Seven games in does not a season make for the Dodgers. So, too, does not one game in for the team’s minor league affiliates. However, if what we saw on Thursday’s minor league Opening Day is any indication, it’s probably safe to say that Dodgers director of player development Brandon Gomes, general manager Farhan Zaidi, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman are pleased with what the saw from the Oklahoma City Dodgers, Tulsa Drillers, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and Great Lakes Loons on Thursday afternoon and evening.

Even though the Low Single-A Loons and Advanced Single-A Quakes lost their season openers by scores of 11-1 and 11-9 respectively, both games gave us a glimpse of what we might expect in the near future.

In the Loons game, which was played in near freezing temperatures, the team struggled, scoring only one run on two hits – a double by catching prospect Ramon Rodriguez and a single by center fielder Brayan Morales. Simply put, manager John Shoemaker’s Loons were out-pitched by the Lansing Lugnuts (Blue Jays).

“It’s always great to have an Opening Day,” said Shoemaker. “You don’t want to get beat 11-1 too often, but sometimes those are easier to take than a 2-1 loss.”

As for Drew Saylor’s Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, they fell behind early but took advantage of seven walks to mount a late-innings comeback, but fell just short in the 11-9 season opener against the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks). The game saw Dodgers 14th-ranked prospect Cristian Santana go 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and four RBI, and 15th-ranked catching prospect Connor Wong slug the first home run of the brand new season for the Quakes, while also collecting a double and picking up two RBI.

On the winning side of the ledger, the Double-A Tulsa Drillers topped the Frisco Rough Riders (Rangers) by a score of 5-2 that included a grand slam home run by 20th-ranked infield prospect Errol Robinson and a solo shot by 29th-ranked outfield prospect Luke Raley. Dodgers 10th-ranked prospect, right-hander Dennis Santana, allowed only one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking none in his brilliant 4.2 innings of work. He gave way to right-hander Shea Spitzbarth, who didn’t allow a run or hit in his two innings pitched, while striking out four and walking one to pick up the win. Right-hander Josh Sborz picked up the save with his scoreless/hitless inning of work with one strikeout.

The Dodgers Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Dodgers kicked off their 2018 season with a doubleheader against the Iowa Cubs (Cubs) on Thursday, splitting the games with a 2-1 win in game-1 and a 3-2 loss in game-2. Of significance in the twin bill was a fifth inning solo home run by OKC first baseman Max Muncy in game-1. It was the first home run hit by a minor leaguer this season. It was also manager Bill Haselman’s 500th career win, with 154 of those wins coming in his (now) third season as manager of the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate.

But perhaps of greatest significance in game-1 of the OKC Dodgers’ season opener was the pitching performance by Dodgers number one-ranked prospect Walker Buehler, who allowed only one run on three hits with one walk and three strikeouts in his masterful 4.0 innings of work. The significance here is that, should any of the Dodgers current five starters struggle (or, Lord forbid, suffer an injury), the 23-year-old Lexington, Kentucky native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2015 out of Vanderbilt University is the guy most likely to be called up as a replacement. And chances are exceptionally good that once the the 6′-2″ / 175-pound hard-throwing right-hander, who is often likened to Dodgers great Orel Hershiser, is called up, he will be up to stay.

Dodgers number one prospect Walker Buehler continues to improve his chances of soon being in the Dodgers starting rotation, especially if he continues to pitch the way he did in Thursday’s Pacific Coast League season opener. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Worthy of note in game-2 of Thursday’s OKC doubleheader is that second baseman Tim Locastro went 2-for-4 at the plate and (wait for it…) stole a base. Known for his baserunning prowess, the 25-year-old Auburn, New York native not only stole a base for the Dodgers this spring in an A-game, he also did this in an intrasquad game during spring training:

Tim Locastro scores on a wild pitch during a March 13 intrasquad game at Camelback Ranch.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

All in all, it was a good day for the baby Dodgers across the board, even with the losses by the Loons and Quakes. And while most of the attention understandably goes to the MLB Dodgers, with the likelihood of rain outs against the Giants at AT&T Park over the next couple of days, Dodger fans are encouraged to follow the team’s minor league affiliates on TuneIn radio to get a glimpse – or listen – of the Dodgers future.