The Los Angeles Dodgers currently head up the National League West, keeping their sights set on gearing up their Major League roster for maximum efficiency before heading into the final push for the postseason.
A big part of this is the bullpen that is among baseball’s most relied upon units with their high usage this year.
Having one of the older reliever groups around the league, the Dodgers shuffling arms to sustain success isn’t uncommon for this organization. At the trade deadline, they acquired Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox, who has shown his immense potential during his short time with the club.
Aside from a few arms still working their way back from injury, a wild card name is Edgardo Henriquez, a 22-year-old flamethrower currently in Triple-A. Starting the year in Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, he’s since risen through four levels in the Dodgers’ farm system.
Signed out of Venezuela in 2018, the former catcher was converted to a pitcher, struggling in his first three years. After missing the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery, he’s come back stronger than ever.
Through 49 innings (38 games) between each Minor League level, Henriquez owns a 2.57 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts.
With Triple-A Oklahoma City, Henriquez has logged just 8.2 innings, but his 34.2% strikeout rate, 1.89 FIP, and 13.5 strikeouts per nine are enough to see a consistent trend of missing bats.
The most notable part of his game is his fastball that is regularly clocked above 100 mph. He possesses an excellent slider that compliments his heater, a low-90s cutter and a curveball that sits in the high 80s.
His arsenal plays against both sides of the plate, but his consistent battle will be staying in the strike zone.
Henriquez is prime for a call-up as one of baseball’s fastest-rising prospects, and because of his status as being eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, he will have to be added to the 40-man roster by November.
The Dodgers could use him on their Major League roster for a number of reasons, with power stuff being the most appealing. But the consistent up and down health of Daniel Hudson, Blake Treinen are notable, making for the insertion of Henriquez to the bullpen very tantalizing.
Should the Dodgers call up Edgardo Henriquez?
Henriquez’s fastball is sitting aroud 99.7 mph in Triple-A with a major standing with his high spin rate.
His power approach is consistently overpowering for opposing hitters, and the Dodgers should absolutely give the 22-year-old a call-up before season’s end.
Edgardo Henriquez threw his 5th scoreless outing in a row last night for AAA OKC & has 11 Ks to just 3 walks since being promoted to AAA.
Henriquez has had one of the fastest ascents of any player in baseball, and, coming off of injury, it's important to understand that the… pic.twitter.com/6zynO3Xmvx
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) August 31, 2024
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