Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Gavin Stone is among the Los Angeles Dodgers prospects who are expected to make their MLB debut this season, and the right-hander helped his case with an impressive showing in Spring Training.
Stone allowed just five hits over 6.2 scoreless innings with 14 strikeouts against two walks in four Cactus League appearances. He had a noteworthy performance in the Dodgers’ 6-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics last week, tossing three shutout innings and collecting eight strikeouts.
After the performance, Stone explained that his success has stemmed from being confident on the mound, via SportsNet LA:
“It just gives me confidence. I feel like that’s key to being a good pitcher, is having confidence on the mound. If you don’t exude confidence, then hitters are going to have better at-bats. That’s just my main focus, is to stay as confident as possible on the mound. Because if I throw my stuff, I know my stuff is better than their stuff. Just being confident, I think is key to being dominant on the mound.”
Stone began the 2022 season with High-A Great Lakes before earning a promotion to Double-A Tulsa, and then another to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The 23-year-old was dominant at each level, posting a 1.44 ERA with the Loons, 1.60 ERA with the Drillers, and then going 2-1 with a 1.16 ERA to finish the year with OKC.
Stone will likely open the 2023 campaign with OKC and could receive his first call-up to the Dodgers later in the year. L.A. did need to find a temporary fifth starter while Tony Gonsolin is out but Stone was not believed to be among the candidates under consideration.
The role instead went to Ryan Pepiot, who beat out Michael Grove and Andre Jackson. However, Jackson earned the final bullpen spot on the Dodgers Opening Day roster.
Gavin Stone rising up prospect lists
After a breakout 2022 season, Stone has risen up several prospect lists. He was ranked the No. 10 right-handed pitcher by MLB Pipeline, and also placed No. 55 overall on Kiley McDaniel’s list.
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