Dodgers: 1 trade to make and 1 prospect to promote to boost World Series odds

We could see the MLB debut of top Dodgers prospect Josiah Gray soon.

Had it not been for an injury setback last month, the Dodgers would have debuted their No.2 prospect, Josiah Gray.

A right-hander who also ranks No.45 on MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospect List, Gray was set to get called up in mid-May to reduce some of the burdens on a taxed Dodgers bullpen. Shoulder inflammation is what set Gray back, and he has not pitched in over a month due to the cautious approach LA is taking.

A converted shortstop, Gray was originally drafted by the Reds in the second round of the 2018 draft. He was then traded to the Dodgers as part of the Yasiel Puig-Matt Kemp deal.

His athleticism from his days as a position player is said to show on the mound. The 23-year-old features a high-90s fastball which, “seems to explode at the plate with riding and rising life.”

Combine that heater with a mid-80s slider and breaking ball and Gray fits right in with today’s era of young flamethrowers.

First things first, he has to get healthy. There’s no sense and no reason for the Dodgers to risk a further setback for Gray until he’s comfortable getting back on the mound. He is currently on the 7-day Injured List.

In 26 appearances in the minors in 2019, Gray posted a 2.28 ERA, 0.992 WHIP, and 4.74 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 130 innings pitched. He’s made just one start in triple-A before hitting the IL, where he allowed two earned runs on three hits while striking out 10 and walking two over five innings.

Long term he’s seen as a starter, but in the meantime, it’s more than likely the Dodgers will stretch him out as a reliever to get his feet wet and help out the bullpen should they need it.

“He’s come quick, very live arm, not a whole lot of mileage, great makeup, great body, great head, great work ethic. All that. We view him as a starter and it’s a plus-fastball with great characteristics,” Roberts said.

Once again this Dodgers team has put themselves in a great position to compete for a title. It’s also a scary thought for the rest of the league because they still have some room to improve.

As we’ve seen for eight straight seasons, you can bet they’ll do whatever it takes to win.