Consider by many national prospect ratings publications as the best pitcher in the minors, big right-hander Grayson Rodriguez comes in at number two.
Grayson Rodriguez
Throws: RHP
Age (as of Jun 30th) : 21
2021 Level: A+/AA
Pitches (current/future value)
Fastball: 65/70
Curveball: 45/50
Change: 55/60
Slider: 45/55
Command: 45/55
| Season | Team | Level | Age | H/9 | HR/9 | BB/9 | K/9 | K/BB | ERA | FIP | WHIP | AVG | BABIP | LD% | GB% | FB% |
| 2018 | BAL | R | 18 | 7.91 | 0 | 3.26 | 9.31 | 2.86 | 1.4 | 2.68 | 1.24 | .233 | .321 | 13.5% | 42.3% | 44.2% |
| 2019 | BAL | A | 19 | 5.46 | 0.38 | 3.45 | 12.35 | 3.58 | 2.68 | 2.64 | 0.99 | .170 | .262 | 15.4% | 43.8% | 40.8% |
| 2021 | BAL | A+ | 21 | 4.24 | 0.77 | 1.93 | 15.43 | 8 | 1.54 | 2.48 | 0.69 | .138 | .237 | 23.1% | 41.0% | 35.9% |
| 2021 | BAL | AA | 21 | 5.31 | 0.9 | 2.49 | 13.67 | 5.5 | 2.6 | 2.72 | 0.87 | .165 | .250 | 21.4% | 37.1% | 41.5% |
Most Likely Future Role: Number two or Three starter, occasional All-Star
Ceiling: Top of the rotation starter, All-Star
What we know: Big, sturdy right-hander developed into one of the best if not the best pitching prospect in the minors. Improved his velocity by sitting 95-97 on most days topping out as high as 101 MPH that he can work well in an round the zone but particularly effective up in the zone. All of his offspeed pitches can flash plus and can throw all for strikes, but his low 80’s split change is his most consistent offspeed pitch that gets swings and misses with good downward and arm side run. His mid-80s slider can get good lateral movement at times and will garner swings and misses. Once his main offspeed pitch, his curveball has become his 4th pitch and is nice change of pace with it’s mid 70s velocity and 12-6 break. Due to the quality of stuff and ability to throw all pitches in any count, he dominated batters holding them to a .159/.229/.288/.518 slash line, striking out 161 batters while walking just 27 in 103 IP.
Right now he has outstanding control of all four pitches, but is still working on commanding them. He can get barreled at times, particularly his fastball, when he leaves the ball in the middle of the plate.= and his LD rate is a bit high for a pitcher with his stuff.
A fun young man and good teammate, he turns serious on game days and is an extreme competitor that steps up in pressure situations. This was highlighted by his amazing 92.6% LOB% in Aberdeen this year.
What we don’t know: With the missed COVID season and resulting innings limit placed on all of the Orioles pitchers this year in the minor, it’s unknown how he can hold up to 150 or 200 innings in a season. Although he’s built like a starter, there were some games where his velocity and control tailed off a bit in the 5th inning so it’s unknown how he’ll hold up to 100 pitches or more. We also don’t know whether his control will be converted to command but if his improvements each season as an indication, we wouldn’t bet against him.
What we think: Rodriguez has all the makings of a top of the rotation starter but without information on how he can hold up to 100 pitches and 200 innings, right now his most likely role will be a #2 starter, but don’t bet against him becoming the first top of the rotation starter that the Orioles drafted and developed since Mike Mussina.