The Dodgers added left-hander Jack Dreyer to their 40-man roster, reports Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 (X link). He’s their only addition to the 40-man roster on Rule 5 protection day.
Dreyer, 26 in February, was an undrafted signee out of Iowa in 2021. The 6’2″ reliever has overcome that lack of draft pedigree to grab a roster spot with the defending World Series winners. Dreyer posted fantastic numbers in the upper minors this year. Between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, he turned in a 2.20 earned run average across 57 1/3 innings. He struck out nearly 32% of batters faced while limiting his walks to a 5.3% clip.
The Dodgers have Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda as their top lefty relief options. Justin Wrobleski and swingman Zach Logue were the only other southpaws on the 40-man roster. Dreyer has a shot to pitch his way into the middle innings next season.
BlueSkies_LA
Okay, I give up. What’s an “undrafted signee”?
Steinbrenner2728
He was signed by the Dodgers after going undrafted in the MLB Draft
BlueSkies_LA
Are you sure? Might mean he was never entered into the draft. A confusing term either way.
restingmitchface
Once a player has completed their junior year at a 4-year college, they are automatically eligible to be drafted.
paddyo furnichuh
It seems there are more of those with the shortening of the amateur draft. NFL’s term of UDFA is a better one, but might not be accurate for undrafted baseball folks.
BlueSkies_LA
Do you know how is a player classified if they were eligible for the draft but not selected by a team?
restingmitchface
mlb.com and Baseball America both appear to use the phrase “undrafted free agent,” which is probably more clear than the phrase used here (all respect to the writers, who I enjoy reading very much).
BlueSkies_LA
Thanks for the info!
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Draft Dodger
Obviously, Captain.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Dreyer’s a safe vanilla pick
BlueSkies_LA
But he’s taken a rocky road.
njmlins
that were full of moose tracks
fox471 Dave
Hmmmm
dembums
I wonder if he will get a cup of coffee with the big club…
niel.marshal
No Alec Gamboa? Another decent lefties in OKC
differentbears
I’m thinking this is because Dreyer is at risk for the Rule 5 draft, whereas I don’t believe Gamboa is.
iron
I believe that Fangraphs shows that Gamboa is Rule 5 eligible. He is also almost 28..
I would have protected Carlos Duran.. He’s 6’7″ 230lb and would make a serviceable RP if picked.
amk1920
Logue is still on the 40 man? Well there is an easy DFA candidate if they need a roster spot
niel.marshal
OOT, are Dustin May ready for Spring Training?
paddyo furnichuh
OOT?
BlueSkies_LA
Short for woot.
niel.marshal
(OOT) Out Of Topic.
Cave
No Gauthier? Also surprising. There’s almost no chance that Gauthier goes undrafted in the Rule 5.
iron
I only see his ceiling as a bench utility guy. Do you think he will be a serviceable regular?
Cave
Honestly he strikes me as a Zach McKinstry with more upside.
iron
Thanks for your take on him. Much appreciated.
Rickey O'Sunnyvale
There go the Dodgers, buying another world championship again,