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Physical Description: Tall,
lean frame with long levers. Good athleticism. On the skinny
side and likely to never fill out considerably, but has gotten
stronger since he was drafted.
Mechanics:
Throws from a three-quarters arm slot. Rhythmic delivery with
some effort. Starts on the first base side of the rubber. Takes
a big step towards first base before a high leg kick. Coils
before coming forward. Arm swing behind; hides the ball. Uses
his height to get solid extension. Falls off hard to the first
base side. Quick arm.
Fastball: 94-97
mph. Tops out at 99. Added significant velocity in 2024, jumping
from the low-90s, touching 95, to the mid-90s topping out at 99.
Command and control need work, especially with his added
velocity. Pitch has below-average shape and has not shown the
ability to consistently miss bats, even with the additional
velocity. Potential above-average offering.
Slider: 85-88 mph. Short, 10-to-4 break. Lacks depth.
Inconsistent, but flashes potential and has developed into his
most-used secondary pitch. Will also very rarely show what looks
like a cut slider at 90-91 mph. Potential average offering.
Curveball: 80-83 mph. Long, 11-to-5 break.
Advanced feel. Pitch shows depth and tight rotation when at its
best. Used pitch less in 2024 as he emphasized his slider more.
Potential average offering. |
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Changeup: 88-91 mph. Firm with some drop. Will slow
arm on occasion, but consistency and quality have improved as he
has used it more. Potential fringe-average offering.
Career Notes: Young for his class, drafted as a
17-year-old. Was committed to Oregon prior to signing.
Participated in the Fall Performance Program in 2021. Missed
more than a month of the 2023 season with right elbow
inflammation.
Summation: Potential
up-and-down multi-inning reliever or emergency depth starter. Ceiling of a
back-end starting pitcher. Has a four-pitch mix, with three
showing average potential, but lacks a go-to out pitch or a
fastball that consistently misses bats. Questions about how
stuff will translate against better competition limit upside as
a starter. Stuff could play better in bullpen role, especially
with his increased velocity. Solid pitchability and does a good
job mixing his pitches.
Links
Red Sox select Elmer Rodriguez with fourth-round pick
(7.12.2021)
Notes from the Field: Luis Perales and Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz
(4.26.23)
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