Prospect at a glance: Joely Rodriguez
The last of our posts on the four newest Phillies pitching prospects.
Over the last four days, we've taken a glance at what the Phillies acquired last month in the four starting pitcher prospects they added to their system though the trades of Jimmy Rollins, Marlon Byrd and Antonio Bastardo.
The three previous posts centered on righthanders Ben Lively, Zach Eflin and lefthander Tom Windle. Last up is lefthander Joely Rodriguez, whom the Phillies acquired for Bastardo in the Dec. 10 deal with the Pirates.
Joely Rodriguez
Age: 23
Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 200 pounds
Draft position: N/A (signed as a free agent by Pittsburgh)
As a prospect, Rodriguez isn't viewed in the same realm as the likes of Eflin, Windle and Lively, but his addition to the system gave the Phillies some organizational depth.
Expected to start the season in the triple A Lehigh Valley rotation, Rodriguez could put himself in position for a big-league call-up as early as this year if he pitches well and the opportunity presents itself. His "stuff" is regarded as pretty average, but he posted great stats in the Arizona Fall League and has also performed well in winter ball.
Though he's only 23, Rodriguez already has six professional seasons under his belt. The Pirates signed him as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic when he was just 17. Of his six pro seasons, he's yielded an ERA better than 4.20 only once, in 2013 when he was with single A West Virginia and high a Bradenton. A 2.70 ERA in 26 starts that year signified by far his best season.
In double A Altoona last season, he recorded more than twice as many hits allowed (151) as strikeouts (73) in 134 innings. Over 30 appearances (21 starts), he compiled a 4.84 ERA.
So while he impressed in the AFL, Rodriguez, who is on the Phils' 40-man roster, will need to show he can put up good numbers in the high minors. He'll have another opportunity to prove himself in Allentown.