Dodgers' Pitching Depth Faces Spring Training Test - and River Ryan Could Be the Wild Card
As the Dodgers head into spring training, the competition for roster spots on the pitching staff is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines to watch. The organization is loaded with arms - a mix of promising prospects and fringe big leaguers - and some tough decisions are looming. Among the names in the mix: Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone, River Ryan, Edgardo Henriquez, Justin Wrobleski, Ben Casparius, and Kyle Hurt.
That’s a deep list, and not everyone’s going to make the cut. But with the possibility of a six-man rotation on the table - something the Dodgers have hinted at, though not confirmed - the door could be open for one of these young arms to seize a significant role early.
Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone: The Front-Runners
If the Dodgers do opt for a six-man rotation, Emmet Sheehan may be the early favorite to grab that sixth spot. He made 15 appearances last season, including 12 starts, and showed flashes of what he can bring to the table. He’s got swing-and-miss stuff and held his own against major league hitters - exactly what you want from a young starter trying to carve out a role.
Then there’s Gavin Stone. In 2024, he was a rock in the rotation, answering the bell every fifth day until a shoulder issue shut him down in September.
He later underwent surgery, so his health will be a key storyline this spring. But make no mistake - when he’s right, Stone is a durable, dependable starter who’s already proven he can handle the workload of a full season.
River Ryan: The High-Upside X-Factor
But the most intriguing name in the mix? That might be River Ryan.
He only made four big league starts in 2024, but he made them count, posting a sparkling 1.33 ERA before undergoing Tommy John surgery in August. It was a short sample, yes, but it was enough to turn heads - and raise expectations.
Despite not throwing a single pitch in 2025, Ryan remained a top-10 prospect in the Dodgers’ system, holding steady at No. 9.
That says a lot about how the organization - and evaluators across the league - view his potential. His fastball, rated 65 out of 80 by MLB Pipeline, already plays like a big-league weapon.
And while he looked more like a ground ball pitcher than a strikeout machine during his brief MLB stint, his 10.5 K/9 rate in Triple-A tells a different story.
The swing-and-miss stuff is there. The slider and curveball both have sharp movement, and if he can refine his command and get comfortable attacking big league hitters again, Ryan could be a real difference-maker - whether that’s in the rotation or out of the bullpen to start.
Trade Value and the Bigger Picture
The Dodgers have made a habit of stockpiling young pitching, and right now, they’re sitting on a treasure chest of arms. But they can’t keep everyone forever. At some point, they’ll have to decide who’s part of the long-term plan - and who might be used as trade capital.
River Ryan’s name has already popped up in trade speculation. Keith Law called him a pitcher who "could be the top pitching prospect in baseball if he were completely healthy."
That’s a bold statement, but it underscores just how high Ryan’s ceiling is. Teams like the Twins or Tigers - who have arms like Joe Ryan or Tarik Skubal that could be available - would no doubt be intrigued by a player like River Ryan as part of a larger trade package.
Now, to be clear: Ryan alone won’t be enough to land a frontline starter like Skubal. But if he shows he can contribute in long relief early in the season - even in a limited capacity - he could be a valuable piece in a bigger deal.
What to Watch This Spring
The Dodgers’ pitching depth is both a blessing and a challenge. There’s talent.
There’s upside. There’s also a logjam.
Spring training is going to be a proving ground - not just for who can earn a rotation or bullpen spot, but for who might be the next big trade chip if the Dodgers look to make another splash.
River Ryan may not be the most experienced name on the list, but he might be the most fascinating. If he’s healthy and effective, the Dodgers will have a tough decision to make. Keep him and develop him into a potential frontline starter - or leverage his upside in a deal that helps them win now.
Either way, the spotlight will be on Ryan this spring. And if he delivers, don’t be surprised if he forces his way into the Dodgers’ plans - one way or another.