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Sunday, March 01, 2015

Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Full –Squad Workout #4


Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

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(Clayton Kershaw, pic via Juan Ocampo on the Dodgers twitter)

MARCH MADNESS: The Dodgers held their fourth full-squad workout of 2015, working on cutoffs
and relays in addition to taking batting practice. J.P. Howell, Dustin McGowan, Yimi Garcia, Zach Lee, David Aardsma, Pedro Baez, Mike Bolsinger, Chris Anderson, Paco Rodriguez, Chris Reed and Julio Urias threw live batting practice, while Erik Bedard, Juan Nicasio, Brett Anderson, Carlos Frias, Sergio Santos, Adam Liberatore and Josh Ravin tossed regular bullpens.
    (Urias pitching, pic via Vassegh on twitter)
  • Urias’ live pitching session drew the attention of media, team executives and even Sandy Koufax as the 18-year-old held his own against fellow prospects O’Koyea Dickson, Joc Pederson and Alex Guerrero in addition to veteran big leaguer Chris Heisey.

THROWN INTO THE FIRE: Dodger Manager Don Mattingly announced yesterday that left-hander Erik Bedard would start the Dodgers’ first Cactus League game on Wednesday, March 4 vs. the White Sox at Camelback Ranch- Glendale. Bedard and the rest of the Dodger starters are scheduled for 2.0 innings their first time around. 2014 National League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw is expected to make his first Cactus League start the following day, Thursday, March 5 against the White Sox.

SUNDAY CONVERSATION(S): The national spotlight was on Camelback Ranch this morning as ESPN’s SportsCenter broadcasted live from Glendale, featuring interviews with Dodger President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, Clayton Kershaw, Jimmy Rollins, Howie Kendrick and Don Mattingly. In addition, Maury Wills held a bunting clinic with former big leaguer Mark Mulder, who joined SportsCenter anchor Sara Walsh and Tim Kurkjian at the helm of the network’s coverage.
(Rollins and Kendrick being interviewed for Sports Center, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

NEWEST DODGER: Earlier today, the Dodgers signed right-handed reliever Mike Adams to a minor league contract with an invite to big league camp. The 36-year-old was limited to just 22 games last year with Philadelphia due to right rotator cuff inflammation and went 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA. The 10-year big league veteran has a 21-20 record in 408 career appearances and since 2004, he ranks among MLB relievers (min. 400.0 IP) in ERA (2.41, 4th), opponents’ batting average (.210, 11th), WHIP (1.09, 9th), strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.25, 12th) and holds (150, T-7th).
  • Adams will wear No. 0 and would become the second-ever Dodger to wear the uniform number, joining outfielder/first baseman Al Oliver (1985).

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES: On this date in 2009, the Dodgers played their first-ever game at Camelback Ranch against the White Sox. The facility continues to undergo changes as more fan-friendly enhancements are made each year, including a life-sized Tommy Lasorda bobblehead, a new scoreboard on the Dodger replica field, All-Star panels on the legends walk, a LA logo sculpture and large, autographed baseballs paying tribute to the club’s MVPs that were added for 2015. In addition, the stadium at Camelback Ranch will showcase the retired numbers of Pee Wee Reese, Lasorda, Duke Snider, Jim Gilliam, Don Sutton, Walter Alston, Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson and Don Drysdale in left field. 
(Koufax signing for fans, pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

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Sunday Dodger Videos: Just Some Fun

Here are this Sunday's Dodger videos.

Check out Brent Batchelor's "Dodgers 2015 World Series Champions" music video.  A rap to make you smile.

Video Link:

Here's something fun.  Check out a fun compilation of Vine videos featuring the Dodgers.

Video Link:

Here's a short video of Clayton Kershaw's live batting practice from yesterday. 
Video Link:

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
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Blog Kiosk: 3/1/2015 - Dodger Links - Scully, Grandal and Ryu


The Fordham University Baseball team is in town for a weekend series against USC.  Naturally, '49 alumni Vin Scully took some time to welcome them.  The above photo is from Friday, via Fordham Athletics on twitter.  BTW, Fordham has not faired so well against the Trojans.  They lost to them on Friday and Saturday; 3-2, 4-3.  They'll play their last game this afternoon at 1:00 PM at Dedeaux Field; weather permitting.

Below are some more links to check out:


"I like what I see and what I hear from him," Yeager said. "It takes time to gain the respect of the pitching staff and teammates whenever a catcher comes from somewhere else, but some of them already know him. In the old Dodger tradition, we've welcomed him with open arms. He has come in with a good attitude; you don't have to go looking for him. He's right there, ready to go to work."
By 2014, Ryu was more confident, more aware that he could dominate MLB competition without nibbling. He kept the ball in his locations (almost always away), but now threw over the outside corner instead of just beyond it. His first pitch strike % went up almost 3 points from 59.1 to 61.7; his zone % from 43.4 to 44.9, and his zone swing % naturally saw an increase from 62.1 to 64.0, yet his zone contact % stayed exactly the same; the end result, of course, was that his whiff rate increased from 8.1% to 8.8%. 

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
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