This story was excerpted from Sonja Chen’s Dodgers Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it repeatedly 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. Positive sufficient, the restricted enjoying time has offered some challenges for the workforce’s high prospect (No. 14 total, per MLB Pipeline).
Final week supplied 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 superb day on the plate, and I do not assume it was something actually totally different than I’ve accomplished the previous few instances.”
Dashing was used to enjoying nearly each 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 project with a purpose to clear a roster spot.
Coming into Tuesday, Dashing is slashing .244/.333/.356 by way of 16 video games (12 begins). He has struck out 24 instances and walked six instances. Whereas his strikeout fee is excessive and the general numbers do not leap off the web page, Dashing really 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 growth as a catcher. They need him working with the pitching workers and honing his abilities behind the plate, they usually’re happy with how he is accomplished in that regard.
COMPLETE DODGERS PROSPECT COVERAGE
However Dashing is a competitor, and he needs 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 affect bat,” supervisor Dave Roberts stated final week. “That is going to return, however proper now … his worth to the workforce 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 are going to 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 the best way to greatest 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 doable with a purpose to maintain his timing in a great spot.
Day-to-day life as a backup is totally different than what Dashing is accustomed to. However he is aware of that all the things 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 a bit of extra of understanding the way in which the sport is performed up right here. Get to know a few of these pitchers a bit of higher. Get to know situational baseball a bit of higher within the massive leagues. I am studying quite a bit each day, and I believe it’ll actually be useful.”
