Dodgers Third Pick of 2019 Draft - 78th Overall - Jimmy Lewis

With the Dodgers third pick of Day 1 (and the final pick of the day) they chose prep righty Jimmy Lewis from Lake Travis High School (Austin, Texas). He was the 78th overall pick -- a second round compensation pick for losing Yasmani Grandal to free agency. Lewis a 6'6", 18-years old and has a lively arm. Per Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“He developed into one of our favorite right-hand high school pitchers,” Gasparino said. “He’s 6–6, 200 pounds. It’s lean, it’s lanky. We feel like he took a huge jump in coordination and his ability to repeat his delivery. He has two plus pitches, 91–95. He locates down in the zone. The curveball is plus. We think he can really spin it, command it and execute it well. We love the kid’s makeup, work ethic. His dad (Jim) played in the minor leagues up to Triple-A. We love the family. It’s a nice, tight-knit group who has really raised a good kid who we think really mirrors the culture we have here.”

2019 Topps Now - #323 - Walker Buehler

Walker Buehler had a perfect game yesterday until he yielded a solo home run to Diamondbacks infielder Christian Walker in the fourth inning. For his fantastic start and even better ending Topps has released a new Topps Now card of him. Go here to check it out and order. Per Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com:

“He’s a good hitter,” Buehler said. “I remember watching college games and I knew who Christian Walker was with South Carolina. I’ll tip my hat to a good hitter.”

Below is what's written on the reverse:

Walker Buehler came out firing by retiring the first 14 batters he faced and striking out seven batters in that span. Buehler finished his night with eight innings, allowing just two hits and one run. The right-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 win over the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Dodgers Second Pick of 2019 Draft - 31st Overall - Michael Busch

With the Dodgers second pick on Monday, 31st overall, they chose another college bat in University of North Carolina infielder Michael Busch. The Dodgers announced him as a second baseman, but he mostly played first base this season. Per a Dodger press release:

After making their first pick, the Dodgers added another impact bat in University of North Carolina’s Michael Busch with the 31st overall selection. Busch started all 126 games for the Tar Heels over the past two seasons, batting .304 with 29 home runs and 120 RBI over that stretch while earning All-ACC honors both years. This season, the junior from Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota launched 16 home runs while playing multiple positions in the infield and the outfield. The left-handed hitter, who was scouted by Dodgers’ scout Jonah Rosenthal, was also impressive during his stint using wood bats in the Cape Cod League during the summer of 2018, where he posted a .322 batting average and earned All-Cape Cod League honors with the Chatham Anglers. 

“Michael is a guy who we thought was one of the better bats in the Cape, both in terms of performance and swing, as well as overall defensive versatility,” Gasparino said. “He’s been a staple in the UNC program. They rave about his makeup and his character, and we’re excited to add him to our organization.”

Dodgers First Pick of 2019 Draft - 25th Overall - Kody Hoese

Yesterday was Day 1 of the 2019 amateur draft and the Dodgers had three selections on the day. Their first pick of the evening, 25th overall, is Tulane University third baseman Kody Hoese. He stands 6'4" tall, is 200 lbs., bats and throws right-handed and is an 21-years old Junior. Hoese was also drafted last year by the Kansas City Royals in the 35th round -- 1,052 overall -- so he moved up quite a bit in the draft charts. Per a Dodger press release:

This season, Hoese started all 58 games for the Green Wave, posting a slash line of .391/.486/.779 and mashing 23 home runs while recording 61 RBI. The right-handed hitter also demonstrated solid plate discipline in 2019, walking 39 times compared to just 34 strikeouts. 

“Kody’s a guy we earmarked coming out of the fall that we really thought took a jump in both ability and performance. He’s an athletic 6-4, lean-bodied third baseman who we think is a plus defender,” said Dodger Amateur Scouting Director Billy Gasparino. “We thought the power was going to be there, and then he went out and almost hit .400 with over 20 home runs and really showed us that he was a dynamic hitter that can hit with power.”

Blog Kiosk: 6/4/2019 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Walker Buehler was brilliant last night during the Dodgers 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks, but I wanted to take a moment to highlight Kenley Jansen. With his 18th save of the season, he is just 14 saves away from reaching 300 in his career.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2019. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1964 Sandy Koufax threw his third no-hitter of his career. He blanked the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium, 3-0. Overall, he recorded 12 strike outs and allowed just one walk. In 1968 Don Drysdale threw his sixth consecutive shutout of the season, extending his scoreless streak to 54 innings, when he defeated the Pirates, 5-0. This is also the day Robert Kennedy made note of Drysdale's efforts in a speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the CA primary. You can watch that portion of the speech here. Soon thereafter, he would be assassinated. In 1972 the Dodgers retired Roy Campanella's number - #39. In 1998 the Dodgers traded Hideo Nomo to the Mets for Dave Mlicki and Greg McMichael. In 1990 Dodgers ace Ramón Martínez struck out 18 Atlanta batters to defeat the Braves, 2-0. His effort tied a club record for strike outs in a game with Sandy Koufax, and was one short of the Major League record.
• Happy Birthday, Lee Magee, George Watkins & Rick Wilkins!