According to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, the Tigers have swung a trade with the Dodgers in order to acquire left-handed minor leaguer Lael Lockhart, who the club has assigned to Double-A Erie. MLive’s Evan Woodbery adds that the Dodgers are receiving cash considerations in return.
Lockhart, 25, was the Dodgers’ ninth-round pick in the 2021 draft and reached the High-A level in his first professional season, pitching 12 2/3 innings with a 3.55 ERA and 23 strikeouts against seven walks. In 2022, Lockhart began to work as a starter to solid results, posting a 3.71 ERA with a 23.9% strikeout rate in 111 2/3 innings of work split between the High-A and Double-A levels. Those quality full season results are belied, however, by Lockhart’s struggles in Double-A last year, where he posted a 4.93 ERA in 34 2/3 innings with a deflated 19% strikeout rate.
Lockhart returned to the bullpen to open the 2023 season, and has struggled badly in 15 Double-A innings with an 11.40 ERA and 13 walks against just 18 strikeouts. Presumably, Detroit is hoping that a chance of scenery in a new organization will help Lockhart regain the form that saw him find success at the High-A level during 2021 and 2022.
This kid has a real shot but someone has got to teach him to pitch down in the strike zone. He isn’t going to get a whole lot of outs by pitching up.
If he’s not the son of Keith Lockhart i’ll eat my hat!
You may need to eat the hat. I believe Lael is a Jr. But thanks for mentioning Keith. Loved him for the Royals back in the day.
He’s June Lockhart son
Interesting that you say that. It seems the Dodgers have an emphasis on pitchers throwing the heater high in the zone, which works out great for guys like Nick Frasso, River Ryan, and Emmett Sheehan but not so well for Lael Lockhart and Clayton Beeter types.
Even Bobby Miller’s 101 MPH 4 seam will straighten out and become more hittable when it’s up in the zone. The lower Bobby was burying that 4 seam against the Braves, the more armside run he got on it. He loses a mile or two down to 98-99, but the horizontal movement makes it a legit weapon on the outside to lefties, or cutting in on righties. When Bobby throws the 4 seam above the waist, it straightens out.
Sounds like an elf from Lord of the Rings.
He should be arriving with the big league club sometime next month.
We anticipate a June Lockhart sighting.
Scott Harris must see something he likes. So far so good with most of his pitching pickups.
Let Fetter work his magic!
I’m cpnfused? What Harris pick ups have done wonders for the pitching staff? Boyd and Lorenzen have been filler. Englert has been a typical rule 5 with his ups and downs. Are you talking about Shreve? He’s been fine. Every one else is an Avila player (could even say Boyd was). I do hope that Harris does wonders, but can we wait until he actually does something before giving him credit?
Lorenzen is throwing a perfect game so far today throw five innings. Lorenzen has been one of the better pitchers in the month of May. Hopefully can get a decent return at the deadline if he keeps this up.
I was at the game. He was awesome!
I agree, only thing he’s really been successful at is saving money, otherwise most of the pickups are fillers at best
Fillers are better than previous admins pickups of: Mark Lowe, Jarrod Washburn, Julio Teheran, and Wily Peralta
Holton has been solid. Need to get Wingenter healthy to see what he can do
@stymeedone, are you finally going to give him credit for the McKinstry pick up? You hated that pick up as well
Answer: He “dominates the stroke zone”.
Omg, I get all tingly inside every time hear that!
I can’t tell if Lael Lockhart is a dual role player.
Strictly a pitcher since joining the Dodgers organization.
Won’t matter, they’ll probably have him play SS instead of pitching, like Ibanez who just cost us 3 runs playing 2B with Schoop at 3rd! I can’t figure this club out sometimes, why is it so important to play players out of position? Freaking amazing how stupid our management can be for the sake of saying they have versatility. Probably just cost us another game, god it infuriates me, not only should they demote half the team, they also should play them where they’re accustomed to
Why play a .177 hitter (Ibanez) at all?
Well it was either him or Maton a .159 hitter I guess, but they can suck at multiple positions
Maton isn’t hitting but he’s getting walks and hitting for power at least. He can hit fastballs but was having trouble with everything else. Ibanez was filler but Maton still has potential to contribute for a long time. He might benefit from a trip to the minors though.
I’m with you on this one. Perhaps Jonathan Schoop is playing in hope he catches fire in time to be traded. I prefer to see everyday players in the lineup vs over platoon and substitution. If they’re going to sub, use a young player they want to expose to MLB bs these fringe veterans.
Schoop has finally started to hit the ball hard and is probably our best defensive 3rd baseman. Ibanez has played just about the same amount of games at 2nd as he has 3rd, so neither are playing “our of position”. Ibanez made a play earlier in the game that Schoop would not gotten to. Either way, Ibanez probably gone once Carpenter returns from IL
Jonathan Schoop is finally hitting so I like him at 3B. Zach McKinstry has earned everyday play. I love Ryan Kreidler’s defense at 3B but he has to hit much more. Nick Maton bats left otherwise, Andy Ibanez is better than Maton. Still, too many .160 hitters: Maton, Ibanez, Jake Rogers, Miguel Cabrera.
REACT TO ME!!!!!!
No
Son of Keith Lockhart.
Why does my posts work
Hopefully, he’s related to.someone in Texas. The Byrd is a wird.
Dodgers greasing the skids for Rodriguez at the trade deadline.