Dodgers hitters get first look at new star-studded pitching staff: ‘I mean, we’re loaded’
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PHOENIX — During the monotony of spring training, live batting practice sessions usually are structured like boxing matches.
One main event with a big-name pitcher, surrounded by a bunch of less notable undercards featuring unheralded arms.
In this Dodgers camp, however, the loaded pitching staff has turned such routine activities into star-studded affairs. The latest example: Tuesday’s rotation of batting practice sessions, with the Dodgers trotting out one star pitcher after the next in a display of their stunning depth of arms.
On one field, two-time Cy Young Award winner and $182-million signing Blake Snell faced hitters for the first time as a Dodger.
On an adjacent diamond, $72-million signing Tanner Scott, widely considered the best reliever on the free-agent market, did the same.
Over the first week of camp at Camelback Ranch, Blake Snell and Bobby Miller have walked to and from bullpen sessions together, in constant conversation with almost every step.
At another point, two of the team’s top returning pitchers, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Treinen, went through their first live session of the spring.
Even some of the other pitchers who threw — including veteran relievers Kirby Yates ( signed to a $13-million deal last month) and Luis García (one of the more accomplished non-roster invites in camp on a minor-league deal), as well as returning left-handers Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda — drew the attention of fans and team brass.
“I mean, we’re loaded,” said catcher Will Smith, who was behind the plate for Snell and Yates. “Just gotta stay healthy, gotta keep those guys going and pitching well. It’s a long year. Still a hard game. So keep them locked in, keep them pitching well. That’s my job.”
Snell had some of the day’s most memorable moments, despite giving up a home run in one at-bat against Chris Taylor.
In addition to his mid-90s fastball and wicked curveball/slider pairing of breaking pitches, the left-hander snapped off a few changeups that wowed teammate Bobby Miller, who has been mentored by Snell this spring and watched from behind home plate.
“He was nasty,” Miller exclaimed. “His changeup is really good. I didn’t know he had it like that.”
Outfielder Michael Conforto, a teammate of Snell’s last year with the San Francisco Giants who also signed with the Dodgers, simply shook his head when asked about facing the veteran ace.
In his first at-bat, Conforto struck out on three pitches. In the next, he fought off a couple of pitches foul before tapping out on a harmless grounder against “a slider that looked exactly like a fastball.”
“I was reminded of how lucky I was to be on his team last year, and how lucky I am this year,” Conforto joked. “I don’t even know what you do [against him]. You have to kind of guess, as a lefty.”
Glasnow’s session was equally notable. While he also gave up a couple of home runs, he struck out Taylor and new infielder Hyeseong Kim in back-to-back at-bats, flashing encouraging signs after missing the end of last season — including all of the playoffs — because of elbow tendinitis.
“He just wasn’t healthy, he really wasn’t,” manager Dave Roberts said of the 6-foot-6 right-hander, who has been dogged by arm injuries during his career. “Right now, if you watch him today and watch him in his ’pens, he’s a lot more athletic. And I think for me, as a big-body guy, if we can just get him to continue to be athletic … you’re going to see a much more consistent Tyler Glasnow.”
Remaining “athletic,” Glasnow explained, has led to renewed focus on his upper-body movements and spine angle this spring.
After consulting with staff and private biomechanics coaches over the offseason, Glasnow said he discovered that the front side of his body would fly too far open in his delivery last year, forcing him to put extra stress on his arm to complete each pitch.
This spring, the 31-year-old All-Star said he is tweaking his mechanics to remain more squared up to home plate.
“When I’m in a healthier position, it’s just less effort for the same type of push, I guess,” he said. “So it’s just trying to carry that through the season.”
Among the relievers, the only real question is who will fit into what role. The Dodgers aren’t calling Scott their closer, though Roberts hinted he will get the bulk of save opportunities to start the season. Treinen, Yates, Vesia and Banda all figure to take on high-leverage spots, especially with Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech likely to start the season on the injured list.
“Our bullpen and our starting staff is pretty dang good,” Scott said. “It’s gonna be really fun.”
As if all that wasn’t enough, Shohei Ohtani also threw his second bullpen session of the spring, pumping 21 fastballs over the plate as he continues to work toward his long-awaited return to two-way duties.
The Dodgers’ pitching depth and quality this season should help the club manage the health of the staff while avoiding multiple injuries.
“Everyone’s aware there are all these superstars around,” Glasnow said. “But I think once you are in a clubhouse with them enough, it’s like, they’re just all teammates.”
Perhaps so. But put them all together, and even something as mundane as batting practice suddenly can become a heavyweight event.
“There’s a lot of talent, for sure,” Snell said. “I think once games start, that’s when you get even more excited.”
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