March 16th, 2013 at 7:28 am 
by Ron Cervenka Thanks to the free live-stream on Dodgers.com, I was able to watch every pitch of Friday night’s 8-1 spring training win over the Kansas City Royals on my computer. With both teams playing spit squad games on Friday, and with most of the Dodgers starting nine playing against the Padres earlier in the day in Peoria, the nightcap at Camelback Ranch featured a Dodger team that was comprised of mostly second stringers and a whole bunch of minor leaguers – with a couple of very noteworthy exceptions.
Without question the night belonged to Yasiel Puig (go figure) who went 3 for 3 with another monster Cuban Missile home run to deep right center field. In addition to his two run shot, Puig added two singles and ended his night with 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored, a stolen base, and a heads up running play on a lackadaisical throw back into the infield on which he scored from third base.
Phenom prospect Yasiel Puig launched his second home run of the spring in Friday night’s 8-1 win over the Royals at Camelback Ranch. (Photo credit – Norm Hall)
I’ll say it again: after yet another incredible display of pure talent (as opposed to raw talent), how can Don Mattingly, in good conscience, keep this kid off of the opening day roster until Carl Crawford is healthy if he truly wants to win ball games? Here’s a clue Donny B – If you play him, they will come… to Dodger Stadium – and that is bound to put a smile on Stan Kasten’s, Magic Johnson’s and Mark Walter’s faces.
Lost in all of the Puig hype and hoopla and (as much as I hate to say it) Juan Uribe’s incredible 4 for 4 night, was an absolutely stellar pitching performance by 26-year-old right-hander Stephen Fife, who allowed only one run on 3 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts in his 4.2 innings of work. Unfortunately, and in spite of the fact that his spring training numbers absolutely blow the doors off of Chris Capuano’s and Aaron Harang’s, Fife will probably be sent down to minor league camp, perhaps even this weekend.
Saving the best for last and although it will not appear in any headlines (well, except for the one above), the unsung hero of Friday night’s game was veteran second baseman Mark Ellis.
Playing with kids nearly half his age, Ellis had an okay night at the plate going 1 for 3 with a HBP, a run scored (on Puig’s home run) and an RBI; but what Ellis did on the other side of the ball was nothing short of incredible.
In what would have undoubtedly been one of ESPN’s nightly web gems had it occurred during the regular season, Ellis made a play on a line drive off the bat of Royals second baseman Chris Getz that had base hit and RBI written over it. But instead, Ellis made a perfectly timed leap to turn a sure run-scoring base hit into the final out of the 5th inning. And in true Mark Ellis non-assuming style, while most were in absolute awe of his great defensive play (including yours truly), Mark simply jogged off the field as if it were no big deal.
Mark Ellis has made a career out of leaping catches like the one he made in the 5th inning of Friday night’s game.
(Photo credit – Juan Ocampo)
Ellis, who will celebrate his 36th birthday in June, has made plays like this throughout his entire 10-year MLB career; but like many Dodgers fans, I was completely unaware of just how good he really was until he arrived at Dodger Stadium last season after signing a two-year/$8.75 million contract (with an option for 2014). Ellis quickly showed why he has been among the leaders in fielding percentage throughout his career, and he showed it again on Friday night with his outstanding catch.
Ellis’ 5th inning web gem overshadowed another great play that he made earlier in the evening on a pop foul ball behind first base that Uribe had absolutely no chance of catching, yet Ellis once again made it look easy.
So while Yasiel Puig may be getting all of the “oohs and aahs” this spring (and with good cause), it will be the unsung heroes like Mark Ellis that will ultimately lead the Dodgers into the promise land of the post-season.
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Mark Ellis is the kind of player you never need to think about. He quietly gets the job done and is consistent with his play. Unfortunately, this no-nonsense style of play also allows him to be taken for granted for those who don’t watch the team every day. But we know better…
The organization says they want to win and they want to do so now. It’s time to put their money where their mouth is. Stephen Fife should be the fifth man, and Puig should be included on the ODR if Crawford starts the season on the DL.
Several feel that Uribe’s play last night was not an abberation, but rather resulting from adjustments he’s making. Too little to late in my opinion, but the organization seems hell-bent to ride his pony to the end of the season.
Couldn’t agree more! Ellis and J Hair will both be vital parts of this team this year.
Players like Mark and AJ, Hairston, Schumaker are the glue that holds teams together. They are the constants on which you can rely daily for consistent performance. The big bats are more up and down. Often in WS play, if it isn’t a pitcher, it is some little guy that winds up as MVP – Freese, Renteria, Lowell, Eckstien. I pick Mark for ours this year.
Mark jogs off as if it was no big deal. It wasn’t, for him, it was just another night at the factory.
I agree with all that’s been written above. And as much as Uribe has disappointed me (and most everyone else) I am so rooting for him to make last night’s performance a harbinger of what he’ll be producing this season. We know he’s a great clubhouse guy, and if he can produce on the field it will be just another key to the team’s success. As far as Puig is concerned, I think the only ways he does NOT make the opening day roster are:
1) Crawford’s being healthy enough to start on Opening Day, or
2) A complete cessation of how he’s been producing up to now.
This in spite of what Mattingly and Colletti have said. They simply cannot afford to hold him back as long as he’s producing and can play every day with the big club.
First of all, I know this article is mainly about Mark Ellis and I must say it is well written.
Personnelly I’m happy he’s our second baseman and I agree, Ron, with your every word.
Now Puig is another part of your article and I must say, this player is absolutely amazing me. I think the Dodgers may just have here a genuine star, at least until they find a way to get him out, which I hope they never do. I just hope the Dodgers hold on to him and don’t trade him away. which, I’ve seen sometimes happens when another team may have an opening in there lineup for him before the Dodgers do.
This is what I’ve been trying to say.
Has Uribe suddenly seen the light or is he just having some good games? I don’t think that’s easy to answer.
“I just hope the Dodgers hold on to him and don’t trade him away.”
You obviously didn’t read the comments posted in response to your comment to yesterday’s blog article.
OBF – Puig has a seven year contract. Now he could turn out to be a bust but I’m thinking the Dodgers saw something others didn’t in signing him for that long. He will still be in his prime when Andre and Carl are considered old for baseball and in their twilight baseball years. If he works out as it appears he may, think of the steal in contract in four years time.
I don’t think he will be traded by this group. This isn’t Fox trading Piazza or even Tommy trading Konerko. This group is in it for the long haul.
OBF – enjoy the moment and don’t be concerned about what could be. After all you have said a number of times you don’t like to predict or speculate. I think the fans in LA are primed for another “mania’ and would absolutely riot if Puig was traded. I think Ron might even boycott if that happened.
Ellis = Gamer !!
Mark Ellis a hero ?
I guess none of you were watching the next to last game last season with the season on the line, this 36 yr old vet ran us out of contention with the play IN FRONT OF HIM. Sorry he’s a loser. maybe after 24 years of losing everyone has forgotten what winning players look like. Sure he’s a sure handed fielder, good second hitter that moves a runner, terrible hitter with men in scoring position, and when the spot light is on, he shrinks. Can’t wait for the dodgers to upgrade to Cano next season