Dodgers Shockingly Call Up Top Pitching Prospect to Assist Playoff Push

LA swung big with this move.

It's no secret that the Dodgers need depth in their pitching staff. 

With Clayton Kershaw still dealing with a troubling shoulder, Walker Buehler not returning until next season, and a bullpen that's been shaky at times throughout the year, LA needs to shore up their staff in preparation for the postseason. 

The team made a big move to quell that issue on Tuesday, calling up right-handed pitcher Kyle Hurt from Triple-A Oklahoma City, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers are calling up Kyle Hurt, a RHP prospect with the highest strikeout rate in the minors this year, sources tell ESPN. Monster fastball, tons of swing-and-miss on secondaries and 145 Ks in 88.1 innings between AA and AAA. He'll work out of the bullpen.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 12, 2023

The organization's No. 12 prospect has had a great season across Double and Triple-A, posting a 14.8 strikeout per nine innings rate in 2023. 

The 25-year-old was promoted to Oklahoma City for the first time last month, and he recorded 35 strikeouts in just 23.1 innings across six total appearances, with all but one coming out of the bullpen. 

That familiar bullpen role is where he'll look to help the Los Angeles Dodgers now, and Hurt has quite the intriguing arsenal to pair with his swing-and-miss exploits. 

He has a fastball that sits in the low to mid-90's but has topped out at 98 MPH, along with a disappearing high-80's changeup, a tight slider and curveball. 

One thing that has troubled Hurt in the past is shaky command at times, including a career high 10.7 walks per nine innings ratio in 12 games with Double-A Tulsa last season. 

However, he's put that issue behind him in his standout 2023 season, recording a career best 4.2 walks per nine this year.

Now he'll find himself taking a major league mound as the regular season reaches its conclusion, and the Dodgers hope they struck gold with the right-hander. 

One thing is for sure with Hurt though. 

He has the track record to make the team's faith in him pay off.