Dustin May

Not to be confused with Dusty May.

Dustin May
May pitching in the 2019 All-Star Futures Game
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 85
Pitcher
Born: (1997-09-06) September 6, 1997 (age 27)
Justin, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 2, 2019, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record12–9
Earned run average3.10
Strikeouts174
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Dustin Jake May (born September 6, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was selected by the Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, and made his MLB debut in 2019. The Dodgers won the World Series with him in 2020.

Early life and amateur career

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May graduated from Northwest High School in Justin, Texas. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft.[1] He was committed to play college baseball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, but chose to sign with the Dodgers for a $1 million signing bonus,[2] forgoing his commitment.

Professional career

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Minor leagues

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After signing, May made his professional debut with the Arizona League Dodgers, and spent the whole season there, posting an 0-1 record with a 3.86 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 302⁄3 innings pitched.[3] In 2017, he played for both the Great Lakes Loons and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, compiling a combined 9-6 record, 3.63 ERA, and a 1.15 WHIP in 25 games (24 starts) between the two clubs.[3] In 2018 for the Quakes, May was selected to the post-season California League all-star team.[4] On September 14, he started the Drillers' title clinching playoff game, in which he allowed two runs in five innings.[5] In 23 total starts between Rancho Cucamonga and Tulsa, May was 9-5 with a 3.39 ERA.[3]

May began 2019 with Tulsa.[6] He was selected to the mid-season Texas League All-Star Game[7] and the All-Star Futures Game.[8] May was promoted to the AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers on June 27.[9] He was a combined 6-5 with a 4.13 ERA as he struck out 110 batters in 1062⁄3 innings.[3]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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2019 season

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May was called up to the majors on August 2, 2019, and made his major league debut for the Dodgers as the starting pitcher against the San Diego Padres.[10] He pitched 52⁄3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts. His first MLB strikeout was of Hunter Renfroe.[11] On August 13, May picked up his first big league win against the Miami Marlins after pitching 52⁄3 innings, allowing one run on three hits with five strikeouts.[12] He finished the season appearing in 14 games for the Dodgers (four starts), with a 2–3 record, a 3.63 ERA, and 32 strikeouts with only five walks.[13] He also pitched in 31⁄3 innings across two games for the Dodgers in the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Washington Nationals, allowing one run on three hits.[13]

2020 season

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May was selected to start for the Dodgers on Opening Day in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season after Clayton Kershaw injured his back before the game. May became the youngest opening day starter for the Dodgers since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981.[14] He picked up his first win of the season on August 4, when he struck out eight in six innings against the San Diego Padres[15] and appeared in 12 games (10 starts) with a 3–1 record and 2.57 ERA in 56 innings.[13] His 99.1 mph-average four-seam fastball was the fastest four-seamer of any major league pitcher for the 2020 season.[16] He pitched three scoreless innings over two games in the 2020 NLDS against the San Diego Padres and allowed two earned runs in 42⁄3 innings over three games against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series (NLCS).[13] May pitched in two games of the 2020 World Series, working three total innings and allowing three runs to score on five hits.[13]

2021 season

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May made five starts in 2021, with a 1–1 record and 2.74 ERA.[13] On May 1, he tore his UCL while throwing a pitch, requiring season ending Tommy John surgery, which he underwent on May 12.[17]

2022 season

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On August 20, 2022, May made his first start after returning from his recovery and struck out nine while allowing only one hit in five scoreless innings against the Miami Marlins.[18] He pitched a total of six games for the Dodgers, with a 2–3 record and 4.50 ERA[13] before he was placed on the injured list with lower back tightness on September 24, ending his regular season.[19]

2023 season

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May signed a $1.675 million contract with the Dodgers in his first year of salary arbitration.[20] In a May 17 start against the Minnesota Twins, he left the game after only one inning due to right elbow pain.[21] Following the game, he was diagnosed with a right flexor pronator strain.[22] He later received a platelet-rich plasma injection[23] and was placed on the 60-day injured list on May 23.[24] On July 4, it was announced that May would undergo surgery on the flexor tendon in his right elbow, as well as a Tommy John revision for a Grade 2 UCL sprain. The procedures meant he would miss the rest of the season.[25] He made nine starts during the season, with a 4–1 record and a 2.63 ERA.[13]

2024 season

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May and the Dodgers agreed to a $2.135 million contract for 2024 in salary arbitration[26] though he began the season on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from his surgery the previous year.[27] In July, May underwent surgery for an esophageal tear, ending his chance to return in 2024.[28]

Pitching style

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A tall pitcher at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 180 lb (82 kg), May pitches with a three-quarter stance with high leg lifts both before release, and at follow-through (with nobody on base). His main pitches are a two-seam fastball with sinker-like movement, which averages at over 98 mph, a cutter, a curveball and a four-seam fastball. May was ranked fourth amongst starting pitchers in lateral movement in 2020, which is rare for a pitcher who averages over 93 mph on their two-seam fastballs or sinkers.[29]

Personal life

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May is nicknamed "Gingergaard" after pitcher and former teammate Noah Syndergaard, due to profile and appearance, as well as his red hair.[30][31][32]

May married his long-time girlfriend Amelia "Millie" Trautner on December 27, 2022.[33]

References

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  1. ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Drafted by Dodgers with 101st overall pick". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  2. ^ "Dodgers agree to terms with third-round pick". MLB.com. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d "Dustin May Minor League Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Bumbaca, Chris (August 21, 2018). "Bannon leads California League All-Stars". milb.com. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  5. ^ "May helps Drillers win first Texas League in 20 years". milb.com. September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  6. ^ "Gavin Lux, Dustin May & Keibert Ruiz Headline Double-A Tulsa 2019 Opening Day Roster". April 4, 2019.
  7. ^ Tulsa Drillers (June 13, 2019). "Top Prospects Named to Rosters for ONEOK Field All-Star Game". milb.com. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  8. ^ Callis, Jim (June 28, 2019). "Here are the 2019 Futures Game rosters". mlb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  9. ^ Dykstra, Sam (June 27, 2019). "Dodgers promote Lux, May to OKC". milb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  10. ^ Gurnick, Ken (August 1, 2019). "May's Friday debut to serve as audition". MLB.com. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  11. ^ Gurnick, Ken (August 2, 2019). "Solid debut showcases May's potential". mlb.com. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  12. ^ De Nicola, Christina (August 13, 2019). "Dodgers belt 6 homers in long ball spectacle". mlb.com. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h "Dustin May Stats". Baseball Reference.
  14. ^ Castillo, Jorge (July 23, 2020). "Back injury forces Clayton Kershaw to miss opening day start; Dustin May gets the nod". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  15. ^ Gurnick, Ken (August 5, 2020). "May breaks Internet, baffles Padres". mlb.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  16. ^ "Statcast Pitch Arsenals Leaderboard". baseballsavant.com.
  17. ^ "Dodgers phenom May to have TJ surgery". mlb.com. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  18. ^ Wexler, Sarah (August 20, 2022). "May electric in return from Tommy John surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  19. ^ Stephen, Eric (September 24, 2022). "Dustin May placed on 15-day injured list with low back tightness, ending his regular season". SB Nation. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  20. ^ "2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  21. ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Exits start with right elbow pain". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  22. ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Diagnosed with flexor strain". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  23. ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Will receive PRP injection". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  24. ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  25. ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Out for season". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  26. ^ Stephen, Eric (January 11, 2024). "Dodgers sign 10 players to avoid salary arbitration". SB Nation. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  27. ^ Stephen, Eric (February 8, 2024). "Dodgers finalize Ryan Brasier deal, place Dustin May on 60-day injured list". SB Nation. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  28. ^ Randhawa, Manny (July 13, 2024). "Dodgers' rehabbing May out for the season". mlb.com. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  29. ^ "BrooksBaseball.net Player Card: Dustin May". www.brooksbaseball.net. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  30. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (August 3, 2019). "After keeping Dustin May at the deadline, Dodgers debut 'Gingergaard'". ESPN.
  31. ^ "Noah Syndergaard Calls Dustin May's 'Gingergaard' Nickname 'Stupid'". FOX Sports Radio.
  32. ^ Brown, Larry (August 2, 2019). "Dodgers rookie Dustin May is down with the 'Gingergaard' nickname". Larry Brown Sports.
  33. ^ Snider, Jeff (December 27, 2022). "Dodgers News: Millie and Dustin May Tie the Knot". DodgersNation. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
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