I've literally been sitting in front of my computer for days thinking of something to write, so I figured we could take a look at the youngsters coming up, and examine the top flight prospects that have a chance (some a very slim chance) of making an appearance with the big club in 2010.
Ivan De Jesus
De Jesus was really set back by that broken leg and he might have been in line to be the starting second baseman this year if it hadn't happened. With that position still in flux, I predict he gets a chance once he rounds back into shape. He's playing in the Mexican Winter League right now, and has two hits in 10 at-bats as he eases his way back.
Andrew Lambo
I know this is a long shot, but if Manny causes a stink to get traded, feigns injury or really gets hurt, then without Juan Pierre the Dodgers would be limited. He's just 21, and his numbers at Double-A slipped as he wound up hitting just .256 with 11 bombs. But the Mexican Winter League has been good so far, as he is hitting .330 with a pair of jacks.
Josh Lindblom
Lindblom showed he might be ready for a spot in the bullpen to begin the 2010 season by posting a 2.54 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP at Triple-A. 36 K's in 39 IP is pretty decent.
Kyle Russell
Russell finished the year at Class-A Advanced, so this is even a longer shot than Lambo. But he was a college player, so those guys tend to move up much quicker. Plus, 26 bombs and 102 RBI will raise some eyebrows. Those 180 strikeouts need to reduce before we get serious.
Alberto Bastardo
I'm predicting this soft throwing lefty comes up and makes a spot start at some point. I saw him pitch for Inland Empire in 2008. Very underwhelming stuff, but he preforms solid for the most part and is 4-0 with a 2.77 in the Mexican Winter League.
A good portion of the clubs best prospects like Ethan Martin, Chris Withrow, Dee Gordon, Nathan Eovaldi, Austin Gallagher, Allen Webster, Timothy Sexton and Aaron Miller are 2011-2012 arrivals at best.
Bell was traded for sherrill....Lambo needs some more time and could be ready in a year or two but his ceiling doesn't look very high...I like dejesus but I aso like abreu better before we traded him for garland. I wrote about Lindblom last spring. He talked to us and seems like a real cool guy...on the mound he was even better nice fastball and slider...russel will be interesting to watch...could be another adam dunn
Its all good now we signed russ ortiz...world series here we come!
Okay assuming...which could make an ass out of me, that we sign one of Padilla, Garland, Pinero, Bedard, or Washburn to be the fourth starter it is almost certain that another young buck could get the fifth starter nod...Russ Ortiz wouldnt make my softball team yet alone the Dodgers. The candidates are all familiar with us and have all gotten a chance or two at starting...the shortened list to me is as follows
Stults -Been there before and pitched well, has two complete games in last two years that I remember, and is a lefty...a soft one at that
Elbert - once a future ace prospect and top ten or five MLB prospect, has had surgury and shown at minor league level that he has nothing left to prove...been the worst of the bunch at starting in majors
McDonald - minor league pitcher of the year, throws well out of pen, horrible at starting in the bigs
yes there are other people competing most notably is Haeger whose fastball and knuckleball combo is pretty sick, but he seems to only surprise you once through the lineup, also Troncoso, Monsteraisio, and young Josh Lindblom (he needs to start one more season in the minors before he is ready, but he could start the season in the bullpen right away. But the above three are the most likely candidates...I hope Elbert gets his stuff together and can reclaim his place but other than that McD and Stults could work
It seems like Stults, Elbert and McDonald all have way too many negatives and not enough positives to get excited about.
They gotta sign two guys...
Remember we signed russ ortiz...
Remember we signed russ ortiz...
haha, that russ ortiz signing will be the death of you... maybe the death of us...