The Dodgers are so loaded with pitching talent, that young phenoms Julio Urias, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin may all be competing for the 5TH STARTER roster spot. Friedman traded away two veteran relievers because the Dodgers don’t have enough innings to give them. The bullpen has at least 6 pitchers with saves in their career.
So let’s take a look at just how deep the Dodgers pitching staff really is and who’s most likely to miss the Opening Day roster with only 13 or 14 pitching spots available. How we’re going to do this is by giving our power rankings of pitchers with the most (1) control of their roster spot and role, (2) usage or leverage of innings pitched, and (3) immunity despite performance.
So the top 10 are secure in their roster spot, the top 15 are all very much in play though. The rest of the top 25, we believe, will see MLB innings at some point this year.
- Clayton Kershaw, LHP
- Trevor Bauer, RHP
- Walker Buehler, RHP
- Kenley Jansen, RHP
- Blake Treinen, RHP
- Brusdar Graterol, RHP
- Victor Gonzales, LHP
- David Price, LHP
- Julio Urias, LHP
- Dustin May, RHP
- Corey Knebel, RHP
- Scott Alexander, LHP
- Tony Gonsolin, RHP
- Joe Kelly, RHP
- Garrett Cleavinger, LHP
- Alex Vesia, LHP
- Mitch White, RHP
- Dennis Santana, RHP
- Gerardo Carrillo, RHP
- Edwin Uceta, RHP
- Andre Jackson, RHP
- Brandon Morrow, RHP
- Mike Kickham, LHP
- Josiah Gray, RHP
- Michael Grove, RHP
- Honorable Mentions
- Landon Knack
- Jimmy Nelson
- Nick Robertson
- Robinson Ortiz
- James Pazos
Reasoning
We think Dustin May is the last man pretty much guaranteed an MLB roster spot. Knebel has had high praise from Roberts and others and already sounds locked into hold situations.
But after that, we could see just about any of the other top 14 somehow missing a spot mostly due to the plethora of RHP talent the Dodgers have. That’s why we feel Alexander is relatively secure, but Cleavinger or Vesia could easily impress enough in spring for his innings. The same even goes for long shot lefty, Michael Kickham. He’s definitely the most similar to what Alexander throws.
As for the righties, the only pitcher we really struggled with ranking is Joe Kelly. He’s getting paid a ton, but is honestly not as good as some of these young arms are. It’s nothing on Kelly, but this team is too loaded for his inconsistency.
The names we love but aren’t sure if they’ll get bullpen time are Edwin Uceta, Josiah Gray, Michael Grove, and Landon Knack. Look we need starters in the future and these guys can be a hell of a rotation in a couple years if we start stretching them out now.
The names we’re excited about, but aren’t sure they’ll get enough innings are Gerardo Carrillo, Tony Gonsolin, Nick Robertson, and Dennis Santana.
Overall, the Dodgers seem to be loaded to move some arms at the deadline this year as they try to go back to back.
Dodger Dynasty 
Leave a Reply