Like the Gold Glove award, this one is pretty easy.
There were six players who made their major league debuts this season: Ronald Belisario, Brent Leach, Travis Schlichting, Xavier Paul, Mitch Jones, and Jamie Hoffmann.
Paul, Jones, and Hoffman had 14, 13, and 22 at-bats, respectively. Which means they were pretty insignificant during the season.
And talking about insignificant this season: Schlichting pitched 2.2 innings in 2 games this season.
Which leaves us with Brent Leach and Ronald Belisario.
Leach did have a pretty effective month and a half with the team during the season. Unfortunately, he was with the team for three months.
Meanwhile, Belisario appeared in 69 games and posted a 2.04 ERA. He was even a nominee for the "J's Dodger Blog 2009 Reliever of the Year" award. I mean, come on. This one was a run-away.
So, congratulations to Ronald Belisario, the "J's Dodger Blog 2009 Rookie of the Year."
Award season continues at J's Dodger Blog, as we move on to Reliever of the Year. There are four big candidates for this prestigious award.
And the nominees are:
George Sherrill
-Ok, granted, Sherrill only pitched in 27.2 innings for the Dodgers. But what a fantastic 27.2 innings those were. A 0.65 ERA! That's two runs. Two runs spread out over thirty games, while holding opponents to a .192 BAA. He also picked up 11 Holds over that span, putting him fourth on the team behind only Hong-Chih Kuo, Troncoso, and Belisario.
Jonathan Broxton
-The big man in his first full season as the Dodgers' closer wasn't bad. He picked up 36 saves over the course of the season, but more impressive are some of his other numbers. Just look at this stuff: 2.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a .165 BAA. Plus: 114 strikeouts in 76.0 innings. Broxton's 114 strikeouts was good for fourth place on the entire team, and he did it in less than half the innings the starters did it in. That's just impressive.
Ramon Troncoso
-Where'd this guy come from?! He debuted in 2008 and posted a 4.26 ERA over 38 innings. It was unimpressive to say the least. Then, suddenly, this year, Troncoso appears in 73 games, pitching 82.2 innings, and posting a 2.72 ERA over that span. That, my friends, is a nice turn around.
Ronald Belisario
-Remember when I asked where Troncoso came from? Remember how I pointed out that he seemingly appeared from nowhere, the depths of mediocrity to become one of our best relievers this season? (I just wrote those things, you better have not forgotten by now.) Anyway, Ronald Belisario looks at Troncoso's surprising rise, and scoffs. MSTI wrote a pretty good piece summarizing the main question people had coming into the season: who the hell is Ronald Belisario?! He's had a sketchy baseball past to say the least, and his career stats weren't promising, so, it really is quite odd that Belisario posted a 2.04 ERA in 69 games for us this season. I mean, come on, those are some pretty great stats for a guy who almost literally came from nowhere.
...and the winner is...
Jonathan Broxton.
Sherrill was good, but didn't make enough impact over the full season. Belisario and Troncoso were both surprisingly excellent, but both suffered from fatigue late in the season, and saw their stats start to slide.
That's not to say Broxton didn't have his own struggles as well, but darn if I can't ignore how good his numbers are. 114 strikeouts?! A 0.96 WHIP?! Those numbers ain't right!
Unfortunately for Broxton, most people choose to ignore how great he was this year and focus on the blown saves. And yes, a closer's job is to get saves, but I think Broxton suffers for people's selective memories.
I mean, Broxton did pick up two big saves this postseason, but in the end, all people will remember is the one blown one.
Ultimately, that is part of being a closer. You are the easiest person to blame because your failures are so memorable and take place with you positioned on center stage.
That's why, I propose this to all Dodger fans, or baseball fans in general. Don't make any decisions on the team after a blown save. Those blown saves are the hardest to take, and you are often so emotionally charged after the game that your opinions and views are skewed. Take a couple of deep breaths, wait a couple days, then revisit it.
...that's why I'm rewarding Broxton with this award. Because if you step back from the emotion of the blown save and just look at Broxton's numbers, you realize how very good he was this year.
So, for all that, Jonathan Broxton is the "J's Dodger Blog 2009 Reliever of the Year."
Alright folks, there's your first half. No week recap this week. Instead, we'll take a look back at the first half.
And what better way to do that than with a little HOT, COLD, or ROOM TEMPERATURE?
We'll start with pitchers:
COLD:
- Will Ohman - 1-0, 5 HLDs (21 games), 5.84 ERA (8 ER in 12.1 IP), 4 HRs - I was totally for the Ohman signing when it happened near the end of Spring Training. I thought he could be a helpful lefty out of the pen, I thought he could eat a few innings. I thought wrong. Ohman stunk. He gave almost a hit per inning, and more walks than strikeouts. And way too many homeruns per innings pitched. In any case, Ohman now sits on the DL and it's unknown when he'll be back. Though frankly, it's become a moot point anyway.
- Hiroki Kuroda - 3-5 (10 games, 9 starts), 4.67 ERA (28 ER in 54.0 IP) - Yeah, this was the guy that started Opening Day for us. Well, unfortunatly, that's all he started for us until June. And since that return in June, he's been sub-par. He did have two quality starts, peaking with a 8.2 IP, 2 ER, 9 K performance against the White Sox on June 23rd. But, since that point, his starts have gotten progressively shorter, and his ERA continues to rise. His stats aren't too bad (less hits than innings pitched, and a better than 3:1 K to BB ratio) but he's just giving up runs. Here's to hoping for a better second half for a guy who's supposed to be our 2nd or 3rd starter.
- Cory Wade - 2-3, 7 HLDs(27 games), 5.53 ERA (17 ER in 27.2 IP) - Talk about a fall from grace. Cory Wade was going to be our setup guy for our setup guy this year. Simply put, he hasn't been. He's in a bad position for a guy who throws the way he does. He relies on movement of pitches and placement of pitches. The pitches aren't finding the zone enough (less than 2:1 K to BB) and when they do, he's getting hit too often (28 hits in 27.2 IP). Luckily for the Dodgers, other pitchers have stepped up and filled Troncoso's role (more on that later).
ROOM TEMPERATURE:
- Guillermo Mota - 3-2 (38 games), 3.51 ERA (16 ER in 41.0 IP) - Mota has had two seasons in one. Before May 18th Season: 15 games, 9.00 ERA. After May 18th Season: 23 games, 0.35 ERA. Yeah. What In The World?! I've always been indifferent to Mota, and I still am. I won't deny how excellent he's been these last two months, but do I trust him? No. Do I want him in, in big pressure sitations? No. But if I can have it so the 12th guy out of the bullpen for the Dodgers has a mid-3.00 ERA then I'll be a happy man.
- Randy Wolf - 4-3 (19 starts), 3.45 ERA (44 ER in 114.2 IP) - Well, Wolf's been consistent to say the least. Over his 19 starts, he's averaging 6.0 IP a start, about 2.5 ER, and about 4.5 Ks. And really, if you take a look at his game log, most of his starts are around that area. Some are better, a few are worse, but really, most are about the same. It's ok, not great, though I suppose it's what you want out of your number four starter. And consistancy is nice in many ways.
HOT:
- Ronald Belisario - 1-3, 10 HLDs, (43 games), 2.42 ERA (13 ER in 48.1 IP) - Belisario has been solid as the 7th inning guy a good portion of this year. Unfortunately, he might have been used too much, too fast. He's on the DL now, indefinitely, and that could spell some trouble for us in the near future.
- Ramon Troncoso - 3-0, 5 SVs, 8 HLDs (41 games), 1.75 ERA (11 ER in 56.2 IP) - For a guy who was pretty much an afterthought last year, he's really established himself as an excellent setup man this year. And honestly, it's surprising how he does it. He gives up a lot of hits and a lot of walks. But he's been getting the well timed strikeout or double play, and as long as he keeps it up, he'll keep his ERA low.
- Clayton Kershaw - 7-5 (18 starts), 3.16 ERA (35 ER in 99.2 IP), 99 Ks - Kershaw actually leads the starting staff in ERA, and that's due to a recent streak where he has really been locked in. Since June 16th, Kershaw is 4-0 in 6 starts with a 0.76 ERA. Not bad for a 21 year old.
- Jonathan Broxton - 6-0, 20-22 SVs (38 games), 3.10 ERA (14 ER in 40.2 IP), 65 Ks - Broxton has been crazy good this year as the Dodger closer. 65 Ks in 40.2 IP? Crazy. Good. Unfortunately, he's hurting a little bit right now. His toe could be causing him problems, and now there is some talk it could be a year long problem. With Belisario out, and Broxton maybe not at 100%, the bullpen could be in a little trouble.
- Chad Billingsley - 9-4 (19 starts), 3.38 ERA (47 ER in 125.1 IP), 119 Ks - Billingsley has really taken over as ace of the staff. He's been a little up and down recently, but his body of work over the whole year has been fantastic. He's near the top in many of the major statistics in the National League, and for it, he was rewarded with a trip to the All-Star game.
Ok, there's the pitchers. Home Run Derby is tonight.
First Half Recap for Hitters is tomorrow. See you then.
Wow. That was pretty bad.
Seriously, can we all agree this has been the worst week for the Dodgers this entire season?
They started the week pretty good, taking the first game from the White Sox. They then went on to lose the next two games. And with that, they lost their first series in a month.
But they bounced back, by beating the Mariners in their first game on Friday. They then, again, went on to lose their next two games.
And with that, they've lost two series in a row, the first time that has happened this season.
The Dodgers went 2-4 on the week.
Let's do Round 11 of HOT, COLD, or ROOM TEMPERATURE:
COLD:
- Randy Wolf - 0-1 (1 start), 13.50 ERA (5 ER in 3.1 IP), 3 HR - Wolf's start this week was not so much a start as batting practice. He got lit up. Homeruns left and right. Not pretty for a guy who's become our 2nd starter.
- Cory Wade - 0-0 (1 game), 36.00 ERA (4 ER in 1.0 IP), 2 HR - Continuing to build on Wolf's start, Wade came into the game to give even more homeruns. And if getting lit up in a Wolf-like way wasn't bad enough, Wade got demoted to AAA later in the week. I don't know what it is, but there is definitely something missing in Wade's game, and unless he can get it back, there are going to be issues in Wade's immediate future.
- Ronald Belisario - No stats for Belisario this week, just a finger wag. Belisario got picked up early Saturday morning on suspicion of DUI. That is definitely a no-no. Joe Torre has apparently given Belisario a good talking to which I'm glad happened. Drinking and driving is probably one of the stupidest things you can do, and Belisario needs to know that something like this happening again won't be tolerated, regardless of how good he's been this year. I'd hope for some sort of apology from Belisario, but I'll be ok with just a quiet promise to never do anything like this again.
ROOM TEMPERATURE:
- Eric Milton - 0-1 (1 start), 7.20 ERA (4 ER in 5.0 IP), 7 Ks - What are you supposed to make of Milton's start? I was at the game, and frankly, Milton just looked hitable. He'd get two strikes, then leave one over the plate to be whacked. But as bad as that is, Milton settled down and retired the last 8 batters he faced in order. I just can't quite figure out how a guy who got racked in his first trip and a half through the lineup, pitched so well his 2nd and 3rd time through. Just odd.
- Andre Ethier - .167 (3-18), 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 BBs, 5 Ks - Yeah, given the lack of hits Ethier has had this week, he should be "COLD" but how can I bring myself to label a man "COLD" who had a 3-homerun game this week? Answer: I can't.
- Russell Martin - .238 (5-21) 1 2B, 3 BBs, 4 Ks - How's the first week been for the post-leg lift Martin? Eh. Better than some of his recent 1-hit weeks, but still not as good as you'd like to see out of your All-Star catcher.
- Hiroki Kuroda - 1-1 (2 games), 3.60 ERA (6 ER in 15.0 IP), 14 Ks, 0 BBs - Kuroda is in the same boat as Milton. What do you make of his starts this week? Here's a look at the lines: at CHW - 8.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 hits 9 Ks / vs SEA - 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 hits, 5 Ks. That same Chicago offense that ripped up Wolf and Wade was rocked to sleep by Kuroda. His game was even better than his line shows, with one of those runs being some-what of a gimme-run late in the 9th. The Seattle game was ok, but Kuroda had more than a couple innings of shakiness in it with an offense less potent than the White Sox. Again, just odd.
HOT:
- Clayton Kershaw - 1-0 (1 start), 3.00 ERA (2 ER in 6.0 IP), 8 Ks - Kershaw turned in his third straight quality performance, and he's doing it at just the right time. Who'd have thought that at this point, the rest of the starters on the pitching staff would be question marks, and the 21 year old half-rookie would be the most solid starter? As long as he keeps it up, I'm ok.
There we go. Like I said, not a great week for the Dodgers. In fact, a horrible week, with the only real bright side being Kuroda's first start, and Kershaw's start halting our small two-game losing streak. However, that's been followed up with another two-game losing streak.
And now Jim Tracy's red-hot Rockies are coming into town, looking to make up some ground in the NL West race.
If things weren't interesting enough, guess who's coming back at the end of this week just as our offense is dying.
Yeah, things are REALLY going to get interesting.
...and we're back. Took a week off there, but I'm back now and ready to jump into a good old recap.
To start, we swept the Mets in a three game series in Dodger Stadium, and followed that excellent series by losing two out of three to the Angels.
The Dodgers then went into Colorado and swept a three game set there before going into Chicago, where they split a four game weekend series.
The Dodgers went 10-4 over the two weeks.
And with that, let's do Round 7 of HOT, COLD, or ROOM TEMPERATURE:
COLD:
- Jeff Weaver - 0-0 (3 games, 2 starts), 6.23 ERA (6 earned runs in 8.2 innings) - How did Jeff Weaver respond to losing his spot in the rotation? Badly. 1.1 innings, 2 earned runs. 2.1 innings, 3 earned runs. The ERA is rising. Not good.
- Andre Ethier - .189 (7-37), 3 2Bs, 1 RBI, 4 BBs, 6 Ks - The slump continues. One RBI in two weeks isn't good. Here's the good news, Manny's suspension is almost half-way through.
ROOM TEMPERATURE:
- Russell Martin - .250 (12-48), 3 2Bs, 5 RBIs, 5 BBs, 7 Ks, 2 SBs - Martin was showing some signs of life for a little bit, but he's gone back average-ness. Oddly enough, he's still probably in the top 5 catchers in the National League.
- Rafael Furcal - .294 (10-34), 2 2Bs, 1 RBI, 3 runs, 5 BBs, 4 Ks - He's hitting a little better, but he's still hovering around .250 for the season. His OPS on the season is .613, not pretty.
HOT:
- Ronald Belisario - 0-0 (7 games), 1.04 ERA (1 earned run in 8.2 innings) - Belisario had a pretty good week, but what I like to do is give people credit when they've been consistently good all year. Belisario has been a workhorse in the pen, and a quality workhorse at that. Here's to hoping he keeps it up.
- James Loney - .333 (18-54), 4 2Bs, 11 RBIs, 7 runs, 2 SBs - Loney has really been knocking them in these last few weeks, without the use of the homerun. That means he's coming through a lot when given the opportunity. And that's good for us.
- Matt Kemp - .360 (18-50), 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 8 runs, 4 SBs - Kemp flashed a little power this last series with the Cubs. He's definitely got the potential to hit a ton of homerun, but his patience needs a little work. His over-agression at the plate does cost him a little (10 Ks in 50 at-bats).
- Juan Pierre - .316 (18-57), 10 runs, 2 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 8 RBIs, 3-4 SBs - Pierre is not playing out of this world like he has been (He's 1 for his last 13) but he's still contributing with a nice mix of RBIs and runs scored.
- Casey Blake - .389 (14-36), 5 2Bs, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 6 runs, 5 walks - Blake has had some hamstring issues the last week or so, so he has missed a few games, but in the time he has played, he's made an impact.
- Randy Wolf - 1-0 (3 starts), 3.00 ERA (7 earned runs in 21.0 innings), 13 Ks - Wolf hasn't had his best stretch these last couple weeks, but this "HOT" is awarded in part for his week, but more for the year. When we got Wolf, I was just expecting him to be a nice number four starter, but he's really turned into a solid number two guy behind Billingsley. His 3-1 record doesn't nearly reflect how good he's really been.
Alrighty then, Dodgers are back home for a 9 game homestand. First game is tonight against the D-Backs.
I'm feeling good about this.
So, remember everything good I talked about in yesterday's game?
That didn't happen in today's game (well, most of it didn't).
Our hitting wasn't really there. Other than a 4th inning, two run scoring rally, there wasn't much else to speak of, offense wise.
And the starting pitching wasn't really there. Randy Wolf gave up four earned runs in 5.1 innings.
On the bright side, the bullpen continued a second day of excellence. Ronald Belisario and Will Ohman had a scoreless inning each. Guillermo Mota allowed an inherited runner to score but didn't allow much further damage.
Overall, it was a really... meh... game. A loss. A lame loss.
A "We're two games into the season and the offense was asleep today" kinda game.
It's a marathon, not a sprint, right guys?
Two down, 160 to go. A 1-1 record.
We're off to a flying start...
