Due to many injuries to their pitching staff in the first half of the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers were forced to call up 2014 38th round pick Caleb Ferguson a bit prematurely to make some spot starts.
Ferguson made three starts, but he proved that he belonged at the big league level so even after the Dodgers’ regular starting pitchers got healthy, the young lefty stuck around and became an essential part of the bullpen.
The Dodgers knew that they had a special arm in Ferguson, but no one could have predicted that in 26 Major League relief appearances at the age of 22, he would pitch to a 2.35 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while striking out 47 compared to just six walks in 38.1 innings.
This is the first time in his life that Ferguson has pitched extensively out of the bullpen, so naturally he said it has been an adjustment although he is enjoying it, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It took me awhile to get used to it,” the Dodgers’ rookie left-hander said. “The first couple times I wasn’t bouncing back as well as I do now. I had never done it before. But it’s fun. You throw less but more at the same time, if that makes sense. Your pitch count is down but you may get a day after throwing 25 and then go again. It’s good if you really, really like to pitch – which I do.”
Ferguson is likely still viewed as a starter long-term for the Dodgers, although in 2018 he has been a huge part of a bullpen that has improved greatly in the second half.
Additionally, if the Dodgers are fortunate enough to return to the postseason for the sixth straight season, then Ferguson should get the chance to pitch some high-leverage innings, which is valuable experience that will benefit him moving forward in his career.
