The Los Angeles Dodgers have used a franchise-record 38 pitchers this season — though that includes position players Andy Burns and Justin Turner taking the mound — and they could add another name to the list if prospect Ryan Pepiot continues his rapid ascension.
Shortly after the Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals on the Fourth of July, Double-A Tulsa enjoyed a 3-0 win over the Arkansas Travelers. The game was notable in that Pepiot retired his first 21 batters faced.
He ultimately lost his perfect game bid in the top of the eighth when he walked the leadoff batter.
Pepiot was removed by Drillers manager Scott Hennessey after throwing a career-high 77 pitches but did not allow a hit in the outing and struck out 11 batters. Overall, the 2019 third-round draft pick went 3-4 with a 2.87 ERA in 15 games (13 starts) for the Drillers.
“It’s certainly a possibility,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said of Pepiot joining the club this season for his MLB debut.
“Ryan had a really special night (on July 4). I think the organization, Henny, Borkowski did a great job managing him. Letting him get through seven, I thought it was great and fantastic.
“What a special night. Special young man. I don’t think it was in the plans as we started this season, but things obviously in a baseball season change so we’ll continue to evaluate. Ryan’s a big part of what we’re doing now and going forward.”
Since Roberts’ remarks, Pepiot earned a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City. That’s come with a bit of a learning curve for the 23-year-old as he’s just 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA in six starts.
Pepiot included in Dodgers trade rumors
Pepiot’s rise and stature as an elite pitching prospect did not go unnoticed as he was among those within the Dodgers organization to draw interest at the trade deadline.
He reportedly was sought by the Washington Nationals in a trade involving Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, and was said to have been included in discussions with the Chicago Cubs for Craig Kimbrel.
Of course, L.A. ultimately wound up parting with Josiah Gray and Keibert Ruiz as the headliners in a blockbuster trade with the Nationals.
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