Emmet Sheehan has been turning heads again for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, especially after a grueling rehab from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for much of last year. The 25-year-old right-hander, who hails from Connecticut and sharpened his skills at Boston College, made his triumphant return in mid-June against the Giants. Indeed, in that outing, he delivered four solid innings, striking out five while keeping the Padres' bats in check during a tense 4-3 walk-off victory sparked by Will Smith's homer. It was a reminder of why the Dodgers rushed to protect him in the Rule 5 draft back in 2022.
Sheehan's stats speak volumes this year. Through 73.1 innings, he's posted a 2.82 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, with 89 strikeouts against just 22 walks—a mark of control that's been crucial in a rotation plagued by injuries. Moreover, his recent start against the Rockies on September 26 saw him fan the side around a few hiccups, including a wild pitch and an error. However, with the regular season wrapping up, questions linger about his stamina post-surgery. The Dodgers, fresh off a World Series win last fall, have loaded their staff with stars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell, yet Sheehan's emergence adds intriguing depth.
Indeed, manager Dave Roberts has hinted at Sheehan's potential in the playoffs, where every arm counts in October's pressure cooker. His fastball-slider combo, clocking in the mid-90s, has baffled hitters, limiting barrels to a mere 10.1 percent rate. Still, the road back wasn't smooth; early rehab stints in the minors tested his resolve. Now, as the Dodgers gear up for what could be another deep run, Sheehan stands ready to contribute, perhaps even starting a game if the matchups align.
But in baseball's unforgiving landscape, can a young pitcher's momentum carry a contender all the way?