New Dodgers prospect showcases nasty stuff in debut at Double-A
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Dodgers fans should learn the name Jacob Kmatz. He could make an impact out of Los Angeles' bullpen in the very near future.
The right-hander, who was acquired earlier this week in a trade with the Rays, made his first appearance in the Dodgers' system on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless inning with one hit allowed and one strikeout during Double-A Tulsa's 5-2 loss to Corpus Christi at Whataburger Field.
Now the Dodgers' No. 27 prospect, Kmatz features three pitches that have received at least a 60 scouting grade: a mid-90s fastball with good ride, an upper-80s slider that gets a lot of whiffs, and an upper-70s curveball with true 12-to-6 action.
The fifth-round Draft pick in 2024 posted a 5.56 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP in his first pro season last year. But that was spent mostly a starter. A move to the bullpen has worked wonders for Kmatz, who has seen his K/9 rate skyrocket from 6.4 (80 K's in 110 innings last season) to 12.5 (75 K's to 54 innings this season). His opponents' batting average has plummeted from .306 to .201.
Better command has been another big key to Kmatz's breakout year, with his BB/9 rate dropping from 2.9 (35 walks in 110 IP) to 1.7 (10 walks in 54 IP).
When you combine that improvement with the 23-year-old's formidable three-pitch mix, you get a reliever who may not be too far away from arriving at Chavez Ravine.