Emerging Braves prospect struggles against Dominican All-Stars

Drew Lugbauer

The Braves were dealt a minor blow yesterday when it was announced Kolby Allard will miss several weeks with a strained oblique. Thankfully, Alex Anthopoulos has hoarded starting arms this offseason, including 2021 draft pick Dylan Dodd.

He’s experienced success in the minors; the southpaw accumulated a 3.36 ERA and a 6-2 record across three minor league levels last year, and that success has carried over into Braves Spring Training. 

Dodd has looked about as good as one could hope, but a third inning against a loaded Dominican Republic lineup got the better of him. At one point, Dodd had pitched 6.1 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and no walks this Spring. Then, he got his first taste of The Show, surrendering five runs, four hits, three walks, and a home run in the third inning.

“After the second inning, I was feeling pretty good,” Dodd said, via Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Then I got humbled quick.”

Dodd struck out Rafael Devers and got Manny Machado to fly out, holding his own in the first two frames. Moreover, many of those runs in the third came with two outs. Against multiple All-Stars, the Braves prospect performed admirably.

“They have some of the best talent in the world, and getting this opportunity to face them was pretty cool for me,” Dodd said, via Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I fell behind hitters there in that third inning. They’re really good, and they made me pay.”

Dylan Dodd will likely start in Triple-A this season, but if he continues to improve, Braves Country should expect to see him in Atlanta at some point. 

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