Tanner Scott is among the Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers looking to get back on track this year after a disappointing 2025 season.
The left-hander posted a 4.74 ERA, 4.70 FIP, 1.26 WHIP and an MLB-worst 10 blown saves in 57 innings across 61 appearances. He missed a chunk of the second half because of left elbow inflammation. He later had to undergo an unexpected abscess excision procedure on his backside that cost him the entire postseason.
Among other issues, Scott struggled to put away hitters after getting ahead of the count. He left too many pitches over the middle of the plate and batters were able to capitalize.
As Scott prepares for his second season with the Dodgers, manager Dave Roberts wants him to be more unpredictable with his pitch location, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I think it’s just ‘Be willing to be unpredictable,’” Roberts said of the challenge for Scott this year. “He has a good fastball. But I think there’s a comfort level of being predictable with his fastball location. So, to use the other side of the plate, understand when to use the slider – the stuff is there, so that for me is the growth part.
“I don’t know if it’s a comfort level or not comfortable doing it. I think he’s just comfortable doing what he’s always done. So it’s just saying that you have the ability to throw it to both sides of the plate to not be predictable.”
Scott also noted before the start of Spring Training that he wanted to be less predictable this season and get back to what made him successful in previous years.
“I tried doing something that I didn’t normally do, and I didn’t play to my strengths,” Scott explained. “The past two years, and the past two years before that were really good, and I kind of got away from that.”
Roberts and the Dodgers must be thrilled with Scott’s progress this spring, as he has not allowed an earned run in 6.1 innings across seven Cactus League appearances thus far.
Tanner Scott’s role with Dodgers
Scott figures to pitch in high-leverage situations for the Dodgers this season while getting occasional save opportunities on days where Edwin Díaz isn’t available.
If Scott can bounce back, he will combine with Díaz to form one of the most effective bullpens in baseball. It’s a scenario that has to intrigue Roberts, given the group’s struggles last year.
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