The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are the Dodgers Advanced Single A minor league team that plays in the highly competitive California League. Rancho Cucamonga is the usual stop for young Dodgers that have been promoted from the Class A Great Lakes Loons. On a rare occasion a player may come directly to the Quakes from the Rookie League Ogden Raptors.

Rancho Cucamonga is about 45 miles due east of Los Angeles. As the closest minor league park to Los Angeles, Dodger players quite often are placed on rehab assignments with the Quakes. Although such assignments do tend to interfere with the Quakes developing lineup, they offer fans a great opportunity to enjoy a close up connection with some of their favorite Dodger players. It also provides young Quakes players an opportunity to mingle with some real live Dodgers. Ted Lilly, Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez, Scott Elbert, Brian Wilson, Stephen Fife and Carl Crawford all rehabbed with the Quakes in 2013.

The Quakes became a Dodgers affiliate in 2011 replacing the Inland Empire 66ers as the Dodgers California League affiliate. De Jon Watson explained the move to Rancho Cucamonga: “We feel like the move to Rancho not only brings our high-A partner closer to Dodger Stadium, but is a strong fit for our organizational goals.” The contract with the Quakes will be up for renewal following the 2014 season and there is every reason to expect it will be renewed.

On the field the Quakes season may have been described as a bit disappointing. Off the field the season was can only be classified as successful. Attendance has climbed by 22,000 since the Quakes became a Dodger affiliate in 2011. The Quakes play at LoanMart Field which until 2013 had the perfect name – Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter. The naming rights have not detracted from the enjoyment and value for the dollar provided for the loyal fans who support the team in increasing numbers.

Still called The Epicenter by many, LoanMart Field is among the most beautiful settings in all of baseball.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Drew Cieszynski, a regional correspondent for Stadium Journey, offered his Final Thoughts on the Quakes stadium: “The Quakes continue to be a leader in the California League circuit. Their stadium is perfect because it’s in a highly populated area, yet manages to provide a feeling of serenity in the ballpark. It doesn’t take a Stadium Journey review to know that the Quakes are one of the most reputable names in minor league baseball. Fans have to applaud this organization for staying true to who they are. Despite being so successful over the years, the organization clearly has not taken their eye off the ball.”

Following the 2013 season the Quakes were nominated for the 40th annual John H. Johnson President’s Award presented at the MLB Winter Meetings as Minor League Baseball’s top honor. The honor on December 12 went to the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League, a short season Class A minor baseball league. Perhaps with a tweak or two the Quakes can gain another nomination in 2014.

As mentioned the Quakes season on the field was not as successful as might be expected. By season’s end the following pitchers had been promoted to the Chattanooga Lookouts: Michael Thomas, Duke von Schamann, Jarret Martin, Pedro Baez, Garrett Gould and Ross Stripling. Needless to say the quality of that pitching line up could not be replaced by the Quakes.

However, the Quakes did not go out with a whimper. They finished 65-75 on the season but gained a playoff berth by finishing second in the Southern Division of the league in the second half of the season. The Lancaster JetHawks finished first in both halves of 2013 season thus providing the playoff spot for the Quakes.

After losing the first game of their playoff with the Inland Empire 66ers, the Quakes staved off elimination in the second game of the series by coming away with an 8-5 victory, somewhat of a shocker for the heavily favored 66ers. The Quakes rallied from a 5-3 deficit scoring two runs in the eight inning and secured the victory with three more runs in the tenth inning. O’Koyea Dickson went 4-4 and Edwin Carl retired eleven of twelve batters he faced.

In the series clincher the Quakes again reached into their bag of tricks scoring three runs in the ninth inning to take a 6-5 lead. Unfortunately the magic ran out as the 66ers’ replied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to eliminate the Quakes. Rancho Cucamonga fell a bit short but their heart could not be questioned.

Players to watch (not including those promoted to the Lookouts)

Scott Schebler:
Scott Schebler had a break out season although for some it probably was not a surprise. On July 20, 2012 De Jon Watson was asked by Christopher Jackson of the Albuquerque Baseball Examiner who was one position player fans probably do not know about but should start paying attention to. Watson replied: “Another kid would be (Scott) Schebler, who’s in the Midwest League. The numbers aren’t sexy, but it’s a tough league to play in your first full season, the ball doesn’t carry.” Selected in the 26th round of the 2010 draft Schebler hit 27 home runs (2nd), had 91 RBI (7th), and had an OPB of .941 (3rd) with the Quakes. He should start 2014 with the Chattanooga Lookouts. Two areas to watch will be how his power numbers translate away from the hitter friendly California League and see if he can cut down on his 140 strikeouts in 2013.

Corey Seager:
Corey Seager had good power numbers with the Great Lakes Loons along with a good BB/K ratio even though he had to work through a hamstring injury. As a nineteen year old he struggled after his promotion to the Quakes hitting only .160 with a .246 OBP. He also struggled offensively in the Arizona Fall League. I expect he will start the 2014 season with the Quakes before taking any steps to a higher level.

O’Koyea Dickson:
I have followed O’Koyea Dickson since he was drafted by the Dodgers in the 12th round of the 2011 draft. He has been a model of consistency each step along the way. He is also a bit enigmatic in that in 2013 the right-handed batter hit better against right-handed pitchers than against left-handers. He hit better away from home than he did at home and better in night games than in day games. He also hit considerably better with runners on and in scoring position than he did with the bases empty. On the season Dickon hit 15 home runs with 88 RBI and a .280 BA. He should start with the Lookouts in 2014 and perhaps move up to the Isotopes. There will be opportunities to DH at both levels and perhaps being a DH is in Dickson’s future.

Some compare the powerful O’Koyea Dickson to a slightly shorter Yasiel Puig.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Darnell Sweeney:
Darnell Sweeney was selected in the 2011 draft one round after O’Koyea Dickson. They followed the same path to the Quakes and as with Dickson, Sweeney has been quite consistent offensively. In 2013 he posted a .270 BA along with 11 home runs, 16 triples (1st), 34 doubles (4th) and 48 stolen bases (3rd). A switch hitter, he hit equally well from both sides of the plate and drove in 77 runs although he was the lead off hitter until mid-June. The impediment to Sweeney’s continued progress will be his glove. He committed 36 errors in 2013 but only two in 29 games after he switched to second base. Chattanooga should be his 2014 destination.

Noel Cuevas:
Noel Cuevas seems to go unnoticed in the Dodgers system. The 22 year old outfielder hit .284 in 2013 along with 12 home runs, 66 RBI and 38 stolen bases. He was drafted by the Dodgers the 21st round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft from Universidad Interamericana (San Juan, PR). I would not be surprised to see Cuevas start with the Quakes in 2014 and quickly advance to the Lookouts.

Lindsay Caughel:
Lindsay Caughel started slowly with the Quakes after his promotion from the Great Lakes Loons in May. However he got progressively more successful in July, August and September posting a second half ERA of 3.32. The Dodgers 23rd round draft pick in 2010, Caughel displayed the best control in the entire Dodger organization in 2013. His K/BB ratio was an even 6.00 with 138 strikeouts and 23 walks. With the log jam at Chattanooga he may well start the 2014 season with the Quakes.

Hard throwing 23-year-old Lindsey Caughel came on strong for the Quakes during the second half of the 2013 season. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)