Dodgers: Let’s appreciate Julio Urias’ offensive skills more

Move over, Jacob deGrom. There’s another pitcher who rakes who deserves a little bit of meme-ing, too, and he’s a potential All-Star for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It doesn’t really feel as if the world, at large, is paying enough attention to Julio Urias’ season on the mound. Just a few months ago, fans were wondering if the team’s 2020 World Series bullpen ace could make the transition back to the rotation, or if it might mess with his mojo.

After Dave Roberts not only gave Urias the fifth starter role, but presented him with the fourth spot in the rotation ahead of David Price, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May, the pressure was on to perform…at least, as much as the pressure could possibly be on behind Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Trevor Bauer, an unmatched trio across Major League Baseball.

The move back from the bullpen has not spooked Urias whatsoever, who’s responded with a sparking 9-2 record and 3.65 ERA in 13 starts.

Also, this way he gets the chance to hit more, something that never would’ve happened in the late innings, and has become an underrated part of his game.

Urias smacked a two-out, two-strike, bases-loaded two-run single to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 4-1 on Thursday afternoon in Pittsburgh, continuing a developing narrative that we can’t help but applaud.

Dodgers starter Julio Urias is a pitcher who can rake.

One time’s a fun accident. Two times is a trend. Three or more times, and you simply have to come to expect success off Urias’ bat.

Assessing high-leverage plate appearances for pitchers may soon be a thing of the past thanks to the universal DH, but rest assured, Urias’ blood pressure is built for those moments. With RISP career, Urias hits .353 — though he’s never walked. Something to work on for sure. We can always get better.

With men on in 39 career plate appearances, that total sits at .320, featuring 9 RBI total. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Urias hits .385. “Late and close”? Don’t kill our vibe, because it’s a perfect 1.000 in two plate appearances (sacrifice hit included).

Not only is Urias a viable hitter, but he’s an extremely clutch hitter, which is exceedingly hard to do in this day and age for actual offensive players.

We’re not saying we have another Shohei Ohtani across town, but we’re also not not saying that.

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