2020 Dodgers in review: Scott Alexander

After a successful surgery in 2019, Scott Alexander was back and fully healthy in 2020. He was with the team for most of the season, but was optioned to the alternate site on September 2. That would be it for Alexander in 2020, as he was left off of every postseason roster.

Alexander’s season got off to a hot start, as he didn’t allow a run through his first six games. His solid run continued all the way through the end of August. Although nearly every member of the Dodgers bullpen was solid in 2020, Alexander was one of the better options for them prior to him being optioned.

Through his first 12 games his ERA was only 1.54. Granted, it was a small sample size, but he was solid. His final outing of the season made his numbers take a massive hit, as he allowed two runs and walked two in only ²⁄₃ an inning of work.

Yet again, he was one of the better groundball pitchers in the game. Of the 34 batters that put the ball in play, 23 of them were grounders. Alexander also dominated against left-handed batters, holding them to a .056 average all season.

A day after his rough outing on September 1, Alexander was optioned. As mentioned earlier, he didn’t pitch the rest of the season as he didn’t crack the postseason roster.

2020 particulars

Age: 31

Stats: 2-0, 2.92 ERA, 12 ¹⁄₃ IP, 9 SO, 9 BB, 1.46 WHIP, 6.03 FIP, 149 ERA+

Salary: $324,074

Game of the year

Alexander didn’t have a whole lot to choose from, but by far is best outing came in Houston at the beginning of the season. He came in to pitch in the 10th inning of a tied game. Per the stupid rule, the Astros began the inning with a runner on second base. He struck out the first batter and intentionally walked the next. The plan was executed perfectly, as Alexander got the inning-ending double play.

Roster status

Alexander has four years and 39 days of service time. He has one option remaining and is 2nd-year arbitration eligible this offseason.