Brusdar Graterol doesn’t always make the highlight reel, but the 27-year-old Venezuelan righty has quietly become one of the most dependable arms in the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen. Since his MLB debut on September 1, 2019, Graterol has built a reputation for showing up in the moments that matter — and his numbers back it up.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Brusdar Graterol
- Position: Pitcher (Reliever)
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Number: 48
- Bats / Throws: Right / Right
- Height / Weight: 6’1″ / 265 lbs
- Born: August 26, 1998 (age 27)
- Hometown: Calabozo, Venezuela 🇻🇪
- MLB Debut: September 1, 2019
Background
Graterol was born and raised in Calabozo, in Venezuela’s Guárico state — a country where baseball isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life. His talent as a right-handed pitcher earned him an international signing with the Dodgers, and he worked his way through the minor leagues before reaching the big leagues at just 21 years old.
Professional Career
Graterol spent his early Dodgers seasons earning trust in a bullpen that demands reliability. In 2022, he threw 49.2 innings with a 3.26 ERA, 43 strikeouts, and a 2-4 record — solid, but not yet elite.
Then came 2023. In 67.1 innings, Graterol was nearly untouchable: a 1.20 ERA, 48 strikeouts, a 0.97 WHIP, and a 4-2 record. That season announced him as one of the most effective relievers in the National League.
In 2024, he’s kept that standard. Across 7.1 innings, he’s allowed just two earned runs — good for a 2.45 ERA — with 7 strikeouts and an eye-popping 0.68 WHIP. When the Dodgers need an out in a tight spot, Graterol is on the short list.
Career Stats at a Glance
- 2024 (LAD): 2.45 ERA | 0-0 | 7 K | 0.68 WHIP | 7.1 IP
- 2023 (LAD): 1.20 ERA | 4-2 | 48 K | 0.97 WHIP | 67.1 IP
- 2022 (LAD): 3.26 ERA | 2-4 | 43 K | 0.99 WHIP | 49.2 IP
Awards and Recognition
Graterol hasn’t collected an All-Star nod or a Gold Glove yet, but his consistency has kept him firmly in the Dodgers’ plans year after year. The kind of pitcher who wins games without dominating box scores is exactly the kind of pitcher championship rosters are built around — and his recent numbers put him squarely in the conversation for future individual recognition.
Worth Knowing
Graterol is a reminder of just how deep Venezuela’s pipeline of pitching talent runs. He’s not a household name, but from his 2019 debut to becoming a high-leverage weapon in one of baseball’s most demanding bullpens, his evolution has been earned one quiet, dominant outing at a time.
