MACK - Let's Get To Know - RHRP - AJ Krodel

 

MACK - Let's Get To Know - RHRP - AJ Krodel

AJ (Andrew James) Krodel is a right-handed pitcher selected by the New York Mets in the 12th round (overall pick No. 360) of the 2026 MLB Draft out of UC Santa Barbara.

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Background and college career

• Born May 11, 2005, in Villa Park, California (age 21 as of mid-2026).
• Height/weight: 6'4", 200 pounds; bats/throws right/right.
• High school: Villa Park HS (lettered three years). Combined .288/.356/.352 as a hitter and a 3.70 ERA in 98.1 innings as a pitcher; went undrafted in 2023 and headed to UCSB.
• College (UCSB Gauchos): Primarily a reliever. Career stats across three seasons roughly 6-4 with a mid-6 ERA in ~66 innings, 83 strikeouts, and elevated walk rates. In 2026 (junior year): 25 appearances, 3-2 record, 4 saves, 5.66 ERA in 35 innings, 42 hits, 17 walks, 42 strikeouts. He had stronger summer-ball results (e.g., 1.74 ERA in 31 innings as a starter for the Santa Barbara Foresters in the California Collegiate League in 2025).
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He signed with the Mets and was assigned to the FCL Mets (Florida Complex League affiliate). 

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Pitching repertoire and profileKrodel throws from a high three-quarters arm slot with a long arm action and above-average/elite extension off the mound. He features a four-pitch mix (unusual emphasis for a primarily bullpen arm) and has been noted for movement and spin traits more than pure velocity:

• Fastball (primarily two-seam): Low-90s (often 91-93, rarely higher). Below-average velocity and spin rates, but strong induced vertical break and seam-shifted wake effects create late arm-side run/dive and a “resists gravity” look. Effective shape despite the velo.
• Circle changeup: Low-to-mid 80s; frequently cited as his best secondary. Extreme arm-side fade; effective against both lefties and righties and a strikeout weapon (noted as generating multiple Ks in outings).
• Slider (sweeper): High-70s to low-80s. Shows promise with big sweep/movement; still relatively raw in terms of sharpness and consistency.
• Curveball: Mid-to-high 70s. Shows some promise but remains raw, relying more on overall movement than sharp break.

Scouting notes highlight strong release traits, ability to spin the ball (especially the sweeper), and “enticing raw ingredients with room to improve.” He has been described as an interesting relief arm who can adjust mound position based on the hitter. Command has been a consistent issue (career college walk rate around 12%), leading to hittable pitches when he tries to force strikes, higher fly-ball rates, and elevated BABIP/home-run rates in college. Strikeout rate was solid (~27% career at UCSB).

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Overall projection centers on further velocity gains, refining command and secondary sharpness, and leveraging the unique fastball shape + changeup + extension for professional success, likely in a bullpen role. He was viewed as a developmental arm with upside rather than a polished high-round talent.