Dodgers: RHP Ryan Pepiot Talks About Role Expectations for Upcoming Season
Dodgers pitcher Ryan Pepiot got a taste of the major leagues last season, making seven starts and two relief appearances for Los Angeles and posting a 3.47 ERA in 36.1 innings. Pepiot went 3-0 in his nine games, although he struggled with efficiency and often didn’t get as deep into games as he would have liked.
Coming into 2023, Pepiot’s role with the Dodgers is a little unclear. Los Angeles has five solid starters in Julio Urias, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Noah Syndergaard, although any of those guys could need a break at any time. Pepiot will likely start the season alongside Michael Grove as the default go-to guys if a spot in the rotation temporarily opens up. Later in the year, things could change, as top pitching prospects Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone are expected to be ready for the big leagues at some point in 2023.
Whatever his role, though, Pepiot is ready to help the team win however he can, as he recently told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain.
“It’s very exciting. I want to help the team however I can, whether I’m starting, out of the bullpen, combination of both, whatever I can do to help the team, give the team the best chance to win ballgames, that’s the goal is win ballgames, win championships. So, whatever I can do to help is very exciting. …
“I haven’t really talked, necessarily, role yet. I’m sure that’ll come more in spring training. But whatever I’m asked to do, whenever my name is called to take the ball, whether I’m starting on a Tuesday or I’m coming out of the bullpen on a Thursday, whatever it is, I know I’m going to give everything I got that day.”
The opportunities will come for Pepiot, although he’ll likely spend some of the season back in Triple-A. He had some success in the big leagues last year, and if he can take the next step to improving his command and having quicker innings, he could be a very valuable part of the 2023 Dodgers team.
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Just throw the ball for strikes. There is a reason managers stress this all the time. Throw strikes and keep the ball down. If Pepiot can do this, then the world could be his oyster. But if he can’t keep his concentration for 6-7 innings and starts walking people. his days as a starter will be history with the Dodgers. His arm isn’t the problems. His problems are between the ears and only he can change that.