2020 Onyx Vintage Baseball - Luis Rodriguez gets his First Baseball Card

Onyx Authenticated just released their first Baseball card set of the year and it includes several high-end Dodger prospects. In fact, it has one ballplayer who is slated to start at second base for the 'Big Club' once the season gets underway (Gavin Lux) and a youngster who was just signed his first professional contract with the Dodgers this past June (Luis Rodriguez). Go here to see a complete checklist.

BTW, this set includes the very first professional baseball card for Luis Rodriguez. As you may know, he was signed by the club in June 2019 during the international signing period, is 17-year old and is from Venezuela. He garnered a $2,667,500 deal and is regarded as a pure hitter. Per and MLB.com prospect report:

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60
Rodriguez is the best overall player from Venezuela in the class of 2019. He's a pure hitter and natural athlete with solid baseball instincts across the board. He is also known for his physically projectable body and easy actions on defense and at the plate. 

Rodriguez has sound approach in the batter's box and has shown the ability to use all fields with consistent and hard contact. There's a nice rhythm and balance to his swing and although he's primarily a line drive hitter now, there have been flashes of power and it could increase as he develops. He has impressed scouts by performing well against pitchers throwing 93 mph to 95 mph during workouts and showcases. 

Rodriguez is a quality defender in center field now and he makes all of the plays, but it's uncertain if that's where he will stay because he's not a plus runner. He developed his game in the youth leagues of Venezuela and has a high baseball IQ.

I'm excited to see how he develops. Check out all the Dodger cards below.

Base

#OVGL - Gavin Lux

Blog Kiosk: 4/23/2020 - Dodgers Links & news - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun UP press photo, dated 8/7/1952, of a pregame event for a former Dodger -- Leo Durocher. (eBay auction link)

Wreathed in Smiles... New York: Giant manager Leo Durocher (right) smiles as he bears the easy weight of a huge floral wreath presented to him at the polo grounds, Aug. 7, while Dodger pilot Chick Dressen looks on. Durocher, who holds a plaque given to him by the Section-5 Club, received honors and gifts in a give-away program, as New York met the Brooklyn squad in a night game, the third and last of their current series. Brooklyn won the contest, 7-5.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1946 Dodgers righty Ed Head threw a no-hitter against the Boston Braves, 5-0. He said after the game: “I knew I had it all the time – don’t ask me how, but I knew it.” (boxscore) It was his first appearance after returning from the military. In 1958 Dodger first baseman Gil Hodges hit his 300th career home run on the same day that Pee Wee Reese played his 2,000th career game. In 1999 Cardinals third baseman Fernando Tatis becomes the first player in MLB history to hit two grand slams in one inning when he did it against Chan Ho Park at Dodger Stadium, 12-2. You can watch it here.
• Happy Birthday, James Mulvey, Dolph Camilli, Bob O'Brien & Andruw Jones!