The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Matt Sauer on a minor league contract, according to a report by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. The agreement comes with an invitation for Sauer to join the Dodgers’ major league Spring Training camp in 2025, providing the young pitcher with an opportunity to prove himself and compete for a spot within the organization’s system.
Sauer’s road to the Dodgers has been anything but linear, marked by both promising performances and struggles as he has attempted to establish himself in Major League Baseball (MLB). Most recently, Sauer made his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals in the 2024 season. The Royals had acquired Sauer during the Rule 5 Draft in December 2023, but his time with the team proved short-lived. After struggling to find consistency on the mound, the Royals designated him for assignment in May, cutting short his initial stint in the majors.
During his brief time with Kansas City, Sauer pitched exclusively in relief, logging a total of 14 appearances. Unfortunately, his statistics reflected the challenges he faced at the highest level of competition. Sauer posted a disappointing 7.71 earned run average (ERA) and a 2.082 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP). His struggles were further compounded by a low strikeout rate of 5.0 strikeouts per nine innings and a -0.2 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), signaling that he was unable to provide significant value during his time with the Royals.
Following his designation for assignment, Sauer was returned to his original organization, the New York Yankees, as is customary for players selected in the Rule 5 Draft who fail to stick on the acquiring team’s 40-man roster. Sauer had spent the first seven seasons of his professional career in the Yankees’ minor league system, where he showed flashes of potential but ultimately faced hurdles that delayed his progress.
Sauer’s career began with significant promise. He was selected by the Yankees in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft, a sign of the high expectations the organization had for him coming out of high school. At the time, Sauer possessed a strong fastball and a developing secondary pitch arsenal, which made him one of the Yankees’ most intriguing young arms. In both 2018 and 2019, Sauer was ranked among the Yankees’ top-20 prospects, reflecting his early potential and status within the farm system.
However, his momentum took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 minor league season was canceled entirely, disrupting player development across the sport. For Sauer, the year-long pause halted his progression at a critical juncture, and he struggled to regain his footing once play resumed. As a result, his stock within the Yankees’ organization began to slip, and he found himself overshadowed by a new wave of pitching prospects.
For much of his career, Sauer was utilized as a starting pitcher. He spent years honing his craft in various levels of the Yankees’ system, from Low-A all the way through Double-A. Across those years, he produced relatively steady results, though his performance rarely matched the level of dominance needed to warrant a quick ascent through the minors. Between Low-A, Single-A, High-A, and Double-A, Sauer compiled a career ERA of 4.08 with a WHIP of 1.204. These numbers demonstrated his ability to hold his own against minor league hitters but fell short of elite territory.
It wasn’t until the latter part of the 2023 season that the Yankees made a significant change in Sauer’s role, transitioning him from the starting rotation to the bullpen. The move came as part of his assignment to the Arizona Fall League, a developmental league where organizations often test out new roles for prospects and fine-tune their skills. For Sauer, the shift to a relief role appeared to unlock a new level of effectiveness, particularly in short stints where he could focus on using his best pitches.
In 2024, Sauer continued to thrive as a reliever at Double-A Somerset, the Yankees’ affiliate. He delivered an impressive performance, going 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 17 games. His ability to limit runs and contribute in key situations gave the Yankees reason for optimism that he might be able to build a future in the bullpen.
Unfortunately, Sauer’s success at Double-A did not translate when he moved up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre later that season. In 10 appearances at the higher level, Sauer struggled mightily, finishing with a 1-2 record and a 16.20 ERA. The jump from Double-A to Triple-A is widely regarded as one of the most challenging steps in a minor league player’s development, as the level of competition increases significantly. For Sauer, it became clear that he still had work to do in order to refine his approach and find consistency against more advanced hitters.
Despite his struggles at the upper levels of the minors, Sauer’s career remains far from over. At just 25 years old, he still has time to make adjustments and continue his development. His combination of size, athleticism, and raw stuff—including a solid fastball—makes him an intriguing project for the Dodgers’ player development staff. The Dodgers have a strong track record of helping pitchers tap into their full potential, often taking overlooked or struggling arms and turning them into valuable contributors at the major league level.
By signing Sauer to a minor league deal and extending him an invitation to Spring Training in 2025, the Dodgers are taking a low-risk chance on a pitcher with untapped upside. For Sauer, the opportunity represents a fresh start in a new organization, one that has become known for its success in maximizing player performance. The invitation to Spring Training will give him the chance to showcase his abilities in front of the Dodgers’ coaching staff and potentially earn a spot in the team’s bullpen plans for the future.
While Sauer’s immediate role within the Dodgers’ system remains unclear, he is likely to begin the 2025 season in the minor leagues, where he can continue to work on his consistency and refine his approach. If he is able to recapture the form he displayed in Double-A during the 2024 season, he could position himself as a potential depth option for the Dodgers’ bullpen later in the year.
At a minimum, Sauer provides organizational depth for a Dodgers team that has consistently prioritized building a strong and versatile pitching staff. Injuries and performance variability are common over the course of a long MLB season, and having reliable options in the minor leagues can make a significant difference for a team with championship aspirations. Sauer’s experience as both a starter and reliever adds to his versatility, giving the Dodgers flexibility in how they might utilize him moving forward.
For Sauer, the road ahead will require determination and hard work as he looks to prove that he can succeed at the highest levels of professional baseball. His journey so far has been marked by both promise and adversity, but the opportunity with the Dodgers offers a new chapter in his career. With the right adjustments and continued development, Sauer has a chance to carve out a role for himself and contribute to a winning organization.
The signing also reflects the Dodgers’ ongoing commitment to finding value in under-the-radar acquisitions. While Sauer’s struggles in 2024 may have led some to question his long-term potential, the Dodgers’ decision to bring him into their system suggests they see something worth developing. Their player development staff has a proven ability to identify and refine talent, and Sauer will now have access to the resources and expertise that have helped countless pitchers reach new heights.
Ultimately, the success of the signing will depend on Sauer’s ability to make adjustments and capitalize on the opportunity in front of him. For now, the deal represents a win-win for both sides: the Dodgers gain a young pitcher with untapped potential, while Sauer gets a fresh start with an organization known for its success in developing pitching talent. As he prepares for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on Sauer to see if he can turn his potential into results and take the next step in his career.
