The Los Angeles Dodgers made multiple trades before the deadline, one of which brought in Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox to help their bullpen.
After acquiring Kopech, the Dodgers remained connected to former Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott, who was later traded to the Padres. In addition, Jhoan Duran of the Minnesota Twins and Mason Miller of the Oakland Athletics were also arms they checked in on.
However, after adding Kopech to their group, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said they switched their focus to other areas, rather than looking to continue improving their bullpen. They went on to add Jack Flaherty, Amed Rosario and Kevin Kiermaier ahead of the deadline, along with Tommy Edman as part of the Kopech deal.
“Once we get Kopech, we felt really good with our group,” Gomes said. “We felt like we have a deep group, never mind the guys that are on the IL ight now, but we continue to stay in touch with teams and kind of see what was out there.
“The conversations are endless, seemingly, during the deadline, and what actually comes to fruition is a different story.”
So far, the results for Kopech have not been ideal this season, or during his career. The right-hander has thrown 43.2 innings with a 4.74 ERA, 3.90 xERA and 4.82 FIP as his walk rate is in the seventh percentile of pitchers at 12.6%.
But despite his stats thus far, the Dodgers feel he can benefit from the Dodgers’ defense, along with some changes Kopech has already been making.
“We have a very good defense, but also I think some usage stuff with Michael, which he actually already started to do over the last five games or so,” Gomes said.
“But it’s one of the best fastballs in the game out of the ‘pen. And then you start to mix in some secondary there, it’s going to make everything play up.”
Kopech relies on a fastball, cutter and slider and uses them to produce elite whiff rates, ranking in the 86th percentile of pitchers with a 30.6% rate. He has struck out just shy of 31% of hitters, putting him in the 92nd percentile.
His fastball ranks at an elite mark with a 153 stuff+ grade, and his slider is also a very strong pitch with a 116 stuff+ grade.
Michael Kopech open to any role with Dodgers
With that ability, it’s easy to see Kopech becoming a high-leverage arm for the Dodgers, as long as he keeps trending up.
But for the meantime, he’s open to any role to help the club.
“I just talked to Michael Kopech, he’s really excited about being here and basically said, ‘Whatever role we have for him,”” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s excited to do whatever we ask.”
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