Dodgers Cut 7 More Players From Big League Camp
The Dodgers continued to make cuts to their big league roster after Monday’s game. Dave Roberts and the coaching staff reassigned several players to minor league camp following a blowout win over the Padres.
The Dodgers have optioned C Keibert Ruiz, IF Zach McKinstry, OFs DJ Peters and Luke Raley and have reassigned RHP Brett de Geus and IFs Jacob Amaya and Omar Estevez to minor league camp. The Spring Training roster is now at 44 (22 pitchers, 22 position players).
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 9, 2020
Keibert Ruiz
Ruiz is likely the Dodgers’ catcher of the future if Will Smith is not already. He logged just ten at-bats this spring and struck out four times. He did not record a single hit after being slow-played to have his swing mechanics worked on early in camp. Ruiz is close to turning 22-years-old, so the Dodgers still have some time to work some things out with him.
Zach McKinstry
McKinstry is probably the most surprising person to see on this list of cuts. He had been putting together a heck of a spring for the Dodgers, going 11-27 with two homeruns and five total extra-base hits. Dave Roberts has already said he is a guy he can see having some time with the big league club in 2020.
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[adace-ad id=”120372″]DJ Peters
Big DJ Peters could also potentially see some time on the Dodgers’ big league squad this year, though maybe later in the year. Peters struggled to get going this spring, hitting 143 with one homerun and nine strikeouts.
Luke Raley
Raley was a former Dodgers prospect that came back to the team in the deal for Brusdar Graterol. He went 6 for 28 with ten strikeouts, but he did have three extra-base hits. Add him to the list of guys who could see big league action later this year.
With those four guys being optioned along with the other three young guys, the roster is now at 44. They will need to cut that number all the way down to 26 by the time Opening Day rolls around.
NEXT: Austin Barnes’ Exceptional Spring Makes Things Interesting
We have a pretty full roster. McKinstry was a victim of numbers. Smart move sending him now rather than at the last moment. Let him get his disappointment out of the way during camp prior to the regular minor league season. Ruiz did not look good at the plate. Got to see 2 games with him in the lineup on the tube. Hope he turns it around. The other 2 I would say are questionable at best as contributing this year.
Dodgers most likely prefer McKinstry to play regularly as opposed to just sitting on the bench up with big club. I am guessing Gore gets that 26 th spot on roster but wss. DJ Peters not surprisingly is sent out and his ST numbers give ya a big reason why besides the INN is already crowded.
AZUL, I read early this AM that McKinstry was sent down!!! That bothered me a bit, though, like you, I understand the reasons as to why. I look forward to seeing him back with the club ASAP, or in September. Looks like a keeper. On the other hand, Pollock and his contract are difficult to swallow. Hope you and my buddy, PD Jr., are well. Stay safe!!! Go Blue!!!
McKinstry deserves a taste of the big team. He should at least come up after the all star break for a while as a reward and incentive to continue to play hard. He plays all over the place, infield and outfield. He used to be a punch hitter, but is showing some power now. He is the biggest surprise of spring training. Pollack is the biggest non-surprise with his 161 ST batting average. If McKinstry continues to play well in the minors, let him come up for awhile later on. Put him in left field for Pollack or second base for Lux if he can’t surpass his 240 BA from last year. Even a short visit to the MLB gives incentive to young minor Leaguers.
BLUE LOU! Stay safe as well And PD Jr. is doing well and maturing and as usual enjoys MLBN and especially Dodger baseball. I am not in favor of it but it looks like Gore will be that 26th man to start the year. As you may know I am NEVER in favor of carrying a guy that has no hit tools but just speed but we are not the decisions makers.
Paul, I totally agree with you about a “speed-only” player. But as you correctly state, we are merely fans with no decision making powers. Hopefully, the FO will realize the error of their ways and rectify. Go Blue!!!!
I’ll take McKinstry over Taylor or Kiki any day. He earned it.