It was a brief interview – one that lasted perhaps a minute. Right-hander Louis Coleman had just entered the Dodgers spring training clubhouse at Camelback Ranch on Saturday morning, February 20, 2016, having been signed by the Dodgers to a one-year / $750,000 minor league contract only two days earlier and one day after pitchers and catchers reported.

“I got the word Thursday night,” Coleman said. “I guess it had been in the works for a couple day before that. I’m just happy to come out and just pitch and stuff like that. New season and let’s go … ready to show up.”

Coleman, who was immediately added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster in place of Brandon McCarthy (who was moved to the 60-Day disabled list), was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 5th round of the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft out of LSU. And although the Greenwood, Mississippi – who turns 30 on Opening Day – appeared in four games for the eventual World Series Champions after his September 1, 2015 call-up, he was not included on their postseason roster.

Coleman working on PFP drills during his first major league spring training camp with the Dodgers.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

But Coleman is no stranger to the big leagues. Prior to his September 2015 call-up, he appeared in a total of 148 games for the Royals from 2011 through 2014 but was also excluded from the 2014 playoff roster. During his combined 152 major league appearances, the soft-spoken right-hander with a very deceptive sidearm delivery posted a 6-4 record and 3.20 ERA in 177.1 innings pitched. He has an impressive K/9 rating of 9.4 and an even more impressive K/BB ratio of 2.38 (J.P. Howell’s is 2.08 by comparison). And even though Coleman acknowledges that it’s been quite a whirlwind experience over the past few seasons, he is adjusting well with his new team.

“As far as moving into a new clubhouse it’s been easy. Everybody’s been welcoming and easy to meet and get along with, so, so far, so good,” said Coleman. “I know there’s a lot of new faces around here even to the old guys that have been here for a lot of years, so it’s been easy. I feel like I’m jumping across the street.”

As for his role with the Dodgers, Coleman says he doesn’t know what the Dodgers have planned for him, but he is open to doing whatever they want him to do in any role.

“I honestly have no idea, not really even talked about it,” Coleman said. “Whatever. Whatever they need.”

Judging by how the Dodgers have used him thus far through their first 19 spring training games, it appears that his role will be that of a middle reliever – and he has been very good at it. In fact, Coleman leads all Dodger relievers who have thrown more than one inning with his .100 batting average against and 0.33 WHIP. He has yet to allow an earned run this spring and has given up only two hits and zero walks while striking out nine.

Needless to say, there appears to be little doubt that Coleman will make the Dodgers Opening Day roster – and on his birthday, no less. And, as an interesting little side note, the 6′ 4″ – 205-pound right-hander has a an interesting little bonus in his contract with the Dodgers. Should Coleman be named to the 2016 All-Star Game, he will receive an additional $50,000. Judging by what we’ve seen in him thus far this spring, Dodgers Chairman and controlling owner Mark Walter might want to keep his checkbook handy.