Dodgers: Ross Stripling Working On Enhancing His Repertoire

Just days after a trade that would have sent him to the Angels was nixed, Ross Stripling was happy to still be a Dodger. Now he’s back on a team where he’s competing for the fifth starter position.

As he looks to have his name in the pot amongst the 9 options on the starting rotation depth chart, he’s working on improving his stuff for the 2020 season. 

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His Changeup Was Already Pretty Good In 2019

In 2019, Strip threw his changeup 215 times, good for 15% usage, which was up 4% in his All-Star 2018 campaign. The pitch induced a 68% weak contact, which is a great number. Swinging strike percentage of 17.3, and a barrel rate of 0.0 percent, which is a crazy good number. Improving on a decent pitch could be great news for Ross Stripling and the Dodgers.

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Adding To The Repertoire

When Stripling first started pitching, he got high marks for his nasty curve. His slider was also a very impressive pitch that induced a lot of ground balls. For a while, he relied on mixing those two pitches with his fastball. In fact, early on he got a lot of strikeouts on a low 90’s fastball, because of his good arm slot, hitters were not ready for the pitch. His 2018 All-Star performance was not a fluke. Ross Stripling has at least 3 all-star quality pitches now that his changeup is a reliable weapon for him.

Believe With Your Own Eyes

if nothing else, it will give you a chance to walk down memory lane. Ross Stripling brought a no-hitter into the 8th inning in his debut against the Giants on April 8th, 2016. Give it a look here to visit this memorable night. While you watch it, imagine a filthy changeup in his back pocket on top of all of the pitches he throws here!

Chicken Strip is an exceptional asset for the Dodgers, and his ability to thrive in a swing-man role will continue to pay dividends in the upcoming season.

NEXT: Ross Stripling Talks About a Week of Awkward Rumors