Justin Wrobleski Could Be the Next Big Pitching Prospect
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
Year after year, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system consistently unveils new prospects who rise to prominence, often discovered as hidden gems. Justin Wrobleski, a 23-year-old left-handed pitcher in his third season of minor league play, might just be the next standout prospect for L.A.
Background
Justin Wrobleski, a product of Sequoyah High School in Canton, Georgia, started his collegiate baseball career at Clemson in 2019. He then moved to the State Junior College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota, where he played as a two-way player in 2020. Wrobleski transferred again, this time to Oklahoma State, where he focused solely on pitching during the 2021 season and recorded a 4.20 ERA across 40 2/3 innings.
Two months before the 2021 MLB draft, Wrobleski underwent Tommy John surgery, which caused his draft stock to drop to the 11th round. The Dodgers recognized his potential once recovered and selected him despite the recent surgery. Less than a year after being drafted, Wrobleski made his professional debut in the Arizona Complex League and has performed exceptionally well ever since.
Last year marked Wrobleski’s first opportunity to handle a full starting role as a professional, and he began the season at High-A right from spring training. He quickly became the leading pitcher for the Great Lakes Loons, accumulating 102 1/3 innings pitched — the fourth highest in the Dodgers system. He achieved a commendable 2.90 ERA and a 3.22 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) score.
Pitch Mix
One of Wrobleski’s standout qualities is his extensive array of pitches. He consistently uses six different types: a four-seam fastball (46%), slider (18%), changeup (13%), cutter (5%), two-seam fastball (5%), and curveball (5%). Each of these pitches is thrown at least 5% of the time.
His four-seam fastball, which usually hovers between 94-95 mph and can peak at 97 mph, has a distinctive characteristic. Despite this impressive speed, Wrobleski’s average extension of just 5 feet means the perceived velocity is lower. Over the season, he managed to increase this pitch’s velocity slightly, which enhanced its effectiveness. He also demonstrates strong control over this pitch, consistently throwing it for strikes about 70% of the time last year.
The slider is Wrobleski’s most effective secondary pitch, typically in the mid-80s with reliable control. Last year, batters managed only a .614 OPS against it, proving its efficacy in both early and late count situations.
His changeup is particularly effective against right-handed hitters, featuring 15 inches of horizontal break and achieving a 57% groundball rate. Additionally, Wrobleski complements his arsenal with an 89-mph cutter, a 91-mph two-seam fastball, and an 83-mph curveball, which he often uses in two-strike scenarios to vary his approach.
High Quality Pitches
Wrobleski demonstrates above-average control over his entire pitch repertoire, achieving a 66% overall strike rate last year. He maintained a 26% strikeout rate and an 8.3% walk rate, both of which are commendable.
Excluding his first four starts of the season, which were part of his adjustment period, Wrobleski recorded a 2.16 ERA from May until the season’s end. During this stretch, he surrendered just four home runs over 87 2/3 innings and maintained a 46% groundball rate along with a 1.21 WHIP.
While Wrobleski may not rack up high strikeout numbers once he ascends to the majors, he has proven his ability to deliver quality innings and minimize hard contact. His skillful command and precise pitch placement effectively prevent baserunners and reduce the impact of hits against him.
What’s Next
The post Justin Wrobleski Could Be the Next Big Pitching Prospect appeared first on Just Baseball.
