiel Puig guy and how incredible he's been and will be.

Matt Kemp and Carl Crawford will be out until next month, which is just ducky.

Since we recorded episode 43 on June 11, we didn't get a chance to talk about the brawl with the Diamondbacks. We touch on it a bit.

Three 2012 draftees have all been promoted to Double-A. Duke von Schamann, Jharel Cotton and Ross Stripling are all pitching quite well. It's encouraging and exciting.

Julio Urias did Julio Urias things agian. Jared is trying to temper excitement while I'm all-in. Also, Jose Dominguez gets a couple minutes of notoriety.

Finally, we talk more about the 2013 MLB Draft (and a little about the 2014 draft) and how the Dodgers are dangerously close to losing next year's first-round selection.

Finally, we answer listener questions, which were solid this week. Please, keep them coming. And thank you folks for the reviews and ratings on iTunes. Please feel free to leave one if you haven't yet.

Also, Jared wants to get to 1,000 followers by the next recording. Give him a follow at @Dodger_Diamond.

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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

Video of Yasiel Puig's first Double-A home run, plus other prospect news

Yasiel Puig drew his first walk of 2013 on Friday night during the first Chattanooga Lookouts' game. Puig failed to draw a walk in 60 spring training plate-appearances. It wasn't cause for much concern because he hit .517.

On Saturday night, he hit his first Double-A home run in a 5-4 Lookouts' loss. It's been too long since we've seen this beautiful sight.

Per usual, it was a no-doubter. And Puig certainly does have that bat-flip down pat. I'm not a fan of it, but when he does it, you know he's done something well on the field.



One of the Dodgers' top prospects, Puig is 3-for-7 (.429) with a home run, two singles, two runs scored, a stolen base, a walk and three strikeouts in his first two games. It's only a matter of time before he's doing this at the Major League level.

The Lookouts play a doubleheader on Sunday because Thursday night's season-opener was postponed due to rain

Cotton, Cash roughed up in debuts

Jharel Cotton, making his first appearance above rookie ball, got roughed up a bit: 4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR.

At least Cotton was missing bats, thanks to his changeup. There was a nice piece about him on MLive by Loons' beat writer Hugh Bernretuer. It's worth a read.

Ralston Cash, who pitched with the Loons in 2012, was equally roughed up: 3 2/3 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, 2 HR.

Luckily for him, none of the runs were earned. Cash struck out eight of the 11 batters he retired -- an impressive feat.

Both pitchers showed the ability to miss bats, which is a testament to their stuff and to the inexperience of the hitters.

They probably won't be pitchers who strikeout a hitter every inning, but having good secondary offerings is important.

Cuevas the hero in Rancho

Noel Cuevas was the hero in Rancho Cucamonga's comeback 8-7 win on Saturday night. The outfielder drove in the eventual game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning with an RBI single. He went 3-for-5  with a double and two stolen bases.

O'Koyea Dickson hit his first California League home run in the first inning -- a 2-run shot to right field. The Quakes' cleanup man could be in store for a big season.

Pratt Maynard made his season debut and went 3-for-4 with a double. He's one of my favorite Dodger catching prospects and it'd be great to see him do well in 2013.

Garrett Gould was cruising through three innings, having allowed just a run on one hit and one walk, while striking out four. His final line wasn't pretty: 5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. At least he kept his walk total down.

Van Slyke, bullpen, have big night in New Mexico

Scott Van Slyke went 4-for-5 with a double and five RBI to help lead the Isotopes to an 8-3 win. The 'Topes are 3-0 on the season so far, thanks in large part to the bullpen.

Chris Withrow made his Triple-A debut by tossing two scoreless frames. He walked one and struck out three. Red Patterson followed him up with two scoreless innings of his own (one walk, two strikeouts). After Geison Aguasviva got in trouble, Josh Wall was called upon to get a four-out save -- which he did.

The bullpen should be a strength for the Isotopes this season. It's filled with players who know how to get strikeouts, which is invaluable in the thin air of the Pacific Coast League.

Photo credits: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue

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