After experiencing multiple seasons of shortcomings with their starting rotation, the Los Angeles Dodgers began the process of insulating themselves against similar issues ahead of the 2024 season.
Since then the Dodgers have added a plethora of high-priced starting pitchers to their organization, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. However, what sets L.A. apart from other franchises that attempt to spend their way to a solution is its ability to develop young talent alongside its free-agent acquisitions.
The Dodgers’ depth has played a huge role in the starting rotation this season. Manager Dave Roberts praised Justin Wrobleski, Emmet Sheehan and Roki Sasaki for their contributions, via Doug Padilla of the Southern California News Group.
“You know, it’s remarkable,” Roberts said. “(As) an organization, you try to get young starters, and that’s probably the hardest thing to do, and to see what Emmett’s done still as a young pitcher, and you see what Justin has done, a young pitcher, and then you see where what Roki has done in a calendar year, it’s really unique to see pictures of that service time be that successful.”
The development of young talent is important not only for building short-term depth but also for sustaining long-term success by replacing aging veterans with cost-controlled players.
Wrobleski has had the biggest impact among this group in 2026, but Sasaki has also begun to turn a corner of late.
What is even more exciting is the fact that the Dodgers also have River Ryan waiting in the Minors. Ryan has a 2.81 ERA and a 29.9% strikeout rate through 32 innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season.
Gavin Stone is another intriguing option but his outlook this season is murky. Additionally, it would be unrealistic to have high expectations for him this season given his injury history over the past couple of seasons.
Dodgers Japanese starters make MLB history
Earlier this month Yamamoto, Ohtani and Sasaki combined to throw 18.1 scoreless innings. They became the first trio of Japanese-born pitchers to have a scoreless start in the same season.
The stretch started with Yamamoto delivering 5.1 scoreless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 31. Ohtani added another six scoreless against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 3 and Sasaki capped it off with seven shutout innings at Dodger Stadium on Friday night.
The streak ended when Yamamoto gave up a run in the first inning to the Los Angeles Angels on June 6.
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