Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Dodgers’ Collins says farm aid is coming

51s snapshot

Everywhere but Las Vegas the farm system of the Los Angeles Dodgers is a youth movement that Terry Collins has experienced.

"I saw it in the big leagues in Anaheim, with (Darin) Erstad, (Troy) Glaus and some of those other guys," said Collins, the Dodgers' minor-league field coordinator and the Angels' field boss from 1997-99. "They all had to learn through playing at that level."

Same goes for the Dodgers' Double-A and Single-A clubs this year.

"They could get exposed because of it, but they'll get better playing against older guys, more experienced guys," Collins said. "They'll see what it takes and realize what adjustments they need to make."

Near the halfway point of the 2003 season, Collins evaluated some of the Dodgers' minor leaguers during a break in Ogden, Utah, where he was assessing the Raptors of the rookie Pioneer League.

A few could be showing their stuff at Cashman Field in the second half or in 2004.

The one player in the Dodgers' system whose stock has plummeted is Gookie Dawkins, a shortstop who hit .170 in the first seven weeks at Las Vegas before being sent to Double-A Jacksonville on May 19.

With the Suns, he has hit .247 in 28 games.

"Yeah, I talk to him," Collins said. "(Eric) Riggs and (Chris) Clapinski are guys who we think have a chance to be utility players, and we wanted them to get chances to play (in Las Vegas). Gookie scuffled with the bat. At Double-A, he can play every day and relax a bit.

"His defense speaks for itself. We wanted him to go down there and work on his hitting a bit. When you're trying to get all those guys playing time, someone won't get the at-bats or playing time, (and) he needs to get better."

Collins also said that the move reflected a larger issue with the parent club, which has one of the weakest offenses in the majors. Hence, production from everyone in the lineup is critical.

"We have to get some offense out of that position," Collins said. "The days of having a shortstop who just has to catch the ball are over, especially with the Dodgers. All eight (in the order) have to help score runs."

That said, Collins has been impressed with the maturity and professionalism that Dawkins has displayed in his demotion.

Two weeks ago, Dawkins jammed a thumb on a head-first dive into second base. But he refused to be taken out of the lineup.

"He never missed a beat," Collins said. "Anytime you get sent down, it's a little blow to your ego. You'll be disappointed. But he's handled it great. He's been fine. A lot of guys, when they get an injury, they shut it down. He did not. That's a salute to him."

Collins salutes Franklin Gutierrez and Edwin Jackson Jr., Dodgers minor leaguers who will represent the franchise in the All-Star Futures Game on July 13 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

Gutierrez, a 20-year-old native of Caracas, Venezuela, who plays center field at Class-A Vero Beach, will play on the World Team managed by Tony Oliva.

He's hitting .290, with five triples, 15 home runs, 49 RBIs and 79 strikeouts, all team-high marks.

Joel Guzman (6-4, 198) is an 18-year-old shortstop who has hit .346 since reporting to Vero Beach a week ago and already has a home run.

"He'll hit for power one of these days," Collins said. "Heck, now he's hitting for power. He's just learning how to hit."

Third baseman Willie Aybar, whose visa problems contributed to a poor .215 batting average last season, has steadied himself, hitting .269 and having driven in 45 runs. Collins is pleased with the progress of Aybar, a 20-year-old switch-hitter.

James Loney, a 6-3 left-hander who turned 19 last month, was the Dodgers' top draft pick last year, and they defied the consensus by wanting him to play first base and hit, rather than pitch. He's hitting .275, with 37 runs.

He failed to make an impact in Vero Beach last year when a pitch broke his left wrist 17 games after he was sent up from the Pioneer League.

"He reminds me of David Justice, with his swing and mannerisms around first base," Collins said. "He's a great athlete. Many talked about taking him No. 1 as a pitcher, but we took him as a hitter and it's paid off."

Brian Pilkington, 20, has forged a 7-1 record on the hill while walking only eight batters in 67 innings, and he has a 3.09 earned-run average. A 6-5, 210-pound right-hander, Pilkington had shoulder surgery two years ago.

"He's Bert Blyleven's nephew, so those are great bloodlines," Collins said. "He locates his 90- to 91-mph fastball well, and he has a decent curveball."

Greg Miller, 18, was the team's No. 2 draft pick a year ago, when he threw between 88-91. Now, 91 is his low end, and he regularly hits 95 on the radar gun.

A 6-5 190-pound lefty, Miller is 6-2 with a 3.97 ERA, and has struck out 50 in 59 innings.

"He has a chance to be a power pitcher who will strike a lot of people out," Collins said. "He's really, really impressive to watch. That team is fun to watch. There are four or five guys there who are genuine prospects."

At Double-A Jacksonville, infielder Eric Riggs (before the season), catcher Koyie Hill (early May) and pitcher Scott Proctor (late May) already have been elevated to Las Vegas and are faring well.

The Suns, though, still have some talent, led by 6-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson, Jr. At 18 a year ago, he hit 94 on the gun. At 19, he has topped that, and a solid change-up can devastate hitters.

Carlton Fisk will manage him and the rest of the U.S. Team against the Worlds in the Futures Game.

"All of a sudden, he's hit 95 and 96, and 97 a few times," Collins said of Jackson, a converted outfielder. "He hasn't pitched long, so he's just getting a feel for it."

Joel Hanrahan, 21, leads the Suns with a 5-1 record and 2.35 ERA. He and Jackson have almost the same numbers, but Jackson is 2-2. Hanrahan has been earmarked for Dodger Stadium by 2005, according to one source.

A shoulder injury has plagued 23-year-old Tom Farmer, an acquisition from Detroit who is 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA.

Reggie Abercrombie, 22, is the gem of a solid outfield in Jacksonville. He is on pace to strike out 150 times for the third time in a season, but many thought he might struggle in his jump to Double-A.

He's hitting .247, with eight homers, 26 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Jason Repko (.233) has better discipline at the plate, but most of his nine home runs have been solo shots. Victorino is hitting .267 with half as much playing time Repko and Abercrombie.

"They're three prospects that this organization can count on in the future," Collins said. "Victorino is more of a lead-off guy, Repko has power and Reggie has a chance to have outstanding power."

Collins makes another swing through Las Vegas, to visit with manager John Shoemaker and review the 51s, this weekend.

"I'll tell you one thing, John has done a tremendous job keeping that thing together," Collins said. "With all the movement in Triple-A, with free agents and young guys, it's a tough thing to deal with. With injuries and call-ups, you play short often.

"But they've hung in there pretty good. They have some veteran guys there who will hold a lead or keep you in a game. I think they've done a great job there."

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