Los Angeles Dodgers: Five bold predictions for 2018
By Jason Reed
4. Julio Urias will return and have a huge impact down the stretch
Julio Urias is the future of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching staff — as long as his left shoulder can recover. Urias has been highly touted within the Dodgers organization for multiple years now and has perennial ace written all over him. The 21-year-old has already pitched a good amount in the majors and the fourth-ranked prospect in baseball prior to his arrival.
With an electric fastball, great offspeed stuff and a deceptive pickoff move, Urias has everything it takes to be successful in the MLB. Heck, Urias made his MLB debut at just 19 years old; throwing 77 innings in the process for a 3.39 ERA. At just 19 years old!
However, Urias’ path to superstardom took a small detour. Urias suffered a shoulder injury last season that required anterior capsule surgery on his pitching arm. No pitcher has successfully come back from this surgery, but Urias’ youth makes it promising.
Urias is set to return anywhere from June to August; the Dodgers will understandably play it safe and give him plenty of rehab assignments.
However, this should not rule Urias out in 2018. Urias should be good to go come September, right when the rosters expand. That is when Urias will become a dominant arm out of the bullpen for LA.
Much like Andrew Miller was for the Indians, the Dodgers can use Urias out of the bullpen in high leverage situations. The left-hander has the stuff to succeed and if he thrives in the role, will be a huge x-factor in the Postseason. Urias will become a rally-stopper. With Urias in this role, the Dodgers have something they did not have in 2017.