{"id":924,"date":"2026-07-14T17:00:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/?p=924"},"modified":"2026-07-14T17:00:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:00:18","slug":"dodgers-dugout-the-white-house-trip-first-round-draft-picks-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/?p=924","title":{"rendered":"Dodgers Dugout: The White House trip, first-round draft picks and more"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Dodgers<\/div>

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Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell<\/b>. Ranking the summer movies I\u2019ve seen this year: 1. Supergirl. 2. Young Washington. 3. Disclosure Day. 4. Masters of the Universe. 5. The Devil Wears Prada 2. <\/p>\n

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Are you a true-blue fan?<\/h3>\n<\/header>\n
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Get our Dodgers Dugout newsletter for insights, news and much more.<\/p>\n

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service<\/a>, which include arbitration and a class action waiver. You agree that we and our third-party vendors may collect and use your information, including through cookies, pixels and similar technologies, for the purposes set forth in our Privacy Policy<\/a> such as personalizing your experience and ads. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/ps-newsletter-module> <\/div>\n

Here we go again<\/h2>\n

Before you go any further, if you don\u2019t like politics in your Dodgers newsletter, which is a perfectly respectable opinion, THEN SKIP TO THE NEXT ITEM!<\/p>\n

OK. The Dodgers are visiting President Trump<\/b> and the White House on July 23 to celebrate their 2025 World Series title. This has caused quite a controversy, again, just like when they visited last year to celebrate the 2024 World Series title. Should the Dodgers visit the White House? <\/p>\n

Here are some things I know:<\/p>\n

1. The Dodgers have the largest Latino fan base of any team in baseball. Many of them despise Trump because of what ICE has done to their communities, which includes rounding up and detaining people who are here in the country legally, many of whom were born here. <\/p>\n

2. Many Latinos who were born in L.A. and lived here their whole lives have been stopped and asked to provide identification merely because they are Latino. That\u2019s not how this country is supposed to work.<\/p>\n

3. Even if you somehow have no problem with the above, on a business level the Dodgers risk turning those fans into non-fans by visiting this White House.<\/p>\n

4. There are players and members of the organization who are supporters of President Trump and would like to visit this White House.<\/p>\n

5. This is the organization of Jackie Robinson <\/b>and Fernando Valenzuela<\/b>. Do I have to say more?<\/p>\n

So, here\u2019s what I would do if I owned the Dodgers. \u201cThe Dodgers thank President Trump for his invitation to visit him at the White House. As a policy, the Dodgers as an organization no longer accept political invitations of any kind. However, any member the the organization, be it player or front office personnel, is more than welcome to accept the invitation on their own behalf and visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

And, according to Dave Roberts<\/b>, no one is being forced to go. \u201cI\u2019m sure a lot of guys are going to participate and be there, and this is an individual choice,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cBut I do expect a lot of our guys to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

It will be interesting to see who isn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n

No matter who is in office, the trip to the White House is a photo op to show how the president is a person of the people, especially a person of the people of the city that team represents. It\u2019s all for show. <\/p>\n

What I do find interesting is Roberts. In 2020, he said this<\/a> when George Floyd<\/b> was killed: \u201cIt\u2019s disappointing to see my generation and the generation prior failing the younger generation. And that\u2019s what\u2019s really sad. You always hope for progress, but that just, unfortunately, isn\u2019t the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, the leaders of our country, unfortunately, aren\u2019t good listeners and that\u2019s how you impose change. People of color want to be heard. And when you have leaders that are put in positions to make change and don\u2019t want to have those uncomfortable conversations, then change isn\u2019t going to happen. There\u2019s a difference between being educated and being ignorant. You have to understand that these situations happen every single day to people of color.\u201d<\/p>\n

And this is Roberts this year<\/a>: \u201cFor me, I stand by: I\u2019m a baseball manager. That\u2019s my job.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was raised \u2014 by a man who served our country for 30 years \u2014 to respect the highest office in our country. For me, it doesn\u2019t matter who is in the office, I\u2019m going to go to the White House. I\u2019ve never tried to be political. . . . For me, I am going to continue to try to do what tradition says and not try to make political statements, because I am not a politician.\u201d<\/p>\n

From making a giant political statement in 2020 to \u201cnot try to make political statements\u201d in 2026 is quite a shift. <\/p>\n

And Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez<\/b> will not be there, because he is going to be on a rehab assignment<\/a>: \u201cIt\u2019s going to be hard to be in two cities at the same time,\u201d Hern\u00e1ndez said. \u201cIf I was active, I probably wouldn\u2019t have gone anyways.\u201d And then he said why:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather take a day off than do team activities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Which didn\u2019t stop him from going last year. However, during the height of the ICE raids in L.A., he wrote this on Instagram: \u201cThis is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, that\u2019s a summation of something that used to be a fun day. And that ends the political discourse for this newsletter.<\/p>\n

For another viewpoint on this, please read Bill Plaschke\u2019s column<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Do the Dodgers\u2019 first draft picks pan out?<\/h2>\n

The draft was last weekend, and with their first pick (40th overall) the Dodgers selected shortstop Bo Lowrance <\/b>of Christ Church Episcopal High in Greenville, S.C. Lowrance was expected to be chosen well before 40, so the Dodgers were pleased. Why was the Dodgers\u2019 first pick at 40? Because they were penalized 10 spots in the draft for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax. <\/p>\n

Lowrance told reporters he has modeled himself after Freddie Freeman<\/b>. \u201cHe\u2019s obviously a first baseman, and I\u2019m on the left side, so defensively a little different,\u201d Lowrance said. \u201cBut he\u2019s still unbelievably athletic, and a big thing that I\u2019ve watched for years is his approach and how he uses the whole field. \u2026 [Freeman is] somebody that I\u2019m always trying to emulate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pretty good guy to emulate. But how well does the first pick by the Dodgers do? Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n

2010<\/b>
Zach Lee, pitcher<\/b>
Pitched only 12.2 innings in the majors with an 8.53 ERA. Was traded for Chris Taylor<\/b> though, so there\u2019s that.<\/p>\n

2011<\/b>
Chris Reed, pitcher<\/b>
Was traded four years later to Miami for pitcher Grant Dayton<\/b>. Reed pitched four innings for Miami and was released in 2018.<\/p>\n

2012<\/b>
Corey Seager, shortstop<\/b>
Perhaps you\u2019ve heard of him. World Series MVP in 2020, now with the Texas Rangers.<\/p>\n

2013<\/b>
Chris Anderson, pitcher<\/b>
Was released four years later, signed by the Minnesota Twins and released by them. Never pitched in the majors.<\/p>\n

2014 <\/b>
Grant Holmes, pitcher<\/b>
Was part of the 2016 trade that brought Rich Hill<\/b> to the Dodgers. Ended up with the Braves, made the majors in 2024 and is in Atlanta\u2019s starting rotation.<\/p>\n

2015 (Andrew Friedman\u2019s first draft with the Dodgers)<\/b>
Walker Buehler, pitcher<\/b>
Perhaps you\u2019ve heard of him too. Got the last out of the 2024 World Series. Now with the San Diego Padres.<\/p>\n

2016<\/b>
Gavin Lux, shortstop<\/b>
Snakebit by injuries. Has been on the IL with Tampa Bay all season.<\/p>\n

2017<\/b>
Jeren Kendall, outfielder<\/b>
Hit .209 in five minor league seasons before retiring.<\/p>\n

2018<\/b>
J.T. Ginn, pitcher<\/b>
Did not sign and went to Mississippi State. Was selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2020 draft and signed. Currently pitches for the Athletics.<\/p>\n

2019<\/b>
Kody Hoese, third baseman<\/b>
Spent six seasons in the minors, hitting .255\/.323\/.395 in 514 games. Became a minor league free agent after last season and remains unsigned.<\/p>\n

2020<\/b>
Bobby Miller, pitcher<\/b>
Had a great 2023 season with the Dodgers but hasn\u2019t pitched well since then. Currently on the 60-day injured list.<\/p>\n

2021<\/b>
Maddux Bruns, pitcher<\/b>
On the IL for double-A Tulsa, where he had a 14.94 ERA in 15.2 innings. In six minor league seasons, he is 4-20 with a 5.71 ERA.<\/p>\n

2022<\/b>
Dalton Rushing, catcher<\/b>
Much like this season, the Dodgers did not have a first-round pick in 2022, but had the 40th overall pick and drafted the player who has become their backup catcher.<\/p>\n

2023<\/b>
Kendall George, outfielder<\/b>
Ranked as the No. 13 prospect for the Dodgers, he is hitting .342\/.428\/.409 at double-A Tulsa. He is only 21.<\/p>\n

2024<\/b>
Kellon Lindsey, shortstop<\/b>
The No. 15 prospect for the Dodgers, Lindsey is 20 and hitt slashing .341\/.421\/.476 for class-A Ontario.<\/p>\n

2025<\/b>
Zach Root, pitcher<\/b>
Also selected with the No. 40 pick, Root, 22, is 3-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 49.1 innings for class-A Great Lakes.<\/p>\n

As you can see, it\u2019s quite the crapshoot when you pick players in the draft, which is a main reason the MLB draft doesn\u2019t draw the same attention as the NBA or NFL drafts.<\/p>\n

All-Star news<\/h2>\n

Shohei Ohtani <\/b>will not play in the All-Star Game as he deals with a troublesome knee.<\/a> After Sunday\u2019s loss to Arizona he was scheduled to have his left knee drained and likely will receive an injection. That sounds like a lot of fun. He is not expected to miss any time after the All-Star break.<\/p>\n

In the good news department, Justin Wrobleski<\/b> has been added to the All-Star roster. He is 10-2 with a 2.69 ERA and is a worthy addition.<\/p>\n

All-Star numbers<\/h2>\n

By popular demand, a look at Dodgers All-Star game career leaders:<\/p>\n

At-bats<\/b>
Steve Garvey, 22 (9 for 22)
Roy Campanella, 20 (2 for 20)
Jackie Robinson, 18 (6 for 18)
Pee Wee Reese, 17 (2 for 17)
Maury Wills, 14 (5 for 14)<\/p>\n

Hits<\/b>
Steve Garvey, 9 (22 at-bats)
Jackie Robinson, 6 (18)
Maury Wills, 5 (14)
Mike Piazza, 4 (12)
Gil Hodges, 4 (12)
Billy Herman, 4 (9)<\/p>\n

Runs<\/b>
Jackie Robinson, 7
Steve Garvey, 6
Gil Hodges, 3
Duke Snider, 3<\/p>\n

Doubles<\/b>
Jackie Robinson, 2
Steve Garvey, 2
8 players tied with 1<\/p>\n

Triples<\/b>
Steve Garvey, 2
No other Dodger has tripled<\/p>\n

Home runs<\/b>
Steve Garvey, 2
Mike Piazza, 2
Jackie Robinson, 1
Gil Hodges, 1
Jim Wynn, 1
Shohei Ohtani, 1
Willie Davis, 1
John Roseboro, 1
Mickey Owen, 1
Jim Gilliam, 1<\/p>\n

RBI\u2019s<\/b>
Steve Garvey, 6
Mike Piazza, 4
Jackie Robinson, 4
Shohei Ohtani, 3<\/p>\n

Stolen bases<\/b>
Steve Sax, 2
Maury Wills, 1
Will Smith, 1
Shawn Green, 1
Orlando Hudson, 1<\/p>\n

Walks<\/b>
Pee Wee Reese, 3
Roy Campanella, 3
Wally Moon, 3
Steve Garvey, 2
Jackie Robinson, 2
Ron Cey, 2
Augie Galan, 2
Duke Snider, 2<\/p>\n

Strikeouts<\/b>
Roy Campanella, 5
John Roseboro, 4
Pee Wee Reese, 3
Steve Garvey, 3
Cody Bellinger, 3
Yasiel Puig, 3<\/p>\n

Batting average (Min. 6 at-bats)<\/b>
Billy Herman, .444
Steve Garvey, .409
Maury Wills, ,357
Jackie Robinson, .333
Gil Hodges, .333
Mike Piazza, .333
Duke Snider, .300<\/p>\n

Innings pitched<\/b>
Don Drysdale, 19.1
Don Newcombe, 8.2
Don Sutton 8
Fernando Valenzuela, 7.2
Clayton Kershaw, 7.2
Sandy Koufax, 6
Claude Osteen, 5<\/p>\n

ERA (minimum 5 IP)<\/b>
Claude Osteen, 0.00
Don Sutton, 0.00
Fernando Valenzuela, 0.00
Don Drysdale, 1.40
Sandy Koufax, 1.50
Clayton Kershaw, 3.52
Don Newcombe, 4.15<\/p>\n

Strikeouts<\/b>
Don Drysdale, 19
Fernando Valenzuela, 9
Don Sutton, 7
Zack Greinke, 6
Clayton Kershaw, 6
Don Newcombe, 5<\/p>\n

Saves<\/b>
Don Drysdale, 1
Jonathan Broxton, 1
Jim Brewer, 1<\/p>\n

Current Dodgers in the All-Star game<\/b>
Numbers with Dodgers only<\/p>\n

Shohei Ohtani, .400 batting average, 2 for 4, 1 homer, 3 RBIs
Mookie Betts, .333, 1 for 3, 1 RBI
Will Smith, .200, 1 for 5, 1 double, 1 steal
Freddie Freeman, .000, 0 for 4
Teoscar Hern\u00e1ndez, .000, 0 for 2
Max Muncy, .000, 0 for 4<\/p>\n

These names seem familiar<\/h2>\n

How notable players who were with the Dodgers the last couple of seasons are doing with their new teams (through Sunday). Click on the player\u2019s name to be taken to their full stats page:<\/p>\n

Anthony Banda<\/a>, Twins: 2-0, 4.46 ERA, 2 saves, 34.1 IP, 31 hits, 15 walks, 33 K\u2019s, 97 ERA+, out for the season<\/p>\n

Cody Bellinger<\/a>, Yankees: .254\/.345\/.421, 403 PA\u2019s, 19 doubles, 3 triples, 11 homers, 51 RBIs, 114 OPS+<\/p>\n

Walker Buehler<\/a>, Padres: 5-5, 5.36 ERA, 89 IP, 93 hits, 35 walks, 81 K\u2019s, 77 ERA+<\/p>\n

Mike Busch<\/a>, Cubs: .239\/.368\/.395, 424 PA\u2019s, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 11 homers, 49 RBIs, 115 OPS+<\/p>\n

Michael Conforto<\/a>, Cubs: .243\/.331\/.486, 160 PA\u2019s, 10 doubles, 8 homers, 22 RBIs, 126 OPS+<\/p>\n

Justin Dean<\/a>, Cubs: .400\/.500\/.800, 6 PA\u2019s, 1 triple, 3 RBIs, 259 OPS+<\/p>\n

Caleb Ferguson<\/a>, Reds: 1-0, 2.41 ERA, 1 save, 18.2 IP, 19 hits, 7 walks, 17 K\u2019s, 185 ERA+<\/p>\n

Jack Flaherty<\/a>, Tigers: 3-8, 4.48 ERA, 82.1 IP, 76 hits, 40 walks, 98 K\u2019s, 96 ERA+<\/p>\n

Kenley Jansen<\/a>, Tigers: 1-4, 4.56 ERA, 11 saves, 23.2 IP, 16 hits, 13 walks, 25 K\u2019s, 95 ERA+<\/p>\n

Craig Kimbrel<\/a>, Rays: 0-2, 4.82 ERA, 28 IP, 26 hits, 11 walks, 26 K\u2019s, 90 ERA+<\/p>\n

Gavin Lux<\/a>, Rays: on the IL<\/p>\n

Dustin May<\/a>, Cardinals: 5-6, 4.55 ERA, 93 IP, 89 hits, 28 walks, 89 K\u2019s, 89 ERA+<\/p>\n

Zach McKinstry<\/a>, Tigers: .197\/.278\/.298, 248 PA\u2019s, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 4 homers, 19 RBIs, 60 OPS+<\/p>\n

James Outman<\/a>, Tigers: .152\/.221\/.288, 136 PA\u2019s, 4 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, 13 RBIs, 40 OPS+<\/p>\n

Joc Pederson<\/a>, Rangers: .235\/.334\/.462, 294 PA\u2019s, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 15 homers, 34 RBIs, 130 OPS+ <\/p>\n

Luke Raley<\/a>, Mariners: .229\/.288\/.453, 259 PA\u2019s, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 14 homers, 36 RBIs, 109 OPS+<\/p>\n

Ben Rortvedt<\/a>, Mets: in the minors<\/p>\n

Corey Seager<\/a>, Rangers: .182\/.292\/.374, 219 PA\u2019s, 6 doubles, 10 homers, 25 RBIs, 94 OPS+, on the IL<\/p>\n

Justin Turner<\/a>, Tijuana (Mexican League): .282\/.394\/.475, 216 PA\u2019s, 17 doubles, 6 homers, 28 RBIs<\/p>\n

Trea Turner<\/a>, Phillies: .236\/.284\/.355, 415 PA\u2019s, 16 doubles, 10 homers, 33 RBIs, 71 OPS+<\/p>\n

Miguel Vargas<\/a>, White Sox: .245\/.355\/.493, 409 PA\u2019s, 20 doubles, 1 triple, 21 homers, 59 RBIs, 135 OPS+<\/p>\n

Kirby Yates<\/a>, Angels: 0-4, 3.00 ERA, 3 saves, 21 IP, 14 hits, 7 walks, 28 K\u2019s, 141 ERA+<\/p>\n

In case you missed it<\/h2>\n

Shaikin: Love it or hate it: Would the Dodgers\u2019 NL West rivals call a Tarik Skubal trade overkill?<\/a><\/p>\n

How Dodgers\u2019 Justin Wrobleski went from demotion to All-Star in less than two years<\/a><\/p>\n

Shaikin: Inside the Shohei Ohtani Economy driving a wild auction for his worn cleats<\/a><\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 top MLB draft pick Bo Lowrance eager to emulate Freddie Freeman, Corey Seager<\/a> <\/p>\n

Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski added to National League roster for All-Star Game<\/a> <\/p>\n

Kik\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez on why he\u2019ll miss Dodgers\u2019 White House visit<\/a> <\/p>\n

Shohei Ohtani scratched from pitching start, won\u2019t play in MLB All-Star Game<\/a> <\/p>\n

Why 2026 MLB draft will be special for Dodgers coach Dino Ebel\u2019s family<\/a> <\/p>\n

Plaschke: Are the Dodgers tone deaf? White House visit is an insult to their fans<\/a> <\/p>\n

Dodgers scheduled to visit White House in late July to celebrate 2025 World Series win<\/a> <\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 collab with KAWS will put acclaimed artist\u2019s unique \u2018XX\u2019 spin on jerseys, trading cards, more<\/a> <\/p>\n

And finally<\/h2>\n

Vin Scully<\/b> discusses getting Babe Ruth<\/b>\u2018s autograph. Watch and listen here.<\/a> <\/p>\n

Until next time …<\/h2>\n

Have a comment or something you\u2019d like to see in a future Dodgers newsletter? Email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com.<\/u><\/a> To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.<\/u><\/a> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell. Ranking the summer movies I\u2019ve seen this year: 1. Supergirl. 2. Young Washington. 3. Disclosure Day. 4. Masters of the Universe. 5. The Devil Wears Prada 2. Are you a true-blue fan? Get our Dodgers Dugout newsletter for insights, news and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b8b46f7\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3555x1866+0+0\/resize\/1200x630!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F59%2F4c5b3e5d41a9aa46e1e0f12265e6%2F2209035593.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[767,1641,1931,1642,477,309,1117,614],"class_list":["post-924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-dodgers","tag-draft","tag-dugout","tag-firstround","tag-house","tag-picks","tag-trip","tag-white"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/924\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/valutednews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}