In a world of small sample sizes, Spring Training numbers are almost impossible to decipher — and when it comes to pitchers, this is even truer. As it stands at this point, only five Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers have seen seven-plus innings thus far.
Most of the pitchers, particularly relievers, who are expected to make the Opening Day roster are being brought along slowly. Then again, by the end of spring you’ll see some more familiar names towards the top of the list.
Clayton Kershaw finished 2017 with the most innings pitched in the spring (24) followed closely by Rich Hill and Alex Wood. For the sake of full disclosure, it’s worth noting that traditionally, Spring Training numbers are incredibly meaningless.
Look no further than Alex Wood and Brandon Morrow who both had breakout seasons with the Dodgers.
In the spring? Wood posted a 4.67 ERA and Morrow a 6.55 ERA. Safe to say, both of those numbers improved once the games started to mean something.
With all of that said, though, let’s look at who is off to a strong spring thus far.
Pat Venditte (7.1 IP, 10 strikeouts, one walk, 1.23 ERA)
Most famous for things that have nothing to do with actual pitching performance (he can throw with both hands), Venditte has had a nice start to the spring thus far since signing a Minor League contract with the team in November. In 41 MLB games as a reliever, Venditte has posted a career ERA of 4.97, however, so it’s worth taking this performance with a grain of salt.
Kenta Maeda (7.1 IP, eight strikeouts, two walks, 2.45 ERA)
Of all the pitchers on the Dodger staff, Maeda might be the most intriguing to me. Coming off an incredible postseason in which he pitched exclusively out of the bullpen (10.2 IP, 10 K, 0.84 ERA), it will be fascinating to see if he learned anything that can translate to being a starter. So far this spring, Maeda has looked strong.
Walker Buehler (2.0 IP, five strikeouts, zero walks, 0.00 ERA)
It’s only two innings, but it’s hard to imagine it’s possible to have a more impressive two innings. Buehler, the team’s top prospect, had every pitch working in his one outing thus far — making Cubs hitters look foolish and overmatched. While everyone expects Buehler to start the season in the minors, if he keeps stringing performances like this one together as the spring goes on, he might be the first guy up should an injury occur.
Clayton Kershaw (9.2 IP, 11 strikeouts, four walks, 0.00 ERA)
You know…I think the Dodgers might have something here with this Kershaw guy…
While not completely sharp thus far, the 0.00 ERA says it all. Kershaw will surely iron out the kinks as the spring goes on as he ups the strikeout numbers and drops the walk rate. All as he prepares to take the mound on Opening Day for the eighth straight season.
If you missed which Dodgers position players are standing out thus far, check them out here.
