Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training at Camelback Ranch consists of only Minor League camp because of the ongoing MLB lockout, but several of the organization’s top prospects are among those preparing for the year.
Most notably on hand for Spring Training camp are Maddux Bruns, Michael Busch, Diego Cartaya, Hyun-il Choi, Landon Knack, Bobby Miller, Andy Pages, Ryan Pepiot and Miguel Vargas.
The group normally would have included Jacob Amaya, Jorbit Vivas, Eddys Leonard, Michael Grove and James Outman as well, but they were all added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster earlier in the offseason to protect from potentially being picked in the Rule 5 Draft.
The Major League portion of which was never held due to the lockout beginning.
Some Dodgers pitching prospects have already faced batters in camp, and that grew to include Pepiot throwing live batting practice against Busch and Vargas, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Busch just missed one to center on a full count. Advantage Pepiot this time. Fun battle. pic.twitter.com/4Z8DRom7ip
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 8, 2022
Ryan Pepiot got Andy Pages on a changeup, then jammed him with some heat. pic.twitter.com/Wqge2UbpoL
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 8, 2022
Pepiot reported to Minor League camp a consensus top-five Dodgers prospect. The right-hander previously was identified by president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman as a candidate to make his MLB debut at some point during the 2022 regular season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated late last year it was even plausible the team would call up Pepiot, though that never came to be.
Pepiot developed changeup grip
The offseason was a productive one for the 24-year-old as he continued working on developing a complete pitch mix. That includes a vaunted changeup that is accompanied by a plus-fastball and quality curveball.
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