Dodgers News: Josh Fields Quietly Having A Strong Start
Josh Fields had an unproductive spring training. His velocity dipped, and the team’s depth made it an early guarantee he wouldn’t start the year in the majors.
Fields was promoted when Grant Dayton hit the DL in mid-April, and he hasn’t looked back. Fields has been one of the best relievers in the MLB.
If that's it for Josh Fields, that makes it 15 of 16 scoreless appearances.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) May 17, 2017
Josh Fields' ERA is down to 0.55. He ranks fifth in MLB among relievers.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) May 17, 2017
The Dodgers acquired Fields at the 2016 deadline for prospect Yordan Alvarez. Once a power arm and key piece of Houston’s bullpen, Fields lost command and fell out of favor. He was sent to Triple-A and eventually dealt to Los Angeles.
Aside from the poor spring, he’s been everything the team could’ve hoped for a more in 2017. Fields has 21 strikeouts in 16.1 innings. He pitched seven innings in April, allowing only one run. In 9.1 innings this month, he’s shutout the opposition. He’s walked only three batters, and his command seems to have found its way back.
[graphiq id=”fmCmbxVpg21″ title=”Josh Fields” width=”600″ height=”663″ url=”https://sw.graphiq.com/w/fmCmbxVpg21″ frozen=”true”]In a season that’s had mixed results so far, Fields has quietely slipped under the radar and developed into a valuable asset for the ‘pen.
I can see Fields taking over the setup role before season ends. With Romo, Baez, and Dayton looking shaky at times, Fields could be a more solid option if he continues to perform.