The Los Angeles Dodgers may have another future ace on their hands with southpaw Justin Wrobleski. Wrobleski is fully embracing (and excelling) in his full-time role as a Dodgers starter, and Dave Roberts is already starting to take notice of who he pitches and prepares like.
Wrobleski, a 25-year-old southpaw of Oklahoma State, has an ERA of 1.25 over 36 innings and five starts. That 1.25 earned run average mark is good for the best in the National League. Dave Roberts already sees similarities between Wrobleski and Dodgers’ franchise legend, Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw retired on top last season, but still remains a part of the Los Angeles organization.
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Dave Roberts Details Similarities Between Clayton Kershaw and Justin Wrobleski
GettyLos Angeles Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski carved up the New York Mets on Monday, and his key was attacking each hitter.
It’s very early in Wrobleski’s career to start being compared to the great Clayton Kershaw, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is a first-hand witness of how Wrobleski prepares and competes on the mound.
“He’s got a great mentor in Clayton,” Roberts said. “And I think a lot of times, he’s channeling [Kershaw’s mindset] of, ‘Go at guys and make them put the ball in play.’”
Justin Wrobleski had another stellar performance on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals by twirling six scoreless innings, issuing one walk and allowing six hits. That start on Sunday marked back-to-back performances for Wrobleski with six scoreless innings.
In 2025, Wrobleski was used primarily out of the bullpen, but with the injury to Blake Snell and the inconsistency from Emmet Sheehan, Wrobleski has seen some extended run as a starter this season. Last season for the Dodgers, Wrobleski posted a 4.32 ERA over 66 innings with 76 strikeouts. He showed a lot of swing and miss potential in his arsenal last year, which hasn’t translated over this season (just 15 strikeouts in 36 innings), but his effectiveness as a pitcher has taken a big leap in 2026.
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More on Justin Wrobleski/Clayton Kershaw Comparison
GettyJustin Wrobleski #70 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after getting the third out against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning in game six of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on October 31, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Manager Dave Roberts also had this to say when detailing Wrobleski’s pitching style as compared to Clayton Kershaw:
“He wears Skechers like Clayton does,” Roberts joked. “And he does his side work with his full jersey like Clayton did.”
Wrobleski was also asked by media about his thoughts on looking up to Kershaw in the early stages of his MLB career:
“Just watching him and his everyday [routine] was something special for me,” Wrobleski said. “Because not everybody gets the opportunity to be around these guys that are legends of the game.”
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