Dodgers ‘couldn’t be more impressed’ with Stone
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Before Spring Training began, Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts knew Gavin Stone would make an influence within the Majors sooner or later throughout the 2023 season.
Now that Roberts and your entire Dodgers group have gotten a more in-depth have a look at Stone, the joy across the younger right-hander continues to develop with each pitch.
“Certainly the skill set, we already knew about, but it’s still good to see in bullpen sessions every day,” Roberts mentioned. “But I just think learning more about the person, the heartbeat, how he performs on this stage. That’s really telling. I couldn’t be more impressed with Gavin.”
In his first three appearances this spring, Stone’s potential was on full show. His four-seamer sits within the mid-90s and his changeup is taken into account among the finest — if not one of the best — within the system. But on Sunday, as he continues to construct up for the Triple-A season, Stone lastly bought an prolonged look in a Cactus League sport.
Stone tossed three scoreless innings, putting out eight within the course of. His four-seamer was leaping and his changeup dominated hitters on either side of the plate. Stone’s slider was additionally working, making him almost untouchable. In 4 appearances this spring, Stone has thrown 6 2/3 scoreless innings, putting out 14 of the 27 batters he has confronted.
“It just gives me confidence,” Stone mentioned. “I feel like that’s key to being a good pitcher, having confidence on the mound. If you don’t exude confidence, then hitters are going to have better at-bats. So that’s just my main focus, to stay as confident as possible on the mound, because if I throw my stuff, then I know my stuff is better than their stuff.”
Stone, the No. 5-ranked prospect within the Dodgers’ group per MLB Pipeline, started the 2022 season with High-A Great Lakes and ended it with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Every step of the best way, Stone dominated, posting a 1.48 ERA in 26 appearances (25 begins). That earned him Pitcher of the Year honors within the Dodgers’ group.
Despite his robust spring, Stone isn’t within the combine to earn a spot within the rotation on Opening Day. The Dodgers will seemingly go along with Ryan Pepiot or Michael Grove to change the injured Tony Gonsolin. But if Stone continues to pitch the best way he has since being chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2020 Draft, the 24-year-old could possibly be making Dodger Stadium his dwelling this summer season.
“It’s what we expect out of Gavin,” Roberts mentioned. “And he’s only going to get better, which is exciting for all of us.”
Peralta returns to camp
David Peralta was again within the Dodgers’ clubhouse on Monday after collaborating with Team Venezuela throughout the World Baseball Classic. Peralta mentioned he “had the time of my life” whereas representing his nation.
“It was an unbelievable experience,” Peralta mentioned. “I’ve never been a part of an All-Star team. It’s always been my goal. Never got the opportunity. But for me, that was it. That was my All-Star team. I was playing with teammates who are superstars, playing against other teams with superstars. The atmosphere in Miami, it was crazy. I’m loud — and I couldn’t hear myself. So that’s how loud it was.”
Peralta additionally mentioned taking part in in significant video games early within the 12 months truly helped him discover his swing after present process again surgical procedure this offseason. Playing on turf at loanDepot park additionally helped him verify off one other field. Peralta hit leadoff and performed left subject within the Dodgers’ 5-1 loss to the Rockies on Monday.
Other notes
• Daniel Hudson mentioned he’s been pissed off by how slowly he has recovered from the torn left ACL that he sustained final June. The veteran right-hander hasn’t appeared in a Cactus League sport and continues to be seeking to hit some milestones in his rehab course of. There’s no timetable for his return, however the Dodgers are hoping to have him again someday in May or early June.
• Julio Urías, who was representing Mexico within the WBC, can be again in Dodgers camp this week following his squad’s elimination loss to Japan on Monday. The expectation is he’ll begin on Friday in opposition to the Brewers. If that goes nicely, Urías can be lined as much as begin on Opening Day, a call the Dodgers will make by March 23.
