Dodgers Pick Up Urias Contract, Former Dodger Praises Urias

The day is finally here and pitching phenomenon Julio Urias will face the New York Mets in his MLB debut. As fans wait for the much anticipated 19-year-olds debut, the Los Angeles Dodgers have officially selected his contract.

Urias will wear No. 78 on the field and looks to bring over his dominating play from the minors into the majors.

.@theteenager7 has arrived. (via @alannarizzo) pic.twitter.com/PGReqIIOKP

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 27, 2016

To create room on the 40-man roster the Dodgers placed right-handed pitcher Yimi Garcia (right biceps soreness) to the 60-day disabled list, and optioned left-hander Luis Avilan to Triple-A on Thursday.

During his time with the Oklahoma City Dodgers he went 4-1 with a 1.10 ERA in eight games. He last pitched May 20th and was originally expected to pitch Thursday in Fresno before getting the call. In his last appearance with OKC, Urias threw 64 pitches, struck out five batters and only allowed three hits in 5 scoreless innings. He capped off the night with a 1-0 victory over Salt Lake (Angels).

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Urias saying he has done nothing but “perform”. Urias heads into Friday’s matchup vs. the Mets riding a 27 scoreless-inning streak. Urias hasn’t allowed a run since April 22. Teammate Adrian Gonzalez took to social media to wish the teenager luck.

Suerte @theteenager7 en este día tan especial. #Dodgers #MLBdeput pic.twitter.com/LaomXXdiJA

— Adrián González OLY (@Adrian_ElTitan) May 27, 2016

The Dodgers begin the first of a 3-game series vs. the Mets before heading off to Chicago. There is a lot of hype surrounding Urias debut, but it’s for good reason.

Former #Dodgers RHP Zack Greinke described Julio Urias to me this spring as “the most perfect pitching prospect I’ve ever seen.” 1/2

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 26, 2016

I asked Greinke why. He said: 1. Urias is left-handed. 2. Stuff is plus-plus. 3. “He’s nasty, but not so nasty you think he’ll blow out.”

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 26, 2016

From the Dodgers Press Release:

Urias, who was originally signed by Los Angeles as an amateur free agent on Aug. 17, 2012 out of Mexico, entered the 2016 season rated by MLB.com as the top left-handed pitching prospect and the fourth-best overall prospect in baseball.

At 19 years, 289 days, Urias will be the Dodgers’ youngest starting pitcher since Dick Calmus, who took the mound at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 23, 1963 vs. Milwaukee at 19 years, 228 days. He will also become the youngest Dodger to make his Major League debut since Adrian Beltre (19 years, 78 days on his debut, June 24, 1998 vs. LAA) and the youngest Dodger to make his debut as a starting pitcher since Rex Barney (18 years, 242 days on his debut vs. the Cubs on Aug. 18, 1943) – Source: Stats, LLC.

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