When legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito discovered and signed 16-year-old left-hander Julio Urias, he knew immediately that this kid was special. So special, in fact, that Brito proclaimed that Urias would be pitching in the big leagues by age 18.

“I think he’s ready to pitch [in the major leagues] right now,” said Brito on Friday night when the now 17-year-old Urias was presented with the Dodgers prestigious Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year award. “If they give him the ball right now he can get anybody out. I’ve been saying that the whole year.”

Legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito stands by his claim that Julio Urias will be pitching in the major leagues as an 18-year-old. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

It’s safe to say that Brito knows what he’s talking about when it comes to players that he has scouted and signed who went on to play in the major leagues, guys like Fernando Valenzuela, Ismael Valdez and some guy named Yasiel Puig.

“Thirty-five players I signed went on to play in the major leagues,” said Brito proudly. “Julio will be my thirty-sixth went he makes it and he’s ready right now. The only thing is they think he’s too young, they think he may not be ready because of his age. You saw him pitch? What do you think?”

After explaining to Brito that several of his teammates at Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga had said that Urias was MLB-ready right now, Brito became very passionate about the young Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico native.

“This guy has an above average fastball, an above average slider, an above average change-up and then he’s got control,” said Brito. “That’s very important. He’s not afraid to go to the hitters and he’s got command of his four pitches.”

As most Dodger fans know, Urias has been on a very strict innings limit for the past two seasons – a decision that was made by the Dodgers front office. But now that he has pitched at the Double-A level will he go longer next season?

“I’m going to work really hard this off-season to focus on being able to go six or seven innings,” said Urias through an interpreter. “I’m going to work hard this off-season to be able to do that.”

Eighteen-year-old Julio Urias believes that he will be ready to go six ot seven innings in his starts next season. Urias was presented with the prestigious Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year award prior to Friday night’s game at Dodger Stadium. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Does Brito agree with this?

“I don’t want to say something that will hurt anybody but I think they should have let him go further than one or two innings,” said Brito. “When he comes over here [to Dodger Stadium] he’s going to pitch at least six or seven innings. I make him think that, too. I make him think that he’s ready and he says ‘I’m ready, the only thing I need is give me the ball.'”

With the Dodgers having recently moved their Triple-A affiliate from mile-high Albuquerque to Oklahoma City for the 2015 season, Urias will, in all likelihood, begin next season at that level while still an 18-year-old. As such, it is still conceivable that the hard-throwing left-hander will fulfill Brito’s dream (and proclamation) of Urias pitching in the major leagues as an 18-year-old.

Having seen this extremely talented young man pitch, I certainly wouldn’t bet against him.