Julio Urias looks to add to his impressive resume in 2023
Julio Urias has quietly been one of the best pitchers in the MLB over the past three seasons. He led the MLB in wins with 20 in 2021 and last year he led the National League with a 2.16 ERA while finishing third in the Cy Young award voting.
With pending unrestricted free agency after the 2023 season, Urias is aiming to continue his dominance and cash in on a major free-agent contract in the off-season.
Making his MLB debut in 2016 at only 19 years old, Urias impressed. Appearing in 18 games he would post a 5-2 record with a 3.39 ERA in 77 innings pitched.
He would also make his first postseason appearance in 2016, with two scoreless innings in Game 5 of the NL Divison Series against the Washington Nationals.
Injury caused Urias to miss most of the 2017 and 2018 seasons, making only eight appearances in those two seasons totaling 27.1 innings.
During the 2019 season, Urias was primarily used out of the bullpen and was very effective for the Dodgers. He transitioned to the starting rotation in the Covid-shortened 2020 season, helping the Dodgers win their first World Series since 1988.
In 2021 Urias became the frontline starter the Dodgers always envisioned he could be. Leading the MLB in wins during the 2021 season, Urias would finish the year 20-3 with a 2.96 ERA and 195 strikeouts. He would finish 6th in Cy Young voting.
2022 was an even better year for Urias, going 17-7 with an NL-leading 2.16 ERA and 166 strikeouts. Placing third in the Cy Young, Urias turned in his best season as a professional.
The upcoming season will be his eighth in the MLB and he is still only 26 years old.
USA TODAY columnist Bob Nightengale recently reported that friends close to Urias expressed he is frustrated by the organization's pitch limits throughout his career and are convinced he will depart as a free agent after this season.
With two Cy Young-caliber seasons in a row, Urias is set up for a major payday whether it be from the Dodgers or a new team in free agency.
Whoever ends up with Urias after this season will be getting one of the most dominant left-hander pitchers in the MLB.
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