Dodgers Could Follow Sixth Starter Trend This Year

As we enter the 2018 season, baseball is undergoing another subtle transformation.  More teams are utilizing a sixth starting pitcher throughout the season.  The Dodgers were one of the teams to employ this strategy last year.  Look for the Dodgers to continue to manage their starting rotation this way in 2018, as they have several candidates who are MLB rotation-ready.

Ahhh, the days of old.  For those of you old enough to remember 1988, Orel Hershiser led the league with 15 complete games, 8 shutouts, and 267 innings!  Of course, over the years complete games have become a rarity.  Now, the novel concept  of a “sixth starter” is beginning to catch on in MLB.  MLB clubs watch their starters’ workloads closer and closer every year.  In 2017, the new 10 Day Disabled List provided MLB managers a tool through which a starting pitcher’s workload can be manipulated.

Utilizing the 10 Day Disabled List allows teams to carry a sixth starter and provide extra rest to the rotation. Together with  scheduled days off, Dave Roberts was able to provide extra rest to several veterans in the rotation with injury histories, thus minimizing their exposure to injury risk.  Last year the Dodgers appeared to have more starting pitching depth then they knew what to do with.  The 10 Day Disabled List enabled the Dodgers to keep everybody relatively fresh.  This is in turn will also affect bullpen usage in a positive way, as starters may start to go deeper into games with more rest in between starts, thus easing the burden on the bullpen.

This strategy will also alleviate most durability concerns for today’s breed of starting pitcher.  Fortunately for the Dodgers, the organization has a deep pool of starting pitching, both on the 40 man roster, and in the minor leagues, that line up behind the projected starting five of Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Alex Wood, Kenta Maeda, and Hyun Jin Ryu.  Let’s look at the candidates for the sixth starter gig that are on the Dodgers 40-man roster.

JULIO URIAS

If Urias 2017 season did not end prematurely due to a shoulder injury, we would likely be talking about Ryu as the veteran in camp who would have undoubtedly fill the sixth starter role, while Urias would have at least been slotted as the fifth starter.  Now, entering the back-end of his rehab, Urias is not expected to play a key role for the Dodgers till the middle of the season.  He will need some extended spring training time, as well as a complete minor league rehab assignment.  When he does, return, the Dodgers will likely ease him back to a starting role.  What better way then to slot him in as the sixth starter.  Urias is still only 21 years old, and barring any injury setback, will be one of the most talented young arms in the game.  He will help the Dodgers win some key ballgames down the stretch.

ROSS STRIPLING

Of course Kenley Jansen is the Dodgers most talented reliever.  However, I would argue that Stripling is the most valuable reliever to Dave Roberts.  Stripling is versatile and can serve in different roles for Roberts and Dodgers at any given time throughout the season.  Stripling has primarily served as a starting pitcher in his young career to date.  Last year, Stripling was used almost exclusively out of the bullpen.  Stripling is durable and can step into the sixth starter role whenever Roberts needs him to.  Look for him to do so, especially when the team goes through a long stretch without an off day and Roberts wants to give one of his veteran starters a breather.

WALKER BUEHLER

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Buehler, the # 5 best RH pitching prospect in baseball, had a taste of the majors during a September callup.  He showed flashes of brilliance, striking out 12 in 9.1 innings.  Barring a stellar spring, Buehler should head to OKC, but he won’t be there long.  Buehler is the prime candidate to slot into the rotation should an injury occur, or a prolonged slump by one of the starting pitchers.  It is just a matter of time before both Urias and Buehler are leaders in the Dodger rotation.

The sixth starter concept is here to stay.  At the least, MLB teams will judiciously utilize a sixth starter to ease the burden on the pitching staff.  At the most, some teams may eventually opt to use a sixth starter all season long, as starting pitcher workloads diminish.

Next: 3 Factors Crucial to 2018

The Dodgers have the luxury of having enough quality arms available to not only field a sixth starter, but also enough quality MLB ready arms to nearly fill a whole other rotation!