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Physical Description:
Athletic, lean body. Limited physical projection.
Filled-out frame.
Mechanics:
Stands middle of the
rubber. Hands set just above the belt. High leg drive up to elbow
generating power. Slight knee bend on posting leg over the rubber. Will
often drift toward home early. Three-quarters arm slot. Long arm action in
back. Easy, loose arm. Plus arm speed. Smooth delivery. Stays on-line
towards the plate. Gets himself in good fielding position.
Fastball:
92-94 mph. Has touched 97 mph. Plus fastball.
Average command and control. Uses both side of the plate effectively.
Fastball can be fairly straight and lack movement, but shows occasional
arm-side tail.
Changeup: 86-88 mph. Future plus
potential. Hard, sinking fade away from left-handed hitters. Willingness
to throw in any count and to both sides of the plate. Throws most
comfortably in the upper velocity range where he gets his best movement on
the pitch. Orioles organization reportedly tried to get him to throw the
pitch in the low 80s, but after trade began throwing it harder, which is
more comfortable for him. Sells pitch well without slowing arm speed.
Slider:
82-85 mph. Solid-average potential. Ability
to throw for strikes to both sides of the plate. Two-plane movement. Lacks
consistency and bite.
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Career
Notes:
Suffered a
knee injury early in 2014, which affected him during the first half of the
season. Had right knee surgery in the Fall of 2017, which led him to miss
the first couple weeks of the 2018 season. World Series champion in
2018. Missed the entire 2020 season
due to myocarditis developed after contracting COVID-19. Entered 2021
season on the IL after a bout of dead arm late in camp, but only
missed one start. Declined a qualifying offer upon becoming a
free agent after the 2021 season and signed a five-year contract
with Detroit.
Summation:
Ceiling of a quality number
three starter. Pitch mix featuring three average-to-above-average pitches. Pitches with
confidence and poise. Working hard to improve. Works in and out and stays
around the plate. Improving slider and consistency with the pitch will be
key to future success.
Links
ESPNBoston: Rodriguez projects as back... (7.31.14)
2014 Top 40 Season in Review
The Write-Up: Eduardo Rodriguez (5.5.15)
2015 Graduates in Review
The Write-Up: Eduardo Rodriguez (5.22.16)
The Write-Up: Rodriguez's mechanical adjustment (5.31.16) |
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