Tanner Scott signed a four-year, $72 million contract to provide a lockdown postseason arm. Early-season inconsistency and injuries produced a 3.97 ERA and a career-high seven blown saves. The slider lost velocity and effectiveness while his fastball averaged 96.4 mph, down from 97.0 mph the prior year. A mechanical issue — opening his hips too quickly and forcing power rather than letting it occur naturally — was identified and corrected during a pause on the season. Since returning from the injured list, slider velocity has increased by about two mph, improving Scott's ability to retire hitters.
"There's a reason the Dodgers - who are often reticent in offering free agent relievers multi-year deals - gave him a four-year contract worth $72 million this offseason. Scott was brought in to be a lockdown arm in the postseason. Thus far, inconsistency coupled with various injuries has resulted in a subpar year by Scott's standards. He currently has a 3.97 ERA with a career-high seven blown saves."
"The pause on Scott's season allowed the Dodgers' staff a chance to find a way to get Scott back to his 2024 form," Ardaya wrote. "With it, they noticed Scott had been opening up his hips too quickly before driving down the mound, making him force the power behind his pitch rather than let it happen naturally. That, in part, can explain why his fastball velocity has been 96.4 mph this season compared with 97.0 mph a year ago. It can also explain why a tight, firm slider from a year ago was producing worse results."
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