Dodgers: Who is Zac Rosscup the Newest Dodger Reliever?

On Wednesday the Dodgers front office once again dove into the waiver wire of relievers.  This time they claimed left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup.

Zac Rosscup is no stranger to Andrew Friedman who selected him back during the days when Friedman ran the Rays front office.  Rosscup was selected in the 28th round of the 2009 MLB  amateur draft.  Now with the Dodgers, Andrew Friedman has once again selected Rosscup, this time off of waivers from the Colorado Rockies.

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Throughout parts of five seasons in the majors, Zac Rosscup has pitched nearly fifty-five innings and posted a 5.30 ERA.  Rosscup has done well recording strikeouts has his MLB career strikeout rate is 11.1 K/9IP but command has been a struggle given his walk rate of 5.3 BB/9IP.  This year Rosscup spent most of the season on the disabled list with a blister issue on his pitching hand.

This season the thirty-year-old Rosscup came off the disabled list a month ago and had been pitching for the Albuquerque Isotopes.  In ten games Zac pitched well posting a 1.08 ERA and his opponent’s average allowed was .133.  Farhan Zaidi mentioned that Rosscup would join the Dodgers bullpen this weekend in Los Angeles, so this is not simply a roster place holder move.

So what exactly does Zac Rosscup bring to the table for the Dodgers?  Rosscup features a low 90’s fastball that he works in with his changeup and slider.  Ironically despite the high walk numbers, Rosscup does a fairly good job of throwing his offspeed pitches for strikes.  While Rosscup is not going to overpower anyone, he has the offspeed stuff to handle a role as a situational lefty.  With Tony Cingrani’s return still up in the air, Rosscup would be a welcomed addition if he can shut down left-handed hitters.

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The Dodgers appear to be giving a tryout to Rosscup after they have gotten good innings out of Erik Goeddel who was claimed earlier this season from the Mariners.  The Dodgers tried acquiring Rosscup when he was designated for assignment earlier this season, but the Rockies swooped in and worked out a trade for him.  With a little over two weeks until the trading deadline, this could be a short-term tryout for Rosscup if the Dodgers trade for another reliever or two.