Justin Wrobleski Pitches Way Into Dodgers’ Rotation Picture
Tommy John surgery two months before the 2021 draft delayed Justin Wrobleski’s professional debut. But the 23-year-old lefthander is moving quickly now.
The Dodgers were not deterred by the surgery that followed Wrobleski’s time with Oklahoma State, drafting him in the 11th round and signing him for an over-slot $197,500.
Wrobleski pitched just 21.2 pro innings in 2022 then spent 2023 with High-A Great Lakes. He opened 2024 with Double-A Tulsa and made 13 starts before earning a June promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he struck out 11 in five innings in his first start.
Moving up another level to Los Angeles before the end of this season would not be a surprise at this point.
“I wouldn’t put it out of the question,” Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said. “Things can happen.”
After all, homegrown starters Gavin Stone, Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan and Landon Knack have all debuted the past two seasons.
“He’s developing. Getting him to Triple-A, throwing the big league ball, getting him in that environment, was definitely something we wanted to do. So we felt the timing is appropriate. He kind of did all he could at Double-A at this point.
“He’s certainly right there in the mix and has done everything he possibly can to put himself in the picture.”
Wrobleski has addressed the inconsistent control that was an issue during his college career and added velocity after his elbow surgery. Gomes sees the first half of Wrobleski’s 2024 season as “incredibly encouraging.’
“We’ve talked a lot about Gavin Stone’s mentality,” Gomes said. “(Wrobleski) might not be a 30% (strikeout) guy. But he can be a guy who relentlessly attacks the zone and gets ground balls. He has a chance to take down innings as he settles into his big league role—with upside.
“With his arsenal, I think as he keeps developing it, he does have swing-and-miss in there. But if you said right now, what does that look like—it’s kind of a lefthanded Stoney.”
L.A. CONFIDENTIAL
- After six seasons in the Dodgers’ system as a corner infielder who never made it out of Class A, Sauryn Lao is making faster headway as a pitcher. The 24-year-old Dominican righthander converted to pitching full-time last season and has already made it to Triple-A. Lao had a 1.90 ERA in 20 appearances with Double-A Tulsa before his June promotion to Oklahoma City, where he struck out three and gave up two hits in his first three innings.
- Outfielder Zyhir Hope was acquired in the same winter trade that brought lefthander Jackson Ferris from the Cubs for Michael Busch and Yency Almonte. Hope, 19, got off to a good start with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga but suffered a muscle injury in his ribs and has not played since April. He should be ready to return to action in July.
