Julio Urias has put it all together on the mound and at the plate for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season.
As a pitcher, Urias has become a fourth ace for the team, leading MLB with 18 wins and posting a 3.10 ERA and 3.18 FIP in 174.1 innings. As a hitter, he has a .200 batting average with nine RBI, which is tied with Germán Márquez for the league lead among pitchers.
That puts the young southpaw within striking distance of reaching 20 wins and 10 RBI, which would both be an accomplishment Urias would be proud of, but there is one he wants to reach more.
“Obviously I like hitting. I’ve always talked about how much I like hitting,” Urias began when asked if we would rather reach 10 RBI or 20 wins this season. “We have a competition amongst ourselves and it’s something that’s very important to me. I was able to contribute, which is really great.
“But reaching 20 wins would be a dream come true and something I’m really striving for.”
Earlier this season, Urias became the sixth starter in franchise history to become the first in baseball to reach 15 wins in a season.
Urias is scheduled to make two more starts before the season ends on Oct. 3, so he will need to earn a victory in both games to reach the 20-win mark.
He faces the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday and is lined up to face the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, Oct. 2, in the Dodgers’ final series of the regular season.
Urias not concerned about dip in velocity
Urias has seen his average velocity dip from 94.1 mph at its peak to a season-low 92.4 mph against the Colorado Rockies.
He has thrown nearly 100 more innings than his previous career high, which has lent to a suspicion of some fatigue, but Urias is confident he is still healthy.
“I feel great. Physically, I feel great. I feel strong,” Urias said after his last start. “I don’t really have a good explanation for anything. I especially feel good after outings, which is really encouraging. As far as everything physically, I feel great.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts previously downplayed any concern over Urias’ fastball velocity and workload this season, and reiterated that stance.
“Certainly the fastball has been down. I think we’re managing him pretty well as far as where he’s at. I don’t see the fatigue,” Roberts said. “Certainly the fastball velocity says something, but I do believe if he needs to reach back and get more, he can.”
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