Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
At the start of the 2023 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen was terrible, but in June, when the Dodgers added Ryan Brasier, the bullpen improved. Entering the 2024 season, the Dodgers’ bullpen is one of the strengths of the team built for the World Series.
This offseason, the Dodgers re-signed both Joe Kelly and Brasier. After coming over from the Chicago White Sox in July 2023, Kelly was great despite having an IL stint. At 35, Kelly throws harder than any time in his major league career. The former starter has a killer curveball and a good changeup. If Kelly remains healthy and has good control, he will be a high-leverage, important reliever in the Dodger bullpen.
Brasier, 36, was a game-changer for the Dodgers in 2023. After being released by the Boston Red Sox, Brasier was picked up by the Dodgers and developed an unhittable slider. Every time Dave Roberts called on Brasier in an important tight spot, Brasier escaped out of a jam beautifully. Of course, this upcoming season, Brasier will sometimes struggle, but he will be a great reliever barring an injury.
Evan Phillips is projected to be the Dodger closer in the upcoming season. Despite rumors of the Dodgers looking for a proven, experienced closer, Phillips had 24 saves in the 2023 season. He doesn’t have a blazing fastball like many other closers. He throws in the mid-nineties and has a nasty slider.
At 25, Brusdar Graterol is entering his prime. He is the only Dodger reliever who can throw 100 miles per hour. Over the last two years, Graterol has developed a decent slider. In 2023, he appeared in 68 games, he had 7 saves, a 1.20 ERA, 48 strikeouts, and 12 walks. If Graterol learns how to strike out more batters, he will be a closer.
Alex Vesia is the sole short-use left-handed reliever. In the 2023 season, Vesia split time between AAA, Oklahoma City, and the Dodgers. When he could locate his pitches in the strike zone, he was excellent. When he had no control, he struggled. Vesia had more difficulty adjusting to the pitch clock than most pitchers. In 2024, Vesia should have a better season than previous years.
The Dodgers have Blake Treinen who is coming off shoulder surgery, J.P. Feyereisen who is coming off shoulder surgery, and Daniel Hudson who had a knee injury in 2023. If one of these pitchers can perform, the Dodgers will have an excellent bullpen. If they can’t, the Dodgers need either to trade for a reliever or promote Kyle Hurt.
Ryan Yarbrough is a swingman in the bullpen. Since Walker Buehler can’t pitch in April, Yarbrough figures to be in the starting rotation. The Dodgers need a reliever who can pitch multiple innings. If Yarbrough is in the rotation, the Dodgers need to promote Michael Grove, Gavin Stone, or Emmet Sheehan to be their long man until Yarbrough can return to the Dodger bullpen.
