It's been a long road for Brent Honeywell Jr.
Formerly one of the game's top overall prospects, injuries have derailed his Major League career to date. After making his professional debut in rookie ball back in 2014, there was a four-year span (starting in 2017) in which he didn't throw a professional pitch.
Honeywell finally made his debut at the top level in 2021. Even then, though, he had some trouble sticking.
After three games worth of appearances with Tampa Bay, Honeywell was sent to Oakland in a cash considerations deal prior to the 2022 season. He continued to struggle to stay healthy and found himself a free agent after failing to reach the big leagues with the A's.
Despite his lengthy history, Honeywell found himself a Major League deal with the San Diego Padres ahead of the 2023 season. It was his first extended Major League run, making 36 appearances before an August DFA. He made another four appearances with the Chicago White Sox to close out the year.
Prior to this year, Honeywell caught on with Pittsburgh via a minor league deal. Despite an ERA approaching five, the Pirates called him up for a small handful of appearances just this month prior to yet another DFA. And now his tumultuous journey finds him with one of the best teams in baseball.
Since the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed Honeywell off of waivers, he's made three appearances. He's totaled seven innings, scattered three hits, and has yet to allow a run. Perhaps most important is the fact that Honeywell hasn't walked a hitter.
In two of the last three appearances, Honeywell has gone heavy four-seam & screwball in a two-pitch combination. The slider has made the odd appearance, but he's ditched that pitch almost entirely in his brief time in L.A. For comparison, he was throwing the slider more than any other pitch in his couple of appearances with Pittsburgh.
This type of immediate change speaks to why the Dodgers could be the team to finally get Brent Honeywell the chance to stick at the big league level. Their pitching infrastructure is unequaled as they not only maximize pitcher potential, but identify roles in which pitchers can thrive. We've already seen them do it just this year with another former top pitching prospect in Anthony Banda. Is Honeywell next?
This three-game stretch is already as impressive as he's looked as a big leaguer. The immediate two-pitch mix is notable, too. The Dodgers have clearly recognized something and intend on getting him in position to be as effective as possible. And that's all to say nothing of three consecutive multi-inning appearances. An effective multi-inning reliever can be an effective weapon toward lengthening the bullpen.
It's a minuscule sample, of course. But given the Dodgers' track record of pitching development and skill set rehabilitation, it's not hard for one to imagine that a decade after being drafted, Brent Honeywell Jr may finally be ready to stick.