The Dodgers lost to the Kansas City Royals today 8-4.  I truly believe that many of the players are focused upon Opening Day and are just bored with what is going on.  The coaches are just going through the motions, the writers are just going through the motions, so why not the players as well? 

One player who is not going through the motions is Blake DeWitt, who wants to make sure that Joe Torre writes his name in the Opening Day Lineup.  He may get a definitive answer as soon as NOW!  Come on, Joe – Give him the spot.

Dodgers Notes:

• Russ Martin was 2-6 while catching 6 innings in a minor league game.  He’ll be given an off day tomorrow.
• I just spotted Frank McCourt walking towards the Clubhouse.  He may have been here all game for all I know – this is just the first I have seen him.
• Manny is playing with purpose and looked exceptionally healthy.  He told someone that he’s going the have his best year ever in 2010.  That would be awesome if he did…
• Hong-Chik Kuo is probably headed to the DL and will make his debut in 2010 somewhat later than Opening Day.
• I would say that the #5 Spot is between Haeger and Russ Ortiz.  It would seem likely that Haeger would be the one to go to the bullpen in that case.
• Justin Miller is making a case to be on the roster with a 3.52 ERA
• Carlos Monasterios is a lock to make the staff (not as a starter) with his 2.19 ERA
• Jeff Weaver is on the team.  He’s ready.
• Forget Sherrill’s ad Troncoso’s ERA’s for Spring Training – when the beell rings, they are in.
• This team has a confidence level that is quiet, yet solid. 
• Logan White predicts that Russell Martin will be back to his old offensive self.  That sounds bad.  I don’t mean that you are offensive, Russell.

Workout Area

No baseball facility would be complete without workout rooms with all the state-of-the-art machines.  Camelback Ranch is no different.  The minor league workout area is expansive and certainly a tribute to the Dodgers commitment to conditioning. 

The same is true with the Training Room and the Whirlpool and Ice Room.

More Machines

... and More Machines

Even More Tank I Expected

The Training Room

Fire and Ice Area

Logan White in his Office at Camelback Ranch

Tucked away behind the Major League facility, back a path, beyond the walk of fame and the rushing waters is the Dodgers Minor Legaue Complex.  When there are typically thousandsof fans “bum-rushing” the major league players, seeking autographs and surging towards the rope lines, there are just a few dozen fans on the back diamonds where 150+ minor leaguers work out with 53 coaches and instructors. 

Maury Wills, Don Newcombe and Logan White at Camelback

Over the past several days, I have spent quite a bit of time with Logan White and De Jon Watson in touring these facilities and asking questions about the operation and function of this part of the Dodger organization.  We are going to take a behind the scenes look at what goes on here.  I was impressed and I think you will be as well. 

When I was finished, I truly understood why Baseball America named Logan White and De Jon Watson as “GM’s in Waiting.”  They are passionate and highly intelligent when it comes to minor league operations.

All photos were taken by LAdodgerTalk Senior Photographer, Roger Sobin. 

One of the first people we met were Maury Wills and Don Newcombe upon entering the offices.

De Jon Watson in his Office

I am not sure pictures can do it justice, but you will get the general idea.  What follows is a collage of the Camelback Ranch Minor League Complex.

Another View of the Cafeteria

The Dodgers have plenty of personnel there to handle all of this.   De Jon Watson and Logan White, both have offices in the minor league complex. The facility is obviously new and that is always nice, but it is large and well thought out as well.  I would have to say that the Dodgers minor league complex is as good or better than some major league facilities.

You have to consider that when you have 150 “kids” in one area, you need a lot of direction, thus the 53 instructors/coaches.  You also need a large area for organization of equipment, uniforms and all the gear required to play baseball. 

The person in charge of that area, Troy, does an incredible job of keeping that area clean, organized and even immaculate!  As I walked through the equipment area, I couldn’t help but be amazed how organized and “eat-off-the-floor-clean” it was. 

Walking Into The Cafeteria

Mark Timmons Talking With De Jon Watson

 

Cafeteria & Food Service

I am not sure pictures can do it justice, but you will get the general idea.  What follows is a collage of the Camelback Ranch Minor League Complex. Having 150+ minor leaguers in camp, along with 53 coaches and instructors is a monumental undertaking.  They all have specials needs,health issues, they have to be fed, they have their unforms ready and receive instruction

We start out with the Cafeteria, where food has to be prepared and served for over 200 people.  That’s a lot of food and preparation.  This cafeteria is certainly a state-of-the art facility and ultimately was extremely clean. 

You also can’t help but notice how polite and friendly all the staff are.

A Place to Unwind After a Hard Workout

 

Recreation Area

After a day of hard workouts and intra-squad games, it’s nice to have a place to kick back and relax and the Minor League Complex has plenty of room for this. 

More Area For The Kids To "Kick Back"

 Again, this is an extremely nice facility.  The youngsters certainly have a very nice place to congregate.

Boys will be boys, and ultimately, these really are kids.  The Dodgers have plans to put in ping-pong tables (to facilitate “hand-eye” coordination).  This is truly a  a place to allow them to “blow off some steam.” 

Another important area in this room is about a half-dozen computers where the Spanish-speaking players can get helt in learning English with the use of Rosetta Stone Software.

More Gear

Equipment  Room

This has to almost be the “crown jewel” of the complex.  The equipment manager, Troy keeps this area highly organized and  impecibly clean.  I guess that with 150 players and 53 coaches and instructors, you had better be organized or you would never be able to function.  Uniforms, cleats and all the other geat needed to play baseball is what the Equipment Room is all about.

 

 

 

Meeting Room

 

Periodically, the Dodgers bring in instructors and coaches to talk to the minor leaguers.  Yesterday, it was Don Newcombe who spoke about the dangers of drugs and alcohol to these youngesters, some of whom are away from home for the first time.   Again, I could help but notice how kind and helpful all the staff was.  In the photo, the tables are stored, but they can be easily set up to accomodate all the players in this area.

The Equipment Office

 

Meeting Room - The Tables Can Easily Be Set Up

 

Row After Row of Gear

James "The Gazelle" Loney Doubles

The Dodgers and A’s tied after nine innings last night 3-3. Hiroki Kuroda pitched 5.1 strong innings allowing just 1 Hit and 2 BB to go with 2 Strikeouts.  In addition to the two strikeouts, he had 8 fly outs and 6 ground outs.  With Joe Torre set to name the 5th Starter today, it would be hard to argue against Kuroda getting the call, although most expect it will be Clayton Kershaw. I could make an argument for Kershaw, Billingsley or Kuroda. Joe is supposed to name the Opening Day Starter anytime…

Some are reporting that Russ Martin “will be” ready on Opening Day.  I’ll still say “could be” with all due apologies to AJ Ellis.   By the way, it should not be lost on anyone that AJ Ellis does a lot of the “little things” very well.  As an example, last night with one out and a runner on third, he picked a pitch he could hit in the air to RF to plate the runner.  That’s solid!

Speaking of nice hits, Reed Johnson had a nice hit with RISP – right up the middle, which plated a run.  Again, he’s fundamentally sound and a great pickup for us.

Doug Mientkiewicz also had a solid (clutch) single to leadoff the 10th inning.

James Loney had a really solid double, and I was amazed as he ran into 2B – he looked visibly faster than last year – MUCH FASTER! What’s up with that?  I’m going to ask him today…

Josh Lindblom

Jason Repko is hitting .087 and has NO CHANCE at making the team, but made a diving catch which saved a loss.  He has an option left…

For the first time on the Major League Level, Josh Lindblom struggled (although he ultimately struck out 4 in 2 innings).  To me, it looked like his release point and windup were just not clicking last night.  The Dodgers don’t want to have to put him on the 40-man roster right now, because they would have to drop someone else, but he has to be a consideration for the pen and maybe even the 5th Starter Spot (some of the Dodger brass think he should be the #5 starter).  Last night’s game will have no bearing on his ability to make the roster.  He’ll pitch another time or two…  I love him as a closer, but many of the Brass think he’ll be an excellent Starter.  I can tell you this:  Josh Lindblom WILL BE pitching for the Dodgers at some point THIS year!  (another Indiana Boy)

Does it worry you that Ramon Troncoso has a 7.94 Spring ERA?

Ramon Ortiz and Josh  Towers pitch today…

Camelback Minor League Facility

When I first heard that  the Dodgers would leave Vero Beach and move to Camelback Ranch, I knew that it was the end of an era, and that there would never in a million years be another place like Dodgertown.  Sadly and happily, I was right!  Dodgertown was a mythical place, where dreams were made and legends were galvanized.  Dodgertown, Florida was a place where you could hear and feel the ghosts of  the Walters, Campy, Gil, Jackie, Don and Branch dancing in the mid-afternoon humid breeze.  It really wasn’t Dodgertown in the later years, as it evolved into ”Lasordaville”.  

Tommy was god in Vero Beach, and when the Dodgers left, the ghosts left along with Tommy.  Camelback Ranch is much bigger and so much more than Tommy Lasorda, not that  Tommy isn’t still bigger than life (in more ways than one).  I didn’t feel the ghosts last year (maybe they were still flying in, or maybe they just wanted to check the place out first), but this year, as I walked the paths to the minor league complex, I again heard the ghosts of  the Walters, Campy, Gil, Jackie, Branch, Don and all the others dancing in the mid-afternoon Arizona sun.  They were there – I felt them!  This was their new home.

The Camelback Ranch facility, while it is not “Dodgertown”  is a spectacular tribute to the Dodgers Player Development Commitment.  It is not just a Spring Training Complex, but is a year-round rehab, training and nerve center for the Dodgers Minor League Operations.   Part of the reason, the ghosts of Dodgers past, are dancing in the Arizona sun is because of who is in charge of the Dodgers Farm System – De Jon Watson.  De Jon has been with the Dodgers for four years and his official title is Assistant General Manager – Player Development. 

De Jon Watson at his Office in Camelback Ranch

De Jon is a busy guy,  Among his responsibilities are:

• Developing and evaluating all players in the Dodgers minor league system
• Appointing all minor league managers and coaching staffs
• Appointing all coordinators and instructors
• Overseeing winter league participation
• Overseeing Latin American player development
• Overseeing the relationship between the minor league clubs and the Dodgers
• Overseeing all minor league transactions
• Advising Ned Colletti on Major League acquisitions and 40-man roster moves
• Being husband of one and father to three

You Can't Help But Get His Point

So, a typical day for him is 12-14 hours long, especially during the Spring.  He travels most of the season to all the minor league affiliates, and while he maintains offices in Dodger Stadium and Camelback Ranch, his usual office is a hotel room.  De Jon is obviously very bright, well-spoken, articulate and easy in his manner, but a guy I don’t think you want to cross.  One thing that jumps out immediately to me is his passion for what he does.  You can hear it, see it and feel it with every breath.   I made the mistake of calling Great Lakes “Low A” and Inland Empire “High A.”   De Jon set the record straight, and you could see his passion (and the fire in his eyes) as he explained that the Dodgers don’t differentiate between high A and low A, but feel they are both on the same level.  The California League may have more hitting but the Mid West League has better pitching.  He explained that he doesn’t feel there’s a difference between the two leagues, so if a player jumps from Great Lakes to Chattanooga he is not considered to be bypassing a step – both are A ball.  End of story!

De Jon has helped implement a mentorship program whereby younger Spanish-speaking players are paired with an older player who speaks good English.  The Dodgers start this even at Campo La Palmas in Santo Domingo, so that as the players develop they learn the English language and are able to easily communicate with anyone by the time they are at AA or AAA.  

Look at the Passion is His Eyes

Not only is the Dodgers facility focused on physical development of the players, but De Jon sees the value the mental aspect of the game and actively tries to improve the mental performance of each players through the use of psychologists, and last season, an Aikido Master.  Aikido training is mental as well as physical, emphasizing the ability to relax the mind and body even under the stress of dangerous situations. 

That De Jon has such passion for his job bodes well for the Dodgers.  His eyes light up as he talks about the youngsters from Odgen – Jerry Sands, Angelo Songco and Brian Cavazos-Galvez.  His eyes flashed when asked why Blake DeWitt didn’t have a great season statistically “He was sent up and down seven times!” 

A few other insights from De Jon:

• Ethan Martin and Nate Eavoldi will have the restraints lifted this year
• Martin may be at AA
• Pedro Baez can be a very good (not great) player
  

  De Jon Making Sure You Get His Point - I did!

• On whether Josh Lindblom will start or relieve:  “He’s in major league camp – I can’t say anything until he’s [mine].”

De Jon believes in giving youngsters all the tools they need to develop, and his passion to help them develop is what drives the Dodgers Farm System.  I have a feeling that the best years are yet to come.   Imagine what he could do if Logan White would draft him better players (that’s a joke)!

DODGER UPDATES:

The View From The Coaches Tower of the Minor League Games

• Jamie Hoffman was returned to the Dodgers by the Yanks who took him in Rule 5 (as I suspected).  This is the second time the Dodgers almost lost him.  Is he back for good?    The Dodgers should be much better at AAA.
• Some Dodger Brass feel that Charlie Haeger cannot pitch in Arizona or Colorado because of the “air” (their explanation of why he isn’t having a good spring).  If that is true, how can he play for a team in the NL West?  If that is true, why is Haeger still on the team?  On one hand, Torre praises him, but on the other hand he won’t pitch him in Colorado or outside in Arizona.  Go figure.
• Russ Martin was hit on the arm or wrist by a pitch today and is sore, but allegedly OK.
• Some Angel fans was heckling Tommy and in Classic Tommieese, he said ” The only Angels are in Heaven and they are all Ex-Dodgers.  The __________________ Angels are in Anaheim, how can they be called the Los Angeles Angels?”
• SHOCK – Angel Berroa released!  What took them so long?
• Joe Torre says he will name the Opening Day Stater on Thursday … and LAdodgerTalk.com will be there.
• Through the grapevine, I have gathered that the Dodgers are really pissed at Belisario and will “punish” him by keeping him in Arizona for a few weeks followed by a few week at AAA.  We’ll see if they do that or need him sooner….

Morning Minor League Game:

• Lucas May hit an opposite field blast off of Alberto Bastardo that got out in a hurry…
• Charlie Haeger pitched 5 or 6 innings (maybe more – I left early) and dominated A and AA players.  It’s hard to tell how good he was because of the competition he faced.

Today’s Game at Camelback Ranch:

1. DeWitt 2B
2. Blake 3B
3. Ethier  RF
4. Ramirez  LF
5. Loney  1B
6. Anderson  DH
7. Hu  SS
8. Repko  CF
9. Monasterios  P

My sources tell me that Manny Ramirez checked into Camelback Ranch one day BEFORE the pitchers and catchers were to report. 

For whatever you think about Manny Ramirez, he is a hard worker and his early arrival (way early) bodes well for the Dodgers upcoming season. 

Without saying a word, he is making a statement: “I’m Serious About Winning This Year!”

He's Here!

I made my plans and got my tickets yesterday for Camelback Ranch.  I will be there on March 20th through March 27th.  My wife and son will be flying in on the 25th to see the last 3 games with me.  I haven’t gotten the away game tickets, but I’ll work on that next week.  It’s going to be a great Spring Training.   Like Roger mentioned last week, there seems to be gloom and doom by lots of commenters on this board, but that is not a concept shared by most of the national media (which worries me). 

Ride Manny Ride

There is a Mini-Camp in late January at Camelback and I was going to have Rory (Badger) cover it, but after talking with Josh Rawitch, it looks like there will be no media.  Maybe Badger can rent a helicoptor and fly around taking pictures for us. 

Voldomer will be there from March 8-13 and has said that he will provide updates and photos as well.  Badger lives near there, so hopefully he can do the same.

I plan to have LA LodgerTalk T-Shirts available by the End of January – stay tuned, because they will be VERY COOL!   At a very good price I might add….

Some fans have asked which young players have the best chance of making the team.  Here’s my list (in no particular order):

• Josh Lindblom (middle relief)
• Xavier Paul  (4th OF) – This guy has a bat with a lot of pop (great “gap” power) and the best arm in the organization. 
• Carlos Monasterios  (5th Starter) – He has looked good in the Winter League
• Armando Zerpa (middle relief) – Just because he’s LH and they have to keep him or lose him.
• Brent Leach (middle relief) – We have already seen that he has good stuff… and he’s LH
• Travis Schlichting (middle relief) – See Brent Leach, but he’s not LH

Jon Link, Chin-lung Hu, Scott Elbert (who may not be rookies), Jason Repko and AJ Ellis also have a crack at making the team.

Several sources have reported that Jason Repko signed a $500,000.00 deal with the Dodgers to avaoid arbitration.   Just a few weeks ago, most bloggers were saying that he would be “non-tendered.” 

Below is the Spring Training Schedule

LOS ANGELES – The 2009 National League West Division Champion Los Angeles and begin their 2010 Cactus League schedule on Friday, March 5 playing against  the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, the teams’ Spring Training ballpark inaugurated last year in Glendale, AZ.

The Dodgers are currently scheduled to play 27 Spring Training games in 2010, including 15 at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Los Angeles will play each of its NL West opponents – Arizona, Colorado, San Diego, and San Francisco – this spring. Games will also include the spring opener versus the White Sox on March 5, and two additional games on March 6 and March 17 at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. The Dodgers will play against the Chicago Cubs in Mesa on March 7 and at Camelback Ranch-Glendale on March 18. The Dodgers will play Freeway Series rival Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on March 15 in Tempe, March 22 at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, April 2 in Anaheim, and April 3 at Dodger Stadium. Read the full story