Chris Rodriguez Could Be A Difference-Maker
4 years agoLos Angeles Angels rookie relief pitcher Chris Rodriguez has pitched in just three games for High-A Inland Empire in the last three seasons due to back problems, but he made the team's Opening Day roster despite the lack of experience, and has pitched twice this year in a long-man role. Manager Joe Maddon said that he thought Rodriguez could be "a difference-maker" before the season, and Rodriguez has struck out three in each of his two outings in 2021. The right-hander has also been hit hard, but he has a 96.8 mph sinker with movement, and he pairs it with an 85 mph curveball that is nasty. It seems unlikely that Rodriguez will be stretched out for multiple innings in the long term given his injury history, but the youngster is certainly a name worth watching in the Angels bullpen this year.
Source: MLB.com - Mike Petriello
Source: MLB.com - Mike Petriello