Dodgers: Julio Urías Had a Huge Drop in Velocity
What Julio Urias was able to accomplish during the 2021 season was pretty incredible. In an age where wins by a starting pitcher mean less and less, Julio compiled 20 of them and pitched to a 2.96 ERA. He was huge for the Dodgers in a year where they really need him, especially with all of the injuries to pitchers.
So when Julio took the mound on Sunday in Colorado, the Dodgers were hoping for more of that. But that’s not what they got out of the 25-year-old southpaw. Julio’s stuff wasn’t there at all, inducing just four swings-and-misses and getting tagged for 6 hits and 3 earned runs in 2 innings.
That lack of missing bats is a huge concern though, more so than the actual results of the game. Julio’s velocity took a huge dip as well, averaging just 91.4 mph on his heater. That’s way down from his career average of 94 mph. But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did offer a little bit of an explanation for that after the game. (quotes via OC Register’s Bill Plunkett)
“I do think it’s a byproduct of just not having that normal buildup. I’m not using that as an excuse. I think it’s just a matter of fact. We’re building him up and building up arm strength. I just think that’s the reason. He’s healthy. He feels good. That’s one part of it. But even the secondary today — the changeup, the breaking ball — just wasn’t there.
Even with the short build-up, it’s hard to not be slightly concerned about that sort of dip in velocity. It’s even more concerning that Urias couldn’t miss bats at all in the Dodgers loss, and he didn’t even chalk up a strikeout in that game.
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It’s obviously a long season and there is still plenty of time to get things dialed in. But Julio was supposed to be one of the two guys in the rotation that the Dodgers were depending on. Outside of him and Walker Buehler, there are a lot of question marks.
They need him to get right, and soon.
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The pitchers didn’t get enough Spring Training time to build up and it will hurt them for a while early in the season. As to the Dodgers offense, someone needs to tell them that a swish sound is only good in basketball.
the team should move julio back into the bullpen and give him a chance to regain arm strength.and dodgersnation is into too much hype reporting as 2 others hinted about recently in posts. im on your side mr owner editor at dn.
Weird day in Colorado. I think we can throw that one out. No need for concern…….yet.
So the 280 million dollar roster still can’t hit. Mookie is a total waste of money, Muncy is damages still, and everyone else not named Freddy look feeble…