As our name implies, ThinkBlueLA.com is a Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles-based web site.

So why, then, are we reporting on a roster move made on Saturday by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?

A valid question.

The reason is that the move by the Los Angeles team that isn’t even located in Los Angeles County involves a former Dodger – extremely popular former Dodgers outfield prospect Scott Schebler.

It was reported early Saturday afternoon that the 30-year-old Cedar Rapids, IA native and Dodgers 26th round draft pick in 2010 out of Des Moines Area Community College in Boone, IA had been signed to a minor-league deal by the Angels.

Savvy Dodger fans may recall that Schebler appeared in 19 games for the Dodgers in 2015, posting a .250 / .325 / .500 / .825 slash line – not spectacular, but not bad for a (then) 24-year-old rookie. But he also slugged three home runs and drove in four in his 36 at-bats (40 plate appearances) as a Dodger.

REAL savvy Dodger fans will recall that ‘Scheb’ played the entire 2013 season with the team’s Advanced Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the highly-competitive California League, after which he was named the Dodgers Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year; a tremendous honor by any standard.

On December 16, 2015, Schebler was traded by the Dodgers to the Cincinnati Reds (along with Brandon Dixon and Jose Peraza) in exchange for Micah Johnson, Frankie Montas, and Trayce Thompson. And while Thompson had his moments in Dodger Blue, none of the three lasted more than two seasons with the Dodgers. Schebler, on the other hand, remained in Cincinnati for four seasons before having his contract purchased by the Atlanta Braves on July 24, 2020.

Schebler appeared in only one game with the Braves as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement on August 5, 2020, grounding out 1-3 in his only at-bat in a Braves uniform. He became a free agent on November 2 until picked up by the Angels on Saturday morning by Angels new general manager Perry Minasian, former GM of the (wait for it…) Atlanta Braves.

Although he will be wearing Angel Red instead of Dodger Blue, it’s hard not to pull for a guy like Scott Schebler.

Godspeed to you, Scheb!

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