Grading the Dodgers: Rotation

Sep 30, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger (46) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Bolsinger: B+/A-

Bolsinger started the fourth-most games for the Dodgers this season. That in itself is an issue.

When the Dodgers bought Bolsinger from the Diamondbacks in November, it was a very quiet move that was hard to get excited about. He pitched in 10 games for the DBacks last year and posted a 5.50 ERA (4.01 FIP), had decent strikeout numbers (8.1 SO/9) and got hit around (11.4 H/9).

Bolsinger kind of had two different seasons this year. In 16 pre-trade deadline starts, Bolsinger posted a 2.83 ERA, 2.90 FIP and 3.54 xFIP in 89 innings. He was very good, but struggled to pitch deep into games and the Dodgers went out and acquired two pitchers at the deadline. After one of them failed spectacularly, Bolsinger returned for five September starts posted a 7.08 ERA, 8.35 FIP and 5.05 xFIP.

Overall, Bolsinger also saved the Dodgers rotation, much like Anderson. He was much better than anyone could have guessed and the Dodgers got him for nothing. He won’t be arbitration eligible until 2018, so he’ll probably be back and depending on what the Dodgers do in free agency, could be fighting for a fifth/sixth starter spot in Spring Training (hopefully not).

Next: How did Frias Make 13 Starts??