The Athletic’s Eno Sarris predicted Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski to outproduce Blake Snell in 2026.
Snell is set to miss the beginning of the season, with manager Dave Roberts saying they expect to have him back at the end of May. Wrobleski, on the other hand, is on the Opening Day roster, and will almost certainly get more opportunities.
With the head start he has over Snell, Sarris expects Wrobleski’s numbers to surpass the two-time Cy Young winner’s in 2026.
“Snell is only now beginning his progression, but he could work through it and be available by May, and give his customary 100 or so innings,” Sarris wrote. “He’d still be good, he put up nearly 2 WAR of value last year in 61 1/3 innings, and over 3 WAR in 104 innings the year prior. But his absence will likely give Wrobleski a head start. And the younger Los Angeles Dodger lefty has been putting up good innings totals while refining a strong arsenal of pitches with stuff that he can command.
“…It looks like a nice, wide, stable arsenal with just enough strength on the fastballs to compete. Stability will be something that this Dodgers rotation may need as they encounter their yearly bouts with injury.”
Wrobleski made a middle-inning appearance against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, and showed exactly why people are speaking of him so highly heading into this season.
He pitched four innings, striking out five batters while facing the minimum. Wrobleski made five total appearances this spring, and allowed a run in just one of them. He held opponents scoreless for his first three outings of the year.
What Role Will Justin Wrobleski Play in 2026?
Wrobleski’s role for the Dodgers in 2026 is kind of a gray area at the moment, but manager Dave Roberts said he would begin the season as a piggyback reliever and a spot starter.
Wrobleski’s strong performances have turned heads so far this year, with even the front office considering moving him up in the pecking order.
“I think his ability to grow and mature and learn how to harness his stuff and compete in those moments will serve him well as he tries to navigate a lineup two, three times,” Friedman said, per MLB’s Sonja Chen. “He’ll certainly be a candidate. He was also so good out of the ‘pen, we have to weigh that.”
Wrobleski isn’t quite a member of the Dodgers’ rotation yet, but if he continues to put strong, multi-inning performances together, he’ll find his way there in no time.
Do you think Justin Wrobleski will outproduce Blake Snell?
