If you’ve ever watched a Los Angeles Dodgers game and seen a left-hander hopping off the mound like he just drank three espressos after escaping a bases-loaded jam, you’ve met Alex Vesia. He’s the guy who wears his heart on his sleeve and his adrenaline in his delivery. Honestly, in a bullpen full of flamethrowers and high-priced acquisitions, it’s easy to overlook the 17th-round pick from a Division II school. But basically, you’d be making a mistake.
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster for the Dodgers. Injuries decimated the rotation, and the bullpen was asked to carry a workload that would make most arms fall off. Through all that, Alex Vesia was the "fireman." He wasn't just another lefty specialist. He became the guy Dave Roberts turned to when the season was on the line.
Why Alex Vesia is the Dodgers' Most Underrated Weapon
Most fans look at a pitcher’s ERA and call it a day. While Vesia’s 3.02 ERA in 2025 was solid, it doesn't tell the whole story. You've got to look at the leverage. When the bases are loaded and the heart of the order is up, that's where Vesia lives.
In 2024, he was nearly untouchable, posting a 1.76 ERA over 67 games. People thought it was a fluke. It wasn't. In 2025, he backed it up by leading the team in holds (23) and even snagging five saves when the closer situation got murky. He’s got this "rising" four-seam fastball that sits around 93 mph but plays like it’s 98 because of the high spin rate and the way he hides the ball.
Lefties hit a measly .130 against him in 2022, and while the league has tried to adjust, he’s still a nightmare for southpaws. But here’s the thing: he’s not just a LOOGY (Lefty One Out Guy) anymore. With the three-batter minimum rule, he had to learn how to retire righties. He did that by leaning on a sharp slider and an occasional "worm-killer" changeup that creates a ton of groundballs.
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The Trade That Changed Everything
Remember Dylan Floro? Most Dodgers fans do. He was a solid, reliable right-hander. When the Dodgers traded him to the Miami Marlins in February 2021 for a struggling lefty named Alex Vesia and a prospect named Kyle Hurt, people were confused. Vesia had an 18.69 ERA with the Marlins in 2020.
Eighteen. Point. Sixty-nine.
It was a disaster of a debut. But the Dodgers’ front office saw something in his spin data. They saw a guy who couldn't even squat 135 pounds as a college freshman at Cal State East Bay but had willed himself into a professional athlete. They gambled on his "makeup"—that intangible grit that coaches love to talk about. It might be the best "small" trade Andrew Friedman has ever made.
What Really Happened During the 2025 World Series
This is the part that still stings for a lot of fans. The Dodgers were facing the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 Fall Classic. Vesia had been a beast in the first three rounds of the playoffs, pitching in seven games and keeping the team afloat. Then, suddenly, he wasn't on the roster.
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Rumors flew. Was he hurt? Was there a fallout?
The truth was much more heavy. It was a "deeply personal family matter." While the team didn't share specific details out of respect, the impact was visible. Every Dodgers reliever wrote "#51" on their caps. In a move that honestly makes you love baseball, the Blue Jays relievers—even though they were trying to beat the Dodgers—did the same thing.
Chris Bassitt and Seranthony Dominguez were seen with "51" on their hats during Game 6. It was a moment where everyone realized some things are just bigger than a trophy. The Dodgers missed him on the field—especially during that chaotic 6th inning in Game 1—but they supported him off it.
Breaking Down the Mechanics
So, how does a guy who doesn't throw 100 mph strike out 80 batters in 59 innings?
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- The "Invisiball" Fastball: His four-seamer has elite vertical break. To a hitter, it looks like the ball is rising as it crosses the plate. They swing under it. Every. Single. Time.
- High-Octane Energy: Vesia uses his emotions as fuel. Some pitchers need to be "zen." Vesia needs to be a "Cocaine Bear" (as some fans affectionately call him).
- Consistency: His release point is incredibly repeatable. Whether it’s the 85 mph slider or the 93 mph heater, the arm slot is identical.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Dodgers or looking at the 2026 season, keep an eye on these specific trends with Vesia:
- Watch the First Pitch: In 2025, when Vesia started a count 0-1, his strikeout rate jumped significantly. He’s a "front-runner" pitcher who thrives when he's ahead.
- Usage in the 7th vs. 9th: While he has save experience, he is statistically most effective as the "Bridge" to the closer. His ability to inherit runners and leave them stranded is his true value.
- The "Vesia Bounce": Pay attention to his recovery time. He pitched in a career-high 68 games in 2025. Monitoring his velocity early in 2026 will be key to seeing if that workload took a toll.
The Dodgers picked up his $3.55 million club option for 2026 for a reason. He’s the heartbeat of that bullpen. He’s proof that you don't need to be a first-round pick to be a World Series champion—you just need the right spin rate and a lot of heart.
To truly understand Vesia's value, you have to look past the box score. Watch the way his teammates react when he enters a game. Look at the "51" on the caps. That's not just for a pitcher; it's for a guy who has become indispensable to the culture of the most successful franchise in modern baseball.
Check the injury reports heading into Spring Training 2026. If he's healthy and his "personal matter" is resolved, expect him to be the first guy off the bench when the pressure is highest.