Just for a moment, picture a scenario where Tanner Scott isn’t facing a chorus of boos from his own fans.
Envision a time when this former standout against Shohei Ohtani looks more like the effective reliever he was for two seasons prior to joining the Dodgers. Think about what it would be like if a high-priced left-hander like Kyle Schwarber or Bryce Harper could confidently step out of the bullpen in a playoff game, expecting to secure a win.
This would have significant implications for the Dodgers.
If Scott played at an All-Star level again, he could be a crucial asset in high-pressure situations, alongside new closer Edwin Diaz. This could transform the narrative around the Dodgers’ bullpen from a potential Achilles’ heel into a definite strength.
That’s the vision for Dodgers management.
General manager Brandon Gomez expressed confidence, stating, “I fully believe Tanner is going to have a great year for us next season and handle late-game situations well.”
Anyone who observed Scott’s performance last season would likely understand that Gomez believes things will improve at Dodger Stadium.
Scott had a rough season, with a 4.74 ERA and nine blown saves, plus a month off due to elbow inflammation. He managed to return in time for the playoffs, only to face another setback with an abscess that necessitated surgery. He himself labeled his overall performance as “kind of terrible.”
But Gomez’s belief in Scott isn’t without merit. The pitcher’s fastball and slider speeds were consistent with the previous year when he had been among the league’s best. The Dodgers thought the issues might stem from his pitching approach.
“We were focusing too much on the strike zone, and it really hurt us,” Scott noted.
A look at Scott’s pitching data supports this assertion. While pitching for the Marlins and Padres in 2024, Scott threw his fastball high and mixed in sliders just out of the strike zone. However, in his time with the Dodgers last year, he had a tendency to deliver the fastball low, with many sliders firmly in the strike zone.
In the first two months of the last season, nearly 60% of his pitches found the strike zone, which is notably above the league average of 49%.
“I attempted to adjust my game in ways that I normally wouldn’t, but it took me away from what worked well in the past,” Scott reflected. “I kind of strayed from my strengths.”
By increasing his strike frequency, opponents hit .182 against him with two strikes—a jump from .107 the year prior.
There are just a few tweaks to be made, and the impact could be substantial. Still, the biggest hurdle might be within his own mind.
When asked why he strayed from his successful approach, Scott pointed to “expectations.”
Those expectations shifted dramatically when he was traded to the Dodgers, especially following a hefty four-year, $72 million deal. Fans were excited after witnessing Scott’s performance against Ohtani in the postseason.
Suddenly, Scott found himself as the closer for the defending World Series champions—a role he struggled to handle.
“There was a time when I aimed for perfection. Other times, I didn’t have that mindset, and nothing I did seemed to work,” he explained. Manager Dave Roberts initially suspected a physical issue before Scott ended up on the injured list mid-season.
“I’m mentally exhausted,” Scott shared.
He even expressed at one low point during the season, “I hate baseball right now.” After taking a week off, he found himself questioning if his pitches were off.
He seemed to be searching for direction.
However, Scott viewed his time on the disabled list as an opportunity for reconstruction.
“It allowed time for reflection on what went wrong and what needs to change,” he remarked. “I was quite fortunate to have that time—it was a chance to observe and learn.”
While Diaz signed a substantial contract to fulfill the closer role that Scott couldn’t maintain, he reassured that the presence of a new closer doesn’t worry him.
“That’s fantastic,” Scott said. “Adding any player enhances our team. It’s going to be exciting. Our bullpen is looking strong.”
Especially if Scott can regain his previous form.
