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Prospects On Deck: Orioles – Grayson Rodriguez – RHP

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In 2018, the Baltimore Orioles drafted Grayson Rodriguez in the 1st Round (11th Overall) of the June Draft.

Rodriquez, a native of Houston, Texas was drafted out of Central Heights, High School where he was a standout pitcher. In his senior year, he was 11-0, with a 0.19 ERA, striking out 156 batters through 76 innings. He was just as impressive the year prior, posting a 0.38 ERA, with 178 Ks, while finishing 14-1.

In his first professional season, Rodriguez appeared in nine games (eight starts) and struck out 20 batters in 19.1 innings on the mound, while posting a 1.40 ERA.

The Orioles moved him up to Full Season A ball in 2019, and in 20 starts, he was 10-4, with a 2.68 ERA, while striking out an impressive 129 batters through 94 innings, while opponents batted just .171 against him.

As he continued to move through the Orioles farm system, the 6’5″ 230 lb righthander continued to mow down the competition. In 2021, he pitched for both Class A Advanced and Double A, and combined he was 9-1, with a 2.36 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 103 innings, with opponents hitting just .159 against him.

In June of 2022, Rodriguez suffered a Grade 2 right lat strain and his season was halted after 11 starts. He was not expected to return until 2023, but he made his way back to the mound in September and finished the season starting in six games. He was impressive in his starts at Triple A, as he was 6-1, with a 2.20 ERA in 14 starts, and 97 strikeouts in 69.2 innings.

The MLB’s #7 on the Top 100 Prospects list, #2 overall on the Orioles Top 30 Prospects list and the #1 pitcher in the organization, really has nothing left to prove in the minors and 2023 should be the year that he makes his MLB debut.

The righty has been impressive enough in all of his starts in his minor league career that there doesn’t seem to be any doubt that he will be a successful major league pitcher. There never is a guaranteed with the prospects, but there always comes along a player that you just know is destined for greatness and Rodriguez fits the bill.

 

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