Dodgers: Andrew Friedman Sees Julio Urias Developing Into Walker Buehler-Type Role
Thus far, Julio Urias has shown himself ready to be a part of one of the deepest rotations in the game. Urias has made two starts – and both of those games the Dodgers have won. While you don’t throw out the start at Coors Field – Urias showed the guile of a veteran. Without his best stuff, he still showed the spirit to compete and give the Dodgers enough to win the game on Sunday Night Baseball.
However, Urias has experience out of the bullpen and is working himself back from a serious surgery still. Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman joined MLB Network to talk about how he sees Urias’ usage.
“We want to put him in the position to take down as much workload as he possibly can this year, so that next year in 2020, he can kind of be in a position like Walker Buehler was last year.”
(Dodgers x @CohnReznick) pic.twitter.com/KBxXZ1Dfht
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 9, 2019
When asked, Friedman made a very interesting comparison.
“We want to put him in the position to take down as much workload as he possibly can this year, so that next year in 2020, he can kind of be in a position like Walker Buehler was last year.”
First, it’s nice to see that Friedman wants to get Urias some major work in 2019. Furthermore – if you’re simply judging it on comment – the president of baseball operations sees Urias as a similar talent to Buehler.
It sounds a little bit like the ripple effect of this comment could mean Urias won’t spend the entire year as a starter. Surely, as Rich Hill and Clayton Kershaw get healthy; Urias could be tapped to work out of the bullpen. Still, he’s thrown well enough to make a case to remain in the pen for the long haul.
The Dodgers could always move Urias to the bullpen after ‘X’ number of starts. From there, his innings and appearances could be managed in an organized fashion.
Your Plan For Urias
What do you feel is the best plan moving forward for Urias on the Dodgers roster? Obviously, the Dodgers have a weapon here waiting to be untapped. If you were Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman, how exactly would you manage Urias this season in preparation for 2020? Let us know in the comments below!
Cody Bellinger Home Run 71 at Coors
Looking to the Future a rotation starting with Urias and Buehler is certainly impressive. I thought the Dodgers might sign Ryu as dominant as he has been since he returned last year. Now with the Groin issue again depending on how long he misses they will probably pass on him.
As Hill and Ryu will not be under contract next year it certainly opens a spot for Urias. I am sure we are all waiting to see if Kershaw came be effective at a maximum velocity of 88.
Gonsolin is pitching well at OKC this year and this will put pressure on the Dodgers to either bring him up next year or trade him. A pitcher that has the pitch repertoire of Gonsolin and the velocity is sure to be a top of the rotation starter. May is coming up fast with others like White,Graves etc in A ball. Point being do they keep Maeda or trade him to bring up the young cost controlled arms?
The Dodgers will obviously attempt to control Urias’s pitch count this year and hope to let him go full year next year. However situations arise like Ryu’s injury or if Kershaw is ineffective. Do they use Urias or bring up Gonsolin or stretch out Ferguson or Santana?
We will have to stay tuned.
Alex R is not in the HOF and I hope he never is