The international signing period opened up on July 2nd
like it does every single season, and much like every single season the New
York Yankees were linked to and have signed many of the top available
international free agents on the market including the focus of today’s post,
Osiel Rodriguez. Rodriguez was ranked as the 5th best IFA available
by Baseball America while MLB.com had Osiel ranked as the 9th best
prospect in the class, either way the Yankees have potentially a great new arm
to add to their farm system, so let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The
Osiel Rodriguez Edition.
Rodriguez is a 6’3”, 205 lb. 16-year old right-handed
starting pitcher out of Cuba that the New York Yankees have signed with the
start of the international signing period for the 2018-2019 season. Rodriguez
is a raw talent, obviously as most teenagers are, and may have to work on his
“unorthodox” and “violent” delivery, but if he can harness his potential and
drop his repertoire to about three or four pitches he could be an ace going
forward. Currently the right-hander possesses a fastball that can touch 97 MPH,
a plus slider, a curveball, changeup and splitter.
Here is what MLB.com had to say about Rodriguez:
The right-hander’s fastball has been clocked at 97 mph and
the pitch usually hovers in the low to mid-90s. There is some concern about a
drop in velocity at times, but evaluators attribute the decrease to normal
fatigue or being overworked on the showcase circuit. A strike-thrower,
Rodriguez has a good mound presence and demeanor. He changes his arm slot and
throws several different pitches at different angles, which has proven to be
both a blessing and a curse as far as scouts are concerned.
Rodriguez has signed with the Yankees for slightly above $1
million so let’s welcome him not only to the organization, but to the Yankees
family as well. I look forward to seeing you grow and prosper as a minor league
player with the Yankees. The Yankees just got the top pitcher in the
international market guys, get excited!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)