Los Angeles Dodgers: Julio Urias poised for a big 2019
This Spring, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias has retired 9 out of 10 batters, looking poised to return to his ace-like potential.
Julio Urias is a name many people might not remember. He was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 out of Mexico for $1.8M.
At the time, the Dodgers decided to give Urias a shot by letting him pitch in a Single-A game at the age of 16. He didn’t disappoint.
He cruised through all levels of the Dodgers farm system and made his debut in 2016 when he was just 19-years-old back. Before that, he was ranked the 4th best prospect in baseball by MLB.com, leaving scouts drooling over his potential.
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At the age of 19, with so much hype around him, he pitched to a stellar 5-2 record with a shiny 3.39 ERA in 18 appearances. More impressively is that he was able to strikeout 81 batters in just 77 IP.
The kid was the real deal.
In 2017, the 20-year-old phenom looked to take a big step forward by fighting for a rotation spot. However, after just 11 starts between the MLB and Triple-A the worst happens.
In an article by Ken Gurnik, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said Urias felt “tugging”. Then, after two more innings of work in Triple-A, Urias said his arm was “really stiff”. His season ended shortly thereafter.
Urias needed to get shoulder surgery.
The once #4 prospect in MLB would make a quick recovery and return for the 2018 season as a reliever. He would later earn a spot on the Dodgers playoff roster and pitch to a nice 2.85 ERA in the postseason, touching 97 MPH with his fastball.
The 2019 season will be a big one for Urias, who at just 22 years of age looks poised to have a big year for the Dodgers. In his most recent game, he reportedly hit 98 MPH on the radar gun and he has only allowed 1 run in 3 spring training innings so far.
With Kershaw dealing with shoulder inflammation this could be Urias time to shine and show that he is the pitcher that everyone has been waiting for.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have expressed that Urias will be on a strict innings limit in 2019, but if Urias keeps getting better the Dodgers may have no choice but to set the 22-year-old loose.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and their Player Development Machine. dark. Next
Urias needs to be a name to watch out for in 2019. The once top prospect seems poised to show everyone that he’s finally ready.