Dodgers rookie pitcher looks back at what he learned and what he will improve on in 2023.
The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered some injuries from the pitching department in 2022. Clayton Kershaw missed some time, Walker Buehler required Tommy John surgery mid-season, and Tony Gonsolin injured his forearm in late August.
Due to all the injuries from the starting staff, LA turned to their farm system and brought in right-handed pitcher Ryan Pepiot.
Pepiot is currently listed as the seventh-best Dodger prospect and is third among pitchers. The righty made his first start in May 2022 and ultimately started nine games for the Boys in Blue.
The 25-year-old sat down with our friends over at DodgersNation and discussed what he could improve on moving forward.
The Dodgers third-round draft pick said being himself is what he will need to do as he progresses.
“I had some great experience getting some starts, coming out of the bullpen as well. I think the biggest thing I really learned is not to try to do too much even though it’s the big leagues. Just stay true to who I am and be Ryan Pepiot, I don’t have to be anybody else.
“And then the biggest thing I’m going to takeaway is, be in the zone more. When I’m in the zone, good things happen. When I’m not, it leads to long innings. And nobody wants to be out there playing defense for that long.”
In his rookie year, Pepiot went 3-0 with a 3.47 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and a 1.46 WHIP in 36.1 innings.
Pepiot has the tools to be an excellent big-league starter, including his change-up, which is by far his best pitch. He said his change-up didn’t come into effect for him until his sophomore year at Butler University, and now he has one of the best change-ups on the team.
2023 will be the year we find out if Ryan has the stuff to go through a 162-game schedule or if he still needs more time to refine his stuff. Dodger fans expect a good year from the righty, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do consistently.
