Dodgers Snag Former A’s Fireballer Will Klein in Bold Bullpen Gamble: Can LA Unlock His Untapped Potential?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have added former Oakland A’s right-hander Will Klein to their bullpen, marking an interesting new chapter in his career. Klein, who was originally acquired by the A’s in the deal for third baseman Patrick Erceg, has had a rather unique journey through the league. After being traded to the Mariners within the AL West, Klein has now found his way to the Dodgers—an organization known for its player development, particularly in terms of pitching.
In his final appearance with the Mariners, Klein leaned heavily on his fastball, throwing it 64% of the time, with his curveball and slider each making up smaller portions of his pitch mix. While the fastball reached 97 mph, Klein’s curveball and slider each had more “stuff” in terms of movement, but their consistency and location were problematic for him. This is where the Dodgers’ coaching staff comes in. Known for their expertise in maximizing pitcher potential, they will likely focus on refining his command of the secondary pitches and tweaking his approach to get the best out of his raw stuff.
For Klein, who is still figuring out his identity as a pitcher at the big league level, the Dodgers could be the perfect place to hone his skills. With a wealth of resources and a history of helping pitchers develop, Los Angeles provides the ideal environment for Klein to turn the corner and build on his potential.
