Justin Wrobleski made his season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 8 against the Washington Nationals and got lit up for eight runs in just five innings.
However, since that point, he has been a key contributor for the Dodgers and is starting to look like someone the team can rely on not just now, but in the long term. In five outings during the month June, Wrobleski pitched to a 2.73 ERA with just eight earned runs allowed in 26.1 innings.
That stretch came after he also turned in four scoreless innings on May 15.
Wrobleski has only allowed more than two runs in one of his last six appearances, and he completed six shutout innings with just three hits allowed in his latest game against the Kanas City Royals on Sunday.
The left-hander has truly turned his year around after that bad season debut in Washington, and believes that setback that caused him to return to Triple-A Oklahoma City was a positive for his development, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I think just unfortunately having that bad one in Washington, honestly kind of set me back in a good way to where I had to go down, make a few adjustments. Since I made those adjustments, everything is kind of synced up a little bit better as far as timing to where I could go back to being myself. I guess not from those adjustments, just kind of like mentality-wise, being like, ‘Alright we’re going to make these changes and then let’s go do what you’re good at.’ I think I’ve done a good job of that this month.”
Wrobleski has made two starts this season, and his stats in those have left plenty to be desired. He’s allowed 12 runs in 11 innings as a starter, and it’s from the bullpen where he’s really thrived.
As a reliever, Wrobleski holds a 1.48 ERA in five appearances, allowing just four earned runs in 24.1 innings with 25 strikeouts and a 0.82 WHIP. He’s also held opposing batters to a .195 batting average.
The southpaw doesn’t think there’s much to his struggles as a starter versus as a reliever as he hasn’t changed what he’s doing in either role. But regardless, he’s thrived as a reliever this year.
“I don’t know. I think I had that one outing in Washington that’s just kind of a throw away,” Wrobleski recently said. “It probably makes the numbers look a little different than I think how they should be.
“But I think, again, it’s just been as a whole, whether I’m out of the ‘pen or starting games, it’s just let’s get ahead. Let’s work ahead of hitters and see where we’re at from there.”
Justin Wrobleski improving from rookie debut
As a rookie in 2024, Wrobleski didn’t have a ton of success as he posted a 5.70 ERA in 36.1 innings. The biggest key for him this season has been learning from veterans on the team and making those adjustments necessary to become a productive MLB pitcher.
“I’m obviously still making adjustments and still learning, but I think the biggest thing for me these past couple is just kind of talking to guys like Kersh and Snell, and even Yama and guys in the bullpen, just kind of about mindset, and where I know I need to be, and how I treat these extended outings,” Wrobleski said.
“There’s been a lot of helpful stuff that has come from a lot of those guys, so it’s been really good.”
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