How Tanner Scott became a star Dodgers free-agent after being a “revolving door”

Tanner Scott: From a “Revolving Door” to a Star Dodgers Free-Agent

Tanner Scott’s baseball journey is one of resilience, transformation, and perseverance. The path from a “revolving door” to becoming a prominent free agent for the Los Angeles Dodgers was not straightforward, nor was it guaranteed. The narrative of his career encapsulates a story of adversity and growth, overcoming challenges to emerge as one of the most valuable left-handed relievers in Major League Baseball (MLB). His evolution into a star was characterized by a combination of raw talent, mental fortitude, and strategic adjustments. Through his journey, Scott’s story becomes one of redemption, showing that even after tumultuous beginnings, hard work and evolution can lead to greatness.

Early Life and Introduction to Baseball

Tanner Scott was born on January 22, 1994, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Growing up in a small town, he was introduced to the sport of baseball at an early age, and he quickly developed a love for the game. His physical gifts became apparent early on; he was a natural athlete with a fastball that could hit 90 mph in his early teenage years. Despite his impressive raw talent, Scott wasn’t immediately viewed as a surefire MLB prospect. He attended Red Land High School in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, where his pitching abilities caught the attention of scouts. However, despite his potential, Scott was not yet the polished pitcher that would ultimately break into the big leagues.

Scott’s high school career culminated in a standout senior season, where he recorded a 1.39 ERA and showcased his power fastball. Despite not being widely regarded as a top-tier prospect, Scott’s mix of velocity and athleticism was enough to earn him a spot in the 2011 MLB Draft, where he was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round. The Orioles saw a lot of potential in Scott and decided to develop him into a major-league pitcher.

The Early Struggles in the Minors

The road to the majors, however, was not smooth for Scott. His first few years in the minors were marked by inconsistency, and the rough patches he encountered early on in his career would shape his future as a player. After being drafted by the Orioles, Scott was assigned to the Gulf Coast League (GCL), a rookie-level league in the minor leagues. While Scott showed flashes of brilliance, his lack of command over his pitches led to struggles.

In his first season in 2011, Scott posted a 2.37 ERA, but his strikeout-to-walk ratio was concerning. His fastball velocity was evident, but his command was raw, and the mental side of pitching still needed development. His inability to consistently throw strikes led to him being known as a “revolving door” in terms of his ability to get outs. Scott’s minor league career saw him shuffle between different levels, with his fastball being his most impressive weapon, but not one that he could always rely on to succeed.

The Orioles moved Scott through their minor league system, and while there were signs of progress, he faced constant challenges with his control and consistency. He worked tirelessly to develop his secondary pitches, trying to refine his slider and curveball to complement his overpowering fastball. However, Scott was often plagued by a lack of consistency with his mechanics, leaving him to fight through bouts of poor performance. He was frequently sent back to the minors after brief MLB stints, where he continued to struggle with his command and was often viewed as an unreliable option in the bullpen.

His inability to consistently lock down key moments and his struggles with control left some doubting whether he would ever live up to his potential. Despite these challenges, Scott’s competitive spirit and willingness to work hard kept him in the Orioles’ system, and he never gave up on his dream of becoming a successful major-league pitcher.

The Turning Point: Refined Control and Consistency

It wasn’t until 2018 that Tanner Scott started to truly make his mark. After a few years of struggles, his fastball remained a formidable weapon, but Scott needed to refine his command and develop a better mental approach. During the 2018 season, he started to make adjustments to his mechanics, with a greater emphasis on finding a consistent release point and developing better control of his pitches. Scott also worked extensively on his slider, and the improved development of that secondary pitch began to pay dividends.

By 2019, Scott’s hard work began to show on the field. He posted a career-best 3.05 ERA and led the Orioles bullpen in strikeouts. His strikeout-to-walk ratio had improved, and he was becoming a more reliable piece for the Orioles’ bullpen. While he still had occasional lapses, Scott was able to harness his fastball and slider effectively, generating strikeouts at a high rate. More importantly, he started to show the mental fortitude to handle high-leverage situations, something he had struggled with earlier in his career.

In 2020, Scott’s breakout season began to materialize. He became a consistent and reliable option in the bullpen, frequently closing games and earning the trust of his managers. His fastball velocity remained elite, often reaching the upper 90s, and his slider became a weapon that was nearly unhittable when it was on. While the Orioles were a rebuilding team at the time, Scott’s emergence as a key bullpen arm provided a silver lining for a team in flux. He finished the season with a 3.09 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 23.1 innings, further solidifying his standing as one of the most promising left-handed relievers in the game.

The Transition to the Dodgers: The Free-Agent Opportunity

After spending several years with the Orioles, Scott found himself at a career crossroads as he approached free agency. With the Orioles in the midst of their rebuilding process and Scott coming off a solid 2020 campaign, the time seemed ripe for a fresh start. Enter the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team known for their stellar pitching development and their ability to maximize the potential of pitchers.

Scott signed a contract with the Dodgers in the offseason, and the decision proved to be a turning point in his career. Los Angeles had a track record of turning pitchers with raw stuff into elite performers, and Scott’s blend of velocity and untapped potential fit perfectly with the Dodgers’ pitching philosophy. Under the guidance of the Dodgers’ pitching coaches, Scott was able to take his game to new heights. One of the first areas of focus for the Dodgers’ coaching staff was refining Scott’s command of the strike zone. They worked closely with him on improving his pitch sequencing and learning how to better read hitters’ tendencies.

In 2021, the transformation of Tanner Scott into a dominant reliever began to come to fruition. His fastball velocity remained elite, and his slider continued to be a strikeout weapon. The biggest change was his newfound ability to control his pitches, keeping hitters off balance and limiting free passes. Scott’s performance was particularly noticeable in high-leverage situations, where he demonstrated an ability to close out games and deliver in clutch moments. The Dodgers were able to use him as both a late-inning reliever and as a situational left-hander, making him one of the most valuable pieces of their bullpen.

Scott’s impact was felt throughout the 2021 season. His ERA dipped below 3.00, and he finished the season with 80 strikeouts in 60 innings. More importantly, he played an integral role in helping the Dodgers make another deep playoff run. His performance in the postseason was critical, as he delivered key strikeouts and shut down opposing hitters in high-pressure situations. Scott’s reputation as a dominant reliever continued to grow, and he became one of the most sought-after bullpen arms in the league.

The Legacy of Tanner Scott: A Story of Perseverance

Tanner Scott’s transformation from a “revolving door” in the minors to a star reliever with the Dodgers is a testament to his work ethic, resilience, and determination. His journey is a reminder that success in baseball, or in any sport, is rarely linear. Scott’s ability to adapt to challenges, refine his skills, and maintain his confidence in the face of adversity set him apart. His evolution from an inconsistent reliever to a key piece of a championship-contending bullpen underscores the importance of mental toughness and continual improvement.

Scott’s story is far from over, and his continued development under the Dodgers’ coaching staff holds the potential for even greater achievements. For now, Tanner Scott’s journey from a “revolving door” to becoming a Dodgers free-agent success story stands as an inspiring narrative of a player who overcame early setbacks to find lasting success.