I had a chance to attend part of the Dodgers’ third annual Winter Development Program this afternoon at Dodger Stadium. In essence, this is training for the organization’s top prospects in what it takes to be successful as a Los Angeles Dodger (both on and off the field). Activities in this intensive ten-day program include workouts with coaches and major league players, seminars, visits from Dodger legends and community visits.
Participants included pitchers Chris Withrow, Josh Lindblom, Javy Guerra, Kenley Jansen, Aaron Miller, Ethan Martin, Armando Zerpa, Carlos Monasterios, John Ely and John Link. Attending position players included A.J. Ellis, Russell Mitchell, Dee Gordon, Andrew Lambo, Trayvon Robinson, Kyle Russell, Matt Wallach and Jesse Mier.
While I was out at Chavez Ravine today, I also saw Ramon Troncoso and Blake DeWitt working out, and Matt Kemp was reportedly at the facilities yesterday.
Following the workout, I had a chance to catch up with a few of the team’s top prospects, including shortstop Dee Gordon, pitcher Jon Link, converted pitcher Kenley Jansen and pitcher Ethan Martin. Following are a few quotes:
Shortstop Dee Gordon (Topps Minor League Player of the Year, Dodgers’ Minor League Player of the Year, Midwest League Prospect of the Year, and league co-Most Valuable Player)
On His Favorite Part of the Winter Development Program: “I love the Dodger legends. To hear some of their stories from Sweet Lou (Johnson), Tommy Davis, Maury (Wills), Aaron Sele, Tim Wallach and Steve Garvey. Those guys have some great stories for us.”
On His Goals for the Upcoming Season: “Win a minor league championship.” (Gordon was very serious when he said this – I loved the competitive fire inside his soft-spoken voice)
Pitcher Ethan Martin (Dodgers’ 2008 #1 Draft Pick)
On the Winter Development Program: “It’s great. A great experience. This is the second time I’ve been in LA and love the city. It’s just great to be here around the older guys in the organization, but then you got McDonald, DeWitt and all of them that have been up here to experience this, and it’s just great to see and learn from them.”
On Spending Time with the Dodger Legends: “That was amazing. Just hanging out with them and hearing all of their stories. It’s something you dream about. When you’re growing up, you see all these stories and watch all of this stuff on TV about them, and then all of a sudden you’re eating dinner with them. That was just a shock to me. Wow, you’re really meeting these guys and really eating with them.”
On the Person Who Has Made the Biggest Impression on Him: “I have to go back to Aaron Sele. He’s one of our coaches, but just hanging out with him, he can relate to us. He wasn’t there too long ago, so he knows how tough it is. Other coaches are saying the same thing, and I do understand, but the way he talks to us…he just comes across so genuine and understanding. I get a lot from him.”
On His Goals for the Upcoming Season: “Just to go out and try to stay healthy and get my innings in and compete in every single outing I have. My main goal last year was to just compete and learn my mechanics. I think I’ve got a hold of my mechanics…they’re not perfected, but I just want to go out and put out a strong outing every single time I walk out on the mound.”
Pitcher Kenly Jansen (Dodger pitcher converting from catcher)
On the Person Who Has Made the Biggest Impression on Him: “The one that made an impression on me always, and I always love and laugh a lot, is Tommy Lasorda. Always telling great stories and what a great story he had. I learn a lot from him, listening to what he says.”
On His Transition from Catcher to Pitcher: “It’s going pretty good. I’m feeling comfortable and natural. I keep working on it, but it seems like it’s going pretty good right now. This year I have a lot of time to work on it and especially learn from all the pitchers that have a lot of experience, like JMac (James McDonald), Ramon Troncoso…Aaron Sele. I’ve been learning a lot at how to work at pitches and how to get prepared as a pitcher.”
On His Goals for the Upcoming Season: “My goal is every time I go out there, just play hard, stay focused, make great pitches…and get better every day.”
Pitcher Jon Link (Reliever acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the Juan Pierre trade)
On the Winter Development Program: “I’m having a good time and enjoying myself out here. Getting to know the guys and the facilities. I think that’s big for guys that have a possibility of playing in Dodger Stadium in the near future. To get to know the people, the facilities and your way around LA. I think it’s real important, so that way when you get here, you can focus on playing baseball.”
On How Similar or Different the Winter Development Program is to What the White Sox Offer: “Way different. The White Sox, to my knowledge, haven’t done anything like this. I was only with them for a short period, two years. This is one of the few teams that I know of that do it, and I think it’s a great opportunity for a lot of guys to come out and get to know everybody.”
On His Favorite Moment So Far: “Whenever you talk to Tommy, he’s a character and that’s a guy who knows baseball inside and out. Things that he says you really hang on to. Because he’s such a great motivational speaker, and he knows how to motivate guys and teams, I think anything he says you really have to stick with.”
On Who Has Shown Him the Ropes in LA: “All of the guys welcome you with open arms. However you get here, trade, free agent, Rule 5, obviously the Dodgers see you, they like you, they like what you can bring to the ball club. And I think the Dodger organization as a whole realizes that all the way from the front office down to the players. This organization is really committed to winning. So anything, or anybody, that they can get in and help them win, they go after. The guys have been great as far as welcoming us, the new guys, and showing us around.”
Chris,
This is great work. Did you mostly hang around the dugout, field, and clubhouse, or was the press box open as well? Or did you just file the report later?
Thanks, Eric! It was pretty mellow out there today with just a handful of media in attendance (I was the only blogger). We basically all just watched the end of the field workout from the dugout steps and then headed into the clubhouse for interviews. The players were all super friendly and I was able to do all my interviews one-on-one, which was really nice (and far less intimidating than after a normal game!).
Nice to see that Ethan Martin has a good head on his shoulders and that he is really listening to the seasoned personnel around him. Once he gets consistent, there is HUGE upside here for the Dodgers. Lets just hope they don’t trade away any more solid projects to fill gaps in the potential lineup for 2010.
I have to say, Ethan Martin was really well-spoken and enthusiastic. I really like that kid…he’s sharp and has a good head on his shoulders. Jon Link was also really focused and you could tell he’s planning on sticking with the big league club when they break from Spring Training.
Hey Chris,
Nice work! Your report made me miss the blogger box!
Hope to see you at Camelback this year!
Robert
dodgerdugout.com
Nice stuff Chris, in an otherwise dull winter, good to hear good stuff about the top prospects.
Thanks for this great write up. JMac, Troncoso, and Kemp should have a lasting and positive impact on these prospects, by virtue of the real-life example they represent.
I don’t care how BA rated our system, these guys are very impressive.