Grayson Rodriguez, labeled as the second-best prospect in the Baltimore Orioles organization and seventh in the minor leagues, has been sent down to triple-a after a semi-rough spring training. The Orioles came out and said that they want him to be a part of their opening-day roster with his ability to miss bats, but things have obviously changed.
A Texas Kid
Grayson Rodriguez was selected 11th overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2018 MLB Draft, at six foot five with pure command and control of the zone. From day one, he was viewed as a steal of the draft, posting a 1.40 ERA (earned run average) in 2018 and a 2.68 ERA in 2019 with more games started and played than his rookie ball year. He has not slowed down either from 2020-2022, hovering around an under-three ERA, and with an impressive 2.20 ERA in triple-a ball with the Norfolk Tides. He has 13 strikeouts per nine innings and allows a batting average of .173.
This isn’t Norfolk
There’s a difference though once you get to the big leagues, and during the spring Grayson might have struggled early. After his four-and-a-third innings pitched, giving up one run outing, he followed that up with 14 runs which 11 were earned runs over 10 and two-thirds innings pitched. That was the deal breaker. General manager of the Orioles, Mike Elias, said it was hard to give Rodriguez the news, but we felt there were five guys that were more deserving of that spot. He also said they were hoping he would show a better version of himself than what he actually did, but we know what he is capable of and he’s going to show it again really quickly. Just remember Dean Kremer struggled in his first turnaround in the big leagues and so did DL Hall, so don’t be surprised if Rodriguez turns it around and we look up and he’s excelling as the Orioles’ number two starter in May or June.
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