Dodgers 2016 Player Previews: Brandon Beachy

Jul 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brandon Beachy (37) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brandon Beachy (37) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Next up in our player previews is starting pitcher Brandon Beachy.

After having already undergone two Tommy John surgeries, Brandon Beachy is entering his second season with the Dodgers. He missed the entire 2014 season in order to recover from Tommy John’s.

2015 Recap

Brandon started off the season with a rehab assignment at A Rancho Cucamonga. He threw 35 pitches that evening. Following his Rancho start, Brandon was promoted back to AAA and on July 11 made his first start with the Dodgers. Beachy only pitched in two major league games for the big league club. He threw 8.0 innings and posted an ERA of 7.88. Obviously it was not the “welcome back to the majors” Brandon was hoping for. It had been two years since he appeared in a major league game and it showed. After his second start with the team, Brandon was optioned back to AAA. He remained there for the rest of the season and started ten games for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.  Beachy started to become more like his old self and finished up the season 1-1 with an ERA of 3.64 at AAA.

Feb 27, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brandon Beachy poses for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brandon Beachy poses for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

 2016 Role and Steamer Projections

Before hearing about the injuries to Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-jin Ryu and Brett Anderson, Brandon Beachy was not even on the radar for a possible rotation spot. The Steamer projections show Beachy pitching 1.0 innings and posting an ERA of 4.39. Clearly, based on the projections, not many people expect too much from Brandon in 2016.

Since there have been so many injuries maybe Brandon Beachy has a spot to fight for the place in the starting rotation.

What Could Go Wrong

I do not really think much can go wrong in this case. Even the Steamer projections are not setting the bar too high. If Brandon pitches more than one inning, he has already surpassed the season long projections. Beachy has also already recovered from two Tommy John’s so from an injury standpoint it cannot get much worse than that either. There is no where, but up for Brandon from here.

What Could Go Right

If Brandon Beachy can shine in spring training he might be able to fight for a spot in the rotation. The 29 year old RHP could be a good addition to a rotation that is primarily left handed. It will be interesting to see how he has progressed as he has continued to recover. Either way this might be a great opportunity for Brandon if he is able to rise to the occasion.