2018 Dodgers Review: Zac Rosscup

The Dodgers claimed Zac Rosscup on waivers from the Rockies back on July 11 and added him to the bullpen three days later. The team brought him on as a LOOGY and he appeared in 17 games.

What went right

Rosscup didn’t allow a run in 14 of the 17 games he pitched in over the course of the season after joining Los Angeles. The lefty only pitched to one batter in eight of those 17 appearances, getting his guy in six of those games.

The 30-year-old struck out three in one inning four different times, striking out 20 of the 47 batters he faced on the year. Lefties were 3-for-31 (.143) against him and he didn’t allow a walk to a right-handed batter while striking out 10 in 22 plate appearances.

What went wrong

Rosscup allowed six runs in 11 ¹⁄₃ innings, even though he only gave up runs in three of the 17 appearances. The lefty allowed two home runs and three runs late in a 14-0 blowout loss to the Astros after not pitching for 11 days.

Six days later when he took the mound again, Rosscup would be called upon with a one-run lead at Coors and several lefties coming to the plate. After Gerardo Parra and Charlie Blackmon struck out to end the previous inning, Ryan McMahon launched a two-run homer in the next to give the Rockies a lead and ultimately the win.

In two separate trips to the disabled list, Rosscup missed a total of 21 games between July 25 and September 1 due to left middle finger inflammation (11 games) and a left calf strain (10).

The Dodgers largely used him in low leverage situations.

2018 particulars

Age: 30

Stats: 0-1, 4.76 ERA, 11 ¹⁄₃ innings, 9 hits, 6 ER, 20 to 4 strikeouts to walks, 84 ERA+, 4.13 FIP, 1.147 WHIP, 15.9 SO/9, 3.2 BB/9

Salary: $610,000

Game of the year

Rosscup struck out all three batters he faced on August 19 in Seattle to close out a 12-1 Dodger win over the Mariners. It was an immaculate inning that saw only one of the nine strikes come looking.

Roster status

Rosscup has three years and 164 days of major league service time and was released by the Dodgers November 21.