The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered their first loss of 2020 Spring Training on Tuesday and now turn the page with a matchup against the L.A. Angels at Camelback Ranch. The meeting is one of five between the Dodgers and Angels and before Opening Day.
With Anaheim’s travel roster devoid of Albert Pujols, Anthony Rendon and Mike Trout, the day very much is about prospects. For the Angels, their lineup features Jo Adell, who is a consensus top-10 prospect in baseball.
Having appeared in two Cactus League games so far in 2020, Adell enters 2-for-6 with one RBI. Also in the the Angels’ lineup is Luis Rengifo. He of course was part of the reported trade between the Dodgers and Angels, which owner Arte Moreno ultimately pulled his team out of.
For the Dodgers, highly-regard prospect Josiah Gray starts in what’s his first career Spring Training appearance. The 22-year-old was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft and included in their trade for Kyle Farmer, Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood.
“I’m excited to see him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in advance of Gray making his Cactus League debut. “He cares, he’s got really good fastball command. We always talk about to be able to have stuff to miss bats in the strike zone.
“The changeup is real. Just getting him to understand how to use that slider the right way. But, man, if there’s a guy you want to bet on, he’s right there at the top of the list.”
In a combined 26 games (25 starts) last year with Low-A Great Lakes, High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa, Gray went 11-2 with a 2.70 ERA and 147 strikeouts against just 31 walks. The Dodgers named Gray the organization’s Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
AJ Pollock and Gavin Lux are playing in back-to-back games, and Mookie Betts is hitting leadoff two days after going 2-for-3 for his first hits with the Dodgers.
The Angels initially were scheduled to start Julio Teheran, but he’s been scratched due to left hamstring tightness. Griffin Canning starts in his place.
Dodgers lineup:
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Max Muncy
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: AJ Pollock
C: Will Smith
2B: Gavin Lux
DH: Matt Beaty
3B: Cristian Santana
SS: Zach McKinstry
Angels lineup:
2B: Tommy LaStella
CF: Jo Adell
RF: Brian Goodwin
3B: Matt Thaiss
LF: Michael Hermosillo
SS: Luis Rengifo
1B: Jose Rojas
C: Jose Briceño
DH: Brennon Lund
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