Gavin Stone to start on opening day for OKC Dodgers, eyes another dominant season in 2023
The Oklahoma City Dodgers will begin their 2023 season Friday night with a home game against the Tacoma Rainiers.
There is plenty of intrigue surrounding Gavin Stone heading into it, and he’ll get the start on the mound for OKC.
The 24-year-old right-hander was solid in spring training and is coming off a stellar 2022 season.
He competed in High-A, Double-A and with OKC in Triple-A, dominating at every level.
Overall, he had 25 starts and tossed 121 ⅔ innings while finishing with a 9-6 record, 1.48 ERA and 168 strikeouts.
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Stone, who was taken in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Central Arkansas, is one of the Dodgers’ top pitching prospects and will likely make it to the big leagues at some point this year.
He’s learned a lot during his time as a professional and is excited to keep things rolling.
“Just the process,” Stone said of what he learned last year. “Everyday routine, daily routine. I think that’s huge and just staying consistent. And consistency is what they look for in the big leagues. So if I can do that, I feel like it’s going to play in my favor.”
Stone frustrated opposing hitters throughout his time with OKC last season.
For him, his success mainly came down to one simple thing.
“Just throwing strikes,” he said. “I think that’s key. Last year, I feel like I did a really good job of throwing strikes and so if I can do something similar to that, then I’ll be fine.”
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Michael Bush looks to build on stellar year
Offensively, Michael Bush will be one of the top players to watch for OKC.
The 25-year-old second baseman and former North Carolina standout played in 31 games with Double-A Tulsa and 111 games with OKC.
Bush, who was drafted 31st overall in 2019, had an exceptional year with the two teams, finishing with a .274 batting average, .365 on-base percentage, 32 homers and 108 RBI.
“Michael Bush, for sure, and Hunter Feduccia both had really good camps out in Arizona,” OKC Dodgers manager Travis Barbary said.
“Bushy started off a little slow this spring but got it going. Obviously had a big year here last year as well as in Double A. Feduccia had a really good camp. I think he caught the attention of the major league staff.”
Feduccia, a catcher out of LSU, played in 43 games with Tulsa and 40 with OKC last year. He had a .238 batting average, .331 on-base percentage, 15 homers and 51 RBI.
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Manager Travis Barbary ready to see who rises to the occasion
There were several changes for OKC in the offseason.
For Barbary, that gives him a challenge, and he’ll try to help out some new guys.
“It’s a lot different group than last year,” Barbary said. "A lot of changes. A lot of free agent signs, so still trying to learn some of the guys that were in major league spring training and guys who I didn’t get to see a whole lot of who were on the other side.”
Barbary is particularly excited to see his pitching staff this year.
“Feel like pitching is going to be a strength for us, obviously with our starting pitching depth and some good arms in the bullpen, so I’m excited to see how those guys progress,” he said.
OKC Dodgers vs. Tacoma Rainiers
SEASON OPENER: 7:05 p.m. Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Dodgers: Pitcher Gavin Stone to start on opening day vs. Tacoma
