Christian
Rodriguez

SoCal ProCase: SPOTLIGHT

Rodriguez has a long, skinny frame with an easy delivery, pitching from a high slot. He was up to 92 early, sitting mostly 88-90 with some arm-side sink. His curveball rolls with big 11/5 break at 69-74. He also showed good feel for a changeup that had arm-side sink, but also cut at times. It was 77-80.

2020 RHP Christian Rodriguez  showed why he’s the  #7 ranked player in the State for the 2020 class. The 6-foot-6 righty has a repeatable high three-quarters arm slot. Arm is quick and loose, but can get lengthy at times with his long levers. Demonstrates a slow controlled delivery with consistent tempo. Currently body is not made for big workloads, as there is significant room for physical projection here.  Shows the ability to command three pitches. In this viewing fastball was sitting 86-88, peaking at 89, mixing in a cutter between 84-86. Curveball has 11-5 action at 70-73, and flashed a fading changeup at 78-80. Rodriguez impresses every viewing and continues to improve. There is a plan in place for this recruit with plenty left in the tank. With overall improvement in command and committing to his strength overall, he exhibits the future arsenal is a top-of-the-rotation quality arm for many Division I programs.

Uncommitted. Rodriguez creates a great downhill plane and has a live arm that shows more velocity increase in the future. His fastball on the evening sat 90-92 mph, touching 93 a few times. He’s got some movement on his fastball as well. His strikeout pitch was curveball which he threw between 71-74 mph. His curveball has 11/5 shape to it and he has the ability to throw it either sides of the plate. Rodriguez also flashed a changeup (78-80) which he mixed in to keep hitters off balance. Up until the fifth, Rodriguez showed fantastic command off all 4 pitches and racked up many strikeouts. Rodriguez is one of the top arms in the 2020 class and as he gets stronger, he will only get better.

One of the top uncommitted 2020 pitchers in the state showed why he's so highly regarded giving up no runs over 4.2 innings and pitching out of trouble in the 3rd and 4th innings. Rodriguez has an XL frame that is long, lean and very projectable. His delivery is smooth and repeatable keeping a compact arm with small wrap in the back before a 3/4 release. The arm has effortless velocity and projects to continue to gain as he adds weight and physically matures. The FB was 87-89 T90 MPH with extra life at the plate, jumping on hitters and rarely being straight. He showed excellent angle, especially to the glove-side with small cut and run off the barrel. The CB was a future plus pitch working 73-75 MPH with depth and bite in 12/6-to-12/5 shape. Rodriguez showed feel for the pitch being able to go to it in any count and throwing to both sides of the plate creating swing and misses. His CHG was 80-81 MPH showing arm side sink, being able to pull the string and throw it in any count including when behind. He mainly used the FB/CB, but when he went to the CHG it was effective and has the potential to be an above average 3rd pitch. I was most impressed with Rodriguez's ability to get big outs in tough situations like the 3rd/4th innings when he got out of bases loaded jams remaining calm and composed. Don't expect Rodriguez to be uncommitted for long as he's got a chance to be a special pitcher.

6-foot-6, 185 pounds, long and lanky, athletic build, broad shoulders and long forearms, lots of room for growth. Stands tall and confident on the mound with plus balance, releasing from a high three-quarters arm slot. Drop and drive mechanics with good hip drive and extension towards home plate. Lead leg shows swinging door action, which could hinder command and repeatability. Fantastic loose and easy arm action that will surely lead to a velocity spike. Fastball worked comfortably at 90-93 mph with good downward plan and plus spin rate showing minimal movement. Showed the breaking ball in a 71-74 mph range with sharp 11/5 break. Change-up worked in the 79-81 mph range with plus arm-side movement and fade. Extremely projectable pitcher with solid mechanics and feel for pitching. Could see his name called early in the 2020 draft.

Miami commit. Large, lanky 6-foot-7, 190-pound frame that has plenty of room to grow and develop. Obviously with his height, he has an imposing presence on the mound. Over the top, easy delivery that is repeatable. Mechanically sound for how tall he is, which is uncommon for young pitchers this long. He is agile off the mound and can field his position well.  Rodriquez is a natural strike thrower with a 3 pitch mix and the ability to reach back and dial up the FB when he needs to. He worked 3 innings in relief of the 2nd game of the double header with 4 hits, 2 runs, and 1 strike out.