Prior to being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, Dustin May starred at Northwest High School in Justin, Texas. He was committed to Texas Tech but chose to sign with the Dodgers for a $1 million signing bonus.
May was taken in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft, selected No. 101 overall, which came with a $590,800 slot bonus.
Now seven years later, May was among those inducted into the Northwest Independent School District Athletics Hall of Honor as part of the 2023 class. He met the criteria of being at least five years removed from graduating, made exceptional contributions to the high school’s athletics program, played at least two years at the varsity level, earned All-State and All-District recognition, and played professionally.
Nominees are selected by a majority vote of the Northwest ISD Athletic Hall of Honor Committee.
During his senior season at Northwest, May went 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA while holding opponents to a .159 batting average and collecting 79 strikeouts over 56 innings pitched. The right-hander already had a fastball that got up to 94 mph and included a high spin rate.
May went on to make his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2019 and saw his role increase the following year. Included in that was unexpectedly starting for the Dodgers on Opening Day of the 2020 season due to Clayton Kershaw suffering a back injury.
May became the first Dodgers rookie pitcher to start on Opening Day since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981. He was primed to take another step forward in 2021 but had that cut short due to Tommy John surgery. May returned during the second half of the 2022 season but was only left with enough time to make six starts.
The Dodgers expected to count on the 26-year-old this season but he suffered another injury that required surgery for a right flexor tendon repair in addition to UCL reconstruction revision from the Tommy John he had in 2021.
Overall in parts of five seasons with the Dodgers, May is 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA, 3.23 FIP and 0.94 WHIP in 46 games (34 starts).
Will Dustin May pitch in 2024?
May’s rough timeline for a return from his latest surgery was originally projected to be roughly 12 months. However, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said the team has not yet determined if May will pitch for the team during the 2024 season.
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