Spring Training Fun: Guess the bench!

[Villain]

There are five bench spots available for opening day. Before spring training gets fully underway, I think it'd be fun to guess who we all think will make the 25-man on Opening Day.

BONUS POINTS: Name the starting second baseman for Game 1 in Australia.

For your convenience:

Full list of non-roster position players who were invited to Spring Training:

Catchers

J.C. Boscan
Bats R, throws R
2013 spring training: Cubs (NRI)
2013 highest level: MLB
2014 age: 34

Griff Erickson
Bats S, throws R
2013 spring training: Dodgers (minor league camp)
2013 highest level: Double-A
2014 age: 26

Chris O'Brien
Bats S, throws R
2013 spring training: Dodgers (minor league camp)
2013 highest level: advanced Class-A
2014 age: 24

Miguel Olivo
Bats R, throws R
2013 spring training: Marlins
2013 highest level: MLB
2014 age: 35

Infielders

Chone Figgins if/of
Bats S, throws R
2013 spring training: Marlins (NRI)
2013 highest level: DNP
2014 age: 36

Brendan Harris 2b/3b/ss
Bats R, throws R
2013 spring training: Angels (NRI)
2013 highest level: MLB
2014 age: 33

Clint Robinson 1b
Bats L, throws L
2013 spring training: Pirates (40-man roster)
2013 highest level: Triple-A
2014 age: 29

Miguel Rojas ss/2b
Bats R, throws R
2013 spring training: Dodgers (minor league camp)
2013 highest level: Double-A
2014 age: 25

Justin Turner 2b/ss/3b
Bats R, throws R
2013 spring training: Mets
2013 highest level: MLB
2014 age: 29

Outfielders

Joc Pederson
Bats L, throws L
2013 spring training: Dodgers (minor league camp)
2013 highest level: Double-A
2014 age: 22

Full list of position players already on the 40-man roster:

# Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
31 Drew Butera R-R 6'1" 200 Aug 9, 1983
17 A.J. Ellis R-R 6'3" 220 Apr 9, 1981
26 Tim Federowicz R-R 5'10" 215 Aug 5, 1987

# Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
23 Adrian Gonzalez L-L 6'2" 225 May 8, 1982
9 Dee Gordon L-R 5'11" 160 Apr 22, 1988
7 Alex Guerrero R-R 5'10" 197 Nov 20, 1986
13 Hanley Ramirez R-R 6'2" 225 Dec 23, 1983
12 Justin Sellers R-R 5'10" 160 Feb 1, 1986
5 Juan Uribe R-R 6'0" 235 Mar 22, 1979

# Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
30 Mike Baxter L-R 6'0" 195 Dec 7, 1984
48 Nick Buss L-R 6'2" 195 Dec 15, 1986
3 Carl Crawford L-L 6'2" 215 Aug 5, 1981
16 Andre Ethier L-L 6'2" 205 Apr 10, 1982
27 Matt Kemp R-R 6'4" 215 Sep 23, 1984
66 Yasiel Puig R-R 6'3" 245 Dec 7, 1990
33 Scott Van Slyke

Just for clarification, you're picking the five bench warmers and the starting 2nd baseman for game one in Australia.

Ready, set, go!

 

[Silas]

On day 1 in Australia I'm guessing the "bench players" will be:

Van Slyke
Figgins
Turner
Fed-x
Olivo

With the need for only two starting pitchers, and Matt Kemp not likely to be ready to go, I could see the Dodgers carrying three catchers for the Australian Series.

My guess for starting 2B on day 1 is Guerrero. I think he will perform well enough during ST that the Dodgers will name him as the starting 2B.

 

[Old1949]

Barring spring training injuries...

Bench:
Van Slyke
Fed-ex
Gordon
Rojas
Turner

Startng 2B:
Figgins

 

[Villain]

My picks:

Bench:
Gordon, 2B/SS
Van Slyke, 1B/OF
Turner, 2B/SS/3B
Baxter, OF
Federowicz, C

Starting 2B: Alex Guerrero.



Just thought I'd point out that no-one so far has picked one of the "big four" outfielders to be on the bench for game 1.

 

[Silas]

None of the OF'ers will be on the Bench as long as Kemp is on the sidelines. Eventually, we will see one of them there.

 

[BigDDude]

While we are guessing, try to guess the players from this spring training video.

See rare video of the 1945 Dodgers at spring training | HardballTalk

Did I mention this is from 69 years ago? My bad......

 

[LASports96]

Bench:
Baxter OF (Becomes Ethier by time we return to US and Kemp is ready)
Van Slyke 1B/OF
Federowicz C
Turner INF
Gordon INF/OF

2B: Guerrero

 

[Villain]

Bench:
Baxter OF (Becomes Ethier by time we return to US and Kemp is ready)
Van Slyke 1B/OF
Federowicz C
Turner INF
Gordon INF/OF

2B: Guerrero

Basically the same as mine.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Do I have the homer goggles strapped on too tight or is the bench playing very well thus far? If Gordon learns to put the bunt down he will prove to be a valuable asset.

 

[Villain]

Do I have the homer goggles strapped on too tight or is the bench playing very well thus far? If Gordon learns to put the bunt down he will prove to be a valuable asset.

They look fine so far, but the reality is that this means nothing. Spring Training numbers are basically meaningless.

 

[Silas]

If Dee Gordon is the front runner at 2B the Dodgers are in trouble at that position. While I admire Gordon's speed, there is little else about his game that I admire. I think Guerrero is doing pretty well, so far, and I can't see why Gordon is a standout at this early point in the season. Hopefully, the Dodgers make the right choice at 2B by the time of the opening bell.

 

[Villain]

If Dee Gordon is the front runner at 2B the Dodgers are in trouble at that position. While I admire Gordon's speed, there is little else about his game that I admire. I think Guerrero is doing pretty well, so far, and I can't see why Gordon is a standout at this early point in the season. Hopefully, the Dodgers make the right choice at 2B by the time of the opening bell.

So.... is this your way of saying that you haven't been watching Guerrero?

 

[Silas]

I have been watching him and, while he has only played about three games in the field and is a work in progress, he's made the plays and he's hitting. How many games has Gordon played at 2B? If Gordon is your hope for 2B then is this your way of saying you have never watched Gordon play?

Gordon does one thing well.......run. It's all downhill from there. This is probably Gordon's last chance to impress and it's his last chance for a reason. He will probably make the team out of ST, since he seems to be at his best when games don't count, but by May he will be back in Albuquerque, traded or DFA'd.

He's a nice kid who can run, but baseball is not his game.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Guerrero hasn't exactly blown anyone away but I think that he has a lot of potential and that he will be much improved by the time ST is over. I don't think anyone called Gordon a front runner. I like Gordon's play so far this year and he would be awesome to have as a pinch-runner, but I will be rooting for him to have a great ST and to raise his value, not to become the starter.

If Turner and Gordon can play like this when the games actually count then I doubt we will have much trouble with infield depth. (barring serious injuries of course)

Oh and I understand the games mean nothing, just excited about the guys without big names performing well. Can't wait for the season!

 

[Silas]

Guerrero hasn't exactly blown anyone away but I think that he has a lot of potential and that he will be much improved by the time ST is over. I don't think anyone called Gordon a front runner. I like Gordon's play so far this year and he would be awesome to have as a pinch-runner, but I will be rooting for him to have a great ST and to raise his value, not to become the starter.

If Turner and Gordon can play like this when the games actually count then I doubt we will have much trouble with infield depth. (barring serious injuries of course)

Oh and I understand the games mean nothing, just excited about the guys without big names performing well. Can't wait for the season!

I hope I'm wrong and Gordon can find his game, turn things around and actually contribute. I haven't seen much this ST to dispel my previously expressed sentiments, but you're right that there is still time left in ST for Gordon to actually display some improved offense.

The Press has been pushing the notion that Gordon is the front runner for 2B. That surprises me a bit while Gordon is hitting .230 something and Guerrero is hitting over .300. Also, while Guerrero is far from polished, he's handled everything hit to him and doesn't look bad turning a DP.

Frankly I believe that if the Dodgers give the starting 2B position to Gordon that they will be essentially giving up on the position until Guerrero, or someone else, is installed there.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

I hope I'm wrong and Gordon can find his game, turn things around and actually contribute. I haven't seen much this ST to dispel my previously expressed sentiments, but you're right that there is still time left in ST for Gordon to actually display some improved offense.

The Press has been pushing the notion that Gordon is the front runner for 2B. That surprises me a bit while Gordon is hitting .230 something and Guerrero is hitting over .300. Also, while Guerrero is far from polished, he's handled everything hit to him and doesn't look bad turning a DP.

Frankly I believe that if the Dodgers give the starting 2B position to Gordon that they will be essentially giving up on the position until Guerrero, or someone else, is installed there.

I think the press is riding the fact that Gordon's 3 hits have been a bunt single and 2 triples, and I believe Guerrero is 4-14 during spring training at the moment? Around .300.

 

[Villain]

I think the press is riding the fact that Gordon's 3 hits have been a bunt single and 2 triples, and I believe Guerrero is 4-14 during spring training at the moment? Around .300.

Gordon hit a home run also.

 

[Silas]

Have to say Dee Gordon looks pretty sharp tonight, but I still think Guerrero is the long term answer at 2B, or maybe one day at SS if Ramirez moves to 3B.

Gordon might be useful coming off the bench as long as he puts the ball on the ground and can get on base.

 

[Villain]

Have to say Dee Gordon looks pretty sharp tonight, but I still think Guerrero is the long term answer at 2B, or maybe one day at SS if Ramirez moves to 3B.

Gordon might be useful coming off the bench as long as he puts the ball on the ground and can get on base.

Gordon hasn't shown that he can hit or get on base.

 

[Silas]

Gordon hasn't shown that he can hit or get on base.

Exactly why I've never been high on him.