Dreifort Gets High Marks

Pitcher Darren Dreifort is progressing during his second season in the Dodgers’ starting rotation, several player-personnel sources said recently when asked to evaluate the young right-hander.

Each said Dreifort’s understanding of how to pitch has improved, pointing to his more assertive presence on the mound. Dreifort, 27, has worked more efficiently compared to his first season in the rotation, appearing more comfortable mixing pitches and speeds.

Dreifort is 9-11 with a 5.43 earned-run average after his 6 1/3-inning outing Sunday in a 14-3 victory over the New York Mets. He has seven quality starts among 22 overall.

Last season, Dreifort went 8-12 with a 4.00 ERA. Scouts said many factors have contributed to Dreifort’s higher ERA this season, among them catcher Todd Hundley’s early season throwing problems

Dreifort was the starter most affected by Hundley’s ongoing rehabilitation from elbow surgery in 1997. Dreifort rushed his delivery to compensate for Hundley’s poor throwing, throwing off his timing in the process.

There has been speculation about the hard-throwing Dreifort moving back to the bullpen next season to be the primary setup man for closer Jeff Shaw, but several baseball sources said that scenario is highly unlikely for many reasons. Foremost among them is that Dreifort is determined to remain in the rotation, and management is aware of his position.

Dreifort will be eligible for free agency after the 2000 season, and the Dodgers risk losing him if they force this issue.

Manager Davey Johnson has considered the move, but he realizes that Dreifort possesses the ability to become one of the major leagues’ dominant starters. Dreifort’s fastball is consistently clocked in the high 90s [mph], and batters often describe his “stuff” as unhittable.

Command and consistency are Dreifort’s problems. However, that’s common with most young power pitchers learning on the job.

Moreover, team physicians have repeatedly advised decision makers that Dreifort should start because bullpen work would create more stress on his surgically repaired throwing elbow. Many teams tried to acquire Dreifort before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline and most were interested in him as a reliever.

But one player-personnel source from a National League club said that while teams expressed interest in Dreifort in that role, that wouldn’t preclude them from using him as a starter. If the Dodgers make Dreifort available, he will have the opportunity to start elsewhere.

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Rookie left-hander Jeff Kubenka is expected to be optioned to triple-A Albuquerque to make room for rookie right-hander Mike Judd on the 25-man roster. Judd is scheduled to start Thursday against the Expos.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (6-9, 5.78 ERA) vs. EXPOS’ DAN SMITH (3-6, 5.96 ERA)

Olympic Stadium, 4 PDT

TV--Fox Sports West 2.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--Park had one of his best outings of the season Friday during a 2-1 loss to the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. The right-hander gave up only four hits and two runs in seven strong innings, but he was outdueled by New York rookie right-hander Octavio Dotel.