Tony Gonsolin deserves consideration for MLB Rookie of the Year honors.
Los Angeles Dodgers starter Dustin May hasn’t put up the flashy numbers many expected him to this year, but the 23-year-old rookie has still been solid for LA. While he is sure to garner a few votes and be in the mix for MLB Rookie of the Year honors, it’s another Dodgers pitcher who deserves to be in the conversation as well.
Tony Gonsolin has bounced around between the major leagues and the Dodgers Alternate Site this season, but the trade of Ross Stripling has since opened a permanent spot in the rotation for Gonsolin for the remainder of 2020.
He hasn’t disappointed for Dave Roberts and staff, currently owning an 0-1 record with a 1.57 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and a .178 average against in five starts for the Dodgers (six total appearances).
Gonsolin is tied with Miami Marlins rookie Sixto Sanchez for the NL rookie lead in fWAR among starting pitchers at 0.9, but he owns the lowest WHIP, second-lowest walk rate, and third-highest strikeout rate among rookie starting pitchers.
His last start came against the Rockies in which he allowed just one earned run across six innings while striking out eight and walking none. He gave up three runs in five innings of relief work in his last outing (vs Arizona), but is back in a starting role for Tuesday night’s contest against the San Diego Padres.
A quality outing against the surging Padres will certainly boost his stock and rank in ROTY voting.