2023 NL Rookie of the Year odds: Gavin Stone, top-50 overall prospect, to make MLB debut for Dodgers vs. Phillies

Because of injuries to the lineup, the Los Angeles Dodgers already have had to call up one touted prospect in Michael Busch. Issues in the rotation have prompted the big-league debut of another top prospect, as right-handed pitcher Gavin Stone will get the ball on Wednesday afternoon. Los Angeles is a very slight home favorite at Caesars Sportsbook in its series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Stone is ranked as the No. 48 overall prospect in the sport at MLB.com and No. 4 in the loaded organization behind catcher Diego Cartaya, pitcher Bobby Miller and Busch. Cartaya isn't expected before September callups at the earliest and maybe not until 2024. Miller likely will be up later this year barring injury.  

The 24-year-old Stone was taken in the fifth round of the 2020 amateur draft out of the University of Central Arkansas – he was the highest-drafted pitcher ever out of that school and the penultimate pick of the entire draft, as it was shortened to five rounds that year due to COVID. Stone projects as a mid-rotation starter, with his changeup currently being his best pitch and earning a grade of 70 on the 20-80 scale. His fastball topped out at 92 mph when he was in college, but now averages 94-96 while touching 98.

This year at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Stone is 2-2 with a 4.74 ERA in six starts. He started slow but has allowed one run and struck out 15 over 9 2/3 innings in his past two starts. He's 13-10 in his minor-league career with a 2.69 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 237.1 career innings. Caesars lists him as a +15000 long shot to win NL Rookie of the Year.

Stone looked good this spring, striking out 14 over 6 2/3 scoreless innings in Cactus League play. It's not clear if the Dodgers plan on Stone staying in the big leagues for good, or this is simply providing extra rest to the others in the rotation and potentially maneuvering the scheduled starters for the upcoming series against the rival Padres this weekend in San Diego.

The Dodgers currently sport a five-man rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Noah Syndergaard, but Syndergaard has struggled to a 6.58 ERA. Once Stone is activated, the Dodgers will need to make a 40-man roster move.

Los Angeles in a rarity didn't spend a ton of money this offseason on free agents, instead relying on some good-looking young players to make the jump. Two rookies, infielder Miguel Vargas and outfielder James Outman, are playing most days. Outman in particular has impressed, and is now a +200 co-favorite for NL Rookie of the Year with Arizona outfielder Corbin Carroll. Busch has already been brought up, and another rookie pitcher, Michael Grove, made four starts to open the season before heading to the injured list with a groin strain.

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