Dodgers Quietly Sign Sidearm Reliever Andrew Schwaab to Bullpen Mix
The “under the radar” moves made by Andrew Friedman have easily become some of my favorite over the years. Some of those moves have ultimately resulted in the Dodgers’ first World Series since 1988, so whatever it takes is fine by me.
This month, Friedman and the Dodgers added several arms into the mix ahead of the 2021 season. Los Angeles added in Brandon Morrow, Jimmy Nelson, Corey Knebel, and Brock Stewart over the last few weeks. One move that went relatively unnoticed though, was the addition of Andrew Schwaab. LA singed Schwaab to a minor league deal in early December as noted by the team’s transaction page.
Schwaab went undrafted out of the University of Missouri before being picked up by the Yankees on a minor league deal. Since then, he has bounced around a little bit in the minor leagues and just elected free agency with the Red Sox. The Dodgers added him on a minor league deal and presumably will be invited to Spring Training.
Schwaab is a sidearm reliever with stats that didn’t exactly light up scouts’ eyes in college. In his final season at Mizzou in 2015, Schwaab made 26 appearances and pitched to a 3.81 ERA with questionable control. During his 2019 stint with the Red Sox’ minor league teams, he tossed a combined 58 innings between High-A and Double-A ball. If the Dodgers can get his control in order, they might have a decent depth piece on their hands.
Schwaab will be 28-years-old by the time the Dodgers have their pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training in 2021. The fact that he has not made his Major League debut means that his time is running out, and this very well could be his best shot at making it in his career.
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There is a good reason why Dodgers did not announce the signing – he is an Oklahoma City roster filler
It’s a numbers game. if you pick up enough pitchers with potential and allow your coaches and Driveline to work with them on mechanics you may get a couple of very efficient pitchers.
Low-risk potential high reward. Same as Morrow etc.
Depending on roster size in 2021, which among other issues haven’t been worked out there most likely won’t be room on active roster but as Socal said, he would fill a spot on OKC roster.