Every year the Dodgers seem to produce a new Rookie of the year candidate. This year is different in that they probably have 4 to 5 ROY potential players. And the favorite has yet to make his 2020 debut.
So let’s take a quick look at all the Rookie contributors to this special 2020 team.
Pitching
Dustin May
CODE RED GOT US HYPED UP. He’s being ranked as the most promising young Dodger by MLB and a top 5 budding star (right behind Ronald Acuna and ahead of Cody Bellinger). So yeah he’s a pretty big deal.
Apparently he was nervous in his first taste last year, because the Dustin May we’re seeing this year looks destined for at least one Cy Young. His movement and velocity are elite and he’s only 23 in September this year.
He pitches tonight for his 5th start of the year, but currently sits at 1-1 with a 2.75 ERA to lead all Rookie Starters. He’s only given up 6 runs on the year so far with a tight leash. But for a guy who wasn’t supposed to start the year in the rotation, he’s currently the Dodger’s ace of the year. And as of right now he’s the NL ROY favorite in our opinion. But we know for sure it will be a Red October.
Tony Gonsolin
0.00 ERA. That’s what you need to keep getting starts in this rotation if your name is Tony Gonsolin. But he officially lost his prospect status his last start out, officially making him a Rookie this year. And after being lights out in two spot starts, it appears Gonsolin is sticking around this time. Which good, because Gonsolin is underrated.
He’s sitting at around a strikeout an inning thanks to his ridiculous splitter, 4 hits, 2 walks, and that’s it in about 9 innings over two starts.
And considering his next start is Tuesday against the Mariners, he should be able to build off his good start. And at a certain point we have to wonder if he can stay hot long enough to get himself in Cy Young talks in a shortened year.
Brusdar Graterol
Jansen finally has a successor. Slowly but surely, the Dodgers are calling Graterol in for high leverage situations. Including an a 7th and 8th inning showing against the Angels last night in a tie game.
Roberts had him shut down the top 4 batters in Fletcher, La Stella, Trout, and Rendon. They obviously are beginning to trust their young Bazooka.
He’s 0-2 with a 4.00 ERA but has been lights out every 2 out of 3 times so far. Perhaps the most important sign on the young season is his 1 BB so far and the increase in spin rate on his slider. Control 100+ has been a struggle for him in the past, and the increase in spin rate on his slider has turned it into a legitimate weapon.
Dennis Santana
Santana has battled injuries but has remained a constant top prospect. His big weapon this year is a new reliance on his tight slurve to go with his heater. Unfortunately there is almost no room for him in the starting rotation, but the Dodgers seem to like him in the long relief role. He is basically the reason the Dodgers won their first extra inning game this year.
Victor Gonzales
Old teammates with Julio Urias he’s excited to begin his MLB career. He skyrocketed through the Dodger’s system after major improvements in 2019.
Not only did he become a top end starter, he became an even better reliever. In fact, his new mechanics seem to relate Gonzales to Josh Hader.
Hitting
Edwin Rios
The best home run hitter of all time? Technically Rios is on pace to beat even the heaviest of steroid users. When Rios makes contact the ball goes a longgggggg way. Batting wise, the only other NL Rookie playing as well is Cronenworth of the Padres. But otherwise Rios is so far the best hitter to get promoted in the NL this year. And hey, he hit the first ever leadoff 2-run bomb.
Keibert Ruiz
Keibert gets his callup today to make himself and May one of the youngest batteries in Dodger history. The switch hitting catcher slashed .299/.351/.420 throughout his minor league career. He’s consistently been a top prospect and even ranks as the current 7th best catching prospect.
Gavin Lux
We all know what Gavin Lux brings. The clock just continues to click. It’s starting to look like the Dodgers want to save his Rookie at bats for 2021.
Dodger Dynasty 
Aw, this was a very good post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a top notch article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never manage to get anything done.
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