Cody Snavely
It is a new day but the same story for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who made plenty of transactions prior to today’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
The latest move is that the Dodgers have acquired Philadelphia Phillies right-handed relief pitcher Connor Brogdon in exchange for minor league left-hander Benony Robles.
The Dodgers, who have been grappling with a revolving door of pitchers in their bullpen over the past week, have added another name to that list: Connor Brogdon.
Philadelphia designated Brogdon for assignment earlier this week and had a solid career for the Phillies, posting a 3.55 ERA, 24.1% strikeout rate, and 7.9% walk rate over 142 innings with the team from 2020-23.
Despite those generally solid numbers, the Phillies shuffled Brogdon back and forth from the minors several times in his first three MLB seasons. His production also dipped last season, when his strikeout rate tipped to 20.5% and his walk rate jumped to 10.2%. Brogdon was tagged for five homers in 29 innings of work.
Between these red flags and a two-mile velocity drop on Brogdon’s fastball, the Phillies optioned the righty to Triple-A last June. Brogdon was on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster this season and was a disaster, getting hit hard and posting an ERA over 27.
The Phillies had enough and DFA’d Brogdon last week. However, his time will be remembered by his dominant 2022 postseason. Brogdon was one of manager Rob Thomson’s best relievers in the 2022 postseason, striking out 13 and walking two in 8 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out seven in four scoreless innings in the World Series against Houston.
However, there is some optimism to be expected with Brogdon, as Jake Huber from The Ball’s Outta Here had high hopes for the Phillies in Brogdon’s season preview.
Over his first two full seasons in Philadelphia, Brogdon’s long frame and nasty changeup led to some quality innings, finishing with an xERA of 2.92 and 3.17 in 2021 and 2022, respectively. In 2023, he saw this jump to 4.61 with an ERA+ of only 108. This can be explained by the spike in barrel rate up to 10.3 percent from 6.3 percent in 2022. He struck out fewer batters and walked more, pointing to mechanical issues and command problems that can happen with inexperienced pitchers.
via Jake Huber That Ball’s Outta Here: FanSided Sports Network
Robles was signed internationally by the Dodgers and started his professional career at the age of 18 with the Dodgers’ Dominican Summer League team. Although his control is still a work in progress, he has demonstrated the ability to strike out batters, as evidenced by his impressive 38.7% strikeout rate in 32 and 2/3 innings at high-A Great Lakes last season.
Robles had a 3.86 ERA and a 13.9% walk rate, showing potential as a relief weapon if he can limit free passes.
Brogdon only has one minor league option remaining, which is why the Phillies DFA’d the right-hander this past week. So if it does not work out, it will not be shocking if he shares a similar fate when Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, or Walker Buehler are activated soon.
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
