Despite beginning the 2017 season in the bullpen, Alex Wood emerged as an elite starter for the Los Angeles Dodgers and pitched his way to an All-Star campaign. Wood went into this year with a spot in the starting rotation and looking to build off his breakout season.
While he wasn’t quite able to do that, Wood still gave the Dodgers some solid innings when a lot of the team’s other starters were out with injuries. In 27 starts, Wood went 8-7 with a 3.65 ERA before being demoted to the bullpen at the beginning of September.
He then appeared in six games as a relief pitcher to close out the year, giving up two runs in 3.2 innings (4.91 ERA). Overall in 33 games, Wood pitched to a 3.68 ERA, 3.53 FIP and 1.21 WHIP while striking out 135 and walking 40 in 151.2 innings.
The 27-year-old has carved out a solid six-year Major League career for himself to this point, which is definitely something to be celebrated.
He recently got the chance to do that as the high school he graduated from in 2009, Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, North Carolina retired his jersey, via Wood’s Instagram account:
Wood’s name has been involved in some trade rumors this offseason, particularly with the Cincinnati Reds as they look to upgrade their starting rotation.
If he remains with the Dodgers, then he will have to win his starting rotation spot back this spring. The 2019 season is his final year under contract before he becomes a free agent for the first time.
