The Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the top farm systems in baseball which includes multiple highly-regarded prospects, such as Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot, Landon Knack, Diego Cartaya, Michael Busch, Miguel Vargas and Andy Pages.
While not all of them are close to making their respective MLB debuts, top pitching prospects — Miller, Pepiot and Knack — are each candidates to potentially join the Dodgers at some point during the 2022 season.
If any of them do end up debuting this season, it would complete a rapid rise through the Minor Leagues as Pepiot was taken in the 2019 MLB Draft, while Miller and Knack were picked in the 2020 Draft.
All three of the pitchers are incredibly talented, but what has really separated them is their desire to improve and their competitive nature, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said on “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh:
“Both Bobby and Ryan are incredibly curious and hungry for information and elite competitors. Those guys will do anything to get an out while they’re on the mound, which is something we love. Bobby specifically, his makeup and wanting to know how to attack guys from a pitch usage standpoint and trying to understand strengths and weaknesses of hitters, is definitely a unique trait. Especially for someone that young. You combine that with an elite level of athleticism and an easy throw, has a chance to be something special. As does Ryan Pepiot and Landon Knack also. He’s also somebody who is coming up through the Minor League system and is on our radar and incredibly talented.”
Miller and Pepiot were both ranked by Baseball America among the top-100 prospects, with Miller coming in at 38th and Pepiot at No. 99.
The 22-year-old Miller has an electric fastball that can reach triple-digits, a wipeout slider, a developing curveball, and developing changeup.
The 24-year-old Pepiot has one the best changeups in the Minors and he pairs that with a strong fastball and decent curveball. He has also made progress developing his slider.
Pepiot’s biggest concern is his command as he was walking around four batters per nine in 59.2 innings at Double-A and nearly five hitters per nine in 41.2 innings while with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Knack was not ranked within the top 100, but he projects to be a middle-to-back end of the rotation starter.
Miller relished making start at Dodger Stadium
The Dodgers ended their Spring Training schedule with a 5-0 win over the L.A. Angels in the exhibition Freeway Series finale. Bobby Miller got the start on his 23rd birthday and was nothing short of impressive, allowing just one hit across three scoreless innings.
Miller threw 55 pitches (29 strikes) and gave the Angels lineup a steady dose of four-seam fastballs. His heater reached triple digits on several occasions and averaged 99.3 mph for the night.
“More than anything I could’ve asked for out there,” Miller said of his outing. “Best birthday I’ve had so far. Being able to pitch in Dodger Stadium has been my dream my whole life.”
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