Tim Rogers
The Dodgers played in a pretty sloppy game with the Mariners tonight, March 11th. The Dodgers walked seven batters before former top prospect, Tony Gonsolin, came in to retire the last nine batters in a row. The lineup only had one prospect in Zach McKinstry with Gerardo Carrillo scheduled to pitch. However, the rain had its’ own say in the pitching as the game did not go as long as planned. So, Carrillo did not get to pitch.
During the game, three Dodgers prospects got hits and none were really hit that hard. Kody Hoese, Sheldon Neuse, and Zach McKinstry all singled. The hits were all old-school kind of dunkers where contact was the skill, not power.
In limited plate appearances, Hoese is 2 for 5, Neuse is 6 for 15 and McKinstry is 5 for 14. They are all making a tremendous impression. Neuse is really starting to grow on us as he keeps showing more and more. I believe he was a little uncomfortable at the start of the exhibition season as he is new to most of the players. Let’s not forget about his strong arm either.
Andrew Friedman is definitely asking Sheldon Neuse if he can pitch after watching this throw pic.twitter.com/Q9fTbf7bht
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) March 4, 2021
I still believe McKinstry has the inside track for a roster spot but is Neuse making a case also?
Final Thoughts
The Dodgers play the Indians tomorrow, March 12th at 12:05 PM PST (blah!). I hope Carrillo gets a chance to pitch since he did not get in today due to the rain. I think both McKinstry and Neuse make it out of Arizona with a chance to be on the Opening Day roster.
