It was a question that I already knew the answer to before I asked it – Who would you most like to emulate while you’re here in Dodgers major league camp?

“Of course, I mean, that’s not even a question, I would like to check out what Kershaw does,” said Dodgers top right-handed pitching prospect Jose De Leon. “He’s obviously dominated the league for so long, so that’s the guy I’m looking forward to emulate.”

It’s hard to tell who is in more awe of three-time NL Cy Young award winner and 2014 NL MVP Clayton Kershaw – Hall of Famer Greg Maddux or 23-year-old top pitching prospect Jose De Leon. Regardless, De Leon is in great company. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

But as ridiculous at that question may have seemed, there was a reason why I asked it. Whether he realizes it or not, De Leon has actually been emulating Clayton Kershaw from the moment the now 23-year-old Isabela, Puerto Rico native was selected by the Dodgers in the 24th round of the 2013 MLB First Year Player Draft.

Check this out:

• During the 2015 season Kershaw struck out 10 or more batters 13 times in his 33 starts and finished the season with 301 strikeouts.
• During the 2015 season De Leon struck out 10 or more batters six times in his 16 starts and finished the season with 105 strikeouts.
• On August 19, 2014 while pitching for the Dodgers Low Single-A Great Lakes Loons, De Leon struck out 14 Fort Wayne TinCaps batters to set a new franchise record. Whose record did he break? You guessed it, Clayton Kershaw’s previous record of 12 set in 2007.
• Through his eight major league seasons Kershaw has a K/9 of 11.6 and a K/BB ratio of 3.75.
• Through his three minor league seasons De Leon has a K/9 of 12.3 and a K/BB ratio of 4.24.

Like I said, whether he realizes it or not, De Leon has been emulating Kershaw since day one.

But this certainly doesn’t mean that the young right-hander is about to stop trying to emulate the guy who many consider the best pitcher on the planet – not even slightly. In fact, because this is De Leon’s first Dodgers major league spring training camp, it is his first opportunity to actually see Kershaw pitch in person and to interact with him on a daily basis. It is also his first opportunity to pick the brains of the other veteran pitchers and those of two of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game – Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Greg Maddux.

“That’s huge. I mean, those guys are Hall of Famers,” De Leon said of Koufax and Maddux. “Every time you have a chance to talk to guys like that and pick their brain is huge. I’m really excited about it.”

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman looks on as Jose De Leon tosses a bullpen session. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

De Leon is well aware that his chances of making the Dodgers Opening Day rotation are very slim, but he isn’t about to let that detract from the experience of his first big league camp.

“Being around these guys that have been in the league for years, veterans, you can learn a lot just by watching them even if you don’t talk to them,” De Leon said. “Just watching them and seeing how they go about their business, it’s just another level.”

With the Dodgers first spring training game only days away, De Leon says that he is ready and, more importantly, healthy.

“Everything is great, I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been,” he said, “I feel good. I’m ready to roll.”