Weeks after missing on marquee free-agent relief pitchers Darren O’Day and Ryan Madson, the Los Angeles Dodgers addressed their bullpen with two unheralded signings. The first was adding Joe Blanton in January, then Louis Coleman was signed in February.
Both right-handers were inked to one-year contracts. Coleman was coming off somewhat of a disappointing season with the Kansas City Royals. The bulk of his time was spent with the organization’s Triple-A Omaha affiliate.
In 38 games with the Storm Chasers, Coleman was 8-2 with nine saves, a 1.69 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and averaged 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
He threw three scoreless innings and had one strikeout across four outings with the Royals. Over parts of five seasons with Kansas City, he went 6-4 with two saves, a 3.20 ERA, 4.30 FIP and 1.25 WHIP in 152 games.
After a finger injury caused Coleman to lose his standing in the Royals bullpen, he entered 2016 motivated to make an impact with the Dodgers. He appeared in 10 games during Spring Training, yielding a 1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and totaling 12 strikeouts to zero walks in 12 innings pitched.
His first nine appearances were all scoreless outings. Coleman’s performance and ability to retire left- and right-handed batters, earned him a spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. Being out of contract options also played into his favor.
After making 50 relief appearances, Coleman was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 3 with right shoulder fatigue. He was 2-1 with a 3.70 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 1.33 WHIP, 37 walks and 16 strikeouts in 41.1 innings at the time.
Coleman made four rehab appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City and the Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers, allowing only an unearned run in four innings, prior to being reinstated from the DL on Sept. 2.
He threw 6.2 innings over 11 games during the final month of the regular season, allowing eight runs on six hits, three of which were home runs. The 30-year-old finished the year with a 4.69 ERA, 4.31 FIP, 1.44 WHIP, and subsequently was left off the Dodgers’ postseason rosters.
2016 Highlight
After allowing five runs (four earned) in just five innings pitched across his first five games, Coleman hit his stride to become one of the Dodgers’ better relievers. In 26 games (21.1 innings) from April 25-June 14, he allowed five runs (four earned) and had 22 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .160/.238/.240 batting line.
2017 Outlook
The 30-year-old is among eight Dodgers who are eligible for salary arbitration this winter.
When healthy, Coleman proved to be a valuable commodity. If not for the rash of injuries that decimated the Dodgers’ rotation it’s plausible the right-hander isn’t asked to shoulder as much of a load.
If the Dodgers are to re-sign Coleman, he again will essentially have a roster spot solidified by virtue of being out of options.
