Call-Ups: Los Angeles Dodgers and Russ Mitchell
By Wally Fish
Once again it is collaborative post time here on Call to the Pen. This month’s topic is September call-ups. To get the ball rolling, I posed the following question to each of our Lead Writers, “Which player do you want your team to call-up in September and why?” It is a simple question but I think you will find the responses to be very diverse.
Taking the path less traveled this month, I decided to post each team’s write-up individually instead of grouping them by league or division as we have done in the past.
Representing the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lasorda’s Lair is the site’s Lead Writer, Anuj Agarwal. Check out what he has to say after the jump.
Anuj’s Take:
Gone is larger-than-life Manny Ramirez. With his departure, the Dodgers have subtly acknowledged that they will likely miss the post-season this year. Sure, the company line of Scott Podsednik’s value in left field will be kicked around but the team can now focus on 2011 and beyond. Upgrading power in the infield should be the obvious top priority. The first attempt to address this issue could happen right away with the promotion of third baseman Russ Mitchell from Triple-A Albuquerque. The 25-year old is short on pedigree but long on production. He was drafted by the Dodgers in the 15th round of the 2003 draft, and is hitting a robust 0.322 with 23 HR and 86 RBI.
The end is close for grizzly incumbent Casey Blake, who has one year left on his contract, and the Dodgers have been unwilling to pay the price in free agency or trade to acquire premium players at first and third. Mitchell could get the first chance to cement a future role if the Dodgers commit the remainder of the season to developing young players. Here’s an analysis of Mitchell by Albuquerque’s play-by-play announcer:
“Has been solid at the plate all year, consistent approach, hits for average and power. Really impressive at 3B, good first step and strong arm, equally good going left, right, and coming in. And he can play 1B and 2B capably as well. He’s even played OF in his career, though we haven’t seen him there yet. But he’s not a utility guy, I like him at 3B every day. He’s the one keeping everybody loose, always talking, laughing. Clearly loves coming to the ballpark, loves what he’s doing.”
Mitchell doesn’t come without his weaknesses. Despite his high batting average, he’s only drawn 37 walks in 534 plate appearances this year and has never drawn more than 42 free passes in an season. Whether his ability to develop his on-base skills would increase at the major league level is debatable, but the Dodgers don’t really have much to lose down the stretch. Calling up a young player at the height of a hot streak (he’s posted a 1.304 OPS in his last 43 AB) could result in a fast start to his big-league career and create optimism in fans in what as has otherwise been a miserable year.