Dodgers Rumors: Each Dodgers’ Player Rating in MLB the Show 17
By Evan Lovett
Alex Wood – 77
Alex Wood is a wildcard. On one hand, here is a very talented pitcher who has carried the weight of high expectations since the inception of his big league career. He had a 2.78 ERA in 24 starts during his first full season with the Braves, auguring a bright future for the young left-hander. In 2015, however, he hit a wall as his ERA ballooned to 3.54 and he was jettisoned to the Dodgers.
The Dodgers, who formulated a three-team trade with Wood as the main target, were thrilled to make the acquisition but have yet to find a consistent role for him. He started 22 games but was never really a full-time starter. He has appeared out of the bullpen and been mostly effective, but he strives to start again. Unfortunately for him, it looks as if he will begin the season in the bullpen.
Wood definitely has swing-and-miss ‘stuff’ as evidenced by his 66 strikeouts in 60 innings last season and 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings in his career. He is still only 26 years old and will be taking the ball on more than a few occasions for Roberts and the team this year. The guess here is that he outpitches his rating and ends up ranked in the 80s next season.