March 29th, 2013 at 6:10 am 
by Ron Cervenka There is no question that the spring training game against the Angels in Anaheim took top billing over the other half of Thursday evening’s split-squad action against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Dodgers very own Advanced Single-A affiliate, at the Epicenter, and rightfully so.
The game in Anaheim, the first of three annual Freeway Series games against the Dodgers’ American League crosstown rivals, was the final spring training tune-up game for Korean superstar pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu, who will pitch the second game of the 2013 season on Tuesday evening against the hated Giants at Dodger Stadium.
The 26-year-old lefty was perfect in his four innings of work against arguably one of the most potent line-ups in the MLB, a line-up that includes Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Mike Trumbo and Mike Trout. And while Ryu’s masterful performance clearly showed what Dodger fans can expect from Ryu this season, the game at the Epicenter in front of a sellout crowd of 5,508 clearly showed what the future of the Dodger franchise may hold.
Dodgers top 2011 draft pick Chris Reed started for the Quakes and he himself did not allow a hit in his three innings of work in which he faced an equally potent line-up that included Carl Crawford, Luis Cruz, Adrian Gonzalez and Cuban superstar prospect Yasiel Puig. The 22-year-old left-hander pitched a 1-2-3 first inning and walked Gonzalez to lead off the second inning followed by a strikeout of Cruz, bringing Puig the plate. After lining a laser shot down the right field line that landed foul by a mere couple of feet, Puig hit a blooper to short right field that fell, but Gonzalez had to see if the ball would be caught and was forced out at second base on Puig’s fielders choice. In his three innings, Reed struck out three and allowed only the one walk to Gonzalez.
While Dodger starter Hyun-jin Ryu was perfect through 4 innings against the Angels on Thursday evening, Dodgers top pitching prospect Chris Reed also pitched a no-hitter in his 3 innings of work. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
“After I was finished throwing it kind of set in (that I had struck out three major leaguers), but in the moment you just are trying to make pitches,” said Reed after his stellar performance. “The main thing was not worrying about the names, just throwing strikes and not falling behind.”
Reed was followed on the mound by yet another outstanding young Dodger pitching prospect, Ross Stripling, who was also very effective in the shortened 7-inning exhibition game. Stripling also pitched two scoreless innings.
Quakes right-hander Ross Stripling also pitched two scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Thursday evening. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Ironically, it was former Quake third-baseman-turned-pitcher Pedro Baez that allowed the Dodgers back in the game when he gave up a two-out bases loaded single to Crawford which tied the game at three in the top of the 7th (and final) inning. In the bottom of the inning, former Quakes closer Eric Eadington (pitching for the Dodgers) allowed a walk-off single to yet another former Quake, Angelo Songco, to give the minor leaguers the 4-3 win.
“We came out here and we wanted to win and we were able to do that,” said Songco after his game-winning hit. “Nothing like a walk-off . To be able to beat them is a great feeling.”
With the lengthy contracts of the Dodgers current starting rotation and a lengthy contract extension for Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw likely to happen within the next year, the Dodgers currently have little room for their outstanding corps of pitching prospects. But as Dodger owner Mark Walter recently noted: “Pitchers break.”
And while Walter’s words are true (and a bit unsettling), it’s nice to know that the moves that he and the other Dodger owners have made during the past year are beginning to pay dividends and have made a big difference in returning the Dodgers to once again having a great farm system – something that they are credited with inventing more than seventy years ago.
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I think once Puig is out of the minor league system, the Dodger system is still middle of the pack. It is still weak in position players but getting better.
There are some good arms in the system and i think the Dodger staff will accommodate some of them as they come along, provided they don’t get traded first. Beckett is signed through 2014 and will turn 35 in May of 2015. Greinke has an opt out clause effective after the 2015 season. If things do not go as well as hoped, I could see him opting out.
Chad is signed through 2014 with a team option in 2015. If he becomes what was initially expected he would, he would only turn 31 in July of 2015. However, don’t see the Dodgers signing Chad to another longer contract then if there are minor leaguers ready to move up.
I think the Dodgers draft #18 in June moving up one spot as Lohse signed with the Brewers. Another Corey Seager selection would be good to boost the system. Ken Rosenthal might be right that the Dodgers have to trade to get that additional boost to the system.
Having spent quite a bit of time last year watching the Quakes, I saw quite a few incredibly talented position players already in the system, Bluenose; especially Joc Pederson, C.J. Retherford, Jonathan Garcia to name a few. However, with virtually no place for these kids to go (especially those in Double-A), there is little doubt that they will either be traded away for current major leaguers or they will die in the minors – especially a guy like C.J. who is MLB ready but is already 27 years old.
Until ownership is willing to take a chance on these kids (i.e not sending Puig to the minors, etc.) and allows them to sink or swim in the Bigs, the Dodger farm system will be nothing more than a breeding ground for trade chips.
Growing your own players works (as evidenced by Tampa Bay, Miami, Arizona and [dare I say it] San Francisco), but it is not an instant gratification thing – which is what GBM (and Dodger fans) want. Unfortunately, it usually takes a couple (or 25) losing seasons to finally come to this realization. It also takes a lack of money and being frugal – something that the Dodgers will never again experience.
One pick does not make a draft. In fact most successes are found in the later rounds !! I for one trust Logan White to find those unsung heros
High first round pick very important, especially is a poor draft year – see Tampa Bay. If a team drafts #18 in round one, then 48 in second round.
The high first round picks strengthen the overall system.
My point is that we have in the past and can in the future find many good prospects in the later rounds. Too many #1 and #2 end up as more hype then fact and spend a long time in development. One pick does not make a draft !!
Got your point Gary. Do not disagree with subsequent picks. They are all important. However, a high first round pick can make a draft. eg. 2006 Dodgers drafted #7.
In the long run teams just hope some of their picks will make it. In 2012 the Dodgers signed 32 of their 40 picks. I just feel the higher the teams picks in round 1 the greater the chance of a big signing. Not saying it makes the draft but can definitely enhance it.