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Who Is Dodgers Prospect Edgardo Henriquez & Could He Debut In 2024?

Scott Geirman
4 Min Read
TEMPE, - MARCH 16: Edgardo Henriquez #43 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the 2024 Spring Breakout Game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Marison Bilagody/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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.

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Scott Geirman is a journalist from Simi Valley, California, currently working as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and Angels Nation. After working as the Sports Editor for the Moorpark College newspaper, he graduated from Cal State University, Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in broadcast journalism with an emphasis in political science. Scott has a passion for reading, writing, baseball, family, Mookie Betts, and being a father to his beautiful daughter. He is currently pursuing his career in the sports media industry.