Dodgers Spring Training: Julio Urias Dominates Live Batting Practice
Julio Urias got off to a quick start, needing just three pitches to strike out Joc Pederson and three more to retire Alex Guerrero, according to Eric Stephen of True Blue LA:
Julio Urias struck out Joc Pederson on three pitches in his first batter face in live BP
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) March 1, 2015
…then Alex Guerrero on three pitches
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) March 1, 2015
Video of Pederson’s first at-bat against Urias is provided below, via J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News:
Hoornstra also captured video of Urias’ second inning of work:
Courtesy of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Twitter account is this inside look at the Urias-Pederson matchup:
Coming in hot. Julio Urias pitching to @yungjoc650. #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/3hRMoWJ3ED
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 1, 2015
Understandably, the batting practice session drew quite the crowd, according to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
Lined up watching Julio Urias throw to hitters — Mark McGwire, Sandy Koufax, Rick Honeycutt, GM Farhan Zaidi pic.twitter.com/00GKyrCEUy
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 1, 2015
While O’Koyea Dickson fared better than Guerrero and Pederson, he was nonetheless impressed by Urias:
O'Koyea Dickson walked against Julio Urias then walked out of the box shaking his head. "Jesus, he's got some good stuff."
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) March 1, 2015
As was the case with Clayton Kershaw on Saturday, Urias’ session concluded after roughly 40 pitches:
1grounder, 1 pop up, some foul balls — not a lot of contact v Julio Urias in about 40 pitches. #Dodgers
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 1, 2015
Amid the belief by some that he’s currently ready to pitch at the Major-League level, Urias’ impressive performance on Sunday is sure to add more fuel to the fire. Should he navigate a successful Cactus League schedule, the Dodgers may be inclined to giving the possibility more thought, if they haven’t already.
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