My Assessment of the Dodgers First Half – 2 of 2 (Pitchers)
For this exercise I am going to continue with my grades of Exceed Expectations, As Expected, Below Expectations, Well Below Expectations.
Below is the comparison of the 2023 metrics compared to 2022 for Overall, Starters, and Relievers.
Based on the above chart, I do not see how you cannot grade the overall pitching, starting pitching, and relief pitching as anything but Below Expectations.
Starters
Yes, there are reasons for the starting pitching problems. Injuries have been in abundance.
- Ryan Pepiot – Before the season – Still out
- Tony Gonsolin – Before the season – Missed 4 or 5 starts at the beginning of the season. Not the same pitcher.
- Dustin May – Exited game after 1.0 IP on May 17. Strained flexor or forearm strain depending as to which report you want to believe. He has missed 7 starts.
- Noah Syndergaard – Exited game after 3.0 IP on June 7 due to blisters (?). He has missed 4 starts. I am not sure that is a negative in this exercise.
- Julio Urías – Exited game after 3.0 IP on May 18 due to hamstring strain. He has missed 6 starts.
Four rookies have started for the Dodgers:
- Bobby Miller 7 GS
- Michael Grove 7 GS – Out a month due to groin strain
- Emmet Sheehan 3 GS
- Gavin Stone 3 GS
Clayton Kershaw was the last SP not to have been placed on the IL. He has a cranky shoulder, but feels like he could have started if needed. Too much of the season left to take that chance. He can come off the IL on July 15 in the series with NYM.
Outside of CK, not one established LAD starter has met expectations.
- Clayton Kershaw – 16 starts, 95.1 IP, 2.55 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .216 BAA, 105 K, 24 BB
CK is currently 31.0 IP less than his 2022 total. If he does start on Monday, how long before he has to sit down for a game or two. Does anyone expect him to pitch 180+ innings? Kershaw is a 1st ballot HOF, so the numbers (outside of IP) were expected.
Therefore IMO, Clayton Kershaw has Met Expectations.
- Noah Syndergaard – 12 starts, 55.1 IP, 7.16 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, .313 BAA, 39 K, 9 BB
Noah was supposed to be the new miracle project of the vaunted LAD pitching gurus. He heard all about how pitchers came to LAD and were transformed. Last year it was Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney. IMO, the problem was Noah believed they could resurrect his 100 MPH 4-Seamer. They could not, and apparently, Noah did not want to adjust or could not. He was sent to the IL with blisters. The blisters were a recurring issue, but that is not why Syndergaard remains on the IL. He is being retained on the IL so he can work out his problems, mechanically and psychologically.
In addition to his poor pitching, Syndergaard remained as The WORST pitcher at keeping base runners from stealing bases.
IMO, Noah Syndergaard pitched Well Below Expectations.
- Julio Urías – 10 starts, 55.1 IP, 4.39 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .250 BAA, 53 K, 11 BB
After two seasons where he received top 7 CY Award votes, he was rewarded as the opening day starting pitcher. After 4 starts, Julio was among the league’s best. 23.2 IP, 1.90 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 26 K/3BB, 3 HR allowed.
In his next 6 starts, things did not go as well. In 31.2 IP, Julio’s ERA was 6.25, and his WHIP was 1.232. His strikeouts were at 27 and BB at 8. But his HR total was 11. That is 1 per 2.85 IP. Not all of that can be explained by a hamstring strain. We kept hearing…”We need to pitch better.” Thank you Captain Obvious. And yet they are not. Can we ask why and still be loyal LAD fans?
Urías was hit up for 5 runs before there were 2 outs in the first inning in his first game back. Yes, most were soft contact hits. Gee, isn’t that what hitters are supposed to do when trying to make contact? The batted balls found grass. Isn’t this just as much of a indictment that Urías does not have that consistent swing and miss pitch and leaves the pitch in a location where it could be hit?
Since Julio Urías was considered a viable preseason CY candidate, IMO he has pitched Below Expectations, bordering on Well Below Expectations.
- Tony Gonsolin – 11 starts, 57.1 IP, 3.30 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, .177 BAA, 46 K, 22 BB
Tony was absolutely the best pitcher on the planet (yes even better than Sandy Alcantara) the first half of 2022. He suffered a forearm strain and was placed on the IL. He has not pitched like a front of the rotation starting pitcher since mid-July 2022.
He started the season on the IL with a sprained ankle. He made his 1st start April 26 against Pittsburgh. It was probably earlier than the team wanted, but they needed him to come back due to Michael Grove’s groin injury.
On May 19, Gonsolin had a miniscule ERA of 1.13. In his last 6 games, he has allowed 22 earned runs in 37 IP. His ERA over those 6 games is 5.35. In his last 4 games, Gonsolin has allowed 18 earned runs in 25.1 IP for a 6.40 ERA. What is the reason for this decline? Or is it he just needs to pitch better? I am not saying that Gonsolin or Urías are hurt in any way. I have no evidence one way of the other. But there has to be a reason, or is this really the true Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urías?
IMO, Tony Gonsolin has pitched Below Expectations.
- Dustin May – 9 starts, 48.0 IP, 2.63 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, .173 BAA, 34 K, 16 BB
I was hoping for a big recovery year from Dustin. In his 1st three games, Dustin was brilliant. In 18.1 IP, his ERA was 1.47, his WHIP was 0.76, and his BAA was .115. He had a very rough outing in his start against NYM (5 earned runs in 5.2IP). His ERA blossomed to 3.00.
In his next four starts, 23.0 IP with a 2.35 ERA, his ERA settled at 2.68. At times, May looked like a very top of the rotation SP. His injury came at a horrible time (if there is ever a good time). It was diagnosed as a Flexor Strain. Later reported as forearm strain. I have not seen any medicals (not that I could read them), so let’s just say his right elbow is in pain. He got a PRP injection. There was an early report that Dustin was ahead of schedule and playing catch. That has been corrected. His six weeks since the PRP injection will be July 3 (Monday). Will he pick up a ball this week?
Correction: #Dodgers Dave Roberts said he misspoke yesterday. Dustin May has not started playing catch. Still rehabbing from flexor pronator mass injury and PRP injection 6 weeks ago.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 29, 2023
I cannot see Dustin being back in the rotation until mid-August (if he is coming back). Before I get accused of saying Dustin is more injured than is being reported, I am harkening back to 2022 when Walker Buehler went out about the same time, was expected back shortly after the All Star break, had a PRP injection, and shortly after he was supposed to start his rehab, he had his 2nd TJ surgery.
I also remember Dustin saying he probably came back and tried to throw too hard too early in 2022. Could that have been the cause of his current problem?
Can the Dodgers really count on Dustin being a top of the rotation pitcher he was thought to be? Can they win without him or someone similar.
BTW, when I say win, I am using the NL pennant as the bar. Getting a wild card and getting bounced early is not winning, IMO.
IMO, Dustin May Exceeded Expectations before the injury. Subsequently, there is still too much unknown about his participation left in the season. Therefore, I have to add another grade…Incomplete.
- Bobby Miller – 7 starts, 38.1 IP, 4.23 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, .234 BAA, 35 K, 14 BB
Bobby started in MLB career in fine fashion. After his first four starts, Miller had 23.0 IP with a 0.78 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP, and .150 BAA. At one point, he had 20.0 consecutive scoreless innings. His four opponents were Atlanta, Washington, NYY, and Philadelphia.
Miller is a five pitch pitcher:
- Sinker – 226 pitches – 98.8 MPH, 12.9 Whiff %, 17.4 Put Away %
- Slider – 149 pitches – 90.7 MPH, 33.8 Whiff %, 18.9 Put Away %
- Change – 97 pitches – 88.9 MPH, 41.5 Whiff %, 16.7 Put Away %
- 4-Seam Fastball – 88 pitches – 99.3 MPH, 10.9 Whiff %, 8.0 Put Away %
- Curve – 76 pitchers – 81.3 MPH, 35.7 Whiff %, 27.8 Put Away %
His 4-seamer and change are primarily thrown to LHB, and the slider is primarily thrown to RHB. His slider is his best strikeout pitch.
He has run into some tough outings of late, and seems to let his emotions take control. That absolutely needs to change. In his last three starts, 15.1 IP, his ERA is 9.39 and his WHIP is 1.89, with a slash line .339/.419/.508/.927.
He needs to stay in the rotation for a while, so he should have multiple starts to get back on track. He has shown an ability to dominate, but the hitters seem to have adjusted to him, and now he needs to readjust. Work on his command. We know he can hit 100, but he needs to make sure he can master his secondary pitches.
Since I did not honestly expect Bobby Miller to pitch MLB this season, maybe not LAD or many of you fans, for me Bobby Miller has Exceeded Expectations.
- Emmet Sheehan – 3GS, 17.0 IP, 2.65 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, .172 BAA, 12 K, 4 BB
Emmet Sheehan has come of out nowhere to become a current top of the rotation starting pitcher. It is hard to believe he will stay there, but then again…
He is a 3-pitch pitcher (4-seam fastball, slider, change).
- 4 Seam Fastball – 175 Pitches – Avg velo 95.6 – 16.1 Whiff %, K% 7.9, Put Away% 7.3
- Slider – 60 Pitches – Avg velo 87.2 – 27.6 Whiff %, K% 21.4, Put Away % 16.7 – Thrown primarily to RH Batters
- Changeup – 29 Pitches – Avg velo 82.2 – 36.4 Whiff %, K% 54.5, Put Away % 46.2 Thrown primarily to LH Batters
He dominated SF. Outside of a pair of solo HRs, he dominated Houston. And he survived Colorado. His composure seems to set him apart from two pitchers believed to have better stuff, Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone.
After only three starts, I like what I have seen thus far. My biggest takeaway is his composure. Of course, like Miller, I never expected Sheehan to be in MLB so he has Exceeded Expectations. But after only three starts, IMO Emmet Sheehan’s 1st half grade is Incomplete.
- Gavin Stone – 3 GS, 10.0 IP, 14.40 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, .451 BAA, 5 K, 7 BB
After a phenomenal 2022 campaign, much was anticipated from Gavin. The anticipation did not grow to expectations level. Unfortunately Gavin did not pitch up that anticipation.
- 4 Seam Fastball – 96 Pitches – Avg velo 93.7 – 26.2 Whiff %, Put Away % 0.0
- Changeup – 83 Pitches – Avg velo 85.5 – 32.0 Whiff %, Put Away % 7.7 – Thrown primarily to LH Batters
- Slider – 34 Pitches – Avg velo 85.9 – 42.1 Whiff %, Put Away % 30 – Thrown primarily to RH Batters
It is clear that Gavin’s strikeout pitch is not his 4-seamer, so far. His anticipated top pitch, his changeup, has not generated much of a put away. His best put away pitch is his slider, but he throws that just 16% of the time. Gavin was sent back to OKC at the end of May after two poor starts for LAD. In his 4 June starts, he seemed to go backwards…4 GS, 18.0 IP, 12.00 ERA, 2.39 WHIP, .381 BAA. Can he turn it around? He is going to have to show it at OKC before he gets another legit shot at MLB.
After only three starts, I was disappointed in Gavin’s performance. But like with Sheehan, 3.0 GS (and only 10.0 IP), IMO Gavin Stone’s 1st half grade is Incomplete.
- Michael Grove – 7 GS, 31.0 IP, 7.84 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, .310 BAA, 31 K, 10 BB
I have always thought that Michael Grove is the perfect RH version of Andrew Miller. With Daniel Hudson as the closer, Michael Grove and Evan Phillips could be used in high leverage non closer situations. Mix and match.
However he wanted to start, and he deserved the chance to start. Results have not been there for him as a starter. Although at times he was very good. Two bad pitches against NYY. A bunch of soft contact singles. He will continue to start as long as the Dodgers need one. He will be more in the Ross Stripling and Mitch White role. But long term, I think he is a high leverage reliever.
He is primarily a 3 pitch pitcher, but has thrown a 4th pitcher ever so slightly.
- Slider – 260 pitches – 86.0 MPH, 32.2 K%, 39.9 Whiff %, 17.4 Put Away %
- 4-Seamer – 260 pitches – 94.8 MPH, 8.2 K%, 8.0 Whiff %, 9.1 Put Away %
- Curve – 108 pitches – 78.7 MPH, 5.9 K%, 4.9 Whiff %, 5.9 Put Away %
- Change – 4 pitches – 88.0 MPH, 0 K%, 0 Whiff %, 0 Put Away %
Grove’s slider is his best pitch, but he needs his 4-seamer to be productive, and it just hasn’t been so far. Hitters are hitting .393 (BA), .750 (SLG), .502 (wOBA). Showing the fastball up at the top of the zone and then dominating with that slider for an inning will work exceptionally well (IMO).
I never expected Grove to be a mid-rotation starting pitcher. Maybe #5. IMO, Michael Grove has Met Expectations.
Relievers
There are really no Exceeded Exceptions for relievers. Met Expectations, Below Expectations, and Well Below Expectations are the only reliever grades.
Met Expectations:
- Brusdar Graterol – 35 G, 33.0 IP, 2.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, .289 BAA, 24 K, 4 BB
- Evan Phillips – 33 G, 32.0 IP, 1.97 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, .157 BAA, 37 K, 7 BB
- Shelby Miller – 25 G, 30.0 IP, 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .121 BAA, 31 K, 18 BB
- Caleb Ferguson – 33 G, 29.0 IP, 2.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .215 BAA, 31 K, 11 BB
- Justin Bruihl – 16 G, 19.1 IP, 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, .284 BAA, 15 K, 3 BB
Below Expectations:
- Yency Almonte – 36 G, 34.2 IP, 5.45 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .250 BAA, 32 K, 15 BB
- Phil Bickford – 26 G, 30.2 IP, 6.46 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, .252 BAA, 44 K, 18 BB
- Victor González – 23 G, 21.2 IP, 4.57 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, .238 BAA, 21 K, 5 BB
Well Below Expectations:
- Alex Vesia – 23 G, 19.0 IP, 7.58 ERA, 2.42 WHIP, .382 BAA, 30 K, 12 BB
- Andre Jackson – 7 G, 17.2 IP, 6.62 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, .289 BAA, 16 K, 3 BB
Incomplete:
- Nick Robertson – 6 G, 7.2 IP, 7.04 ERA, 2.09 WHIP, .364 BAA, 8 K, 4 BB
- Ryan Brasier – 4 G, 4.1 IP, 2.08 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, .200 BAA, 3 K, 1 BB
It’s incredible the amount of work you put in almost everyday to all of your articles Jeff. I thank you. Your efforts have greatly exceeded my expectations!
Thank you. It is a labor of love. Sometimes time gets the better of me.
Ted,
You wrote that Kershaw complains of a cranky shoulder but he’s ready and willing if needed. This is the kind of situation many athletes are in, they are taught to play through pain. Imagine all the basketball players who are top level and not one of them can be said to be 100% healthy. The pressure drives them and the culture turns a blind eye to the natural limitations of the body. Because pitchers are in repetitive motion, they are going to suffer more in general than positional players. Mookie doesn’t have to throw from RF to the plate more than a couple times a game and sometimes never.
This was Jeff D’s article. Jeff D, excellent work to validate the grades for the staff. Health seems to be the biggest issue right now especially with the starters.
Happy and a safe 4th to everyone.
Badger, it appears you live near a war zone. I’ve experienced the M80, but no dynamite. Crazy times. Take care.
My maintenance guy told me they are called something else by the kids but they are M-100’s. Kids used to call them quarter sticks, but it isn’t dynamite. It just sounds like it.
We’re 22nd in ERA. Maybe that doesn’t say it all but it says a lot.
The other night Karros said Randy Johnson didn’t throw between starts. That too says a lot. If it were me I’d listen. It isn’t me.
I don’t think we will see May again but if we do and he starts throwing 100 mph again he won’t last long.
Kershaw won’t likely have an All Star second half, but he may end up being the best we have.
We’ve developed a staff of 5 inning ceiling starters, injured arms and have done Thor no good. Maybe it’s time to update the company business model.
The offense still looks good. I expect Vargas to have a better second half. And by better I mean could it be any worse?
We’re still in it and for that I am grateful.
Happy Fourth of July guys
Shelby Miller needs to get those walks down.
“a little above my paygrade”. Kershaw on decision to go on the IL
I doubt it. Unless of course those on the medical staff are making $295 million before they turn 36. How about “not my call”. That’s believable.
Kids around here are using dynamite, not firecrackers. It’s been going on all weekend. M-80s and cherry bombs til around 3 a.m. Must be their curfew.
You made me think about what is happening in Ukraine.
Kershaw, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I heard Plato say that once. It has been awhile so I might have misquoted him.
I don’t like long half innings. The ones where the other team is at bat. The clock thing has helped but high pitch counts, bloop singles, walks, that keep the Dodger bats idle bore me. I want efficient pitchers first and foremost.
I would like to see Friedman’s five year plan. I realize it would constantly be updated.
2024/25/26
2B/SS Lux
SS/2B Betts
1B ……Freeman
C/3B Smith
DH/LF Pederson
RF …….Righty bat
CF …….Outman
LF/DH…Vargas/Trade
C/3B……Cartaya/Rushing
Giolito, Miller, Sheehan, Buehler, Stone/Grove/Knack/trade/Tulsa
AF internally published his 5-year plan yesterday at noon. It was completely redone by 5:00 PM. I doubt that those guys ever sleep.
I believe what we are witnessing now is the consequence of 10+ years of excellence. Where the Dodgers have drafted does not bode well for a continual parade of Aces or All Star position players. The scouting gurus and developmental gurus do a crackerjack job (good term for a baseball team, don’t you think?) of drafting players who will play at the MLB level. Stars???Hopefully those players will entice teams to part with their rentals to keep the train going.
I continue to get mocked for my AF era comments. But where have I been factually wrong? THIS YEAR Will Smith became the only LAD position player drafted in the AF era to be selected to the AS game. Walker Buehler and Tony Gonsolin are the only pitchers drafted in the AF era to make an AS team. Buehler is recovering from his 2nd TJ surgery, and Tony is an injury waiting to happen. Those are true, and I did not indict AF in any statement.
The team playmakers are getting older, and the youngins need more seasoning. Plus many of them are not really on the youngin side. Outman is 26. Busch is 25 and still in AAA. DeLuca turns 25 next week and is really a platoon OF (Absolutely noting wrong with that. Every team needs them).
AF did well in the offseason with some of his ready for Medicare FAs. JDM is an All Star. Since June, David Peralta is the 2nd best hitter (in BA) in MLB next to Luis Arraez. Jason Heyward is hitting his best since his rookie season. Shelby Miller (outside of his walks) has pitched well in non high-leverage relief. Only Syndergaard appears to be a bust. AF (Ownership ?) decided that high cost FA were not on the menu this past Winter. This was to be a transitional year bringing in rookies. Can they now package multiple prospects for the rentals they need to contend for the Championship? They have done it before. The selling teams are less and less, so the pickings are suspect. And again, I define contend for Championship as winning the NL Pennant. A lot of teams can say they contend and then go meekly in the playoffs. Ask Minnesota.
……”AF did well in the offseason with some of his ready for Medicare FAs. JDM is an All Star. Since June, David Peralta is the 2nd best hitter (in BA) in MLB next to Luis Arraez. Jason Heyward is hitting his best since his rookie season.”
And yet Roberts keeps putting Muncy in the 3rd and 4th spots in the lineup.
I cannot explain that.
Neither can Roberts. Max killed some rally’s tonight.
For those who missed it, after opting out of of his LAD MiLB contract, Jahmai Jones was quickly signed by Milwaukee to a MLB contract, and immediately placed on the 26-man roster. In his first Brewers PA, he came in to PH for Jesse Winker, with 2 outs, bases loaded, and the Cubs with a 6-3 lead. On the first pitch he saw, he hit a game tying, bases clearing double. Great job Jahmai. I hope there are many more (except when Milwaukee plays LAD).
Lux hopes to return this year.
Excellent, then we can trade him for Joc.
I bet you thought nobody would notice that you snuck him in there again.
I also snuck Lux in as well so you can’t trade him. Besides, Joc will be a free agent next year so no trade is needed. He seems to fit in with championship caliber teams and with Kershaw, Turner, Seager, Jansen, Muncy, gone next year, some sooner than that, it would be nice to have him back on the team.
He’d probably rather stay at home and re-sign with SF. They’re only going to get better and more competitive.
Vargas and Outman need to go to OKC.
What happened to the Cardinals, Padres, and Mets?
Wonder why Jahmai Jones didn’t get a shot with us.
Spoke too soon, Outman with 2 bombs tonight and he looked good doing it.
For your enjoyment and/or discussion and/or derision:
The following trade has been approved by the Trade Simulator (but not by Andrew or the White Sox):
Dodgers get:
Dylan Cease (2.5 years of control remaining)
Luis Robert (2.5 years plus 2 team option years @ 20 mil per year)
Kendall Graveman (1.5 years)
White Sox get:
Diego Cartaya
Bobby Miller
Andy Pages
Michael Busch
Talk amongst yourselves.
I’d rather get Giolito at less cost.
What are you willing to give up for 1/2 season of Giolito?
And your answer cannot include Taylor or Muncy.
Not much. Wouldn’t even be a half season.Trade simulator only gives him a 14.8. Frasso straight up.
The Dodgers did actually make a trade today. They got an infielder to bolster Oklahoma’s infield. Haven’t seen what they gave up.
Pat Valaika, 30 years old, second baseman/shortstop. Has played parts of 6 seasons in the majors with the Rockies and Orioles, none of them very noteworthy.
With all due respect to Mr. Valaika, I hope he’s just filler at OKC and not Vargas’ replacement if/when they send him down.
Michael Busch has to be choice #1. Devin Mann has to be choice #2. Valaika has to be the infielder’s version of Steven Duggar or pitchers version of Robbie Erlin. At least that is my take.
I don’t get it.
He played well in 2020. Had his best year hitting .260 for the Rockies.
I am totally shocked!!! Dustin May is out for the year for elbow surgery to repair flexor tendon. Who saw that coming? Yeah, I did. Waaaaay too much like Walker Buehler.
Yeah, not at all surprised.
Sheehan looking rather rookie-like in the first. Same thing with all the rooks – throw strikes kid. 37 pitches in one inning?
Muncy batting 4th is a joke.
It’s just a shame to have to use your best reliever 3 days in a row.
You know what else is shameful? Major League umpiring.
Agree on both points.
Worst calls I have seen all year. The electronic K zone cannot get here fast enough. That ump tonight should be fired for incompetence.
Is that even up for consideration?
Uh, Rivera never complained about it neither did Gossage. Players today are soft.
and rich.
Personal opinion, with May now out for the season, and Gonsolin and Urias unreliable, they need to make a move to acquire some starting pitching sooner than later. The made a minor deal today getting Pat Valika as middle infield insurance. But major adjustments need to be made. Vargas has lost what ever confidence he had. Send the kid down. Bring up Devin Mann who is mashing the ball at AAA. Hell, bring up Busch too. Can either of them catch?
We’ve got 4 more games against teams we should beat. I’d leave Vargas in all 4 of them, giving him maybe 15 at bats. If he continues to flounder, ok, make a move.
That said, I doubt they do it. The commitment has been made.
Until the end of this month, this is likely our team. It means if you have to use someone other than your closer to finish the game, that’s what you do. It’s just wrong to ask someone like Phillips to go 3 days in a row.
Once again we scored more than enough to beat the opposition. These are the Pirates, not the Braves.
We are fortunate in one respect, nobody in the West is playing well at this time. Only the Dodgers are at .500 in the last 10. Our Division is up for grabs. Hopefully we can make the moves necessary to win it again.