Dodgers: Dustin May Going From Alternate Site to Rookie of the Year Candidate
Days before opening day in July, the Dodgers informed Dustin May that he wouldn’t make the 30-man roster to start the season. Soon after, he was told he may be needed for the opening day start with Clayton Kershaw dealing with an ailing back.
Flash forward a few weeks and the 22-year-old right-hander has firmly entrenched himself into Rookie of the Year conversations. Baseball America’s Kyle Glaser says that Code Red is separating himself from the pack.
Our latest Rookie of the Year watch is here.
The new favorite in the NL?@Dodgers RHP Dustin May.
Here's why: https://t.co/h4IPaMGue9 pic.twitter.com/DX3iBGQgFE
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) August 6, 2020
Here’s what the prospects expert had to say.
May is beginning to live up to his “Gingergaard” moniker, gaining 2-3 mph on his stuff across the board and looking more and more like Noah Syndergaard with his 96-100 mph power sinker low-to-mid-90s breaking ball. May is 1-0, 2.63 through three starts and leads all NL rookies with 15 strikeouts, including one that made him a viral sensation.
On the season — as mentioned — Dustin has a 1-0 record with a 2.63 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched. Moreover, he leads all of baseball in average velocity with 98.9mph on his fastball, according to Statcast. His “grip it and rip it” sinker/2-seamer also tops MLB, sitting at an average 97.8mph. His cutter ranked second behind Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes at 93.3mph.
With Kershaw’s back injury and now Alex Wood’s shoulder issue, May Day is seizing the opportunity as part of the starting rotation. He’s also doing his best to give manager Dave Roberts a headache when it comes to his future in the rotation. Doc on Tuesday said Dustin was “making his claim” on a rotation spot now and is happy to see him stepping up when given the opportunity. However, he did allude to the fact that Wood would reclaim that fifth spot when he’s healthy.
For Dustin, as long as he’s in that rotation, it could be smooth sailing to that 2020 NL ROY award… but some things definitely have to go his way over the next few weeks.
NEXT: The Future of Dustin May in the Starting Rotation
Why give the starting spot back to Wood? He’s not that good. That’s why he was expendable. They just sort of gave him the starting role didn’t they? Competition should determine who gets the starter spots.
Wood is the 7th best starter on the team right now. I’d rank him behind Gonsolin and he’ll soon be pushed by Santana and Gray if he isn’t already. I don’t see how he helps the team this year and certainly shouldn’t figure in plans going forward. I’d trade him for whatever they can get now.
Dustin has got some electric stuff. Yep, plug him in the rotation. Man, sure glad he was kept out of all our trade. options last 2 winters.
Maybe it’s a hidden contractual thing. Maybe when he signed there was a clause in his contract stating that, if healthy, he was in the rotation. Nevertheless, I agree with the above listed posters. Wood is not a better starting option than Stripling, May or Gonsolin.