Dodgers: Three options for a six-man rotation

A compressed 2020 schedule will likely require a six, or seven-man rotation for the Dodgers. Let’s look at some candidates.

If baseball returns in 2020, it is going to look a lot different than anything we have seen before. And no, I’m not talking about the marvelous image of Mookie Betts wearing Dodger Blue—although, I am hoping beyond hope we get to see that, too.

With reports circulating about a plan that would start the upcoming season in late June or early July, perhaps in local ballparks, with 100-games slated on the schedule, it is obvious that teams will be forced to play a lot of games in a small amount of time.

Without the aid of neutral sites, where weather doesn’t become a disqualifying playing factor by late October, MLB would need to cram 100 games into 90+ days.

How would they do that? By reducing off days and scheduling doubleheaders.

The combination of a compressed schedule and an awkward start to the season for starting pitchers, who have been forced to start and stop their routines in preparing for the season, will likely lead to the Dodgers utilizing a six, or even seven-man rotation.

Dodger pitching coach Mark Prior hinted as such to The Athletic earlier this week.

Assuming manager Dave Roberts was planning to run a five-man rotation that includes Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, David Price, Julio Urias, and Alex Wood, who are the best options for added rotation support?

Let’s take a look.

Dustin May

The Dodgers’ top pitching prospect was set to make his way back to the majors at some point this season, just not right when the season started. Those plans might have to change given the current situation.

President Andrew Friedman will need to toe a tight line in filling the back of his rotation with his best starters, while paying close attention to how an unusual schedule could impact his most prized arms.

Dustin May is 22 years old, with only 34.2 innings of major league experience. The Dodgers, who are known for their excellent ability to develop young players, most certainly had a schedule set for how they wanted to see May progress through the minors to a more permanent role in the big leagues.

It could be risky to sacrifice May’s development path in order to fill a near-term need.

That said, May is clearly ready to contribute against the toughest level of competition. Last season, for Triple-A Oklahoma City, he started five games, won three, and struck out 24 batters, while pitching to a 2.30 ERA.

The tall, right-hander, who recently won MLB Network Radio’s best hair competition tournament, ranked as MLB’s 20th best prospect after the 2019 season by Baseball America. It is only a matter of time before he is mowing down opposing hitters from the mound at Chavez Ravine, perhaps his time will come sooner rather than later.

Tony Gonsolin

Making his Major League debut last June, Tony Gonsolin might not rank near the top of the prospect ranking lists like teammates Gavin Lux and Dustin May, but he is still a promising young player in the Dodger organization.

The right-hander appeared in 11 games for the Dodgers last season, going 4-2 with a 2.93 ERA, showing off a fastball spin rate that ranked near the top of the league.

At 25-years-old, having pitched four years in college baseball, Gonsolin is ready to make the leap to the majors, he just needs a spot in the rotation, an opportunity that now presents itself with the Dodgers in need of depth to start the 2020 season. Given his experience and age, he could be a better candidate to join the back of the rotation than May, who still requires some seasoning in the minors.

Gonsolin relies on a four-seam fastball and split-finger for the majority of his pitches, but also features a slider and curveball. He has had success putting batters away with all of his offspeed pitches. Having pitched exclusively as a reliever earlier in his minor league career, and also in a few occassions last season with the Dodgers, he has the stuff to transition to a bullpen role, when needed.

While Gonsolin still projects as a starter, it might be useful for manager Dave Roberts to have arms available who he can use in multiple roles, either as a spot starter or long-reliever. Gonsolin offers the versatility the team needs.