April 1st, 2017 at 12:00 pm 
by Ron Cervenka When LA Daily News Dodgers beat writer J.P. Hoornstra posted the 2017 Dodgers minor league rosters on his InsideSoCal.com blog on Friday afternoon, chances are my neighbors thought that there was some type of problem going on inside my house, and understandably so. Upon looking at the 2017 roster for the Dodgers Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – the team that I cover when the Dodgers are out of town or on an off day – I let out a very loud “Yes! Yes! Yes!,” also understandably so.
Not only will second-year Quakes manager Drew Saylor have arguably the best starting rotation and the best bullpen in the highly-competitive California League, he will also oversee perhaps the best stable of position players in all of minor league baseball, including many of the Dodgers highest-ranked prospects.
LoanMart Field, home of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, is among the most beautiful ballparks in Minor League Baseball. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
When glancing at the Quakes 2017 roster, it is impossible not to notice the names Walker Buehler, Will Smith, Mitchell White, DJ Peters, and Dodgers 2017 spring training pitching stars Shea Spitzbarth and Andrew Istler – to name only a very few.
Buehler, as you may recall, was the Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2015 out of Vanderbilt University and Smith their first-round compensatory pick (for Zack Greinke) in 2016. White was a second-round pick in 2016 out of Santa Clara University and Peters a fourth-round pick in 2016 out of Western Nevada College.
“I am so excited,” said Glendora, CA native and lifelong Dodger fan DJ Peters when he learned that he would be starting the 2017 season with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – a short 22 miles from where he grew up. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
“It’s gonna be fun,” Saylor told ThinkBlueLA during the final week of spring training at Camelback Ranch. “We’re going to have a great group of guys and a great staff again this year. I can’t wait for the season to start.”
That great staff includes assistant coach Rafael Ozuna, pitching coach Kip Wells and hitting coach Jay Gibbons – all of whom are returning from last season.
“I’m excited. The team looks deep in all areas,” said David Owen, a longtime Quakes fan and member of the team’s booster club. “It looks like the Quakes will have a great start to their season.”
The Rancho squad kicks off their 2017 season on the road, with stops in Stockton against the Ports (A’s) and Inland Empire against the 66ers (Angels) before returning for their home opener on Thursday, April 13 against the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres). As it turns out, the Dodgers will be on the road in Chicago that day facing the defending World Series Champion Cubs, so a quick trip to LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga will more than fill you baseball craving while the Dodgers are away.
Go Quakes!
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So just to be clear Ron, how are you feeling about the Quakes upcoming season?
I wouldn’t be surprised, if after an extended ST, Yadier Alvarez puts in a few innings with the Quakes on his way to Tulsa.
Ron, when I first saw the Hoornstra post, I immediately thought how excited you must be with the Quakes roster. I cannot remember being this positive about a High A ball club ever. I may have been, but I just cannot remember. The Quakes are absolutely loaded. Honestly I was a bit surprised to see Yusniel Diaz back on the Quakes roster. I thought that he might have been pushed to Tulsa. I am happy for Johan Mieses, but IMO Diaz is the one to watch. Now you have Diaz and DJ to watch (and another year of Sandoval). I don’t know how many California League teams that Landon and Raley wouldn’t be starting for.
I know both you and Harold are dialed in far more than I am, and I still have not heard any explanation about Sborz and Sopko not being on the Tulsa roster (or any roster). I am assuming that they will be at extended Spring Training, but I do not know why? Also, looking at OKC roster, neither Thompson or Taylor were listed, so there will have to be changes with that roster as well (I would assume).
Anyway, enjoy the Quakes as they are right now. I got a feeling that there will be some early season promotions, and this will not be the team come September 1.
AC – I can’t answer your question regarding Sborz and Sopko. There are quite a few others missing.
My take is that this was the opening day roster with the 25 man active roster. When teams move up to there 35-38 reserve limits, depending on the levels,other players will be added. I think the list we see is only the list available to play on opening day, depending on injuries between now and then.
I also think the Dodgers have a bit of a conundrum. They have a lot of good players, a number coming off missed seasons, and it is just difficult to get them all placed. It will take a while for it to play out.
The think the OKC Dodgers list should be 25 and not 24.
Thought I’d parachute in to answer your question here … Sborz and Sopko were both listed as injured on the preliminary roster sheet. Not sure what those injuries are, how long they’re expected to be out of action, or where they’ll go once they’re ready. -JP
Thanks J.P.
See you in a couple of days.
Thanks, Harold. It just seemed odd that Sborz and Sopko were not listed. I only noticed three starters on the Tulsa roster (unless Hynes and Vieitez will try starting again), and I didn’t think that either Josh or Andrew were on any innings limit.
I know there are others that seem to be missing. Another I noticed early on was Mitch Hansen. He played very well at Ogden, and seemed to earn a spot on the Great Lakes roster.
Yasiel Sierra started 13 games with the Quakes in 2016 and 18 in Cuba in 2013. They may well be having him start in Tulsa.
You are right about the Tulsa starters. I expect Sopko to be assigned to Tulsa when ready and Sborz to OKC. There is a lot in play yet in filling out minor league rosters.
Yaisel.
Good to see Brandon Montgomery (2B) move up from Ogden.
It will be interesting to see if Chris Powell can get on track after losing a major portion of 2016 to the DL.
The Dodgers have released former first round selection, right-hander Chris Anderson.