The Los Angeles Dodgers have been as hot as the LA weather since the trade deadline. Since enhancing their starting rotation, infield depth, and bullpen arms, the Dodgers have a 12-1 record. Their only loss came against the San Diego Padres who came back from a 3-1 deficit in the 7th inning.
During their current run, the Dodgers have flexed every aspect that distinguishes the franchise as one of the best in all sports. Let’s examine some of the major headlines that have come out of this great run that has the Dodgers leading the division by nine games.
Dodgers Notes: Praise and Enhancing Farm System
High Praise From Roberts
After sweeping the Colorado Rockies during their 4-game weekend series, the Dodgers manager had high praise that could only encourage the organization to continue their great results. “This is my favorite team that I’ve ever had,” Dave Roberts said after the series.
Entering the second half of the season, the Dodgers were battling for the top of the National League West. Their ability to land a top pitcher during the trade deadline seemed underwhelming to the standards that the front office has set for fans in the past.
Instead of bringing in household names like Yu Darvish or Max Scherzer, the Dodgers traded for Lance Lynn and Ryan Yarbrough. Yet, the Dodgers find themselves nine games ahead of the National League West, having won eight games in a row, and currently have two of the top National League MVP contenders.
A quote like Dave Roberts can only continue to motivate the Dodgers to find ways to win, regardless of the depleted starting rotation and their weakened depth chart. All it takes is someone believing in the players, thankfully for the Dodgers, their number one fan is their manager.
Refining Their Farm System
Since the beginning of the season, the Dodgers have dealt with many road bumps. Whether it’s a starting rotation that’s missing key figures like Clayton Kershaw, or an infield that needs extra support when players like Miguel Rojas land on the injured list, the Dodgers’ farm system is always there to come and save the day.
With the number of obstacles facing the Dodgers, the front office is able to flex their development muscle. Since the beginning of the season, the Dodgers have used 5 different players from their farm system. Bobby Miller and James Outman have become staples of the team.
At the beginning of the month, the Dodgers demonstrated how strong their developmental department really is by poaching Korea’s number one high school prospect, Hyun-Seok Jang. The 6 foot 4 inches 19-year-old immediately became the Dodgers’ 22nd prospect in the organization.
Coming into the organization, Jang brought with him his 3-pitch arsenal: a fastball that reaches 95 mph, a slider that tops at 87 mph, and a curveball that hits 82 mph. With his youth on his side, the upside to signing is immense. Can’t wait to see him in the rotation four years from now.
The starting rotation after this season is up in the air. Kershaw, Urias, and Lynn are all free agents after this season. The only guarantees they have are Tony Gonsolin, Bobby Miller, and Walker Buehler. Adding a top prospect into an organization that has developed pitchers like soon-to-be first-ballot Hall of Famer Kershaw is only promising for the future of Hyun-Seok Jang.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
