Who is Ben Casparius? The Dodgers Rookie Pitcher That Has Been Dominant This Postseason

The Los Angeles Dodgers used 13 pitchers, together with rookie Ben Casparius, to achieve 33 consecutive shutout innings that started in Recreation 3 of the Nationwide League Division Collection in opposition to the San Diego Padres and carried into Recreation 2 of the Nationwide League Championship Collection in opposition to the New York Mets.

Casparius, an harm substitute on the postseason roster, pitched the ninth inning of Recreation 1 on Sunday to tie the file. On the time, he had no concept he was pitching the group into baseball historical past.

Whereas the streak ended within the first inning of Monday’s Recreation 2, the right-hander pitched two extra shutout innings for the Dodgers on Wednesday. He has now struck out 4 batters throughout three postseason innings.

Each appearances have preserved shutouts.

To know how Casparius obtained so far, one has to return to his collegiate years. It’s completely attainable that he wouldn’t be on this place if he didn’t switch from North Carolina to the College of Connecticut after the 2019 season. 

“He’s a winner. He is aware of the best way to win,” UConn head coach Jim Penders informed Dodgers Nation in a cellphone interview this week. “He was a heckuva two-way participant in highschool and in school.”

Casparius transferred dwelling to Connecticut forward of the 2020 season however wasn’t granted a waiver to compete instantly. He took a redshirt and determined throughout the spring that he wished to concentrate on pitching.

“We thought he’d be nearer to the large leagues as a pitcher however finally, I’ve realized to let the younger man make that call,” Penders stated. “When guys come, and there aren’t many anymore, we’ve by no means stated it’s a must to cease doing x so as to do y. It was Ben’s determination to place down the bat and simply concentrate on pitching. It’s paying dividends proper now.”

Casparius’ progress as a pitcher took off from there and it has translated to the main league sport. It was on show throughout the ultimate two innings in opposition to the Mets in Recreation 3 when he confronted the center of the order. 

His two innings of labor resulted in three strikeouts, two fly outs, and a floor out.

The rookie has realized to take advantage of his alternatives. If he didn’t put down the bat, he won’t have been drafted within the fifth spherical by the Dodgers. If Michael Grove didn’t get damage, he wouldn’t be on the postseason roster. 

However right here he’s.

“He’s superb at goal-setting and goal-reaching clearly, to make it to the main leagues as rapidly as he did.” Penders stated. “I’m hopeful that he’s gonna keep there a very long time. He’s obtained the stuff and the boldness to take action. 

“What a baptism, the final month of the season to seek out himself within the Nationwide League Championship Collection in opposition to a group that he in all probability watched an terrible lot of rising up as near New York Metropolis as he was.”

Penders is anxious for Casparius to come back again and go to Storrs, however he hopes it isn’t till after he wins a World Collection.

Picture Credit score: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Pictures