Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia spoke about former Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw’s impact on him with AM 570’s David Vassegh.
Vesia has spent six of his seven MLB seasons with the Dodgers, and played with Kershaw during his final five seasons in Los Angeles. Kershaw played all 18 of his MLB seasons with the Dodgers, and served as an important locker room presence and crucial player throughout his MLB career.
“His guidance, his veteran presence day in, day out is definitely why I do certain things the way I do them,” Vesia said. “We’ve had multiple conversations with having bad outings, having adversity, holding yourself accountable and to standard. Without Kersh I definitely would not be in the position that I am. He’s been a great mentor for me.”
If there’s one person from the last several years to learn from on the Dodgers, it would be Kershaw, especially for a young pitcher. Vesia came to the Dodgers ahead of the 2021 season, and got to see first-hand what Kershaw could do on the mound.
He had a 3.55 ERA that season, and posted a sub-4.00 ERA in every season but one afterwards. He had a career 2.53 ERA and comfortably reached the 3,000 strikeouts mark during his career. A three-time Cy Young award and World Series winner, Kershaw earned 11 All-Star selections in his career and is one of just three pitchers (including Shohei Ohtani) to have won an MVP since 2000.
Vesia, a left-hander just like Kershaw, has clearly taken after him despite being in a relief role.
How Has Alex Vesia Pitched for the Dodgers?
Through his six seasons with the Dodgers, Vesia has made 310 performances and been an incredibly reliable arm in the bullpen.
He has a 2.61 ERA as a Dodger, and is enjoying one of his most successful years to date in 2026. He has a 1.42 ERA through 15 appearances this season, leading all Dodgers with more than five appearances other than Kyle Hurt.
He led the team with 67 appearances in 2024, posting a 1.76 ERA, and finished second in appearances behind only Anthony Banda in 2025. The left-hander is an extremely important piece in the Dodgers’ bullpen, and will certainly be a huge part of the remainder of the season as the Dodgers chase the first three-peat in franchise history.
Where Does Alex Vesia rank among your favorite current Dodgers?
