Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospects Bobby Miller and Ryan Pepiot have garnered deserved recognition over recent years, and now Gavin Stone has quietly pitched his way into the similar spotlight.
Whereas Pepiot made his MLB debut last season and is a leading candidate to be part of the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation this year, contributions from Miller and Stone are further down the line.
Pepiot and Stone have received opportunities with the Dodgers in Cactus League play this spring, but Miller was put on a slower progression and won’t appear in a game.
Following an impressive relief appearance, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Stone is likely to make his MLB debut during the 2023 season, via SportsNet LA:
“I think it’s a certainty we’re going to see him at some point this year.”
Roberts’ comment came after Stone collected eight strikeouts over three innings out of the bullpen. That’s the most by any Dodgers pitcher in Spring Training so far in 2023.
Stone now has 14 strikeouts in 6.2 scoreless innings across four appearances.
Stone began the 2022 season with High-A Great Lakes before earning a promotion to Double-A Tulsa, and then another promotion to Triple-A. The 23-year-old was dominant at each level, posting a 1.44 ERA with the Loons, 1.60 ERA with the Drillers, and then going 2-1 with a 1.16 ERA to finish the year with OKC.
Dodgers anticipated Stone making waves
When previously reflecting on how Dodgers pitching prospects fared last year and the role they will play in terms of providing depth in 2023, Roberts made mention of Stone.
“A guy that’s really interesting that we’re going to be talking a lot about going forward is Gavin Stone. Got a chance to see him a little bit before the postseason and talked to him, and he’s a special young talent, makeup,” Roberts said.
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