Worldwide pandemic puts sports into their proper perspective, whether it be college basketball’s annual “March Madness” tournament, or professional sports like the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association, and of course Major League Baseball. No political commentary here, just as my boss told me five decades ago, “It is what it is; time to move on.”

Not certain how much Dodgers information will be coming out of Camelback Ranch in the days and weeks to come, but we can start by summarizing performances to date:

Dodgers veteran and prospect pitching through the 18-games played in the Cactus League has been nothing short of spectacular:

• Pedro Baez has not allowed an earned run (ER), or bases on balls (BB), in four innings pitched (IP), while striking out (K) 7-hitters;
• Walker Buehler – 8.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 8K;
• Scott Alexander – 4 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K;
• Caleb Ferguson – 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB 5 K;
• Tony Gonsolin – 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K;
• Brusdar Graterol – 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 k;
• Joe Kelly – 3.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB 6 K;
• Kenley Jansen – 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB. 11 K;
• Clayton Kershaw – 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K;
• David Price – 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 10 K;
• Dennis Santana – 5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K;
• Ross Stripling – 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 5 K; and,
• Julio Urias – 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

That is eight earned runs allowed in 64 innings pitched; an earned run average of 1.13.

Dodgers hitters have been almost as effective as the pitchers with on-base and slugging (OPS) as the measure. Veterans Justin Turner, Chris Taylor, Austin Barnes, Corey Seager, and Kiké Hernandez at, or above 1.000. And, Left hand hitting prospects Cody Thomas (1.424), Zach Reks (1.240), and Zach McKinstry (1.226) lead the team in OPS getting the attention of coaches and fans alike.

A special shoutout for Corey Seager who has been stellar from game one of the Cactus League. Statistics are only part of the Seager story, more importantly, is the eye-test that he passes with flying colors with every defensive play, every throw, every at-bat.

As mentioned here before, in 2016 veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez proclaimed Seager to have Hall of Fame talent. Seager displayed that level of talent in 2016 and 2017 before Tommy-John and hip surgeries in 2018 set him back – way back. Corey is BACK!

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