October 18th, 2012 at 5:43 am 
by Harold Uhlman The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are the Dodgers Advanced Single-A minor league team that plays in the highly competitive California League. The Quakes bridge the gap between the Dodgers Low Single-A Great Lakes Loons in Midland, MI and their Double-A Lookouts in Chattanooga, TN.
The Quakes draw many of their players from the Loons but also from the Ogden Raptors and occasionally from undrafted free agent players. Due to its close proximity to Dodger Stadium (approximately 45 miles), it is not uncommon for rehabbing Dodger players to play with the Quakes. In fact, during the 2012 season, Dodgers Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Mark Ellis, Ted Lilly and Rubby De La Rosa played rehab games with the Quakes. Although such rehab assignments do tend to interfere with the Quakes developing lineup, they offer fans a great opportunity to enjoy a close up connection with some of their favorite Dodger players. It also gives young Quakes players an opportunity to mingle with some real live Dodgers.
The Quakes became a Dodgers affiliate two years ago and the Dodgers recently renewed their contract for two additional years. Prior to that, the Rancho Cucamonga team had been aligned with the Angels. For some reason there was some mystery and drama when the Quakes forged a new deal with the Dodgers, at least as reported in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. The Quakes were successful in the past turning out players such as Jared Weaver and Mike Trout. It is interesting that the Quakes are owned by Hall of Famer George Brett and his brothers, Bobby and John.
Since opening in 1992, the Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter has drawn more fans than any other ballpark in the California League. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
The Quakes originally moved from San Bernardino to Rancho Cucamonga in 1993. Since then, the team has consistently led the league in attendance. The Quakes stadium, the Epicenter, was opened in 1992 at a cost of around $20 million, which was considered a significant investment for a minor league ballpark at the time. The stadium was renovated in 2008, after which Stadium Journey regional correspondent Drew Cieszynski wrote:”It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that when you lead the league in attendance for every year of existence in the California League, that the Epicenter provides a great experience. The venue is typically rockin’ for reasons other than earthquakes. Their mascots are named Tremor and Aftershock and wear jerseys 4.8 and 2.4 respectively. You’ll find beautiful scenery and an atmosphere that is leaps and bounds beyond Single-A atmosphere, all at an affordable price.” Drew especially praised the staff at the Epicenter.
In 2011, their first year as a Dodgers affiliated team, the Quakes won the Cal League’s South Division titles in both halves of the season. In doing so they set a franchise record with 80 wins under 2011 California League Manager of the Year Juan Bustabad. The team was not nearly as successful in 2012 when they tied for the first-half division title but lost a one-game playoff and then narrowly missed out on a Wild Card playoff berth in the second half with an overall record of 68-72. However, closer scrutiny of the roster reveals that during the 2012 season, the following players were promoted to AA or were traded: C.J. Retherford, Bobby Coyle, Leon Landry, Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Scott McGough, Eric Eadington, Andreas Santiago, Ryan O’Sullivan, and Logan Bawcom. In doing so, the team lost three strong offensive position players, three quality starters, and four very good relief pitchers. One black mark with the Quakes is that popular and successful manager Juan Bustabad was unceremoniously released by the Dodgers at the conclusion of the 2012 season for reason that were not made public. On a more positive note, 2012 saw the major league debut of reliever Shawn Tolleson, who became the first former Quake in the two-year Dodgers era to be called up to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Statistically, the Quakes were in the middle of the pack offensively and in the lower third with their pitching.
Players Of Note: (who were not promoted or traded)
Joc Pederson (OF)
Joc is a personal favorite who played as a twenty year old in the California League. His second half was exceptional: 328/.410/.595 with 16 homers and 18 steals in 65 games. As Joc’s rise up the Dodger prospect list continues, Jim Callis of Baseball America is also upgrading his projection for him. “In the past, I had viewed Pederson as a grinder with a chance for one plus tool in his bat, the type of guy who profiles as a fourth outfielder. He’s more than that, not necessarily a future all-star but a guy who could be a quality regular with a good bat, solid power and speed, and the chance to play center field.“ Joc has nothing more to prove at the advanced Single-A level. Next stop – Chattanooga.
Yasiel Puig (OF)
Yasiel was impressive in his debut with the Quakes, impressive but he did not destroy the league as we had hoped. That is, Yasiel did not display the power that was expected. We should keep in mind that he only played in 14 games with the Quakes, had been out of baseball for some time, was green to the level, and was nursing a minor hamstring injury. Jim Callis of Baseball America writes: “There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding Puig, and I don’t want to read too much into 92 pro PA, but yes, he’s one of the Dodgers’ best prospects. You could make a case that he’s their very best.” I expect Yasiel to start in AA in 2013.
“You can be standing with your back to the cage and when he hits, you’ll know he’s hitting.” – Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti about Yasiel Puig.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Jonathan Garcia (OF)
Jonathan has slipped from the radar, having completed four seasons in the Dodgers minor league system. He was signed out of Luis Munoz Marin High School in Puerto Rico. Baseball America wrote: “The Dodgers may have gotten a steal when they selected Garcia out of Puerto Rico in the eighth round of the 2009 draft.” In 2009 Jonathan was ranked as the Arizona League’s #9 best prospect. His stock has fallen and he is somewhat of a strikeout machine as a very aggressive hitter. However, he still displays good power and played the entire year with Rancho Cucamonga as a twenty year old. I have not given up on him yet. He should return to the Quakes in 2013.
Garrett Gould (SP)
Garrett is a second round pick in 2009. He was ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 11 prospect by MLB.com entering the 2012 season and he led all full-season starting pitchers in the Dodgers minor league system in 2011 with a 2.40 ERA and tied for fourth in the chain with 11 wins. This year with the Quakes did not go exactly as planned. Garrett had a 5-10 record with an ERA of 5.75 and and a WHIP of 1.49 in 130 innings. He struck out 123 and walked 54. The good news is he turned 21 in July. Expect him to start with the Quakes in 2013.
Garrett Gould struck out 123 batters in 2012 while walking only 54.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Angel Sanchez (SP)
Angel signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent July 12, 2010 and was ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 6 prospect by MLB.com entering the 2012 season. Angel had an exceptional year with the Loons in 2011 but found the slugging with the Quakes in 2012 even more difficult than Garrett Gould. Angel played the entire season as a 22 year old, and with only two years of professional experience, it might be too soon to write him off. Expect him to start with the Quakes in 2013.
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Interesting – now I have a handle on some baby Dodgers that might just get to the bigs. What do you think will happen with Puig?
As you well know, Harold, because of their (relatively) close proximity to me, the Quakes are my minor league Dodgers affiliate of choice and I attend quite a few of their games each season (although this may change a bit now that Busty is no longer with them). As such, I had the pleasure of watching many of the guys who have since been promoted and/or traded and am excited to see who will ultimately make it to the Bigs (joining Shawn Tolleson).
I was quite impressed with Jonathan Garcia this past season, as he showed a bit of power in the second half. He is definitely not a Joc Pederson or Leon Landry, but he is a good defensive outfielder. I, too, suspect that he will begin 2013 with the Quakes but expect him to move up to Chattanooga at some point during the 2013 season.
Of all of the Quakes starting pitchers, I saw Angel Sanchez more than any other during the 2012 season and I am not very confident that he has the right stuff to make the Bigs, but who knows, perhaps he will have a stellar 2013 season. Garrett Gould, on the other hand, will probably do very well and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start 2013 with the Lookouts.
I expect him to start the season at AA but I am hopeful that is just a pit stop for him. There is some quality pitching at the AA level and I think he needs to face some of it before he will or can progress further. The only reason for saying that is because of his time away from the game after his journey from Cuba. Otherwise I would expect a quick trip to the Dodgers.
Ron – just wondering if your experience at the Epicenter matches that as described by Drew C. Sounds like a fantastic baseball environment.
As you know, I was talking about Garrett Gould a couple of years ago. He definitely had growing pains in 2012. His curve ball is the best in the Dodger minor league system and his high ERA might be the result of the California league. Not sure how things will play out but the Dodgers don’t send young pitching prospects to Albuquerque. The AA roster presently includes Chris Reed, Zach Lee, Matt Magill, Chris Withrow, Andres Santiago, Aaron Miller. I do think Withrow might become a hard throwing reliever and Aaron Miller might be sent to AAA. I too am sure Garrett will move to AA but not sure when. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him do the Zach Lee, Chris Reed thing in 2013 – RC, then to the lookouts. Consistency is the challenge for him.
The Epicenter is, hands down, the nicest minor league facility I have ever been to, both aesthetically and staff wise. Drew Cieszynski is absolutely correct about the staff – they are extremely polite, helpful, and most of all, very friendly.
When Puig hit his home run, I asked the staff at the main gate if I could leave the stadium to go look for it and come back in. They certainly did not have to allow me do so but they did and I was able to get the ball.
There is a lady usher who I have become friends with (although I neglected to get her name) who has been at every game I have been to. When Yasiel Puig arrived, she was able to get one of the bat boys to get him to autograph a ball for her grandson. The next day she told me that she got in all kinds of trouble from her other grandson, who also wanted a Puig autographed ball. I was able to handle that for her and she was extremely grateful.
I’m still struggling with the Busty issue and that may or may not preclude me from going to many games in 2013 – but that has nothing to do with the Epicenter or its great staff.
I think it’s very good to know the names of players, such as Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig. These players names have been brought up time and time again.
When they make appearances on the Dodgers we have a knowledge of them, even if it’s their names only.
We all have dreams of Dodger teams with lots of home grown players and we want them to do good, while they’re in the minors and after they become Dodgers.
You’re doing a fine job Bluenose Dodger in keeping us informed.
This is the one I was waiting for. I attended over 70 Quakes games this year, from the exhibition game to the final home game of the season and was lucky enough be in the dugout for every one of them. Very few people had the same access to the team as I did. I truly feel that if most of the players that were promoted through out the year this team not only makes the playoffs but probably wins the Ship. There was a time after Leon Landy and Bobby Coyle left that Bustabad didn’t have a legit LF to put in his line up. Putting guys like Steve Domecus and Austin Gallagher in the 7 position. Domecus is a catcher and Gallagher, a first baseman, had never played first base in his life. Not just in pro ball, ever! They held their own but not having a true outfielder until Puig joined the team hurt. But that’s the nature of the minors. When a player shows his worth he’s not long for that level. It’s nearly impossible to pick a pre season favorite to win a title because you never finish with the same team.
Speaking a Puig, another issue was his health. I don’t want to say the Dodgers babied him but he only played a handful of games in RF. He either sat or was the DH. He had a leg issue and a foot issue that clearly the team wanted to take no chances with and forced Bustabad’s hand. I feel for Juan because there were so many elements that took place this year that were simply not in his control and yet he seems to be taking a good amount of blame for this years results.
It was great to see a lot of these players come through and see them play on a daily basis. a side from the players mentioned in the article there are a few others to watch for in the coming years, one being Scott Wingo. Scott plays a mean second bases and really has a great love and respect for the game. He hurt his thumb while on the road and was put on the DL, but trust me, it wasn’t his idea. All he wanted to do was get back out on the field and as soon as he could hold a bat he was in the cage working his way back. If he can stay consistent with his defense and keep his bat hot I think he has a future in the organization, especially since he plays a position without a player locked in to multiple years ahead of him, as is the case with Joc in the outfield and Angelo Songco at 1st base.
I truly enjoyed my time with the Quakes this season, especially having all the big leagues make their way through. The younger players really enjoyed having guys like Kemp and Ethier down and a lot of them seemed to take notice of their work ethic and absorbed all advice that was given. One of the perks of my position was early field access to the ballpark and getting to see the players before a game and not in game mode yet. I could tell which guys were truly focused on the the game and who had that drive and passion in their eyes. Which guys took BP seriously and would get mad if they miss a ball that should have gone over the scoreboard. I was lucky enough to do things that most fans never get to experience. I stood behind the cage while Puig took BP and I can tell you this much…Ned is right.
One more thing. Angel Sanchez didn’t have an impresses win loss record this year and he had a fairly high ERA. The one thing that keep in mind is that nearly every one of his starts after the All Star break was a no decision. There were 6 starts in a row where he left the game with the lead and the bullpen blew the lead for him, sometimes in the same inning he was pulled. Compare his stats to say Garrett Gould and they aren’t that far apart. His homeruns are high but that come with the Cal League. Right now, Angel is in the Arizona Instructional League working things out. He sent me his stats on Facebook the other day;
I have 13 ip
No runs
No walks
Just 4 hits
If he was figured out what needed to be worked on he can have a great year next season. He throws in the mid to high 90’s, usually around 94-95 (He told me he can hit 100) with a good change and live curve ball.
Don’t write him off just yet.
Good read Harold. I saw a few games this year and enjoyed every one of them. I’ll miss Busty the most and hope he lands something even better soon.