Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Joe Kelly Named Team’s Biggest 2020 Bounceback Candidate

Joe Kelly had quite the up and down 2019 season in the first year of his contract with the Dodgers. His first half was stained by brutal blowups and poor pitch mixing. His second half seemed to be his coming out party as he was the Dodgers’ best relief pitcher at times. The postseason represented a pretty upsetting ending to his season, but management could be to blame.

Now that we look forward, the primary question should be: ‘How will he pitch in 2020?’



According to MLB.com’s Will Leitch, the Dodgers will find their biggest 2020 bounce-back candidate in Joe Kelly.

Here is the entire excerpt on Kelly:

He has obviously been incredibly inconsistent. But he still has light-you-up stuff. Someday, it’ll work for a full season.

Kelly has always had amazing raw stuff, but has never put it all together for a full season. That is the story of the 31-year-old’s career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and now the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, the Dodgers are hoping he can be something different — and he can.

After the All-Star break, Kelly was unhittable. That’s even understating his dominance. He posted a 3.00 ERA which is pretty solid, but the 2.75 xFIP and 31.3 percent strikeout rate paint an even better picture. Compare that to his dreadful 5.28 ERA first half and you have reason for even more hope in 2020 after the tremendous second-half showing.

…let’s just all try to forget about his postseason, shall we?

How do you think Joe Kelly will fare in 2020?

Daniel Preciado

My name is Daniel Preciado and I am 19 years old. I am a sophomore Sport Analytics major and Cognitive Science and Economics dual minor at Syracuse University. When I am not in New York, I live in Whittier, California --- not too far from Chavez Ravine. I am pretty old-school for being an analytics guy and I will always embrace debate. Also, Chase Utley did absolutely nothing wrong.

5 Comments

  1. “…let’s just all try to forget about his postseason, shall we?”

    Are you serious? This SOB hurt the team more than he helped them from day one of this season. Get rid of him!

  2. When did this happen? I saw one game wherein Kelly’s pitches were phenomenal but only one. I began to shudder when he came to the mound. You must be praying for a much better season in 2020.

  3. I think we should give Kelly the same respect we gave Jansen. Even though Jansen gave a respectful answer to reporters on the 2017 Astros sign cheating, His time has come to move on from the closer role. Everyone forgets we have Major League Umps Behind the plate. Were they all stupid or what. Anything the players and coaches hear the Umps! KNOW! I think those Umps should be looked into!

  4. Management could be to blame????
    More specifically Dave Roberts is to blame!
    Joe Kelly could have an ERA of 0.00, not allow a hit all season and Roberts would leave him off the post season roster. Fire Dave Roberts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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