LOS ANGELES — It’s no secret that the 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers will have plenty of star power.
From former MVPs Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani, to Cy Young candidates Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, there will be high-profile names throughout both the team’s lineup and starting rotation. But there is one aspect of the team that will often get overlooked, but could wind up determining whether or not the Dodgers accomplish their 2024 goals: the bullpen.
After struggling mightily during the summer months last year, Los Angeles quietly had one of the best bullpens in baseball down the stretch. With the majority of the players from last year’s unit returning, let’s take a look at the key members of the Dodgers 2024 bullpen and the roles that they could play in the upcoming season.
Evan Phillips
One of the biggest under-the-radar developments for the Dodgers in 2023 was the rise of Phillips as the team’s closer. After 2022 closer Craig Kimbrel departed in free agency, the 28-year-old Phillips stepped into the role relatively seamlessly.
Appearing in 62 games, he recorded 24 saves and had an impressive 2.05 ERA. The Dodgers are hoping that Phillips can carry his impressive form over into 2024 and continue to provide them a steady late-game presence.
Brusdar Graterol
After posting solid numbers his first three years in Los Angeles, Graterol took the next step toward elite status in 2023. Appearing in 68 games, Graterol posted a remarkable 1.20 ERA along with a 0.97 WHIP. Serving as the primary setup man to Phillips, he recorded seven saves and 19 holds. Graterol should once again be one of the Dodgers’ top bullpen options in 2024.
Caleb Ferguson
After a strong 2022 season, Ferguson dropped off a bit in 2023. His ERA increased from 1.82 to 3.43, and he blew five of his eight save opportunities. The Dodgers are hoping that Ferguson can get return to 2022 form and play a key role out of the bullpen again in 2024.
Alex Vesia
To say that Vesia’s 2023 season was a roller coaster would be an understatement.
After posting horrific numbers during the beginning of the year, he was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and spent nearly a month in the minors. Upon his return to the big leagues, however, Vesia looked much improved. From August 11 on, he allowed an earned run in just two of his 18 appearances.
If he can carry his late-season form over into 2024, Vesia should be primed to play a key role out of the bullpen once again.
Joe Kelly
A fan favorite during his first stint with the Dodgers from 2019-2021, Kelly returned to Los Angeles at the trade deadline last season and picked up right back where he left off. After posting a 4.97 ERA during his first 31 appearances of the season with the Chicago White Sox, that number dropped to 1.74 with the Dodgers, with Kelly allowing an earned run in just one of his 11 appearances with the team.
Kelly will turn 36 years old during the 2024 campaign, but the Dodgers are hoping that he still has another good year or two left in the tank.
Ryan Yarbrough
Acquired at the trade deadline from Kansas City, Yarbrough proved to be a valuable long-relief option for the Dodgers during the stretch run last year.
Pitching at least three innings in 10 of his 11 relief appearances, Yarbrough allowed more than two earned runs just twice. He should once again play a key role in Los Angeles’s bullpen this season, and could potentially be available to make some starts as well if needed.
Young pitchers to watch
While the aforementioned names should be the headliners, keep an eye on these young pitchers with the potential to enjoy breakout campaigns in 2024:
After making their MLB debuts in 2023, Emmett Sheehan and Gavin Stone should be key options either in the rotation or out of the bullpen this season.
Called up to the big leagues last September, USC baseball alum Kyle Hurt pitched two scoreless innings in his lone MLB appearance. He will compete for a spot on the 26-man roster this spring.
Landon Knack, a second-round pick in 2020, should be in line to make his MLB debut at some point during the 2024 season.