The Dodgers, adamant about not including top pitching prospect Dustin May in any trade deadline deals Wednesday, will turn to the big right-hander to make his MLB debut Friday.
"“It’s definitely a huge surprise,” May, 21, said Thursday (via the Los Angeles Times). “And I’m definitely excited for the experience.”
It's a remarkable development in the span of 48 hours.
Looking for a bullpen help, the Dodgers were particularly interested in the Pirates' Felipe Vazquez, but Pittsburgh wanted either May or LA's top position prospect, shortstop Gavin Lux, according to multiple reports.
Instead, the Dodgers opted to effectively stand pat, adding only modest pieces in infielder Jedd Gyorko and left-handed bullpen specialist Adam Kolarek.
May — dubbed "Gingergaard" for his flowing hair that conjures images of a redheaded Noah Syndergaard — told the Times that he was informed about 45 minutes after Wednesday’s trade deadline that he would get the start Friday.
That shot will come as a starter in Ross Stripling’s spot in the rotation, and May could get more starts, depending on Stripling’s recovery from ongoing neck stiffness.
But, ultimately, the Times notes, the Dodgers envision May — and fellow pitching prospect Tony Gonsolin — as potential bullpen options in October after they failed to acquire a top-tier reliever at the trade deadline.
“I think every opportunity is an audition for somebody who is a young player who hasn’t had an opportunity to prove himself at this level,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s earned it. He’s earned this opportunity to pitch here.”
The scouting report ahead of May's Friday start:
Per MLB Pipeline , which rates him the No. 35 overall prospect: The 6-6 right-hander has a plus stuff on three pitches (fastball, cutter and curve) and regularly hits the mid-90s with his fastball.
According to Baseball America's most recent prospect report (July 29), May — who effectively uses a sinker-cutter combo with a power curve — "has pitched well against hitters in the upper minors this season, sporting a sub-3 ERA during his time in the offensive-oriented Pacific Coast League."
In fact, May actually has had better results pitching at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he's 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA, than he did at Double-A Tulsa (3-5, 3.74 ERA). He has combined at both levels to strike out 110 in 106 2/3 innings.
He'll take another, bigger step Friday when he faces the Padres at Dodger Stadium.
