Dodgers’ Casparius Emerges as Key Relief Pitcher Amid Injury Crisis

LOS ANGELES, CA — Ben Casparius, a relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been making headlines this season due to his surprising performance amidst a series of injuries impacting the team’s rotation. Coming into the spotlight as one of the primary options out of the bullpen, Casparius has taken on a crucial role as injuries have sidelined many team regulars.

About six weeks ago, baseball analyst Eric Longenhagen published a report featuring 51 promising players, highlighting Casparius at number 24. Often referred to as “Low Leverage Ben,” Casparius has been anything but. Typically a bulk reliever, he stepped in last year as a rookie during the pivotal Game 4 of the World Series when the Dodgers faced a rotation in disarray.

As of June 3, before Wednesday’s games, Casparius ranked 16th among MLB relievers in Wins Probability Added (WPA) and showed impressive numbers across various metrics. He has a 2.54 ERA and has struck out 44 batters while allowing an opponent batting average of just .193.

“He’s taken on a significant role for us,” Dodgers manager said. “We’ve had to rely on him more than we expected this season.” In addition to his effectiveness, stats suggest he is not just a filler but a key contributor to a short-staffed bullpen.

Unique in his pitching style, Casparius employs a high three-quarter arm slot, which has proven effective against both right and left-handed hitters. With his four-seamer, cutter, and two breaking balls, he has managed to confound batters consistently. His ability to maintain a low opponent’s batting average, especially against righties, has emphasized his value as a mid-game relief choice.

Despite performing well, the Dodgers still haven’t fully capitalized on Casparius’ potential. He has only started once this season, with the majority of his appearances being multi-inning relief outings. As injuries continue to plague the roster, the Dodgers may increasingly rely on Casparius, who is on track for over 100 innings this season.

“He has the talent to extend his innings, which we need,” said manager. “In this situation with so many players on the injured list, he’s invaluable.” With injuries to key pitchers, including six on the 60-day IL, Casparius is stepping into a role that hasn’t been traditionally seen from relievers in the modern game.

As the season progresses, the baseball community will be watching closely to see how the Dodgers continue to utilize Casparius. His mix of pitches and adaptability may redefine what a relief pitcher can offer in today’s game.