Let’s get right to it. No concern for full names of Dodgers stars and veterans, grammar, paragraph structure, punctuation, etc. Here are some random observations and musings about the Dodgers 2024 Cactus League performance:

• Betts, Freeman, Glasnow, Teoscar (not Kiké) Hernández, Ohtani, and Yamamoto are better than expected.
• Non-rostered southpaw relievers Alec Gamboa, Ben Harris, T.J. McFarland, and John Rooney acquitted themselves very well. Veteran Alex Vesia, not so much.
• Dodgers are loaded with RH relievers, which is a good thing considering the underwhelming performances of Ryan Brasier, Michael Grove, Daniel Hudson, and Gus Varland.
• Why don’t the Dodgers designate right-hander Evan Phillips as their closer?
• If the backup catcher role was a legit competition, Chris Okey would be on the Opening Day roster in place of Austin Barnes.

• The Dodgers top prospect is not catcher Dalton Rushing – he may not even be in the top 15. Outfielder Andy Pages is by far the superior prospect, followed by fellow outfielders Josue De Paula and Jose Ramos.

• Catching prospect Diego Cartaya continues to struggle with back problems – a big problem for any player, but particularly bad for a catcher. Perhaps a position change forthcoming to first base?
• Thayron Liranzo may now be the best catching prospect in the organization.
• Jake Gelof, the team’s second-round pick in the 2023 draft, doesn’t belong in the top-30 prospects, offensively or defensively.
• Remember third baseman Kody Hoese, the Dodgers first round pick in the 2019 draft (ahead of Michael Busch)? Kody had a terrific Spring, looking once again like a top prospect. He only needs to avoid the injury hex that has followed him in his professional career to help the team – or be a trade chip.  
• The Dodgers and Muncy are saying all the right things about improving his third base defense, but any improvement has been marginal at best. BUT, at bat. Muncy has shown much better bat-to-ball performance. If Muncy hits .250+ he will be an All-Star and the team may average 7+ runs per game.
• So, Gavin Lux doesn’t think he has a throwing problem? (smh).
• Chris Taylor leveling out his swing? Must be a work in progress, because I ain’t seeing a change.
• Miguel Vargas fell well short of expectations this Spring.
• Austin Gauthier is the real deal, much better than his no. 26 rank in the Dodgers top-30.
• Drew Avans isn’t listed in the Dodgers top-30, but like Gauthier, he can really play this game. Both Evans and Gauthier play the game as it was played decades ago – hard nosed, dirty the uniform, do whatever it takes to win a game.
• Re-signing Brendon Davis (team’s fifth round pick in 2015 draft) was a coup. This still young man (age 26) has the talent to play the game at the highest level.
• Shortstop Trey Sweeney was a terrific acquisition (for LHP Victor Gonzalez and infield prospect Jorbit Vivas, who went to the Yankees). He may eventually move to third base, but he could play shortstop today if needed.
• Non-roster invitee Chris Owings is on-par defensively with Miguel Rojas, but with a better bat. If this were a competition, Owings makes the roster in place of Rojas.

Expect a trade (or more), with catcher Hunter Feduccia, outfielder Miguel Vargas, and pitchers Matt Gage, Michael Grove, and Ricky Vanasco as potential trade chips. Gavin Lux could be headed elsewhere for a regular shortstop, with Betts returning to second base.

What observations and thoughts do you care to share with Think Blue LA? We’d love to hear from you.

Go Dodgers!

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