The Dodgers have lengthy been anticipated to make the most of a six-man rotation this yr as a way to accommodate Shohei Ohtani, and have accordingly assembled a deep group of arms. Final week, nonetheless, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman revealed that, with Ohtani not anticipated to debut as a pitcher till someday in Might, the Dodgers intend to open the season with a five-man rotation. 4 of these spots will go to Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki. That fifth spot seems to be up for grabs, with the 2 main candidates being a pair of arms that missed the 2024 season totally because of damage: right-handers Dustin Might and Tony Gonsolin.
The duo have been on very related tracks for a lot of their respective careers. Drafted within the third and ninth rounds of the 2016 draft respectively, Might and Gonsolin have been each top-100 prospects for the Dodgers who made their massive league debuts in 2019 and appeared good of their temporary cups of espresso. Might posted a 3.63 ERA in 34 2/3 innings, whereas Gonsolin posted a 2.93 ERA in 40 innings. Each took on bigger roles in 2020 and completed top-five in NL Rookie of the 12 months voting that yr.
It was on the outset of the 2021 season the place the pair’s careers start to diverge. Might has routinely been good when wholesome, however “when wholesome” is a key caveat. Might has began simply 20 video games and thrown 101 innings whole over the previous 4 seasons. That’s principally been because of a number of elbow surgical procedures, and simply when his arm wholesome final summer season, he suffered an esophageal tear that required surgical procedure and sidelined him for 2024.
Gonsolin has been wholesome lengthy sufficient to construct up a extra sustained monitor document, however that taking part in time has include ups and downs. In 2021, the righty posted a powerful 3.23 ERA however a 4.54 FIP due in no small half to a bloated 14.2% stroll fee. Gonsolin was sensational in 2022, logging a 2.14 ERA in 24 begins (130 1/3 innings) as he minimize his stroll fee by greater than half and struck out a strong 23.9% of opponents confronted. The success was short-lived. Gonsolin struggled badly throughout 20 begins in 2023 earlier than present process his personal Tommy John surgical procedure, which worn out his whole 2024 season.
Might brings glorious fee stats to the desk, with a 3.21 ERA (132 ERA+), a 3.59 FIP, and a 24.1% strikeout fee over that aforementioned stretch of 2020 begins between surgical procedures. He’s additionally simply 27 years outdated. Between that youth and his restricted on-field reps so far in his profession, it’s not outlandish to recommend that Might may have a better ceiling than even his sturdy profession numbers recommend. Gonsolin has extra expertise pitching in massive league video games. The 31-year-old’s phenomenal 2022 season can also be by far the perfect work both participant has put ahead in a given season. Might has five-plus seasons of MLB service and might’t be optioned with out his consent. Gonsolin will attain that very same threshold 20 days into the season however for now has one minor league possibility left.
There are different candidates for the fifth spot, however none come near matching the expertise of Might and Gonsolin. Bobby Miller is a former prime prospect who delivered a powerful 2023 season, however he was one of many worst pitchers in baseball final yr. Landon Knack, Ben Casparius, and Justin Wrobleski are all wholesome and accessible as depth starters after every debuted in 2024. Of the three, solely Knack has substantial massive league taking part in time beneath his belt. The 27-year-old’s 3.65 ERA in 69 innings final yr may make him the subsequent man up behind Might and Gonsolin, however he nonetheless seems to be additional down the depth chart than the 2 returning righties.
It’s price reminding that franchise legend Clayton Kershaw is slated to start out the season on the 60-day IL. Youthful arms like Emmet Sheehan, Kyle Damage and River Ryan are all recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure carried out throughout the 2024 season. Gavin Stone had shoulder surgical procedure in October and isn’t more likely to pitch this yr. Fellow righty Nick Frasso is a well-regarded arm however isn’t more likely to be within the Opening Day rotation combine after lacking the 2024 season because of shoulder surgical procedure carried out final offseason. That size listing of arms is a testomony to the group’s depth and in addition reminder that whoever opens the season because the No. 5 starter is hardly a lock to carry a rotation spot all season. The Dodgers will most likely cycle by means of 12-plus starters this season.
Be that as it might, there’s loads of intrigue surrounding the Opening Day employees. Assuming everybody stays wholesome, how do MLBTR readers suppose the Dodgers’ fifth starter battle will play out? Will the membership go for Might’s upside and relative youth? Will they as a substitute flip to Gonsolin’s extra substantial MLB monitor document in hopes he can replicate his All-Star 2022 marketing campaign? Will one of many less-experienced arms get away and declare the position? Have your say within the ballot under:
