Los Angeles Dodgers Starter Struggling To Regain Velocity

Los Angeles Dodgers' newest starter Noah Syndergaard recently threw his first pitches of the spring season.

His fastball topped out at 93 mph, which is slightly below his previous average of around 98 mph during his best years with the New York Mets and just shy of the 94 mph he averaged last season between the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies.

Syndergaard acknowledged that he thought he would be further ahead with his velocity at this point, but he sees it as motivation to keep working. He believes that his velocity is still there, despite recent injuries, including Tommy John surgery.

1-2-3 inning with 2 strikeouts for Noah Syndergaard in his Dodgers debut pic.twitter.com/taFA69r5HO

— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) February 28, 2023

While the lack of velocity was a bit surprising, even to Syndergaard himself, the Dodgers still expect to see his velocity climb, and the fact that he reached 93 mph this early in spring was considered a success by some. However, getting to triple digits is probably unlikely for him at this stage in his career. 

Early in his career with the Mets, Syndergaard was an absolute flamethrower, averaging 98 mph with his fastball over his first couple of seasons and routinely touching 100 mph at a time when it wasn't as common.

Injuries have slowed Syndergaard in recent years, causing a noticeable decline in his velocity.

Noah Syndergaard, of course, will be starting his first World Series game since this.

(He remains the only Mets pitcher in the last 22 years to win a World Series game.) pic.twitter.com/zsNqI2oXN5

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) October 30, 2022

Syndergaard posted a 3.94 ERA, 1,25 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts over 134.2 innings and 25 appearances with the Angels and Phillies last season, and the Dodgers are hoping to fix something that will bring him back to his previous form.

Fortunately for Syndergaard, the Dodgers are perhaps the best team in baseball in reviving pitchers' careers, so we could see the thirty-year-old post even better numbers this year.

Still, it's early, and lots can change. Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports