The Los Angeles Dodgers used the 18th pick in the draft to add some pitching depth, selecting right-hander Ugueth Urbina—and before you ask, it’s pronounced oo-GETH ur-BEE-nuh.
For the Dodgers, Urbina is a project, but one with real potential. With a 15 in Stuff, 11 in Movement, and 13 in Control, he’s got a solid foundation to build on. Of course, raw numbers don’t always tell the whole story. His fastball and changeup have even higher potential, and if he can refine those pitches, he could carve out a role as a reliable fourth or fifth starter in the Dodgers’ rotation.
The key for Urbina will be development. He’s not quite ready for the big leagues, and throwing him into the fire too soon would be a mistake. A stint in Triple-A to refine his command and pitch mix should do the trick. Given some time to grow, he could be a valuable arm for Los Angeles in the coming seasons.
The Dodgers have long been a franchise that knows how to develop pitching, and if they’re patient with Urbina, he could be yet another success story.