Dodgers: Dave Roberts Talks Brusdar Graterol and Role in 2020
It’s early, but thus far the reviews on ‘Brother Gatorade’ Brusdar Graterol are rave reviews.
For instance, listen to what Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has to say about the newly acquired reliever on SportsNet Los Angeles about the 21-year old reliever.
Dave Roberts discusses two World Series champions joining an already talented #Dodgers team and what fans can expect to see from 21-year-old Brusdar Graterol. pic.twitter.com/oOwwWM4oUi
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) February 13, 2020
In fact, Roberts seems so excited, he’s just talking about all the tools that his new toy brings to the bullpen. Dave even uses ‘bowling ball’ to describe the heaviness of one of Graterol’s pitches. Think about it: would you want to hit a bowling ball with a bat? Doesn’t sound like much fun to me.
“It’s going to be fun and he’s from Venezuela, and he’s actually really well-spoken. He makes his home in Florida, but he’s on his way out to Arizona right now. He’s got a big arm and it’s a 100 MPH bowling ball sinker. He’s a big man and he wants to do whatever it takes to help us win a championship. To get him in the pen will make sense for us.”
Without question, it’s easy to gloss over the addition of Graterol because of the excitement about Mookie Betts and David Price. Still, Graterol could serve as a high-octane arm that makes all the difference in shortening ballgames and taking pressure off both the starting rotation and his bullpen mates in 2020.
When I watch some highlight clips of Graterol on the mound, he is an imposing figure. Indeed, I am more excited to get Mookie Betts. However, I think as time goes on, the ironic twist and the way that the Dodgers acquired Graterol is going to serve as a silver lining for them. Just a gut feeling I have.
NEXT: Brusdar Graterol Pitching Profile
Sure hated to see Kenta leave but with the return of this young flame thrower at a time we need such an arm to boaster our pen its something we all can live with. Let’s go Dodger’s this is going to be our year no more delays lets get the ring and trophy for the team city and us fans
Gatorade may start out in triple A as he learns how to throw a slider better, and maybe adds another pitch like a change up, but right now he has a killer fastball and sinker that fits the bullpen really well. He needs to disguise his pitches better, which can be learned in triple A. I would like to see him come up with an Eric Gagne change up. He has unlimited potential if he’s healthy. Ideally he’ll be a major contributor in the bullpen in the second half of the season.
I am very much looking forward to seeing Gatorade do his bullpen thing. I just hope Kenley can accept the fact that by the end of the season he might not be the closer. Its fair to say we are loaded for 2020, now lets hope the FO and manager do not throw a monkey wrench into the works. Go Blue!!!