Dodgers' Blake Snell Makes Announcement on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Jan 2, 2026 5:33 PM ET

Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell had an eventful first year in Los Angeles after joining the organization on a five-year, $182 million deal last offseason.

The 33-year-old veteran left-hander missed four months recovering from left shoulder inflammation during the regular season.

Yet Snell returned in August and picked up momentum to end the year, just in time for the Dodgers’ postseason run, which ultimately ended with him winning his first World Series title. Over six appearances in the playoffs, Snell owned a 3.18 ERA, collecting three wins and 41 strikeouts across 34 innings of work.

His strong finish has Los Angeles optimistic he can be a top arm at the front of the rotation alongside right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (7) © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Snell has been enjoying his offseason, celebrating last year’s success and showing support for Los Angeles teams across other major sports. His focus, however, has now shifted back to Zilla National.

Zilla National is a youth baseball initiative founded by Snell, whose nickname “Snellzilla” inspired the name. It began as a 12U travel team in Seattle and has since evolved into a broader movement, hosting invitational events for elite players with an emphasis on authentic development, impact and fostering a love for the game.

On Friday, Snell took to social media to announce that some of his top coaches and players will be hosting games at Camelback Ranch.

“Zilla Invitational loading… Can’t wait to get back to AZ for my Zilla Invitational at Camelback Ranch. We’re bringing some of the best coaches together with the best youth players in the country. Games are open to the public so I hope to see you all there!” Snell wrote on Instagram.

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Camelback Ranch, located in Glendale, Arizona, is a spring training complex that serves as the shared home for the Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.

While Snell remains committed to his youth initiative, his career in MLB continues to define his legacy. He has built an impressive track record across 10 seasons, beginning with the Tampa Bay Rays. After brief stints with the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, he continued to showcase his strikeout ability before signing his deal with Los Angeles.

Snell has collected two ERA titles, two Cy Young Awards and an All-Star selection, positioning him as one of the best arms in the game today.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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