Dodgers Detail 2020 and remainder 2019 Plans For Julio Urias
Obviously, Julio Urias is one of those rare physical talents with a ball in his hands that can offer a unique skill-set to a team. Because of this, the Dodgers have used Urias in a variety of roles in 2019. The 22-year old left-hander has 6 starts to his credit and 19 relief appearances.
However, before Monday night’s game; Dave Roberts dropped a big nugget for the long-term vision plan for Urias with the Dodgers. Per Ken Gurnick on twitter, the Dodgers plan to use Urias in the starting rotation in 2020.
Roberts said the club plans for Julio Urias to be a starting pitcher next year.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 5, 2019
While that seems to be the ‘plan’ so to speak, everyone knows that at the big league level; things like this are fluid. For now – Roberts says that not only will Urias remain in the bullpen – but his usage will be ramped up a little bit.
The manager told Gurnick that the club is considering using Urias in back-to-back games in relief as things move towards the end of the season.
Roberts said the club is considering using Urias in back-to-back games in relief.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 5, 2019
In case you are wondering, this act has not been done yet in 2019 with Urias. Now, part of the reasoning behind this is Urias is often used in a two or three inning stint per appearance. Still, this is noteworthy news; and may preview a bit how the club plans to use Urias on the postseason roster.
Thus far in 2019, Urias has a 2.59 ERA in 62.2 innings of work to go along with 65 strikeouts and 21 walks. Without question, he is one of the players on the pitching staff that has ‘elite’ upside in every sense of the word.
Finally, it goes without saying that the Dodgers postseason fortunes could rest on how well a player like Urias can bridge the gap from starting pitcher to the back-end of a ballgame. The Dodgers obviously recognize this if you’re reading between the lines, despite their long-term vision for him in the rotation.
Hello Clint,
They need to quit babying Urias.
The surgery was over two years ago, he obviously has no problems.
They should start him now.
What? This guy is some kind of sacred cow or something?
Yeah he is
He’s on an innings limit. It’s definitely time for a defined role for him, high-leverage innings have been earned. He could be a big weapon. Use him as such.
You’re right Clint,leave him in the bullpen this year. We’ll need him in high leveraged situations in the playoffs. He can be a starter right of Spring training 2020.
On a per inning basis, Urias is the best pitcher on the team.
As a starter he would obviously be one of their top 3 pitchers.
Younger pitchers should generally be in the starting rotation if they’re good enough, let the old guys with more experience and older arms work the bullpen.
But Urias is so effective in relief, I wonder if he shouldn’t be the team’s closer, the way Jansen has struggled this year.