Dodgers: Constructing the Future Dodgers Rotation

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osMay 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (L) talks with Dodgers chief executive officer Mark Walter (R) before their game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

We all know the wealth of young talent the Dodgers have, both on the major league roster and in the minors. Because of it, it’s fun to think about potential teams LA can roll out in the future.

My colleague Cesar Becerra wrote a piece breaking down the potential lineup the Dodgers can show off in a few years. If you have not read it, definitely check it out here. In this article, we will break down a potential starting rotation a few years from now.

Because we are focusing on the organization’s younger players, the criteria to qualify for the list are:

First and foremost, must in the Dodger organization
If in Major Leagues, must be under 28-years-old (usually the middle of the prime for most players)
On a rookie deal with three-plus years of team control left
Or must be a prospect

Andrew Friedman and Co. have done a great job of building up a farm system with terrific position players, but they have not ignored the pitching side of things either. Pitching wins championships, and as long as you have a good rotation, you will, at the worst, be somewhat respectable.

That is why the Dodgers’ future is in good hands. They have a multitude of young starters that seem to have bright careers ahead of them. It just happens that this rotation will be backed up by the stacked lineup the Dodgers will potentially be lining up with.

So, just like DC Comics jumped a bit into the future of their New 52 timeline with the Futures-End miniseries, let’s jump ahead a few years into the future of Dodgers baseball and see the possible starting rotation the Los Angeles Dodgers can organically throw at teams.

October 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias speaks to media before game three against the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Julio Urias

He probably isn’t the next Clayton Kershaw, but the fact that he’s drawn comparisons to the best pitcher on the planet shows how high in regard the Dodgers hold him. He is considered a generational arm by many and has been dominating professional hitters since he was 16-years-old.

With 100.1 innings thrown, Urias is no longer a prospect, but his age (20) suggests otherwise. Most 20-year-old baseball players are still years away from tasting the bigs, but he did it as a teenager.

His rookie year numbers suggest an excellent campaign for any starter, let alone a 19-year-old rookie. He was the youngest player in the majors last season (still was this year), yet at times dominated people ten years older than him.

After getting called up, he made 18 appearances (15 starts) and finished the season with a 3.39 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 77 innings. After the All-Star Break, he went 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 40.2 innings.

No teenager should be able to produce like that in The Show, so it just shows how special Urias truly is. He is currently in the minors (and on the DL) because of his early struggles with LA, but don’t fret, he’ll be back this season. He’s just too talented to not figure things out. And remember, he’s only 20.

With the Dodgers’ current ace a southpaw, it’s only fitting if their next one is too. Julio Urias has one of the highest ceilings of any pitcher in the entirety of Major League Baseball and with his four-pitch arsenal, he has the makings of a true ace.

Jun 19, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores pitcher Walker Buehler (13) celebrates after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs in the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Vanderbilt won 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Walker Buehler

Buehler was the Dodgers’ first-round pick back in 2015, and after taking time to have and recover from Tommy John surgery, he’s picked up where he left off in college. In 43 minor innings between Class A Rancho Cucamonga and his promotion to Double-A Tulsa this year, he has accumulated a 2.30 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts.

The Dodgers are taking it slow with the 22-year-old and understandably. He is the team’s fourth-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com, and arguably their best pitching prospect. Heading into his last year at Vanderbilt, Buehler was considered, by many, the best player on the eventual college champions. This team included 2015’s number one and number eight overall picks. However, due to an elbow injury before the start of that season, his stock fell, enough so that a definite top-5 talent dropped into the Dodgers’ laps at 24.

He has an impressive four-pitch mix, headlined by an electric mid-90’s fastball (that has touched 99 mph). His curveball (considered to be the best in the organization) and slider make for two impressive secondary offerings. Throw in a changeup that has shown flashes of being above-average, and you have the makings of a legitimate frontline starter.

Buehler has drawn comparisons to former Dodger Zack Greinke because of his makeup, simple delivery, and his impressive four-pitch arsenal. Our very own Hector Ponce believes that another Dodger great might be a better comparison. If he can get close to either of them, the Dodgers will have found the perfect complement to Julio Urias.

Speaking of Greinke, the last time the Dodgers had a dynamic duo fronting the rotation, it was Kershaw, a lefty, and Greinke, a righty, leading the charge. Urias, a lefty, and Buehler, a righty, have the tools to remind us of that.

May 8, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; A Rawlings baseball, the Official Ball of Major League Baseball, sits on the field before a game between Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Yadier Alvarez

(Did not have a picture of Alvarez)

As of right now, the 21-year-old Cuban phenom is rated as the Dodgers’ top overall prospect. He cost the organization a total of $32 million to sign, so you know he’s going to get all the chances to succeed. He definitely has all the tools to be a frontline starter.

He’s 6’3, has an electric fastball that sits in the mid to high-90’s and reaches triple digits when needed to. He’s only 175 lbs, so once he fills out more, there is a chance that he can throw even harder. He is still developing his secondary pitches (slider, curveball, and changeup), but they have shown signs of promise.

During his pro debut last year, Alvarez was superb with a 2.12 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 81 punchouts in 59.1 innings, while batters hit a measly .185 off him.

This year, however, has been another story. His promotion to Rancho Cucamonga has seen him get knocked around, but he is very young and raw, so it’s understandable.

After a rocky start though, he has slowly begun to get more adjusted and has had a collection of pretty good starts, but even in his struggles has continued to miss bats, which is encouraging. Remember though; he is still filling out his body. He just needs marinating in the minors, and once he gets seasoned, look out.

If Alvarez can get anywhere close to his high ceiling, then the Dodgers would have a potentially tremendous trio leading the staff.

4. Mitchell White

(Did not have a picture of White)

Mitchell White has shot up the Dodgers’ rankings over the past year and is starting to be included when talking about Los Angeles’ top pitching prospects. He was ranked 27th overall amongst the club’s prospects last season but is now ranked ninth. The Dodgers may have gotten a steal at 65th overall last season.

He had an impressive rookie debut last season, throwing 22 scoreless innings while racking up 30 strikeouts and a 0.75 WHIP. Across a total of 60.2 innings in minor league baseball, White has a 2.37 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts. Take it from Sully Engels and his expertise on prospects, Mitchell White has a chance to be pretty good.

White has a very projectable frame at 6’4 and 207 lbs which, combined with his stuff and athleticism, gives him a solid ceiling. He has a good fastball that can sit in the mid-90’s, an excellent cutter, a solid curveball, and a developing changeup.

He isn’t going to be a frontline starter by any means, and probably has a ceiling of a middle-of-the-rotation kind of guy, but all you can ask for out of a fourth starter is innings and quality depth. Mitchell White has a chance to provide that and then some.

Feb 24, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Oaks (88) poses for a photo during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Trevor Oaks

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This last spot was a battle between Oaks and Jordan Sheffield, but I ultimately went with the former because he has been with the organization longer and is more polished.

The 2014 selection rapidly moved from Class-A Rancho all the way up to Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, which garnered him some deserved attention. Across 378 career minor league innings, the 24-year-old Riverside native has a 3.24 ERA. Last season was probably his best, as he had a 2.74 ERA in 151 innings and against better competition.

He has not been able to replicate his success from last season, but he has been solid and is as polished a prospect as they come. If there was an injury crisis or lack of production from the current Dodgers’ starters, Oaks probably should be one of the first guys to get the call.

Next: Patience or Panic?

Oaks does not have the highest of ceilings, but his floor his high, and you know what you are going to get from him. He profiles as the ideal back-of-the-rotation pitcher. What you hope for in a fifth starter is quality depth, someone who can keep you in the game and eat innings, and that is what Trevor Oaks will give you.

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