Ryan Pepiot Says Making Dodgers Opening Day Roster is ‘A Lifelong Dream’
In order to even get drafted to the MLB and get a shot in the minor leagues, one has to work their entire life for it and perform well at every level. Even when a prospect gets time in AA or AAA, they have just a 10% chance of getting called up to the big leagues and securing a roster spot.
Your Los Angeles Dodgers have allowed Ryan Pepiot to become a part of that exclusive 10% as he has been named the fifth starter in their pitching rotation to kick off the year.
After a very impressive Spring Training, Pepiot took LA’s coaching staff by storm as he not only performed whenever he stepped onto the field but he also carry a mature attitude that showed he meant business during these weeks. Dave Roberts revealed that he had to really ponder whether he wanted the 25-year-old or Michael Grove but bet on Pepiot in the end.
The Dodgers are one of the most storied franchises in not just the MLB but in all of sports. Pepiot was honest about the possibility of making the big league roster and shared that he didn’t want to worry about it too much. He was willing to take on any role on any squad that the front office asked of him.
The right-hander detailed how felt when he received the news of his name making the final cut.
“I was shocked,” Pepiot said. “I walked in, they were kind of somber, played it down, and I was like, ‘I’ve been in this room before.’ Then, they told me, and I was like, seriously? Very surreal. It’s been a lifelong dream.”
Via The Athletic
Pepiot started 5 games this spring and put together a fine 3.29 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP. He has been laser-focused this entire spring and he will now be able to learn full-time from two of the league’s premier pitchers in Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias.
Opposing franchises can say whatever they like about our team but one thing they can’t really criticize is our ability to develop pitching prospects. The fact that it was even a tight race between Pepiot and Grove speaks a ton about their growth over the years. I’m ready to see how both of them perform moving forward.
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