The Dodgers Incredulous Pitching Depth

Waaaaay too early in ST to draw any positive or negative conclusions.  However, one conclusion that we may be able to say is that the Dodgers pitching is DEEEEEP!  While it is right now, will it stay that way?

In 4 games, the Dodgers have trotted out 36 pitchers…32 different pitchers.  34 of the pitchers have thrown 1.0 inning with Yoshinobu Yamamota (1.2 IP) and Antonio Knowles (0.1 IP) the two who strayed from the 1.0 IP.  Of the 32 different pitchers, 12 were on the 40, and 20 were NRI.

In Tuesday’s game, we got a peek at what we missed last year with Gavin Stone.  He pitched a perfect top of the 1^st inning with 2 strikeouts.  He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes).  His change was in mid-season form.  He threw 7 changes, 5 were whiffs, one was a ball up, and the one change that was hit was a lazy fly ball.  He did comment after the inning that he was able to throw his change during his rehab because it did not hurt.  His 4-seamer was mid-90’s.  He threw 1 cutter and 1 slider, both for strikes.  I do not think he could have asked for a better inning pitched.

While Stone was outstanding, it will be important to learn how he feels

Until Thursday’s game, Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed the most runs (2, 1 earned).  He had to endure a couple of long waits because the Dodger hitters were hitting Angel pitching for a long 1^st and 2^nd inning.  He gave up 2 runs in his 2^nd inning.  After that, 25 successive innings of no runs allowed, Ronan Kopp had a throwing error allowing the only run after Yamamoto’s 2^nd inning.

There were multiple pitching performances that were encouraging.  The one that I was glad to see go out and perform was LHRP Alex Vesia.  It had to be surreal for him to go out and face batters after his and his wife’s tragic loss last year.  And yet he looked like Alex Vesia.  He got that game out of the way.

The other SP:

LHSP Jackson Ferris looked good staring down five Padres regulars.  My complaint would be that he relied on his 4-seamer too much, and he did not have great command with it. With his walk to Machado, he was not close on any of the four balls.  He is not ready to be considered to be in the long depth of SP, but he should get strong consideration for AAA.  From there?  It will be up to him.

RHSP Landon Knack did not face any Mariners regulars, but he did mow through 3 MLB role players.  He threw 9 pitches (7 strikes) and yet he was done for the day.  While Knack is on the SP depth chart, he is expected to start the season in AAA.

Of the other pitchers on the 40 man, RHRP Will Klein looked particularly sharp in his 1.0 IP.  He did not have a K, but induced three ground ball outs on 10 pitches (7 strikes). Only one of the ground ball outs was considered hard hit.  Castellanos and Gavin Sheets figure to on the Padres 26-man.  Campusano?

Two relivers currently expected to make the 26-man, RHRP Ben Casparius and LHRP Jack Dreyer, each pitched an inning.  Both showed a little rust.  Dreyer allowed a single to catcher Andrew Knizner and struck out 1.  Knizner is not that impressive of an offensive weapon, but he does hit LAD pitching better than most of the rest of MLB.  Casparius threw 21 pitches.  While he did not allow a hit, he did walk one and strike out one.

RHP Kyle Hurt also pitched well in his 1.0 IP back from TJ surgery.  He faced three MLB hitters, struck out 1, and did not allow a batted ball with a greater than 89.1 exit velo.  He was around the plate, and did not groove anything.  He threw 8 pitches (6 strikes).  As we get deeper into ST, he will obviously go back out for a 2^nd inning if he throws just 8 pitches.  He will probably go back to OKC to start the season.  Will he start or relieve at OKC?

RHRP Paul Gervase and LHRP Ronan Kopp were a tad shaky, but muscled through with Kopp allowing an unearned run on his own throwing error.  Both are expected to be in OKC. Kopp is a big strikeout pitcher, but like many of the LAD pitchers in MiLB, he lacks command.

On Tuesday we got a look at a pair of potential 26-man roster pitchers: Edgardo Henriquez and Justin Wrobleski.  Henriquez allowed the first earned runs since Yamamoto when he allowed a 3-run HR to uber 2B prospect, Travis Bazzana.  Wrobo continues in his quest to break camp on the 26-man with a flawless 1.0 inning with a K.  I have already guessed that Wrobo will start in the place of Blake Snell, but he is still a legit consideration for a LHRP role.  He can be a long reliever as well as a single inning reliever.  Problem is, do they need a 4^th LHRP after Vesia, Dreyer, and Scott?  For long relief, the Dodgers can lean on Casparius and Klein.

Of those not on the 40 man:

LHP Luke Fox was outstanding against LAA.  While he did not face anyone who should make the 26 man, he did strike out 3 and walk 1 in his 1.0 IP.  He had a 3-pitch repertoire in the game, with his 4-seamer and sinker in the mid-90’s.

RHP Chris Campos was also outstanding in his inning.  He retired the side in order while striking out 2.  He threw 11 pitches (8 strikes).  He did face two SDP regulars (Bogaerts and Merrill), striking out Merrill.  He threw three pitches (4-seamer, cutter, and curve). He will probably start at Tulsa, but should get a promotion during the year to OKC.

Others to monitor during ST and into the season who display some promise:

• Cam Day
• Carlos Duran
• Patrick Copen
• Cole Irvin
• Nick Robertson

One interesting story line is to see how far RHRP Ryder Ryan progresses.  Ryder is the older brother of coveted LAD RHSP River Ryan.  Ryder is not a youngster, and his chances of reaching MLB with LAD are not high.  He was the first Dodger pitcher to pitch in 2 games.  The second game was a better outing.  He retired the side in order, striking out 2.

RHRP Paul Gervase, LHRP Antoine Kelly, RHP Wyatt Mills also pitched in their 2^nd game of the Spring.  Gervase allowed a single with a K, and Kelly retired the side in order with 2 Ks, and Mills allowed a single with no Ks.

But wait there’s more.  On Wednesday, Roki Sasaki will make his start. Other 40-man roster pitchers yet to pitch include:

• RHSP – Emmet Sheehan
• RHSP – River Ryan
• RHSP – Tyler Glasnow (Scheduled for Thursday)
• RHRP – Edwin Diaz
• RHRP – Blake Treinen
• LHRP – Tanner Scott
• RHRP – Bobby Miller

5 of the first 6 will make the 26 man, with River Ryan a possibility.  Only Bobby Miller figures to be out of consideration to break camp with the big league team.

Position players yet to make their 2026 ST debut:

• Mookie Betts
• Max Muncy
• Alex Call
• Jack Suwinski