3/17/2023

2023 Topps Series 1


The 2023 Topps Series 1 was released in mid-February. For me, I often buy some packs of Topps Series 1 each year. Once the 2023 Topps Series 1 was released, I went to a sports card shop and bought some hobby packs of the 2023 Topps Series 1. As usual, I was looking for some cool rookie cards.


After opening some hobby packs, I found a Miguel Vargas rookie card. I like to watch Dodger baseball, hence, getting a Miguel Vargas rookie card is great for me. While seeing this card, I think about some rookies who played for the Dodgers in 2022.


Stats (Hitting, Dodgers, Rookies, 2022)

Player

G

H

HR

RBI

SB

BA

OPS

Miguel Vargas

18

8

1

8

1

.170

.455

James Outman

4

6

1

3

0

.462

1.409


Firstly, let’s start from the batters. James Outman made his MLB debut on July 31. His debut was a memorable one. He crushed a home run in his first at-bat. In the first game of his career, he collected 3 hits and 3 RBI. In total, Outman played 4 games for the Dodgers in 2022, hitting .462/.563/.846 with 1 home run and 3 RBI.


Moreover, Miguel Vargas made his MLB debut on August 3. Vargas’ debut was also pretty good. He collected 2 hits and 2 RBI in the first game of his career.


Stats (Pitching, Dodgers, Rookies, 2022)

Player

G

IP

W-L

SO

ERA

WHIP

Ryan Pepiot

9

36.1

3-0

42

3.47

1.46

Michael Grove

7

29.1

1-0

24

4.60

1.43

Jake Reed

5

4.2

0-0

2

1.93

1.50

Andre Jackson

4

9.2

0-0

9

1.86

1.34


In addition, let’s take a look at the pitchers. Ryan Pepiot made his debut on May 11. He tossed 3 innings in the first game of his career and didn’t allow a run. In total, Pepiot made 7 starts and 2 relief appearances for the Dodgers in 2022. He owned a 3.47 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP over 36.1 innings in his first season in the big leagues. He struck out 42 batters in 2022, but he gave up 27 walks.


Furthermore, Michael Grove made it into the big leagues on May 15. In the first game of his career, he tossed 3.2 innings and gave up 4 runs (all unearned). In the first season of his career, Grove made 6 starts and 1 relief appearance, posting a 4.60 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 29.1 innings. He punched out 24 strikeouts, but allowed 10 walks.


Finally, Jake Reed and Andre Jackson each made it into the big leagues in 2021. However, they didn’t have too many opportunities in the first season of their careers. In 2022, Jake Reed made 5 relief appearances for the Dodgers, posting a 1.93 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in 4.2 innings. At the same time, Andre Jackson made 4 relief appearances last season. He owned a 1.86 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 9.2 innings.


The 2023 Opening Day is just a couple of weeks away. Many rookie players are fighting hard to make the opening day roster. Among those rookies who played for the Dodgers in 2022, it will be interesting to see who will eventually make the opening day roster. Meanwhile, James Outman, Miguel Vargas, Ryan Pepiot, Michael Grove and Andre Jackson are still eligible for MLB rookie awards. The last time that a player from the Dodgers won the NL Rookie of the Year award was in 2017 and Cody Bellinger won the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year award. Is it possible to see another player from the Dodgers win the Rookie of the Year award this year? 

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