Emmet Sheehan has emerged as a standout homegrown starter for the Dodgers, drawing comparisons to Walker Buehler's success. Despite early setbacks for others like Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Bobby Miller, Sheehan has carved out a prominent role.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, following a challenging debut season with a 4.92 ERA over 60 1/3 innings, Sheehan returned strong in 2025. He delivered an impressive 2.82 ERA across 73 1/3 innings, stepping up while fellow pitchers Gavin Stone, River Ryan, and Kyle Hurt were sidelined due to injuries.
With Blake Snell delayed in starting the season, Sheehan seamlessly filled the gap. While Stone and Ryan vied for a roster spot, Sheehan's place was secure.
Despite an illness delaying his spring training debut until March 9, where he pitched 2 1/3 innings against the Brewers, Sheehan showed resilience. Though he battled control issues with three walks and only two strikeouts, it was a solid first outing.
However, his second appearance against the Cubs raised some eyebrows. Over 3 2/3 innings, he allowed two runs, struck out four, and walked one. More concerning was a noticeable dip in his fastball velocity, dropping from last season's 95.7 mph to 91.8 mph in his second-to-last at-bat.
This decline could be attributed to his recent illness, though the Dodgers haven't detailed its severity. We’ve seen similar scenarios before, like with Mookie Betts, who struggled after illness. The Dodgers have yet to comment on Sheehan's velocity issue, but with a competitive pool of young pitchers eager for opportunities, addressing this dip might be crucial for maintaining Sheehan's role in the rotation.