Steve Webb
In several previous posts, we’ve bemoaned the absence of a big move for the Dodgers’ bullpen this winter. Sure, they’ve signed Corey Knebel, who will help. And they picked up Tommy Kahnle, who won’t be available until late in the year, if at all. But all the marquee names available this offseason have gone to other teams. Liam Hendriks to the White Sox. Brad Hand to the Nats. Kirby Yates to the Blue Jays. As the winter rolls on, Dodger fans are going to need to face the possibility that the bullpen that we have now is the bullpen that we’ll have on opening day. And that bullpen has a tantalizing possibility that a reader suggested to me on Twitter. Since we can’t count on Kenley Jansen anymore, could maybe Brusdar Graterol step into that role?
First, on paper it does seem like that is the direction Graterol’s career is headed. Anybody who can consistently hit triple digits on the radar gun deserves serious consideration as a potential closer. And, after beginning his career in the Twins system as starter, he’s only seen relief work at the big-league level. The big Venezuelan flamethrower was a late season call-up for the Twins in 2019 and got in only ten innings of work that season. And though the velocity was awe-inspiring, he wasn’t missing a lot of bats. In that first season, he had a 4.66 ERA with a WHIP of 1.24. But you could easily write that off to rookie nerves.
Then, during the offseason, Graterol was originally a part of the Mookie Betts deal, which involved the Twins as well. He was supposed to go to the Red Sox in the trade and Kenta Maeda would move to Minnesota as compensation. But the Sox didn’t like what they saw in Graterol’s physical, and by the time the deal was done, he was headed west instead of east.
In the short season of 2020, Graterol improved his ERA and WHIP, but his strikeout rate was surprisingly low given the heat that he sends batters’ way. In 23 innings of work last season, he only got 10 strikeouts, including this particularly awesome three-pitch beauty of Manny Machado in August:
And, let’s not forget that that incredible Cody Bellinger catch against San Diego in the playoffs only happened because Graterol almost gave a up a potential go-ahead homer to Fernando Tatis, Jr. that Cody had to haul back into the yard. Although, I must say his hat-and-glove throwing celebration afterward, which culminated in the Bazooka blowing kisses to an enraged Manny Machado was one of the true highlights of the Dodgers playoff run.
So where does that leave us? Will Dave Roberts have enough confidence in this 22-year-old to hand him the keys to the kingdom and make him the Dodgers’ closer? I wouldn’t think so. He just hasn’t earned that level of trust yet. It’s looking more and more like it might be closer by committee, all depending on match-ups and whoever’s got the hot hand at that point in the season. Not an ideal position to be in, but the Dodgers probably have the arms to make it work.
Probably.
