Los Angeles Dodgers: Remembering each pitcher’s first career start

KENTA MAEDA

MLB DEBUT: 4/6/2016

AGE: 30

SIGNED: Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent from Japan on January 7, 2016.

Kenta Maeda is making a name for himself in Los Angeles. Two years ago, the Dodgers signed Maeda as a free agent out of Japan. Since then, he’s been one of the most solid starters in the rotation.

Nobody has forgotten last season, and how the Dodgers moved Maeda from the mound in the first to the bullpen. It was a move that worked out better than anyone expected. This year, however, he was needed in the role the Dodgers signed him to play.

Had Yu Darvish re-signed with the Dodgers, Kenta Maeda would almost definitely be in the bullpen. Not because he would have pitched his way out of a starting spot, but because the Dodgers could afford to do it with an extra starter on the way.

That doesn’t change the fact that Dodger fans know Maeda as a starter, and he’s pretty good at it. He made his first start with the club on April 6th, 2016 against the San Diego Padres. In that game, he walked none, struck out  4, and allowed no runs. Los Angeles provided him with tons of run support, something they’ve been struggling with as of late, and won the game for Maeda 7-0.

Kenta Maeda isn’t an ace. He’s not the guy you send to the mound in Game 7 but guess what? That’s perfectly okay. Not every pitcher is an ace, but do you know what Maeda could be? He could be Andrew Miller. He could be the guy that comes out in the 7th and shuts down the opposing offense.

Or, he could be CC Sabathia. He could be, he already is, a solid starter that does his best to keep runs off the board for his guys.

Kenta Maeda isn’t the ace, but who says that’s a bad thing?