Dodgers to promote another breakout top pitching prospect to MLB for debut vs Giants

Before Los Angeles' latest call-up even strides to the mound this weekend, it's safe to award the Dodgers with yet another player development win.

Hopefully, this is just the first of many impressions for the 2023 Tulsa Drillers rotation, which has captured the eyes of prospect assessors nationwide by leading all of organized baseball in fastball velocity.

First up from that crew is Emmet Sheehan, 2021's sixth-round pick out of Boston College, and yet another Dodgers arm who rapidly rose through the system with only moderate fanfare.

Sheehan will start Friday against the San Francisco Giants (no pressure, kid) as SF surges toward potential Wild Card contention. Technically, the 6'5", 220-pound 23-year-old was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City this past week, but never actually appeared there before getting the wave up to the major league level.

Safe to say ... first pitch fastball?

Dodgers promote breakout prospect Emmet Sheehan to MLB

This rotation was supposed to be fueled by starts from rookie Ryan Pepiot at the back end, but hasn't gotten a single contribution from their more experienced youngster. Instead, the Dodgers have had to turn to myriad extra participants down on the farm. Michael Grove hasn't clicked yet (though his FIP will tell you decent things may be coming), but Bobby Miller has been a revelation to the point where fans are wondering whether a pitcher gets a separate plaque if he finishes second in the Rookie of the Year voting to Corbin Carroll. After all, that's basically like winning the award in a normal season.

Now, Sheehan will hope to establish himself as quickly as his fellow rookie -- the two are listed at the exact same height and weight, FWIW.

Of the array of Double-A prospects making noise, Sheehan has the most obvious video game numbers. River Ryan, Nick Frasso and Nick Nastrini will likely see the spotlight sometime soon, too, but it's hard to ignore this ridiculous a fastball/change combo in times of need.

Currently, Sheehan's opponent occupies the final NL Wild Card spot. The Giants are putting together a solid campaign after being passed over by Aaron Judge and watching their follow-up contract with Carlos Correa dissolve.

They won't wow you on paper, but ... then again, neither would a sixth-rounder who started his pro career with a 5.17 ERA in seven games, mostly relief appearances, in 2021. It's hard to be "more ready" than someone who's allowed just 24 hits in 53.1 innings this season, though, making Sheehan a solid roll of the dice in a fill-in role for a team that just keeps printing talented arms.