Los Angeles Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski has been fantastic since stepping in as a starter, and manager Dave Roberts thinks he is a candidate to make the All-Star Game.
Wrobleski has made 14 appearances this season, 13 of which have been starts, and has thrown 86.1 innings over the course of the year. He has a 2.71 ERA, and has struck out 53 batters on the season.
In his most recent start on Tuesday, Wrobleski tossed seven innings of two-run baseball, marking the fifth time he has pitched through the seventh inning this season. The Dodgers went on to comfortably win the game behind the southpaw’s strong start
“He’s certainly worthy of All-Star consideration,” Roberts said before Wrobleski’s start Tuesday. “I forgot what year it was, where Tony Gonsolin made the All-Star team and was in a similar boat. Obviously with what Wrobo’s done, as far as the numbers, he’s right in the mix. I don’t fortunately have any say in the voting. But I hope he does get some consideration.”
While Wrobleski admits the prospect of making the All-Star Game excites him, he is more focused on his performances rather than individual accolades.
“The numbers are cool and it’s great, but at the same time, I think I could have been a little better,” Wrobleski said. “It’d be cool [to make the All-Star team]. It’s something you dream of, something you always want the chance to do, and it’s hard to be in that conversation. But at the same time, I’m just staying within my process. The chips are going to fall where they’re going to fall.”
What Makes Justin Wrobleski So Effective This Season?
Wrobleski has made a couple of adjustments to his style of pitching compared to seasons past which have made him elite as a starter. The left-hander has significantly cut down on walks this year—issuing just 18 free passes compared to 17 in nearly 20 fewer innings last season.
His 5.2% walk rate ranks in the 93rd percentile of MLB pitchers, and is nearly 1% better than his already elite walk rate from last season.
The left-hander has been pounding the zone all year, posting a career-high 62.8% first-pitch strike rate, and while his strikeout rate is down, he is also avoiding hard contact at a better rate than last season.
Wrobleski has been one of the Dodgers’ best pitchers all season, and will look to carry his momentum through the remainder of the year as he aims to play a big role in the Dodgers’ three-peat charge.
Do you think Justin Wrobleski will be an All-Star this season?
