Gavin Stone’s All-Star chances hit roadblock

Right as he was starting to make a strong case to be a member of the 2024 All-Star team, Gavin Stone had one of his worst outings of the season. He was only able to get through three innings on 77 pitches, giving up four runs in the process.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-4 during one of the longest non-extra-inning games of the season. Both starting pitchers had thrown 70 pitches before the game even reached the fourth inning.

“Just executing pitches early in counts, missing and adjusting to sides. I have to bring it in a little bit, but honestly, I felt good, just a little off,” said Stone.

Shohei Ohtani started the game with a single, and Freddie Freeman gave the Dodgers the lead with a three-run homer, which was then followed up by a solo shot from Teoscar Hernandez.

The Diamondbacks quickly rallied back and took control of the game for good when Christian Walker, the Dodger-killer, broke a tie in the fourth inning with his first of two homers on the night.

“I do think that we bring out the best in (Walker). He plays really well at home against us as well, but in this ballpark, it is otherworldly, and he doesn’t give anything away,” said Dave Roberts.

When Gavin Stone has been at his best, he does not try to do too much. He trusts his stuff and executes the pitches that are called. On Wednesday, he seemed to be doing too much. He appeared to be working his way around certain hitters in the early innings, and, as the game went on, he turned to attacking the zone, which resulted in hard contact across the board.

Prior to the start, Stone had given up the least amount of runs amongst all qualified MLB starting pitchers. You could make the case he has been the Dodgers ace this season. He has the most wins and lowest ERA in their rotation (yes, ahead of Tyler Glasnow).

“He is stronger, more physical. Confidence-wise, he has continued to build that, but certainly, I think it is something that has really helped him because there is a part of being curious but not overwhelmed, and he has got that good balance,” said Roberts.

His contributions to the team have been the most pleasant surprise of any member on the roster this year other than maybe Teoscar Hernandez, but Hernandez is a former All-Star who is only under team control for this season. Stone is a rookie who, coming into 2024, had a 9.00 ERA in 31 big-league innings. He is also under team control for at least the next five years.

Even though he played for the Dodgers major league squad last season, he stayed under the 50-inning threshold and is still considered a rookie. At the start of camp, he was an afterthought to take home the Rookie of the Year Award, but with his start, he has certainly put himself in contention.

“I think he is just really trying to take as much of what different people do in to learn. I think that he sees guys working intentionally or what they might be working on. A conversation that might be had that he can pull from, and you don’t see a lot of starting pitchers stay out there and watch the whole game,” said Roberts. “Nothing is better than your eyes and so Gavin uses his eyes as good as anyone that I have seen.”

In another year, he would have a decent chance of making the National League All-Star roster, but he has several factors working against him, and after his showing against Arizona, he is a long shot.

It is very rare for a rookie to make the team, and he is not a high-profile name yet by any stretch. A more well-known name with similar stats would likely get the nod over Stone.

There are also more pitchers putting up great numbers than normal; 6 starters have a sub-3.00 ERA in the NL, which slightly dilutes his stats.

He is also not a big strikeout guy at this point in his career, has not accumulated as high a WAR as his competition, and has yet to reach 100 innings—all numbers that are often used as deciding factors.

Maybe the chatter got to his head, but Stone is eager to keep learning and improving his game. If he continues to take strides in the right direction, he will have plenty more opportunities.

Top Image Caption: Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)


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