​On a team that, when healthy, fields an entire rotation filled with All-Star-caliber pitchers, one name might not have been at the forefront at the start of the season: Justin Wrobleski. This season has seen Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto earn All-Star buzz, and Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell have earned selections in years past. Yet Wrobleski has made an extraordinary case for himself, even if the nod didn’t come this time around. “You want to be an All-Star,” Wrobleski said. “It’s something that, regardless of the year, whenever, it’s always a big deal. It’s something I wanted to do. It’s frustrating to not get that nod.”
On Tuesday night, Wrobleski delivered seven innings of one-run ball against the Colorado Rockies, lowering his ERA to 2.69 and moving his record to 10-2 with 73 strikeouts and a 1.02 WHIP. The left-hander has traveled a long road since spending time back in the minors last season to refine his craft. He has prioritized attacking hitters from the first pitch, and the results are evident. In Tuesday’s game, he recorded a first-pitch strike to 23 of 28 batters faced. His development this season has been influenced by leaning on Clayton Kershaw for guidance last year, a mentorship that helped him shift his mindset toward more aggressive, efficient at-bats, culminating in markedly improved results.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has underscored the importance of Wrobleski’s ability to extend his outings. “I don’t want him to get dinged for not making a couple more starts that he potentially could have had,” Roberts said. “He’s won 10 games for us — to be able to get pitching decisions, you’ve got to go deeper in games — the ERA. It’s about winning; the ERA is stellar, innings per outing, and so I just think that he’s performed enough to earn that opportunity.” There remains a possibility that Wrobleski could receive an All-Star invitation if Yamamoto does not pitch in the game, allowing a potential replacement to be considered for the squad.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic adds more context about Wrobleski’s mound work this season, filling in the picture of his progress. The nickname “The Shark,” bestowed by Baseball Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, has become a lighthearted badge of honor around the club, with staff and teammates embracing the moniker. The team’s organist, Dieter Ruhle, has even joined in the broader fun, playing the Jaws theme after strikeouts and again as Wrobleski left the mound following his seventh inning on Tuesday.
In the dugout after his latest outing, Wrobleski was philosophical about the possibility of an All-Star berth. “If it happens, great,” he said. “If it doesn’t happen, some time off and just chill for a couple days. Either way, I’m all good.” Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times has additional details on Wrobleski’s season while also covering Shohei Ohtani’s milestone, including his 300th home run, contributing to a broader narrative about the Dodgers’ evolving year. As the season continues, the possibility remains that Wrobleski could still be recognized among the sport’s elite, a testament to the strides he has made and the depth of a rotation that, when healthy, could rival the best in baseball.