Alex Vesia has stepped up this season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming one of their top relief options and go-to left-hander out of the bullpen.
On Tuesday night, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called on Vesia to face the San Diego Padres at Petco Park and he did not disappoint, throwing one inning while allowing no one to reach and picking up a strikeout.
Vesia was then among the relief pitchers to appear on back-to-back nights as the Dodgers and Padres played 16 innings.
But for Vesia, the three-game series was more than simply shining in high leverage once again. It was a chance to pitch against his hometown team with friends and family in attendance, which he enjoyed, via SportsNet LA:
“It’s been amazing. I’m speechless. It’s so much more than just me, really. My family, my friends, they know how dedicated (I’ve been) and they’ve been from the start all the way through my journey. I’m speechless.”
Vesia was born in Alpine and attended Steele Canyon High School in Spring Valley, which are both cities in San Diego County. He didn’t leave San Diego until enrolling at California State University, East Bay, which is near San Francisco.
After his senior year at CSU East Bay, Vesia was drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2018 before the Dodgers acquired him after the 2020 season in exchange Dylan Floro.
Despite a shaky start to the season, Vesia has settled in nicely for L.A., becoming more confident with each appearance out of the bullpen.
In 28 games this season, Vesia has thrown 30 innings with a 2.40 ERA and 39 strikeouts.
Roberts sees new Vesia
When Vesia first joined the Dodgers roster earlier this season he was hurt by a high walk rate. The southpaw at times managed to limit the damage but struggled to avoid putting himself in trouble.
However, he’s been an entirely different pitcher after the latest stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts highlighted comfort level as being one reason.
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