Dodgers Rumors: Each Dodgers’ Player Rating in MLB the Show 17
By Evan Lovett
Ross Stripling – 72
The Dodgers announced this week that Ross Stripling would not be in the starting rotation. This came as a surprise to nobody, as it is evident that Stripling is with the Dodgers for one reason – to eat innings.
In another era, they would label him a mop-up man, the guy that needs to pitch when the Dodgers do not want to waste any bullets on any of their better pitchers. Though the right-hander accrued a 3.96 ERA in 2016, he was a 27-year old rookie, indicative of the modest expectations the Dodgers had for him as he advanced through their farm system.
He is reliable, though his repertoire will not wow anybody – he tallied only 74 strikeouts in 100 innings. He is scrappy and can get out of jams, and his WHIP was a respectable 1.26, so the 72 rating is justified. I would not expect much room for upside with Stripling, though he does play a valuable role on the club – saving the more valuable pitcher’s arms while still getting outs.