Welcome to the weekly Dodgers roundup. Here, we reflect on the week, hand out some awards, and discuss how the season is shaping up.
Pitcher of the Week
Tyler Glasnow (2 starts, 15 innings, 1 run allowed, 3-0 season record, 2.45 ERA)
The Dodgers have been buzzing about Yoshinobu Yamamoto since the previous postseason, considering him possibly one of the finest pitchers out there. Throughout spring, there was speculation about whether Shohei Ohtani would return to full-time pitching and make a run for the Cy Young Award.
This week, however, another pitcher from the Dodgers’ rotation made his mark in the early-season Cy Young conversation.
Tyler Glasnow shouldn’t be overlooked after delivering a standout performance against Colorado, allowing just one run over seven innings, followed by eight scoreless innings against San Francisco.
“For me, he’s going to be part of that conversation,” said manager Dave Roberts. “It’ll be fun to watch him this year.”
This season, Glasnow appears to have made both mental and tactical improvements. On April 17, he faced frigid temperatures in his first career outing at the notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field.
“You don’t feel great every time out,” Roberts shared. “Stress is inevitable, and you must be prepared for that. I think he’s really developed a mental resilience.”
Moreover, Glasnow has made significant changes to his pitch mix. Previously, he had moved away from his two-seam fastball, but it has now become crucial in making him tougher to hit.
In his recent game against the Giants, Glasnow threw the two-seamer 46 times, matching a career high from his time with the Pirates back in 2017.
He mentioned that the pitch’s effectiveness comes down to feel; he finds a sinker more comfortable than the usual four-seam fastball, adding a new dynamic to how hitters prepare against him. “It gives them so much more to cover,” he explained.
Player of the Week
Max Muncy (.462 batting average, 4 home runs, 5 RBIs this week)
While many of the Dodgers’ star hitters struggled this week, Max Muncy found his groove. He had 12 hits in 26 at-bats, including four home runs, two doubles, four walks, and only four strikeouts, resulting in an impressive .981 OPS as the third-best in the National League heading into Friday’s game.
“When you’re in the zone with your swing, the results follow,” Muncy commented, noting that he’s made various mechanical adjustments throughout the season. “It’s about finding consistency and believing in the process.”
His performance wasn’t just impressive at the plate; his contributions on defense and the base paths stood out too.
The 35-year-old was the only player, aside from DH Ohtani, to start in all seven games of the road trip, which included a tough four-game stretch at high altitude in Denver—a feat acknowledged by Roberts and teammate Miguel Rojas.
“It’s challenging to play here, but he handled it well,” Rojas noted. “He played exceptional defense.”
Muncy’s defensive stats have shone brightly this season, and he ranks fifth among third basemen in runs allowed. His quickness was also highlighted during a play where he scored due to an aggressive call from third-base coach Dino Eber. His average sprint speed has notably improved this year, reaching a pace of 27.5 feet per second, his best since 2019.
This Week’s Outlook
Kendall George (.377 batting average, .898 OPS, 12 stolen bases in Double-A this year)
Have you heard about Chandler Simpson’s impressive performance with the Rays? Well, the Dodgers might have their own potential star on the rise.
Meet Kendall George, recognized as the fastest player in the organization.
A first-round draft pick in 2023, George came into the league with some concerns about his swing. However, he’s now thriving offensively, boasting a .377 average at Double-A Tulsa, allowing him to showcase his speed. Last year, he astonishingly stole 100 bases at High-A Great Lakes.
Clips of George’s plays are quickly becoming the highlights of the Dodgers’ minor league system. He’s putting more consistent force into his hits, combining his speed with a promising lineup of outfield prospects eyeing the majors in the near future.
This Week’s Future Dodger
(Speculating on possible future acquisitions for the Dodgers)
Riley O’Brien, RHP, Cardinals (ETA: August)
With Edwin Diaz out, acquiring an elite reliever could be seen as a luxury for the Dodgers right now. Diaz had a minor procedure done but is expected to return after the All-Star break. Once postseason play begins, the Dodgers might find themselves relying on notable pitchers like Roki Sasaki and have a roster that includes Glasnow and Ohtani making occasional relief appearances.
But could the Dodgers use another reliever?
With the Padres nearing a record sale of $3.9 billion, it seems unlikely they will be looking to offload players like Mason Miller. Yet, the rebuilding Cardinals may have a strong pitching reliever available. O’Brien, a 31-year-old who emerged last year with a 2.06 ERA in 42 games, has displayed formidable skills, converting every one of his save chances thus far this season.
While O’Brien is under club control until 2030, the package needed for his acquisition could be steep. However, given the Cardinals’ rebuilding efforts, they might entertain trade discussions for a valuable prospect package. The Dodgers have a solid farm system, but trading prospects for a reliever might seem daunting—unless circumstances, like Tanner Scott reverting to previous form, make it necessary.
I Have One Big Question
When will Shohei Ohtani make a move?
This season, there’s been a lot of chatter around Kyle Tucker’s unusually aggressive approach at the plate. Meanwhile, Ohtani seems to be mimicking this concerning trend.
As of Friday, Ohtani was at .245, with his five home runs and an OPS over .800. However, a noticeable lack of discipline at the plate is affecting his overall performance.
During the Giants series, he struggled significantly, with just one hit in 13 at-bats, striking out five times without any walks.
The Giants successfully exploited a weakness in his batting by forcing him to chase pitches low and away.
“Hitting in the lower strike zone is challenging for him,” Roberts noted. “If we can help him get back to his usual self and swing at the right pitches, I think he’ll bounce back.”
Considering Mookie Betts is expected to miss at least another week, the Dodgers will be counting on Ohtani to find his form, especially with the other key starters like Teoscar Hernandez and Dalton Rushing rounding into shape.
“We always have high expectations for Shohei,” Roberts quipped. And given the current situation, those expectations seem quite reasonable.
