Dodgers: Assessing the Team's Left-Handed Pitching Depth

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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 08: Pitcher Caleb Ferguson #64 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws during the seventh inning of Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 8, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Staying on the theme of the young and the dominant, Caleb Ferguson figures to be a large part of the Dodgers 2019 bullpen plans.

Ferguson does not get the press for being incredibly young but at 22-years-old, the southpaw is just 41 days older than Julio Urias and health is of no concern.

Ferguson debuted with the Dodgers last year as a spot starter. But, after a few disastrous attempts as the starting pitcher, the Dodgers moved Ferguson to the bullpen where he dominated his way onto the postseason roster and into the spotlight for the world to see what he is made of.

After speculation that he may be built back up to a starter in the spring and sent to Triple-A, the Dodgers appear to have shifted gears on Ferguson, building him to just four innings and preparing for another season of predominantly bullpen work.

Now, what is interesting with Ferguson is the lefty could very well see time as a starter just in a more unconventional way.

It has become clear that LA is willing to try the opener. Ferguson, a starter at heart, is a perfect candidate to do the same work that Scott Alexander did a few times last year and Sergio Romo coined for the Rays.

Ferguson is a great left-handed bullpen option as well for the Dodgers.

In 2018 he ranked in the 92nd percentile in major league baseball curveball spin rate and in the 69th percentile for fastball velocity amongst all pitchers, not just lefties.

Ferguson has the stuff to be very effective. At such a young age and with so much unlocked talent, look for him to be a key cog on the Dodgers lefty depth chart.