RADIO
Eduardo Rodriguez 2022 Player Outlook: Low Ceiling Caps Fantasy Value
3 years agoDetroit Tigers starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez signed a 5-year, $77 million deal this offseason, reflecting his misfortune in 2021. He ended with a 13-8 record, 4.74 ERA, and 1.39 WHIP across 157.2 innings, contrasting his 3.32 FIP and 3.50 xERA. The left-hander had some bad breaks, as batters posted an unsustainable .363 BABIP, and he stranded runners just 68.9% of the time. Rodriguez posted a solid 1.08 HR/9 and 27.4 K%, backed by an above-average 29.2 Chase% and 28.1 CSW%. He doesn't have the best stuff but gets weak contact — he was in the 87th percentile for HardHit% and 63rd percentile for Barrel%. His arsenal is led by a fastball and changeup that each generated at least a 28.9 Whiff%. There are some volume concerns as the 28-year-old has only surpassed 160 innings once in his career. Also, he won't be a big contributor in WHIP or ERA, even with the move to the A.L. Central, never posting an xERA below 3.50, and has never had elite control (career 7.8 BB%). His current ADP of 153 is a bit curious, as pitchers like Marcus Stroman and Sonny Gray can give similar value for a lesser cost.
