Blake Snell Earns High Praise from Clayton Kershaw
Blake Snell Earns High Praise from Clayton Kershaw
Alright, let’s talk about Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers. There’s a lot of excitement around Snell joining the team, but one of the biggest takeaways from spring training so far? Clayton Kershaw—one of the greatest left-handed pitchers of this era—has named Snell as his favorite lefty to watch right now. Now, if you know baseball, you know that’s a pretty huge compliment coming from a future Hall of Famer.
Kershaw, who is entering his 18th season with the Dodgers, spoke about Snell’s pitching, saying, “The way he can throw a baseball is special. It’s just pretty, the way it comes out of his hand.” And honestly, when someone like Kershaw talks about your craft like that, you know you’re doing something right.
Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, has had an interesting journey leading up to this moment. After spending time with the Rays and the Padres, he now finds himself in Dodger blue, adjusting to his new surroundings. He admitted that the first time he switched teams, it was tough figuring out his identity outside of Tampa Bay. But now, with experience on his side, he seems to have a better grasp on how to integrate into a new clubhouse while still being himself.
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One of the most intriguing parts of Snell’s transition to the Dodgers is his role as a mentor. He’s been working closely with Bobby Miller, the promising young right-hander whose spring was briefly set back after being hit by a line drive in February. Despite their different paths this spring—Snell ramping up for the regular season while Miller takes a more cautious approach—Snell has been right there, offering support and guidance. Small gestures, quiet conversations—those things matter, and the Dodgers coaching staff has taken notice.
Manager Dave Roberts has praised Snell not just for his pitching talent, but for his character. He called Snell one of the top-tier players who have the ability to focus on their own game while also lifting up those around them. That kind of influence in the clubhouse can be just as valuable as a dominant start on the mound.
Now, spring training hasn’t been perfect for Snell. His last outing against the Athletics wasn’t his best—he gave up four runs in just under four innings. But Snell isn’t sweating it. He made it clear that expecting Cy Young-caliber performances in early spring isn’t realistic. Instead, he’s using this time to learn, adjust, and fine-tune his approach for when the games really start to matter.
Looking ahead, Snell is set to pitch in one of the Dodgers' exhibition games in Japan before the season kicks off. While Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki are expected to headline the Tokyo Series against the Cubs, there’s speculation that Snell might get the call for the Dodgers’ home opener against the Tigers on March 27. But for now, he’s just focused on getting into peak form—something he didn’t have the luxury of last year when he joined the Giants late and missed spring training.
So, while fans might be eager to see Snell in full-on ace mode, he’s taking a step-by-step approach. The goal is to be ready when it really counts. And with the kind of praise he’s getting from a legend like Kershaw, you can bet that big things are ahead for Blake Snell in Dodger blue.
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