The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired the shutdown reliever they wanted at the trade deadline in the form of Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox.
Kopech came to the Dodgers as part of a three-team deal involving the St. Louis Cardinals. The Dodgers acquired utility player Tommy Edman, and minor league right-hander Oliver Gonzalez, in exchange for Miguel Vargas and prospects Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus.
Since the reliever’s arrival, he has been lights-out.
In 5.1 innings of work across five games, Kopech has notched eight strikeouts and only allowed one hit against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“It is just real top-end stuff,” Roberts said, per Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation. “It doesn’t matter, left or right hand. He’s just such a beast. We got him throwing that cutter going along with that 100 mph fastball, it’s an uncomfortable at-bat. So for me, the strike-throwing, he’s already all-in, bought in. He’s definitely high up the trust tree right now, for sure.”
Getting out of the Southside of Chicago is the best thing to happen to Kopech this season. While he was having a good year with the White Sox, he couldn’t reach his full potential while playing for the worst team in Major League Baseball.
Kopech had a moment earlier this season that most pitchers dream of – an immaculate inning. It came on July 10 against the Minnesota Twins and he struck out three consecutive batters using the minimum number of pitches. The feat has only been accomplished 114 times in baseball history.
The veteran also became just the second White Sox pitcher to accomplish the rare feat, the first being Sloppy Thurston in 1923.
In parts of five seasons with the White Sox, Kopech maintained a 4.38 ERA while accumulating 416 strikeouts across 376 innings.
Kopech was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2014 and was moved to Chicago in 2016. He made his big-league debut on Aug. 21, 2018.
With all of the injuries to the Dodgers pitching staff this season, Kopech has been a breath of fresh air. He is throwing absolute gas and has been nearly unhittable.
The Dodgers need every healthy bullpen arm ready to shut down opponents as they cling to their 3.5-game lead in the NL West over the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Photo Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
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