Austin Barnes: Julio Urías ‘A Special Talent’ & ‘Even Better Teammate’

Since making his MLB debut in 2016, Julio Urías has established himself as an important member of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff.

The left-hander began his career as a starter before moving to the bullpen and eventually back to the rotation on a full-time basis during the 2020 season.

Urías enjoyed a career year in 2021, leading the Majors with 20 wins and finishing in seventh place in National League Cy Young Award voting. He followed up that impressive campaign by going 17-7 with a 2.16 ERA, 3.71 FIP and 0.96 WHIP over 31 starts this year.

Austin Barnes, who ascended through the Minor League ranks with Urías, praised the 26-year-old for being a special talent and teammate, via SportsNet LA:

“His demeanor, his pitchability, there’s so much about him. Seeing his evolution since I first came to the Dodgers and he was, I don’t know, 17 years old. He was a teenager. Him coming into what kind of pitcher he is now, with his fastball, special curveball and really good changeup, he’s a special talent and an even better teammate, which is kind of hard to do.”

As Barnes noted, Urías’ progression has been a joy to watch. He led the NL in ERA and ERA+ (194) this year and emerged as an ace for the Dodgers while Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw dealt with injuries.

Urías also had the lowest batting average against (.199) and WHIP among the 2022 NL Cy Young Award finalists, but finished third for the honor, which went to Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara.

Julio Urías among Dodgers who received votes for 2022 NL MVP

Four Dodgers players received consideration for the 2022 NL MVP Award, including Urías, who got one vote for third place. That gave him eight points and a 14th place finish.