Why in the World Would Andrew Freidman Sign Andrew Heaney?

Lots of fans have asked exactly that same question. Some have even said “I can’t believe Freidman signed Heany!” or “What was he thinking by signing Heaney – it’s a flashback to Anderson, McCatthy, and Kazmir!” Maybe he just likes players with the name “Andrew” – After all, he did sign both Toles and Heaney. Well, it’s certainly not that. Some fans have even said that Friedman “overpaid” for Heaney. I think that is absurd because if you know anything about Friedman, he is not going to overpay for anything. It just so happens that Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers, along with at least a third of MLB teams, think that the potential is there for Heaney to develop into a lot more than he has shown.

According to The Athletic, the Dodgers were one of more than 10 teams who reached out to Andrew Heaney after he became a free agent. Teams were interested in his 26.9% strikeout rate, along with a spin rate in the 90th percentile for his fastball. He reflects a similar pitching profile to free agent Robbie Ray. In 2020, Robbie Ray had a 6.62 ERA, but in 2022, he was a finalist for the AL Cy Young Award in 2021 after a season where he finished with a 2.84 ERA and 248 strikeouts for the Blue Jays. He always had elite stuff and Toronto got it out of him.

The Dodgers and Andrew Friedman are betting that Heaney has that kind of upside as well. Andrew has a first-round pedigree to go with mediocre results. The pedigree and optics do not match the results for some strange reason. Maybe they never will, but maybe the talent will converge with the results. Try this on for size: Heaney has had 7 pitching coaches in his 8 MLB seasons, and his curveball was not the greatest. So the Dodgers have helped him ditch the curve and he is now throwing “the sweeper” which is used by Treinen and Urias.

The Dodgers moved him to the middle of the rubber (he had pitched from both the 1B and 3B sides at different times). The Dodgers also discovered several other issues according to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya:

They looked at footage from previous seasons and motion capture technology to diagnose the elements of his mechanics that had eroded. His body had become too rotational pre-pitch, his hips almost facing second base before his momentum carried him to home plate. His arm slot was off, and inconsistent, leaving him unable to put his best pitch, his fastball, in optimal locations. The baseball had been too easy to see out of Heaney’s hand, allowing opposing hitters the ability to spit on his secondary offerings. And his breaking ball didn’t move enough; according to Statcast data, the pitch was below league average in terms of both horizontal and vertical movement.

– The Athletic – Fabian Ardaya

Tyler Anderson and Tony Gonsolin have both made some very positive progress and impressions in their first season’s appearances, but to me, last night, Andrew Heaney just showed why Andrew Friedman was so quick to sign him. One game does not a season make. If Heaney had gotten bombed, I would have said, “It’s one game – give it time.” After this game, I will say, “It’s one game – give it time… but maybe some of you will just admit Andrew Friedman may have a better idea than you.” 😉

One thing that has not been mentioned as a contributing factor to Andrew Heaney’s poor season last year (and I am not making excuses) was the death of Heaney’s best friend, Tyler Skaggs. As seen in the video below, Andrew took it very hard. You can also see how the greatest player in the game respects Andrew Heaney. He may have pitched poorly in the past, but it was not for a lack of trying. Andrew Heaney is damn hard worker – now his work is hopefully more productive.

Heaney’s night was cut short by a Trea Turner bobble of a double-play ball. Heaney deserved to have a better defense behind him, but all-in-all, his outing was outstanding! This should help his confidence which had to be waning and gives him something to build on. I also realize (and so should you), that there may be some hiccups! His line last night:

Dodger Notes & News

• Who says the Dodgers don’t steal bases? They scored a run with walks and stolen bases last night without a hit. You take what you can get!
• Well, Bobby Miller just added to his Looming Legend last night. He pitched four scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, 0 BB, and 6 K’s. He threw 58 pitches, 41 were for strikes. I am telling you, he is ready for The Show!
• Andy Pages has learned not to swing at pitches he cannot hit at a very young age. His future is getting brighter (it was already bright) and sooner! Of course, then he has to go and strike out three times last night.
• The Bazooka was impressive with two runners on and 1 out, getting the Dodgers out of the inning.
• Chris Taylor is playing at an All-Star Level… but yes, it is early!
• If Gavin Lux keeps this up, he will have to change his name to Gavin De-Lux!
• I think the Dodgers should consider Joe Davis is a one-man booth, ala/ Vin Scully. Karros is not much different from Hershiser.
• Yu Darvish suffered another “meltdown” on the mound last night against the Giants. He pitched 1.2 innings, walked 2 and gave up 9 Runs (8 Earned).
• Another vaunted former Padre Prospect (Ryan Weathers) now has a 17.18 ERA at AAA.
• Miguel Vargas is MASHING at OKC, as is Zach McKinstry… OK, Pillar is doing pretty good as well.
• Jonny DeLuca is breaking out this year – He has 4 HR to go with his .389 BA and 1.500 OPS (someone predicted that and it wasn’t me).
• Diego Cartaya had a Grand Slam last night but is still under .160 – It’s early!
• Tommy Kahnle pitched a clean inning at RC last night. He’s close!

It’s not every night that I get to watch parts of four games, but last night was one. I watched Great Lakes, Tulsa (of course I had to see Bobby Miller), Oklahoma City, part of Rancho Cucamonga (during the Dodgers rain delay)… and of course the Dodgers and Twins. Frequently, I watch the Dodgers and a Minor League Game, but last night was an anomaly!

Remember that this early, a player who is hitting .500 can go 0-4 in back-to-back games and be below the Mendoza Line and conversely, a player hotting .150 can go 2-4 in back-to-back games and be at .400. It is a long season full of peaks and valleys. Don’t forget to watch Clayton Kershaw pitch as you eat your Wheaties and drink your coffee this morning!

Brandi Carlile