Actions speak louder than words. And for Blake Snell, this season is all about making a statement without saying a word. With a fastball that sizzles and a slider that buckles knees, he’s always been electric—just not always for long. But now, Snell is out to prove that dominance doesn’t have to come in short bursts. This year, his arm will do the talking, and yes, the message will be louder than ever.

However, as he dons the iconic Dodgers Blue this season, he is poised to change this narrative. This time around, he isn’t just looking to light up the mound with his brief dominant outing but wants to be the ‘workhorse’ of the team. His challenge? To prove that he can be the guy who takes the ball every fifth day, inning after inning, and anchors a team with championship aspirations.

As Ken Rosenthal pointed out in an interview with Foul Territory, Blake’s decision is not due to the team’s necessity or roster demand. “It’s not that the Dodgers need a workhorse,” Rosenthal pointed out. “They’ve got this incredible depth; they’ve got all these pitchers. But Blake Snell, at this stage of his career, wants to be more of that guy. He wants to be a guy who takes down innings.” Snell has made it clear that he no longer wants to be part of just the roster; he wants to provide a steady presence to it as well.

But can Snell truly rise to the challenge? Given that he has rarely pitched past the sixth inning and only surpassed 140 innings in a season twice. “It’s going to take some rotation gymnastics to get everybody kind of on schedule.” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. This challenge of managing workloads, especially with other pitchers like Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May returning from injuries, makes it crucial for Snell to prove that he can not only stay healthy but also consistently pitch deep into games. As Rosenthal explained, the Dodgers need someone who can offer stability. “To have someone offer that stability, if Snell can do it, that’s going to be a good thing.”

The potential is surely there; now it’s time for Blake to prove it. All eyes would be on him. if he can shift from a talented arm to the Mr. dependable of the Dodgers’ rotation. Only time will tell if this new chapter in his career will transform him from potential to lasting greatness.

Blake Snell: a new era for the Dodgers’ pitching?

Blake Snell’s career has always been defined by flashes of brilliance. With a 5-3 record, a 3.12 ERA, and 145 strikeouts in 2024, Snell has shown he can dominate hitters with his electric stuff. However, the missing link in his career has been consistency—staying on the mound longer and going deeper into games.

He has expressed his desire for what could be the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ next pitching story. “I think I’m a very talented pitcher,” Blake said. “I’ve got to go more innings. I’ll get there. I’m not in a sprint to get there. I’m just trying to get better every day.” He knows that to shift the dynamic from being a 5-6 innings to pitching 200 innings a year is no small task, and he is ready for it.

Having played alongside pitchers like Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove with the San Diego Padres, he’s learned valuable lessons in pacing himself and finding ways to go deeper into games. Now that he joins the Dodgers, he is setting his sights on one of the best examples of durability in the game: Clayton Kershaw. “I couldn’t think of someone better to talk to, to learn how to be a better version of yourself,” Blake said. His focus is clear: health and quality start. If he can achieve this, Snell could emerge as a key factor in the Dodgers’ championship aspirations.