Los Angeles Dodgers: 20 bold predictions for the 2018 Dodgers

Predictions 6 and 7:

Prediction six: Julio Urias will return from injury and play a big role down the stretch

Despite all of the precautious efforts by the Los Angeles Dodgers to keep their wonder kid, Julio Urias, healthy, it ultimately was not successful. Last June, Urias underwent anterior capsule surgery in his left shoulder that rendered him inactive for the rest of 2018. The typical timetable for this injury would put Urias back anywhere from June to late August.

While the Dodgers should not rush Urias into the mix of things, they should be wary of when he is returning and how he can help the Dodgers down the stretch and in the postseason. Urias is a huge asset with a ton of promise and really has that “it” factor that makes him Cy Young worthy.

This type of surgery is scary as no pitcher has really ever returned from it and been as successful as before. However, Urias’ youth and overall positive results in rehabbing thus far could make him the first to come back better than ever. Then it can be “Julio Urias surgery”.

I sure hope so, Urias was already my favorite Dodger and he hasn’t even gotten close to the tip of the iceberg.

Prediction seven: Tom Koehler will be another Rick Honeycutt success project

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed failed starting pitcher Tom Koehler to a two-year deal that will ultimately place him in the bullpen. While fans are not the most thrilled after this move and losing Brandon Morrow, Koehler is that perfect prototype to succeed in the Dodgers bullpen.

Last year it was Morrow, the year before is was Joe Blanton. Rick Honeycutt just has this magical ability to turn failed starting pitchers into fantastic bullpen arms. When they leave, they are never the same. I would expect Koehler to have the same sort of outcome.