Los Angeles Dodgers: Five bold predictions for the starting rotation in 2020
By Jason Reed
4. Dustin May won’t have a huge impact in the starting rotation
When I mention Julio Urias and Walker Buehler headlining the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting rotation for years to come, I would be doing a huge disservice if I did not throw Dustin May in there. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the Dodgers undoubtedly have the best young trio of starting pitchers in the league.
These are three guys with outstanding stuff that are highly regarded across all of baseball. They are three future all-stars that could very well be the best trio in baseball in five years.
Right now, though, Dustin May is a little bit behind Buehler and Urias and while some expect May to be a great asset to the Dodgers in the starting rotation this season, I do not think that will be the case.
I think May will settle into the role that Urias had last season and be the spot starter when the Dodgers want to have a bullpen game and be the long-relief guy out of the bullpen. The Dodgers are so deep that they do not need to rush May and he is still a year away.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this as May is still only 22 years old and only has 34 and two-thirds big-league innings under his belt. The Dodgers gave us a sneak preview of his potential role in the NLDS, where May was kept on the playoff roster as a reliever and threw three and one-third innings while allowing one run.
May has elite stuff and elite movement that will play exceptionally well the first time through the order. He is as dangerous as it comes as a bullpen arm and will have a year similar to Urias’ 2019, it just won’t be in the starting rotation.