Ranking Dodgers players who will benefit from new MLB rule changes

Ryan Pepiot

Ryan Pepiot figures to be a bigger part of the Dodgers' plans in 2023 after the pitching losses suffered this offseason. The 25-year-old appeared in nine games (making seven starts) last year and finished 3-0 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 42 strikeouts across 36.1 innings of work.

Some issues remain, however. He surrendered 1.5 HR/9 and 6.7 BB/9. Not good. That helps explain his 5.42 FIP. Nothing that can't be fixed, though. It was a good debut season for the right-hander and we can expect a leap forward this time around.

Some might think the pitch clock might mess with a younger player, but Pepiot actually had a 16.4-second tempo in between pitches when he was on the mound last year. That was good for 82nd in MLB and fourth among Dodgers pitchers. With runners in base, that number went up to 21.7 seconds ... but that was first among Dodgers pitchers (and 76th in MLB).

The pitch clock will feature a 30-second timer in between batters, 20-second timer with runners on base in between pitches, and 15-second timer with no runners on base in between pitches. Maybe Pepiot won't be a top percentile beneficiary, but he certainly can continue working through his rhythm and groove without any changes, and that's important for a developing pitcher.

Clayton Kershaw

Don't think you need a crash course on Kershaw. He moves quickly and ranked 61st in MLB with a 16-second tempo with the bases empty and 166th with a 22.9-second tempo when there were runners on. Only reason for that increase is because of his pickoff strategy, which could be an issue since pitchers can now only try two attempts before a failed third pickoff attempt advances the runner, but it's probably important to remember that most of Kershaw's work is done with nobody on the paths.

He has a career 1.00 WHIP. That'll do most of the talking for the left-hander.