LA Dodgers could be the team Brent Honeywell finally settles in with

LA Dodgers pitcher Brent Honeywell has had a tumultuous ride. A second-round draft pick in 2014 by the Rays out of Walters State CC in Tennessee, Honeywell was long regarded as a high-end prospect throughout baseball, peaking in 2018 as a top 20 minor-leaguer after earning MVP honors at the 2017 MLB Futures Game.

He's gone through the wringer his entire pro career, battling four elbow surgeries over the last handful of years. This overload of repercussions left everyone unsure as to where he'd end up.

Honeywell didn't throw a pitch between the 2018-2020 seasons, then suited up for a major league team at last in 2021 with the Rays. It was short-lived, though, and Honeywell's unpredictable adventures would soon continue.

He was traded to Oakland following the 2021 season and didn't see the majors at all 2022.

Honeywell elected for free agency ahead of the 2023 season and eventually signed with San Diego. He appeared in 40 games for the Padres last season, and to add to Honeywell's mystique, he developed a screwball.

The addition to his arsenal would be the only positive of the 2023 campaign. He was dealt to the White Sox at the trade deadline, and was then designated for assignment only a couple of weeks later.

New Dodgers Pitcher's Woes Continued into 2024

Entering his age-29 season, Honeywell signed with Pittsburgh. He didn't log any MLB innings until July 8, but looked relatively strong in a brief cameo with the Pirates.

In two appearances, he allowed one run across 3 1/3 innings with a strikeout. Seemingly unable to mesh with any of the four MLB teams he'd pitched for, Honeywell's last outing with the Pirates would be on July 10 before his DFA came on July 12.

Honeywell May Have Found a Home

Perhaps, though, it is finally Brent Honeywell's time to turn this ship around. He was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers just one day after getting designated for assignment.

And, well, Honeywell may have discovered a home. Hopefully.

In two relief appearances with the Dodgers, Honeywell's relationship with Los Angeles is already paying off for both sides.

The Dodgers' pitching staff has dwindled time and time again due to injuries, and they are in desperate need for some arms to stay off the Injured List.

Honeywell has filled in nicely so far out of the bullpen. He made his Dodger debut on July 14 against Detroit and fired two strikeouts in three scoreless frames.

Then, facing a surging Boston squad on July 20, Honeywell entered in the seventh inning with a 4-3 deficit. He twirled two innings, holding the Red Sox scoreless alongside three punchouts as a major contributor in the extra-innings win.

Honeywell has five strikeouts in five Dodger innings, scattering two hits and no walks.

Brent Honeywell Pitch Breakdown

Honeywell has incorporated a slider into his repertoire in 2024, along with his four-seam fastball, screwball and sweeper.

Honeywell has thrown a slider, sweeper or screwball 59 times this year, and batters have just one hit off of those offerings.

Last season, his changeup was his second-most used pitch. In 2024, he's almost completely eliminated that pitch, tossing it just three times.

His fastball usage has remained the same from 2023 to 2024, hovering around 45 percent of the time.

It seems that Honeywell may have figured out his formula to being a healthy and effective MLB pitcher. Maybe he was just a slider away from a team wanting to keep him around this whole time.

The Dodgers welcomed Honeywell and his story with open arms, which may just be the start of his positive journey.