This story was excerpted from Sonja Chen’s Dodgers Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it commonly in your inbox.
When the Dodgers referred to as up Dalton Dashing simply over a month in the past, they knew that serving in a backup position can be an adjustment. Certain sufficient, the restricted taking part in time has introduced some challenges for the group’s high prospect (No. 14 general, per MLB Pipeline).
Final week provided some causes for optimism. In his two begins behind the plate, Dashing went 3-for-4 and drew three walks. He hit a key two-run single on Wednesday and reached in all 4 plate appearances on Sunday.
“I believe it was only a good recreation of baseball,” Dashing stated Sunday. “I got here out, had a great day on the plate, and I do not suppose it was something actually completely different than I’ve carried out the previous couple of occasions.”
Dashing was used to taking part in nearly every single day within the Minors, however soon-to-be three-time All-Star Will Smith is the Dodgers’ beginning catcher. When Dashing was promoted, he was considered as a possible offensive improve over veteran Austin Barnes, who was designated for task with the intention to clear a roster spot.
Getting into Tuesday, Dashing is slashing .244/.333/.356 by 16 video games (12 begins). He has struck out 24 occasions and walked six occasions. Whereas his strikeout charge is excessive and the general numbers do not soar off the web page, Dashing truly has been considerably of a bench improve. He has a 96 OPS+ in 51 plate appearances, in comparison with Barnes’ 46 OPS+ in 44 plate appearances.
The way in which the Dodgers see it, Dashing is on the massive league degree to finish his improvement as a catcher. They need him working with the pitching employees and honing his expertise behind the plate, and so they’re happy with how he is carried out in that regard.
COMPLETE DODGERS PROSPECT COVERAGE
However Dashing is a competitor, and he desires to do all that whereas nonetheless being a risk on the plate in his restricted alternatives.
“That may be a work in progress, as a result of he is used to getting hits and being an influence bat,” supervisor Dave Roberts stated final week. “That is going to come back, however proper now … his worth to the group is to maintain listening and watching and studying, and dominate behind the plate.
“Something we get from him offensively is a bonus for now, however we’ll lean on him sooner or later on the offense aspect. However for me, I simply need him to conduct good at-bats and begin eliminating that chase.”
Dashing has purchased into his position, and he is studying how you can finest put together himself for his handful of begins and pinch-hit alternatives each week. That includes discovering methods to take as many stay at-bats as potential with the intention to hold his timing in a great place.
Day-to-day life as a backup is completely different than what Dashing is accustomed to. However he is aware of that the whole lot he is studying now might help him excel in the long term.
“It is not as a lot, present up, play the sport,” Dashing stated. “It is slightly extra of understanding the best way the sport is performed up right here. Get to know a few of these pitchers slightly higher. Get to know situational baseball slightly higher within the massive leagues. I am studying loads every single day, and I believe it may actually be useful.”
