Dodgers’ Prospect Emmet Sheehan to Make MLB Debut Versus Giants on Friday
Riddled with pitching injuries and underperformances this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to reach into their star-studded prospect system once again ahead of Friday’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants.
According to MLB.com’s Juan Toribio, the Dodgers plan to promote right-hander Emmet Sheehan from double-A Tulsa prior to first pitch on Friday. The 23-year-old will then take the bump to begin a three-game series, making his MLB debut at Dodger Stadium.
Sheehan, Los Angeles’ No. 13 top prospect per MLB Pipeline, has yet to be added to the organization’s 40-man roster. There is an opening, however, with Adam Kolarek designated for assignment on Wednesday.
The sixth-round pick from 2021 has risen rapidly through the Dodgers’ minor-league system, arriving at the double-A level last season in just his second professional campaign. But there’s good reason for that accession, as he has thrived almost every step of the way.
After pitching across three levels in 2021 (Rookie Ball, single-A, high-A), Sheehan returned to the franchise’s high-A affiliate to begin the 2022 campaign, posting a 2.83 ERA and 2.18 FIP over 18 games (12 starts, six relief appearances).
What stood out, though, was the youngster’s swing-and-miss capabilities (38.7 percent strikeout rate) and minuscule home run output (0.28 HR/9) in 63.2 innings. That, and the fact opponents hit just .178 against him.
So, as the calendar flipped to September, the 6-foot-5 hurler was promoted to double-A, where he made a pair of starts to wrap up the summer. His first went poorly, allowing three runs – two earned – over 1.1 innings. But in his second, he struck out four batters across three shutout innings, surrendering just a hit and a walk.
With only 83.2 career innings under his belt, the Dodgers wanted Sheehan to attend the Arizona Fall League, which he did, completing an additional 20.1 innings in six starts.
Walks, in particular, were among the aspects Sheehan hoped to improve during his time, especially after issuing 31 free passes during the regular season. Despite tallying 24 punchouts, his control remained an issue at times, resulting in eight walks allowed.
This season, the young righty dominated the field at double-A, posting a 1.86 ERA and .131 OPP AVG over 53.1 innings in 12 games (10 starts). But judging by his 3.21 FIP, .211 BABIP and 10.9 percent walk rate, a slight regression could have followed as the season progressed.
Still, that shouldn’t take away from his dominance as one of the premier strikeout wielders in the minors, evidenced by his 41.7 percent strikeout rate.
Following Sheehan’s success at double-A, the Dodgers promoted him to triple-A Oklahoma City last weekend, but he didn’t have a chance to make his debut. Instead, he will jump to the majors to face a 36-32 Giants squad.
The talented hurler has been used both as a traditional starter and a bulk-inning pitcher in 2023, completing four innings or more in 10 of his 12 outings. Long term, however, his four-pitch arsenal likely profiles best as a multi-inning reliever.
Sheehan relies heavily on his high-90s fastball – capable of reaching 99 mph – and low-80s changeup, creating a devastating one-two punch. He also features a slider and a curveball, although both pitches grade below average.
Even so, his top two weapons might be enough to keep him afloat during his first big-league start, especially against a Giants’ lineup that entered Friday ranked fourth-highest in strikeout rate (25.3 percent) in the majors.
The Dodgers could certainly benefit from a quality outing from Sheehan, as Walker Buehler, Dustin May, Julio Urías and Noah Syndergaard all sit on the IL. They also haven’t been helped by rookie Michael Grove, who carries an 8.10 ERA and 5.75 FIP across seven outings this season.
But if Sheehan pitches well, he could receive an extended opportunity alongside a battered rotation that currently includes Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin and Bobby Miller.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
Photo: Jake N. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic license.