Dodgers News: Gavin Stone Brings Home Minor League Award
Let’s use this as a reminder that Gavin Stone is actually pretty good. In “well deserved” deserved news, Dodgers pitching prospect Gavin Stone was named the Minor League Pitcher of the Week for his dominant start at Triple-A Oklahoma City last week.
Gavin Stone is "rock"ing the baseball world and it's no surprise that he's the MiLB Pitcher of the Week! ? pic.twitter.com/meXp9HLiQF
— Oklahoma City Dodgers (@okc_dodgers) July 11, 2023
Stone tossed 6 innings of 3 hit ball, striking out 8 while impressively walking no one. He and the OKC Dodgers picked up the win and he brings home the award.
It’s hopefully a confidence boost for what has otherwise been a struggle of a season for the 24-year-old. After standing out in a huge way with 14 strikeouts in just 6.2 innings during spring training, Stone started the season at AAA a little slow before catching on fire. His hot streak combined with the big league club’s need for a starter amid injury issues got Stone the call up for his MLB debut early in May where he wasn’t at his sharpest against the Phillies in a no decision.
He went back down to AAA for two fine starts (11 IP, 3 ER) before rejoining the Dodgers on a tough road trip. Since then, things had been rough for the organization’s number 4 prospect. He allowed 12 runs over 6 innings across 2 starts and was sent back down to the minor leagues. In 4 starts following his demotion, he was hit around, allowing 24 runs over 18 innings (12.00 ERA).
Stone made an emergency relief appearance for LA against the Pirates last week, allowing a run in 2 innings before once again returning to AAA and now earning the Pitcher of the Week honors.
With injuries being the story of the season, the Dodgers will need Stone to put it all together at the major league level sooner rather than later if the club is going to survive another three-plus months of baseball.
