Dodgers: Rookie Phenom Has High Praise for LA Top Pitching Prospect
Dodgers fans are likely more familiar with the name “Julio Rodriguez” following the rookie’s impressive display during last month’s Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium. The All-Star rookie for the Mariners has been taking the league by storm this season. While his numbers aren’t eye-popping, he’s quickly becoming a thing of legend around Seattle. So much so that when you say Julio in the great northeast, people know exactly who you’re talking about.
J Rod recently sat down for a one-on-one interview where he answered questions from Twitter. One of his answers involved Dodgers’ top pitching prospect Ryan Pepiot, a pitcher Rodriguez holds in high regard.
The question: Who was the best pitcher you faced in the minor leagues so far? The answer?
The best pitcher I faced in the minor league is probably Ryan Pepiot. I really give props to that guy. Really good competitor. I got a few off of him, but I also got a few strikeouts too, so… he was a tough guy.
User Kimberly shared the moment on Twitter.
Julio Rodriguez said Ryan Pepiot was the best pitcher he’s ever faced pic.twitter.com/FCs0dFbDrH
— Kimberly (@kimballzzzzz) August 5, 2022
Pepiot is a name most Dodgers fans are familiar with now. The right-hander made his major league debut back in May and has made 4 starts in total with LA so far this season. With the club losing ace Clayton Kershaw for the next few weeks at best, Pepiot is a name Dave Roberts mentioned as an option to take a start or two while the left-hander is on the injured list.
Over the last few weeks, Pepiot — a changeup specialist — has been working on his breaking pitches more often at the minor league level. If we do see the rookie again some time next week, expect him to have a more dynamic pitch mix on display.
Ryan Pepiot continued a pair of trends from his 7/26 outing – he got the same number of outs (21), and he did this despite limited use of his best pitch, as he threw same amount of changeups (12) in both outings. Tonight's line:
7.0 IP
5 hits
2 runs (earned)
2 BBs
4 Ks?? pic.twitter.com/kPMNyx0BEK— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) August 1, 2022
Unfortunately, Pep would face either the Twins or Royals in that start so no rematch with Julio.
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