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This afternoon the Washington Nationals traded veteran right-hander Ryan Madson to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitching prospect Andrew Istler. Here’s a quick summary.
The Dodgers drafted Istler in the 23rd round in 2015 from Duke University. Used as an outfielder and starting pitcher in college, he moved to the bullpen full-time in pro ball and has been quite solid this year, posting a 2.37 ERA in 80 innings between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A with a composite 73/19 K/BB.
Istler is listed at 5-11, 175, age 25. As a starter in college he threw in the upper-80s but his velocity has picked up as a pro, well into the 90s now.
David Hood from TrueBlueLA saw Istler pitch last night and tweeted these observations:
I saw Andrew Istler pitch again last night, aggressive approach and up to 94 mph with tailing FB. Curve a solid swing and miss pitch. Very small and lean but makes most of size with overhand delivery. Solid bullpen gamble.
— David Hood (@davidchood) August 31, 2018