When the Los Angeles Dodgers first reached an agreement to acquire Mookie Betts and David Price from the Boston Red Sox, it was structured as a three-team trade that also included the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins were expected to send Brusdar Graterol to the Red Sox, but that never came to fruition after Boston grew concerned over his medicals. Instead, the Dodgers worked out separate deals to satisfy both teams.
L.A. was ultimately the landing spot for Graterol, who has been nothing short of impressive in his first handful of appearances with the team. Four of the right-hander’s six outings thus far have been scoreless.
He has also struck out five batters without issuing a walk in five innings of work.
Still relatively new to the organization, Graterol is already absorbing plenty of information and getting comfortable around his teammates. “Here, right now, I think I feel much better with these people, my new family. They’ve helped me a lot,” Graterol said.
Since joining the Dodgers, Graterol revealed that he has made a few mechanical changes with his delivery. “I’m trying to use more of my legs to push and I think that’s it,” he explained. “My slider, too. It’s harder. I think that’s it.”
Also known as “buffalo” and “bazooka,” Graterol explained why he chose the latter as his favorite nickname. “Right now, I like Bazooka,” he said. “I think the Bazooka for me is very hard. So I think Bazooka.”
As for his role with the Dodgers, Graterol is open to anything the club may have in mind, whether it’s relieving, closing or starting. “My mind always is like starter, reliever, closer. That’s my mentality. If the manager says, ‘Yeah, you’re starting today,’ then I’ll be ready.
“I’ll be ready for every day, for every moment, for starter, for reliever, for closer.”
Dodgers bullpen among the best units in MLB
Graterol is one of many talented relievers that comprise the Dodgers’ bullpen. Entering play Wednesday, the club’s relief corps stands out as arguably the best unit in all of baseball.
The group ranks first in FanGraphs’ WAR (1.4), second in ERA (1.22), third in FIP (2.26) and seventh in innings pitched (51.2).
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