Editorials

Dodgers: A Highlight of Summer Camp at Dodger Stadium

Tim Rogers Follow on X 07/18/2020
0 3 minutes read

The Dodgers’ Summer Camp or Spring Training 2.0 has had many highlights. We will never forget Chico and adjusting to a games being played without fans. For us so-called “Prospect Huggers” there has been an abundance of what we like to see. We are seeing extended outings from our top prospect pitchers that we would have never seen in regular Spring Training games. Most might not even be playing in Dodger Stadium at all in 2020.

Some of use have watched them play in the minor leagues or workout on the backfields at Spring Training. We would be thrilled to see them get an inning during a Major League pre-season game. Now, we have been able to get a good glimpse at quite a few pitching prospects. Our own Ryan Falla wrote about three of the pitchers a few days ago about some that could be ready to make their Major League debut.

Dustin May

We start off with a more familiar face in Dustin May. Dustin made his Major League debut last year and did well enough to grab a post-season spot in the bullpen. This season he is battling for a spot in the rotation. With Walker Buehler not stretched out it is very possible we could see a lot of Dustin May to begin the season. He could make a start or two if the Dodgers go with a 6-man rotation or he could be piggyback off of some Buehler starts. No matter what happens he has reminded us during ST 2.0 that he has a bright future.

Josiah Gray

We got to see a little bit of Josiah Gray in Spring Training but ST 2.0 has given use quite a few innings of him. The first hitter he faced was Mookie Betts that did not go well and Mookie went yard. After that Gray has been excellent and is showing that he can get big leaguers out. I predict he will make his Major League debut sometime in 2021 but he could get the call this season if the Dodgers run into some bad luck.

Victor Gonzalez

Victor Gonzalez started the 2019 season with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in High-A ball and finished in AAA with the Oklahoma Dodgers. His reward was a spot on the 40-man roster. Although he ended the 2019 season as a reliever it looks like the Dodgers are still looking at him as a starter. He very well could be a pitcher that can tie together a short outing from a starter to get to the back end of the bullpen.

Gerardo Carrillo

The youngest of the bunch is Gerardo Carrillo who has a fastball that tops out at 100 MPH. He has given up a couple of home runs and had some control issues. The last inning he threw he was able to get his pitches under control and showed what he is capable of.

Ryan Pepiot

Ryan Pepiot was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft. According to some of the Dodgers ST 2.0 broadcasters, the Red Sox wanted to acquire him in the Mookie Betts trade. His first appearance in ST 2.0 was the first time I was able to see him in a game situation. As has been reported, Pepiot has an outstanding changeup and used it to go through a lineup that had two MVPs. I was able to interview him a few weeks ago where he spoke about his changeup and many other things.

Brusdar Graterol

One of the big acquisitions of the off-season is the closer-in-waiting, Brusdar Graterol. He throws an easy 100 MPH and looks like a possible dominant force in the bullpen for this season. The only real question is his health. His health history caused the Mookie Betts trade to be delayed. (Note: if the Red Sox had wanted Graterol, the Dodgers would not have Joc Pederson, Ross Stripling and Graterol.)

One To Look Forward To

Let’s not forget about one of their other top pitching prospects, Tony Gonsolin. He will be a big factor in 2020 and he should have been on the 2019 playoff roster.

Final Thoughts

There is even better news, the Dodgers have a lot more pitching talent on the way. One big disadvantage for these pitchers is that the Dodgers are quite impacted with pitchers. Some will stay with the Dodgers and some could get traded before they make their Major League debut. For us fans of the Dodgers, it is good to know that the future of the pitching staff is in great hands.

At dodgers2080.com we dive deeper into the depth of the Dodgers farm system. Please consider taking a look.

NEXT: Joc Pederson Talks About the New Look Outfield

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Tim Rogers Follow on X 07/18/2020
0 3 minutes read
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Tim Rogers

A fan of the Dodgers since 1973 since I got my first baseball cards while living in Long Beach. I came to San Diego for college and never left nor did I ever switch my Dodgers' allegiance. Some know me as the "sweater guy". #ProspectHugger

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