LOS ANGELES — When the Dodgers departed Spring Coaching again in March, left-hander Justin Wrobleski reported to Double-A Tulsa able to show that he may compete within the higher Minors and, hopefully, attain the Majors as quickly because the 2024 season.
Since then, Wrobleski, the Dodgers’ No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, turned one of many fastest-rising gamers within the Minors. His whirlwind season reached its peak on Sunday as Wrobleski made his Main League debut, permitting 4 runs over 5 innings within the Dodgers’ 9-2 loss to the Brewers at Dodger Stadium.
“I felt good,” Wrobleski stated. “It was simply form of a matter of being grateful for the second. That’s form of the large theme, I used to be on the best way over right here at this time and was simply [feeling] like, ‘I’m actually grateful for the chance. At this level, you’re already right here. Let’s simply do it.’ I had lots of enjoyable.”
The afternoon acquired off to a dream begin for Wrobleski, who retired Jackson Chourio on the primary pitch he threw on the large league stage. His first strikeout got here within the second inning towards Brewers star shortstop Willy Adames. Wrobleski allowed only one hit the primary time by the order, however that was rapidly erased by a Vinny Capra double play within the third.
Within the fourth, nonetheless, Wrobleski began to run into some bother. Two batters after strolling Chourio to begin the inning, the southpaw was taken deep by All-Star Christian Yelich on a slider that caught an excessive amount of of the zone. Within the fifth, Wrobleski then allowed one other two-run homer to backup catcher Eric Haase.
“He’s actually certain of himself so far as realizing who he’s as an individual, as a ballplayer,” stated Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “I’m actually, actually impressed with the best way he carries himself, the best way he carried himself at this time. The feelings didn’t get an excessive amount of for him. I do know his stuff performs right here.”
Whereas the tip outcomes weren’t the perfect for Wrobleski, the 23-year-old confirmed indicators of why he has turn into one of many prime pitching prospects within the group. He featured a mid-90s fastball, along with his hardest pitch of the afternoon a 97.8 mph four-seamer. Wrobleski pairs that with a cutter, slider and changeup, making him a menace towards each lefties and righties.
“I feel that child’s particular,” stated Brewers supervisor Pat Murphy. “I don’t know if he’s their prime prospect or one in all their prime prospects, however I feel that child’s good. He has nice poise, nice really feel, he holds runners nice. He’s simply going to get higher and higher. If he stays with the Dodgers, he’s going to pitch a protracted, very long time.”
Even with Wrobleski’s success within the Minors this season, his alternative within the large leagues got here a lot sooner than anticipated. With the Dodgers down Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, paired with their need to present their starters an additional day of relaxation between begins, Los Angeles was in want of an additional starter for one flip by the rotation.
Roberts stated Wrobleski can be optioned again to Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis, however added that the left-hander will get one other alternative sooner or later later within the season.
Beginning pitching can be a serious want for the Dodgers over the subsequent three weeks earlier than the July 30 Commerce Deadline. However till then, pitchers like Wrobleski will get a possibility to show that they belong.
“That first time on the market, I wished to ensure I actually took it in,” Wrobleski stated, “and form of go on the market and have a look across the stadium, like ‘Alright, there’s 4 decks there. That’s fairly cool.’ Cool stadium, I like it right here. However then it was form of [time to] get proper to work.
“Be pleased about it, then get to work.”