The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced challenges this season, with several of their top pitchers landing on the injured list or experiencing setbacks in their recovery. This situation forced the team to rely on a young pitcher, Gavin Stone, whose name had come up in trade discussions during the offseason.
As the All-Star Break approaches, it’s hard to imagine the Dodgers without Stone, who has emerged as one of the most effective starting pitchers in Major League Baseball. However, there was a time when his future with the team was uncertain.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Dodgers must be relieved they didn’t trade Stone when his name was mentioned in discussions with several teams last winter. It’s unclear whether the Dodgers were seriously considering trading him or if he was simply a popular target due to his status as a top pitching prospect. Regardless, they retained him, which has proven beneficial for both the team and the player.
In the 2023 season, Stone struggled, pitching 31 innings with a 9.00 ERA and a 6.64 FIP. He struck out 6.39 batters per nine innings while walking 3.77 per nine across eight games, including four starts. However, Stone put in significant effort during the offseason to improve his performance, returning to the Dodgers in much better form this spring.
Stone’s performance this season has erased any doubts the Dodgers might have had about him. He has compiled a 9-2 record with a 3.03 ERA over 92 innings, striking out 73 hitters while walking 28. The Dodgers have a strong 11-4 record in games he has started.
Given his outstanding performance, Stone’s exclusion from the All-Star Game would be surprising. Moreover, if he continues to excel in the second half of the season, he could be a strong contender for the National League Rookie of the Year award.
