Tim Rogers
The Dodgers faced off against the Rockies today, March 15th. Before the game, there were a bunch of cuts made that left 45 players in Major League camp. Obviously, it is a sign that the season is getting closer and we’ll be seeing less and less of our prospects. Zach McKinstry started in center field for the Dodgers with pitchers Nick Robertson and Gus Varland scheduled to pitch. Regretfully, Robertson warmed up a couple of times but never got into the game.
Zach McKinstry is doing all he can to make the Opening Day roster. Today he singled and hit his first home run of the spring. His batting average is now .421 and he continues to play all over the field. It will be a shock if he doesn’t make the team but there are plenty of deserving players.
Elliot Soto, still a rookie at the age of 31, continues to impress me. Today, Soto had a single and a double while playing shortstop after Corey Seager left the game. He will likely start in Triple-A but he could make his way to Dodger Stadium at some point.
Elliot Soto doubles (1) on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Vilade.
Top of the 8th | 0 outs#LADvsCOL
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) March 15, 2021
James Outman smashed a triple in the 9th inning and then closed out the game with a diving catch in right field. Outman is an excellent athlete and the Dodgers place a premium on athleticism. I’m curious what will be the minor league level he ends up with to begin the season. In 2019 he was at Low-A with Great Lakes. Double-A would be the safe bet, but Triple-A would not surprise me.
DODGERS SCORE!
James Outman triples (1) on a sharp line drive to right fielder Yonathan Daza. Ryan Noda scores. Elliot Soto scores.Dodgers: 12
Rockies: 3Top of the 9th | 2 outs#LADvsCOL
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) March 15, 2021
It was nice to see Ryan Noda get his first hit of the exhibition season. If you recall he was the player-to-be-named-later in the Ross Stripling trade. The transaction was finalized on February 23rd and he was given an invitation to Major League camp. He seems destined for Double-A ball in Tulsa. We shall see.
Ryan Noda singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Vilade.
Top of the 9th | 2 outs#LADvsCOL
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) March 15, 2021
Final Thoughts
It was great to see some of these prospects break out in the later innings. Sheldon Neuse hit a ball that looked great off the bat but was caught near the warning track in center field. We know the Dodgers value power and if anyone can show more these last couple of weeks, it could make a difference. Right now, players like McKinstry and Neuse are making strong cases to be on the Major League roster. Nobody is going to get a spot just because there is an opening. They will have earned it.
Tomorrow, the Dodgers play the Brewers at 1:05 PM PST. Both Clayton Kershaw and Trevor Bauer will be pitching. That sounds like must-watch television.
