When legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito signed left-handed phenom Julio Urias on August 23, 2012 – exactly 11 days after his 16th birthday – he knew immediately that Urias was special. So special, in fact, that Brito boldly predicted that the Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico native would be pitching in the big leagues as an 18-year-old.

Two years later, on September 26, 2014, the now 18-year-old Urias was named the Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the Year, having blazed his way through Low Single-A Great Lakes, Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and finishing the 2014 season at Double-A Chattanooga. On that memorable night at Dodger Stadium, Brito maintained his earlier prediction about the hard-throwing lefty.

“I think he’s ready to pitch [in the major leagues] right now,” said Brito. “If they give him the ball right now he can get anybody out. I’ve been saying that the whole year.”

When Dodgers pitchers and catchers report for spring training tomorrow morning, Urias will have exactly 173 days to fulfill Mike Brito’s prophecy of pitching in the major leagues as an 18-year-old. Will he make it? Maybe. Maybe not. But I wouldn’t bet against him.

Julio Urias with legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito at Dodger Stadium on September 26, 2014.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Last spring Urias was called up from minor league spring training camp to pitch one inning of one major league spring training game. He faced only three batters and retired them in order – two by strikeout. This spring, however, Urias received a non-roster invitation to big league camp and could make as many as six or perhaps even seven major league spring training appearances.

Does Urias have a shot at making the Dodgers Opening Day roster? No. But this certainly doesn’t mean that he won’t be pitching at Dodger Stadium at some point during the 2015 season. In fact, many believe that he will be called up on September 1 – exactly 20 days after his 19th birthday. Close enough for government work, as they say.

Depending on which top prospect list you prefer, Urias has been ranked as low as number four and no higher than number 13 as the best prospect in all of baseball. How did this kid from Sinaloa who is mature well beyond his years accomplish so much at such a young age?

“This guy has an above average fastball, an above average slider, an above average change-up and then he’s got control,” Brito said. “That’s very important. He’s not afraid to go to the hitters and he’s got command of his four pitches.”

During his brief two-year professional career, Urias has been on a very strict innings limit set by former Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti and former assistant general manager for player development DeJon Watson. But with Watson no longer with the Dodgers and Colletti no longer the GM, it’s probably safe to say that Urias will no longer be under any such restrictions.

“I’m going to work really hard this off-season to focus on being able to go six or seven innings,” said Urias through an interpreter. “I’m going to work hard this off-season to be able to do that.”

Urias believes that he is now ready to go seven or eight innings.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Does Brito agree with Urias on this?

“I don’t want to say something that will hurt anybody but I think they should have let him go further than one or two innings,” said Brito. “When he comes over here [to Dodger Stadium] he’s going to pitch at least six or seven innings. I make him think that, too. I make him think that he’s ready and he says ‘I’m ready, the only thing I need is give me the ball.’”

If we’ve learned anything about Mike Brito it’s that you should never doubt him. In fact, to borrow a phrase from the old E.F. Hutton TV commercials: “When Mike Brito talks, people listen.”

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Author’s Note:

When Julio Urias makes his MLB debut, he will become the 35th player signed by Mike Brito to make it to the major leagues.