Matt Sauer: A Closer Look at the Dodgers' Emerging Right-Hander

Introduction

Matthew David Sauer (born January 21, 1999, in Santa Maria, California) is a 6’4″ right-handed pitcher currently under contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A second-round pick by the Yankees in 2017, Sauer has navigated a winding path—through Rule 5 selection by the Royals, stints in Triple-A, and several call-ups—to find a foothold in the Dodgers’ bullpen. His combination of size, diverse pitches, and ability to absorb innings makes him a valuable swingman during a season plagued by injuries.

This blog post explores Sauer’s journey, recent performances, strengths and weaknesses, and role within the Dodgers’ pitching staff, with organized headings, a stats table, and a bullet list for clarity.

Early Career and Development

Rule 5 Selection and Minor League Growth

• Drafted: 2017, 2nd round (54th overall) by the Yankees after an outstanding high school career (0.98 ERA, 142 strikeouts) 

• 2023: Taken by the Royals in the Rule 5 Draft; posted a solid 3.42 ERA with 10.9 K/9 in Double-A before being returned to the Yankees 

• December 2024: Signed by the Dodgers to a minor league contract with a spring training invite 

His early career showcased strong strikeout ability but lingering command issues, particularly among left-handed hitters 

Making Major League Strides

Debuts with Royals and Dodgers

• MLB Debut: March 31, 2024, with Kansas City Royals; finished the season with a 7.71 ERA, showing flashes but struggled with consistency 

• Dodgers Call-Ups: Recalled multiple times in 2025; delivered his first MLB win (April 29) and save (May 7), impressing with his ability to pitch multiple innings 

Manager Dave Roberts intends to use him primarily in bulk innings or long-relief roles, filling gaps created by injuries to starters like Tony Gonsolin 

Recent Performance Snapshot

Mixed Results at the Major League Level

Key moments:

• Four-inning save vs. Marlins on May 7: logged a long-relief save in a relief role 

• Struggles vs. Padres on June 10: surrendered 9 runs on 13 hits over 4.2 innings, ERA spiked and prompted candid self-reflection 

Pitch Arsenal and Style

• Fastball: Sits mid-90s; harsher command at times.

• Slider: Mid‑80s with swing-and-miss potential, considered his best secondary pitch 

• Curveball & Change‑up: Supporting roles, though change-up lacks velocity separation 

• Style: Physically imposing and durable; suited for long stints rather than short relief bursts.

Strengths and Areas for Improvement

✔ Strengths

• Length and stamina: Capable of multiple innings—rare for relievers in today’s game.

• Strikeout capability: 19 K in 25.1 innings; good punchout potential.

• Versatility: Can shift between bullpen roles; provides strategic depth 

⚠ Weaknesses

• Control issues: Walks and high pitch counts limit efficiency .

• Inconsistency: Big games (like vs. Padres) can be problematic .

• Reliance on fewer pitches: Better command and sharper change-up would enhance his profile.

Role with the Dodgers

How Sauer Fits into the 2025 Dodgers

1. Bulk reliever – Delivers 3–4 innings, especially after opener starts.

2. Injury insurance – Offers coverage amid rotation depth issues (like Gonsolin’s injury) 

3. Swingman option – Capable of starting if rotation depth thins out.

4. Emergency long man – Saves the bullpen during doubleheaders or tight schedules.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Sauer?

• Command consistency is critical to maintain roster spot.

• Fine-tuning secondary offerings—slider and change-up—while limiting walks.

• Adapting to the major league frame: keep pitch counts manageable, avoid fatigue.

• Potential peaked: a high-ceiling reliever if refined; else, a Triple-A depth option.

What Fans Should Watch

• ✔ Upcoming appearances: Will he be tasked with long relief in high-leverage games?

• ✔ Pitch efficiency: Can he reduce ERA and WHIP with better control?

• ✔ Roster stability: Does he stick with the Dodgers beyond injury-filled periods?

• ✘ Regression risk: Repeat of big innings like Padres could demote him.

Conclusion

Matt Sauer’s progression from Rule 5 pick to major league multi-inning reliever exemplifies baseball’s unpredictable pathways. He brings arm length, strikeout ability, and positional flexibility—all valuable commodities in today’s bullpen-heavy MLB.

But his journey is far from finished. To solidify his place in the Dodgers' chaotic roster schematic, Sauer must hone his command, polish secondary pitches, and deliver consistent outings. If he succeeds, he can become a model long-relief arm or even a swingman starter-down-the-road. The Dodgers—and their fans—are rooting for him to thrive.