9/10/11

The Keepers - #63 - P - Armondo Rodriguez

63. Armando Rodriguez – SP – 22/yrs.



Rodriguez was a much heralded international signee in 2007.


Rodriguez began his pro career in 2007, by impressing at the DSL Mets (2-2, 3.46 in 11 games, 2 starts). He also had 29 Ks in 26.0 IP. He returned to the DSL Mets for the 2008 season, going 4-4, 2.63, 0.97 in 15 games, 13 starts.


In 2009, Rodriguez spent time between Kingsport (3-1, 2.96, 9 starts, 36-K, 45.2-IP) and Savannah (2-1, 2.16, 3 starts, 1-CG, 24-K, 16.2-IP).


His combined 2009 stats were: 5-2, 2.74, 12 starts, 1-CG, 60-K, 29-BB, 62,1-IP.


1-1-10 Forecast: Like other players in the DSL or VSL system, there is very little press on them. Rodriquez is slowly moving up the chain without much fanfare. There is a good chance he will return to Savannah for the 2010 season, but I’m sure he’ll end the year in Florida, with St. Lucie. Keep an eye on him. One of many talented young relievers currently in the system.


8-1-10: - We first jumped on the A-Rod bandwagon when Omar Minaya told all of us in ST that he was “another Jenrry Mejia”. I made sure he was the first player I hunted out at the Savannah Sand Gnats press luncheon the day before the season started and I’ve been keeping an eye on him since. Last night, he did well again… 7.0-IP, 0-R, 4-H, 7-K, 1-BB… seasonall he’s: 21-G, 6-6, 113-1-IP, 3.18, 1.11, 102-K, 39-BB. He’sthis season at 22-years old and I expect him to anchor the St. Lucie rotation come next spring.


10-6-10: - 2011 Forecast: - this is the kid that Omar Minaya said would be the next Jenrry Mejia. The only problem with that is, currently, Rodriquez sits around 5-mph less than Jenrry. Still, the kid did a masterful job in 2010 and will pitch next spring as a 23-year old. I expect that to be St. Lucie, due to the log jam at Binghamton.


6-14-11: - Armondo got off to a slow start this season coming out of extended camp. A-Rod went 8-9, 3.08, 27-starts, 152-K, 146.0-IP last season for Savannah, and only had his fourth start last night for St. Lucie. He did well: 5.0-IP, 10-K, 1-BB. He’s sitting on a 2.65 ERA and we can expect him to stick around in the Lucy rotation this season.


6-20-11: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/6/20/2230852/minor-league-notes-june-20th-2011  - New York Mets pitching prospect Armando Rodriguez is off to a good start for High-A St. Lucie. Since being activated from extended spring training in late May, he's made four starts and pitched 17 innings, allowing five earned runs for a 2.65 ERA, with 16 hits allowed and a 21/6 K/BB ratio. 10 of those strikeouts were over five innings in his last start. The 23-year-old right-hander is one of the more interesting prospects in the Mets system. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2007, he had a fine year in 2010, posting a 152/46 K/BB in 146 innings for Low-A Savannah, with just 116 hits allowed. He entered '11 with 322 career strikeouts and just 225 hits allowed in 306 IP. Despite his excellent component ratios, scouts are lukewarm on him, pointing to mediocre right-handed velocity (87-90, hitting 92 on his best days) and a fringy slider and changeup. He does have a decent cutter, but his success is primarily reliant on sharp control and deceptive mechanics. Scouts admit this works in A-ball, but there is a lot of skepticism about how it will translate to higher levels. Rodriguez has definitely earned to chance to show us, however, and continued quality pitching at St. Lucie could/should result in a Double-A trial later this year.


7-13-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/765098-new-york-mets-dillon-gee-and-the-mets-top-10-young-pitching-prospects#/articles/765098-new-york-mets-dillon-gee-and-the-mets-top-10-young-pitching-prospects/page/2  Rodriguez is an interesting pitcher for the Mets to have their eyes on, because while he has done relatively poorly on most scouting reports he has also reeled in some very impressive statistics. Sometimes referred to as the best-kept secret in the Mets organization, last year Rodriguez’s 152 strikeouts led his Savannah squad. Generally, his other numbers (1.10 WHIP, 3.08 ERA) weren’t exactly shabby either. Rodriguez, who is now 23 years old, is 6’3”, weighs 250 pounds and comes from the Dominican Republic. He has broad shoulders and a strong build. On the mound, he generally works quickly and rarely gets rattled. He’s working on improving his slider, which has already paid off as one of his strikeout pitches.


8-14-11: - So much time is spent writing about the “big 4” (Harvey, Wheeler, Mejia, Familia) that people forget about the other very good developing starters in the organization. One is Rodriguez, who pitched big for St. Lucie on Sunday: 7.0-IP, 0-R7-K, 0-BB, 3-H, 3.75. The 23-year old isn’t overpowering and may be one of many pitchers (Gorski, Cuan, Peavey, Morris, Fulmer) that could be outstanding trade bait come 2013.

No comments: