July 23rd, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Quick – Which Dodgers reliever has the lowest earned run average?
If you said Kenley Jansen (3.63), you’d be wrong. If you said Pedro Baez (3.40), you’d be wrong. Heck, even if you said Julio Urias (2.25), you’d be wrong.
No, the current Dodgers reliever with the lowest ERA, although the sample size is ridiculously small, is just-turned-29-year-old (on July 13) right-hander Casey Sadler (1.93), whom the Dodgers acquired on July 3 from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for 23-year-old minor league right-hander Nathan Witt.
The Stillwater, OK native was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 25th round of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Western Oklahoma State College in Altus, OK. He made his major league debut with Pittsburgh on May 2, 2014 but was released on December 30, 2015. Ironically, the Pirates re-signed him one week later as a free agent on January 6, 2016, although he spent most of the next two seasons in the minors. He was granted free agency on October 1, 2018 and signed with Tampa Bay on January 28, 2019 and traded to the Dodgers on July 3.
In his nine major league games with the Rays this season, Sadler went 0-0 with an excellent 1.86 ERA. He allowed only four earned runs in his 19.1 innings of relief, with five walks, one hit batsman, while striking out 11. He held opposing batters to an impressive .219 batting average.
After being acquired by the Dodgers, Sadler was immediately added to the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. To make room for him on the 40-man, the Dodgers transferred left-hander Rich Hill from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list. On July 15, Sadler was called up to the Dodgers when they designated struggling left-hander Zac Rosscup for assignment.
After pitching on July 15 and July 17 and allowing one run on two hits, with one walk and one strikeout in his combined 2.2 innings pitched, Sadler was optioned back to OKC on July 18. However, he was immediately recalled on July 19 when right-hander Dylan Floro was placed on the 10-day IL with neck inflammation.
Sadler made back-to-back appearances on July 20 and 21, allowing no runs, hits or walks, while striking out two in his combined 2.0 innings pitched.
When you put it all together, in his 4.2 innings pitched since joining the Dodgers, Sadler has allowed only one run on two hits, while walking one, hitting a batter and striking out four of 19 batters he has faced. But here’s the kicker. He has limited opposing batters to a minuscule .125 batting average.
Again, the sample size is very small and in no way is this to even remotely suggest that the Dodgers do not need additional bullpen help, they most certainly do. But it’s impossible not to like what we’ve seen so far from Kaysen’s daddy and Marin’s husband.
(Photo courtesy of @sadler_squared)
Play Ball!
* * * * *
Posted in 
I haven’t seen enough of him to really make a comment, but from what I have seen, he looks pretty good.
I liked Sadler the moment he first took the mound for the Dodgers. Has tremendous confidence in his power sinker/slider combo (Floro could learn a thing or two from him, quiet as kept) and DOES NOT waste time going after hitters! The fact that he can also pitch multiple innings if need be only enhances his value to the Dodgers and their pen in particular. He hasn’t been with the team long, but it looks as if he’s already secured himself a spot on that playoff roster in the meantime.
🙂
Dodgers do a wonderful job of finding AAAA players and turning them into major leaguers. Hopefully Sadler will be the next success story.
I am the President at Western Oklahoma State College. Dodger fans will continue to be impressed with his athletic ability. However, they will never be disappointed with his work ethic and integrity. This is an outstanding young man who will make any organization proud.
Thanks for dropping in on us Chad, and thanks for the additional insight on Casey.
As you can probably glean from this article, I am already a Casey Sadler fan; not to mention that I love the family aspect.
Thanks again, and please don’t be a stranger.
I want to 2nd what Mr. Wiginton said. I grew up with Casey playing with him summer and school ball from the ages of 6 to senior year of high school. His father worked with my dad at Stillwater Fire Department and his grandfather was even the farrier for our horses! I say all that to tell you both Casey and his family are incredible people with great integrity and kindness for all. I am so proud of him and not only the player he has become but also the excellent family man he is. I always knew Casey had integrity and grit however his success has been unbelievable. The Dodgers have a great asset to their team in Sadler.