EP 27 - Chef Richard Blais

J.P. Hoornstra and Shawn Green discuss the debut of Bobby Miller, and having the Dodgers' top two pitching prospects in the rotation at the same time.

ESPN's story on the 20th anniversary of the "Shawn Green Game"

Extensive scouting report on Bobby Miller

USA Today's coverage of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

J.P. Hoornstra discusses the struggles of certain pitchers with the pitch clock (1:18), Max Muncy's hot start (3:13), Juan Soto's struggles (4:05), and the Week In Old Friends (5:38). Then Shawn Green joins to discuss the reason for the Dodgers' six-game winning streak (7:15), the three-game series against the Padres (9:30), when it's safe to look at the standings (11:45), the effects of the balanced schedule manifesting early (17:05), the Dodgers' logic behind shuffling their starting rotation (18:05) and playing in the pre-paternity list era with a pregnant wife (19:25).

Kevin Quackenbush signs with the Long Island Ducks

St. Paul Pioneer Press story on Brock Stewart

Willie Calhoun revives his career with the New York Yankees

Trevor Bauer’s teammate doesn’t like how he’s celebrating

Nathan Eovaldi shuts out the Yankees

Brett Eibner retires

Drew Maggi gets first career hit, sent back to minors

Brian Cashman: ‘Don’t Give Up On Us’

St. Louis Cardinals win 17 games, New York Times curses them

J.P. Hoornstra recaps the bizarre ending to Drew Smyly's perfect game bid against the Dodgers in Chicago (0:50) and summarizes the week in transactions (2:39). Then, Dodgers reliever Justin Bruihl discusses the start to his season at Triple-A (5:35), his new slider grip (6:21), and how his game plan in Oklahoma City is different from his game plan in the major leagues (7:13). Shawn Green then joins to discuss Madison Bumgarner's legacy as the perfect Dodgers foe (11:22), why he enjoyed batting against Randy Johnson (14:20), the surge in stolen bases around MLB (16:30), the early perils of the Dodgers' bullpen (24:24), and the proven strategy of plucking an All-Star closer (Eric Gagne) out of the rotation (28:00).

J.P.'s column on stolen bases surging across MLB
Documenting the Dodgers' struggles against left-handed pitching
Video of David Peralta's infield single to break up Drew Smyly's perfect game bid

J.P. Hoornstra discusses the most surprising statistics from the season's first two weeks (1:03), whether the Dodgers' bullpen (7:56) or the rotation (9:39) invites greater cause for concern, and checks in on former Dodgers Cody Bellinger and Edwin Rios (12:24) with the Chicago Cubs coming to town this weekend.

J.P.'s weekly column on how the new rules are affecting MLB so far in 2023

J.P. Hoornstra discusses the Dodgers' last-minute decision to place Ryan Pepiot on the injured list. Then Shawn Green joins (3:47) to discuss his memories of Opening Day, Rickey Henderson, and how he expects the new rules to play out in MLB.

J.P. Hoornstra discusses the end of Cactus League play and the beginning of the Freeway Series (0:44). The just-completed World Baseball Classic (1:16) and the potential it showed to make baseball a more global sport (4:23). Can the WBC be part of baseball's long-term solution to overcome the crumbling RSN model (8:20) in MLB? The breakout springs by James Outman and Ryan Pepiot (12:50). What's the only 26-man roster question remaining? (15:20) The problem with acquiring Keston Hiura (16:50). James Outman's non-existent Rookie of The Year odds (17:20). The spring struggles of the Dodgers' outfielders at the plate (18:07). The Dodgers' questionable roster depth (20:06). Gavin Stone's strong spring (21:15). The best reason why the Dodgers will win the 2023 World Series (22:30). The great Shohei Ohtani pursuit (24:48). How do the Dodgers compare to the other top teams in MLB (26:18)?

J.P.'s column about the World Baseball Classic
James Outman makes Dodgers' Opening Day roster
Ryan Pepiot is the Dodgers' fifth starter

J.P. Hoornstra discusses the season-ending ACL injury to Gavin Lux (1:20), takes a gander at the Dodgers' thin depth chart at shortstop (2:10), then looks at the thin group of remaining shortstops (2:50). Shawn Green joins to discuss the typical hitter's routine at the beginning of spring training (10:00), why exhibition games offer a weird dynamic between pitchers and hitters (13:00), why some great spring training hitters can never translate their success to the regular season (14:30), the love being showered on the Dodgers by the prospect-list makers (16:25), and the odds-on favorites to meet in the World Series (19:20).

Details of Gavin Lux's season-ending knee injury
Link to "Sit Behind The Nets" by Jana Goldbloom Brody
Keith Law's farm system rankings and top 100 prospects
FanGraphs Top 100 prospects
MLB.com Top 100 prospects
Baseball America Top 100 (subscription required)
Baseball Prospectus Top 101 prospects (subscription required)

J.P. Hoornstra discusses the Dodgers' signings of David Peralta, Alex Reyes and Jimmy Nelson (1:20), two odd things about Peralta joining the Dodgers (4:46), and how it makes the outfield off-season plan make sense (7:09). The episode concludes with a deep dive (11:11) into the decision to retire Fernando Valenzuela's number 34.

Link to J.P.'s column about the new rules coming to MLB in 2023

Contract details for Peralta/Reyes/Nelson

Report about Peralta’s injury in Tampa Bay

J.P. Hoornstra compares this winter to the winter of 2014-15 (2:24), and the deluge of prospects that followed then and are coming now (3:25). After a quick recap of the Dodgers’ Top 30 prospects of 2020 (7:54), J.P. brings on Shawn Green (10:02) to discuss Scott Rolen (12:04) clearing the Hall of Fame bar by 11 votes. Which player on the ballot would Shawn induct before Rolen and Harold Baines (15:51), and what was he like as a rookie teammate? (16:40) JP and Shawn hype the WBC (18:00) before Shawn breaks up Team USA (23:38). Lastly, Shawn recalls getting heckled by a high school student during the Dodgers’ off-season community caravan tour (27:38).

Links:

Dodgers’ top 30 prospects of 2020
2015 Dodgers vs. 2014 Dodgers
Hall of Fame voting results (sorry, Andre Ethier)
2023 WBC schedule
J.P.'s stories on OCRegister.com

J.P. Hoornstra discusses the Dodgers' decision to designate Trevor Bauer for assignment, and the subsequent reaction (8:30). Then Shawn Green joins to discuss the Dodgers' off-season moves: letting Justin Turner walk as a free agent (15:45), how a team navigates a change in clubhouse leadership (18:20), replacing Turner with J.D. Martinez (21:45), adding Noah Syndergaard to the starting rotation (25:05), letting Craig Kimbrel and Kenley Jansen sign elsewhere as free agents (27:40), and the impact of the San Diego Padres' big moves (33:35).

Links for suggested further reading:

News story on the Dodgers designating Trevor Bauer for assignment

My original story on Trevor Bauer receiving a 324-game suspension from MLB

USA Today story about the Dodgers' meeting with Trevor Bauer in Arizona

Justin Turner discusses leaving the Dodgers for the Red Sox