The Marlins have signed right-handed reliever Henry Rodriguez to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite, the club announced via Twitter. Soon to turn 26, the fireballing Rodriguez is represented by the Legacy Agency.
Rodriguez threw 22 innings last year for the Nationals and Cubs, ultimately posting a seemingly serviceable 4.09 ERA. But a look behind the results show why the Nats finally cut ties with the talented hurler: Rodriguez maintained an abysmal K:BB ratio, with 4.9 K/9 against a troubling 8.2 BB/9.
Of course, Rodriguez has maintained much higher strikeout rates over his career, and still brings unbelievable stuff to the table. With a three-digit heater, devastating breaking ball, and even a changeup that former skipper Jim Riggleman compared to Stephen Strasburg's, Rodriguez has upside in spades. But he has had ample opportunity to hold onto a permanent MLB role before (148 2/3 career innings pitched), and has never yet managed to throw strikes on a consistent basis.
