The Los Angeles Dodgers set a franchise record of 39 pitchers during the 2021 season, including veteran right-hander Kevin Quackenbush. Before that year, he last appeared on a Major League hill for the Cincinnati Reds in 2018.
Quackenbush joined the Dodgers in November of that year under a minor league contract and spent the following season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He had been with the organization’s top partner for the entire past season before he was called up.
That happened on August 7th, when the Dodgers selected his contract and put Darien Núñez on the injured list ahead of their game against the LA Angels. The 33-year-old was previously added to the 40-man roster after Chad Wallach was called on waivers by the LA Angels.
Quackenbush made his only appearance for the Dodgers the following day and was eliminated with only one of four thugs. He allowed one run and three hits on 20 pitches.
Quackenbush was named Aug. 12 as the corresponding platoon to the Dodgers to recall Mitch White from Oklahoma City.
The veteran right-hander cleared waivers and accepted a direct assignment to the club’s top daughter, where he stayed for the remainder of the 2021 season. In 45 games with Oklahoma City, Quackenbush went 1-7 with a 1.65 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 43.2 innings.
Quackenbush’s highlight 2021
Despite struggling in his only MLB game that year, Quackenbush was effective early on for Oklahoma City as he opened the 2021 season with 24 straight scoreless games.
The route started on May 8th and ended on July 15th. Quackenbush allowed 15 hits, spent 12 walks and amassed 26 strikeouts over 24 innings during the span.
Outlook for 2022
Quackenbush reached the free agency at the end of the 2021 season and can sign with any team. In contrast to MLB free agents, he can come to an agreement with a club during the lockout because he was not in the 40-man squad.
Given his familiarity with the Dodgers, it wouldn’t be surprising if LA brought Quackenbush back with another minor league deal, if only to bolster their pitching depth.
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