Dodgers Spring Training: Pitcher Alex Vesia Hoping to Pick the Brain of Clayton Kershaw
In one of the more unexpected-but-very-Andrew-Friedman moves of the offseason, the Dodgers traded Dylan Floro to the Marlins for a guy named Alex Vesia. The California native admitted that the move was a shock to him as well, but added that he’s felt right at home since joining the club at its spring training facility in Arizona.
It’s been a great transition so far. I’ve been working with all the pitching coordinators and it’s been going pretty well.
The left-handed hurler made his big league debut with Miami last season, struggling to the tune of an 18.69 ERA (9 ER, 4.1 IP) in 5 games. Hardly numbers that you’d expect the defending World Series champs to go out and hand pick in a trade. However, his “grip it and rip it” fastball has often graded out as above average by talent evaluators, so he definitely brings upside to Los Angeles. Especially after the player development staff gets to work on him.
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While he’s not likely to make the opening day roster, Vesia is still hoping to learn as much as he can while at big league camp with the Dodgers. Thursday morning, he touched a bit on what he’d like to learn most from guys like Clayton Kershaw and other veteran arms around the pitching staff.
Probably routine stuff. I felt like last year I didn’t really get to grab a routine — being in COVID and everything like that. So, I’ve been watching them and how they go through their routines day in and day out and picking up little things, even with the training staff I’m picking up some good stuff. … They’ve seemed to have a lot of success so I’ll pick their brains anyway I can.
If you’re going to learn anything about game preparation, learning from a staff that features three former Cy Young award winners definitely doesn’t hurt. Vesia is expecting to get on the mound and face hitters sometime in the next week as the club ramps up into Cactus League play.
Alex Vesia Talks Trade From Marlins and What He’s Looking to Learn from Kershaw, Team
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