The Brewers Are Reportedly Promoting Top Prospect Carlos F Rodriguez

[Jake McKibbin]

The Brewers have yet another pitcher ready to start next week, but who is Carlos F Rodriguez, and is he another gem uncovered by the Brewers pitching lab?

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos F Rodriguez (not to be confused with outfielder Carlos D Rodriguez) had a slow start to 2024 but really began to heat up in May. Plagued by wayward command, he has found the strike zone considerably more often of late, and it led to his pitcher of the month award, with Rodriguez's last out featuring 76 pitches over 5 1/3 innings of one-hit ball (hitless through his first five innings).

Rodriguez was acquired in round six of the 2022 draft from Florida Southwestern and has gone from strength to strength in the Brewers system. His command has sometimes been a struggle, especially with the tacky ball in the southern league last season. However, he's managed to develop it at every level to the point where his raw stuff can play up.

His arsenal isn't highlighted by many lights-out pitches, but it is incredibly deep, as some would say, with a "kitchen sink" approach. He has a four-seamer, sinker, cutter, slider, changeup, and a curveball, each of which has been thrown over 100 times this season in the minors. The variety of pitches should stand him in good stead in helping him keep hitters honest and produce weaker contact.

The command will be key to his performance in the majors, and it hasn't totally gone away, but he does have some improved/elite pitches to fall back on. He's added velocity and rise to his four-seam fastball while his changeup is up there with the best of its kind in the minor leagues in both movement and command.

Rodriguez is a durable, effective starting pitcher. If he can hover around the strike zone, especially without the ABS challenge system in Triple-A, His expected slash line in May was .184/.251/.332 with a 28% strikeout rate and just a 5.9% walk rate, which should give him a ton of confidence coming to the big leagues.

What do you think of Carlos F Rodriguez? Is he ready for the jump? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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[SF70]

Been looking forward to his debut since I watched his dazzling performance in the WBC.

I love players that when the spotlight is brightest they rise to the occasion, and CRod is that type of pitcher, imo. 

[Trax]

Like it.  He and Gasser young arms that are projectable as long term starters.  I hope the Brewers stay this course as our pitching gets healthier rather than flame out top prospects for rentals....