The Los Angeles Dodgers started their regular season last week with the Seoul Series but now are completing an exhibition Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels before resuming their 2024 schedule.
Through each of the first two games at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers lineup featured an array of regulars and platoon matchups, but many of the starters have been removed early.
That’s amounted to several prospects getting an opportunity to play in a Major League environment, including Josue De Paula, Thayron Liranzo, Trey Sweeney and Kendall George, among others. “It was great,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“You saw (Josue) De Paula make a great play in right field, Kendall George has that speed tool, to get (Thayron) Liranzo out there was good. (Kevin) Gowdy finished the game, so to feel a little bit of stress, I thought was good.
“Got (Sauryn) Lao out there and some other guys. It’s fun to see these young guys get in there, take some at-bats and log some innings.”
Sweeney and George were the only Dodgers prospects to record a hit in the series opener against the Angels, while Kevin Gowdy and Sauryn Lao each threw scoreless outings.
“It’s great. It’s fun, because I think they all handle it differently. Spring Training is one thing, when you’re typically playing in the day and it’s more of a relaxed environment,” Roberts began.
“But then you come here, there’s a third deck, you’re in a big league ballpark, so just to kind of see them acclimate is always fun. I thought everyone did a nice job. You could see them getting excited, getting loose, taking the field, the quality of at-bats, each one of those guys I thought was really good.
“To see all these guys, I think it’s something that they’ve earned and it just gives them a nice opportunity.”
De Paul and Zyhir Hope were among the Dodgers prospects to play in Monday’s 6-0 loss as well.
What’s next for Dodgers
The Freeway Series concludes at Angel Stadium on Tuesday, with James Paxton listed as the probable starter.
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