Dodgers 2014 Player Reviews: Carlos Frias

[new_royalslider id=”293″] Frias was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2007. After posting a 1.81 ERA in 13 games with the Dominican Summer League Dodgers, he moved to the states at 18 and pitched for the organization’s Gulf Coast League affiliate in 2008. He spent the next few years in rookie ball before making 12 relief appearances for Rancho Cucamonga in 2011, when he put up an ERA of 6.19. Frias began to turn things around in 2012, making 16 starts between Ogden and Rancho. In 2013, he pitched for Great Lakes, Rancho and Chattanooga, combining for a 3.31 ERA in 28 games. Last season, Frias made five starts with Chattanooga before moving up to Albuquerque and, eventually, making his major league debut.

The right-hander made his first appearance with the Dodgers on August 4 against the Angels, when he pitched two scoreless innings. He continued to appear out of the bullpen until September, when he made a spot start against the Nationals. Frias went six innings, allowing no runs and just three hits, pitching well enough to win. Unfortunately, the bullpen imploded and the Dodgers ended up losing. He’d make just one more start, in Colorado, where he allowed eight runs in just two-thirds of an inning. He would end up making the Dodgers’ postseason roster, but did not pitch in a playoff game.

2014 Highlight

Frias definitely had some rough patches in his debut, but he started and finished strong. In his final appearance of the season, on September 27 against the Rockies, the Dodgers’ bullpen blew yet another lead and the game went to extra innings. Frias was called upon to pitch the 10th and sat down the side in order. He did so again in the 11th. In the 12th, he allowed a two-out walk and a wild pitch, putting the go-ahead run on second base, but induced a flyout to end the threat. In the bottom of the inning, Scott Van Slyke would score on a walk-off wild pitch, earning Frias his first major league win.

2015 Outlook

Frias gives the Dodgers a versatile option on the pitching staff, with the ability to pitch out of the bullpen or in the rotation. That ability could allow him to replace Jamey Wright next season. Depending on how he does in Spring Training, Frias could be on the roster bubble. He’ll give the club a difficult decision to make next March.