Caleb Ferguson has been a key member of the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen in recent years, but his 2023 season was filled with bouts of inconsistency.
The left-hander got off to a great start as he posted a 1.80 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 24 strikeouts against six walks over his first 23 appearances.
However, Ferguson hit a rough patch in June when he put up a 6.80 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 10 innings of work (11 games). He bounced back by pitching to a minuscule 0.87 ERA in 11 appearances during the month of July.
Ferguson finished the first half with a 5-3 record 2.78 ERA, 1.21 ERA and 10.6 strikeouts per nine in 32.1 innings pitched. The second half was a much different story as he went 2-1 with a 4.18 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 10.3 strikeouts per nine in 28 innings.
Ferguson also had extreme home and road splits as he posted an excellent 1.10 ERA in 36 games at Dodger Stadium compared to a 6.18 ERA in 32 games away from Chavez Ravine.
All-in-all, Ferguson went 7-4 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and three saves during the 2023 season. He posted a 6.75 ERA and 2.10 WHIP in seven starts, compared to a 3.02 ERA and 1.30 WHIP as a relief pitcher.
While there was some discussion about whether Ferguson would be included on the Dodgers’ postseason roster for the National League Division Series, the 27-year-old did make the cut. He threw 2.1 scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Caleb Ferguson 2023 highlight
Ferguson had a streak of 14.1 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run from April 11-May 22, when he struck out 20 batters against four walks across 17 appearances.
2024 outlook
Ferguson is in his final year of salary arbitration before potentially becoming a free agent after the 2024 season. He reportedly avoided the process by signing a one-year, $2.4 million contract.
Ferguson will look to find more consistency this year and re-emerge as one of the Dodgers’ most trusted relievers.
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