Predicting how the Dodgers pitching rotation will look in 2018

4. Rich Hill

Rich Hill is one of the most entertaining pitchers to watch in all of the MLB. In fact, I would go as far as to say Hill is the hardest pitcher to gameplan for. With Hill, the offense is going all or nothing on his pitch selections, often times, the offense comes up with nothing.

Rich Hill only throws two pitches yet has the ability to fool even the best hitters in the Major Leagues. With only a high 80s fastball and a big looping curve, Hill has developed an interesting toolset that has become increasingly harder to hit. Hill utilizez his windup and delivers the ball in varying arm angles to create different spin paths.

Hill’s insane spin rate allows this to work. Dropping his arm only a few inches turns a big looping curveball into a slurve that can look like his fastball. Hill is not supposed to succeed at the MLB level, yet he does and does so very well.

However, Hill is still prone to injury and should not be given the task of a top rotation arm. With a reduced workload, Hill can focus on getting the Dodgers the five, six or seven great innings instead of having the burden of carrying a game into the eighth or ninth inning.

When Hill is overused he becomes very hittable. These still are MLB hitters and they will eventually adjust after two at-bats. Having Hill as the fourth man, without needing to eat up innings, is the perfect slot for Wood.