Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez isn’t going to be on the club’s Opening Day roster, reports Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Rodriguez will start the season in Triple-A instead.
Rodriguez, 23, is a former first round draft pick, having been selected by the Orioles 11th overall in 2018. As he’s moved up the minor league ladder, he’s also climbed prospect lists. Baseball America has considered him one of the ten best prospects in the league, regardless of position, in each of the past two years.
He seemed on track to make his MLB debut last year, as he began the season in Triple-A. However, he suffered a lat strain in June that kept him out of action until September. He still finished the season with a strong 2.62 ERA over 75 2/3 innings, striking out an incredible 36.6% of batters faced.
He was added to the club’s 40-man roster in November to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft and the club seemed to be quite open to Rodriguez making his debut at the start of the 2023 season, with general manager Mike Elias stating as much in January. However, the youngster hasn’t exactly forced the club’s hand here in spring, as he’s posted a 7.04 ERA in five starts, allowing 17 hits and seven walks in 15 1/3 innings. He did strike out 19 batters in that time, but it seems his overall performance wasn’t enough to nab him a spot on the roster out of the gate.
Since Rodriguez is on the 40-man roster, he could very easily be recalled to join the big league club early in the campaign, especially if an injury creates a need. Teams never go through an entire season using just five pitchers and Rodriguez will likely get a shot to make his debut at some point. How much time he eventually spends in the minors could have service time implications, as it could prevent him from earning a full year. A baseball season is typically 186 days but a player needs to spend only 172 of them in the bigs to earn a full “year” of service. Even if they come up short of that, they can get bumped up to the one-year mark if they meet certain conditions. Any player with less than 60 days of MLB service coming into the season who placed on at least two preseason Top 100 prospect lists at Baseball America, ESPN or MLB Pipeline now receives a full year of service time if they finish in the top two in Rookie of the Year balloting, per the latest collective bargaining agreement. This already happened last year, with Adley Rutschman being awarded a full year despite missing the first few weeks of the season. Rodriguez is on all three of those aforementioned prospect lists and could potentially follow the same path as Rutschman.
For the Orioles, their rotation without Rodriguez figures to consist of Kyle Gibson, Cole Irvin, Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells. Rodriguez will be in Norfolk, looking to be the next man up, though he’ll be competing with DL Hall, who was recently optioned and will be building up to a starter’s workload.
not too surprised, they expected him to stake a claim to a spot and he is obviously the future but at present they might have better options. might as well see what they have
Better options? Like Kyle Bradish?
Bradish underrated.
Bradish had a 3.26 from August on
Of course the Orioles Not Planning To Carry Grayson Rodriguez On Opening Day, dude weighs 230 lbs.
Your point being…
weight alone says nothing regarding one’s fat content… people who actually have muscle know this already though.
He’s not fat. Idiotic comment by someone who is unfamiliar with the player.
Extremely underrated organization.
I assume this is just a formality since he is the 5th starter and they can avoid using a 5th starter the first couple times through the rotation. Keep his innings down, and bring him up the 3rd time through.
I believe this hurts his chances of getting ROY benefits for the team, but they’ll probably save a year of control by doing this too.
I think you’re right. And he’ll likely get a AAA start or two to stay loose rather than sitting on the MLB bench.
You are correct, the O’s will not need #5 starter until Wednesday 4/5 assuming Gibson starts 4/30 and then again 4/4 on regular rest. GRod could start 3/31 for Norfolk and then for the O’s on 4/5. I am thinking Wells will be the #5 starter for a while though while GRod gets his groove back at Norfolk.
The Orioles play Thursday, take Friday off, and then play 6 games in 6 days. Then they play 9 games in 9 days before their next day off. From what Elias said, they need all hands on deck for that stretch.
It seems more like the Orioles don’t like what they have seen from Grayson in camp and are sending him down to work on whatever that problem. That problem is control, after he walked 7 in 15 innings.
On that case I’m wrong. Hope he’s up soon.
He’s not presently projected as the 5th sp though. On paper it’s Gibson, Kremer, Irvin, Bradish, Wells. As far as ROY , they know they’re going to limit his IP such that it is highly unlikely he’ll be competitive for the award versus other top contenders – like his own teammate Gunnar. So that’s likely not a factor. And with their wanting to limit his innings they can keep him to 4-5 down in the minors and eventually a spot will open up from injury/poor performance. Anddddd this allows them to manipulate his service clock.
It’s not fun for fans but he’ll be up here soon enough and it’s the most prudent decision for the franchise.
It seems the writer’s – who shouldn’t vote for any award – look at hr’s and rbi first. A pitcher has to have a pretty sensational year to be chosen. By the way, does anyone remember the last time a pitcher was roy?
Devin Williams in 2020. Ohtani in 2018, but he is a special case. Then before that, 2 straight years in the NL with deGrom and Fernandez in 2014 and 2013 respectively. Pretty sure both league’s ROY were pitchers in 2011. I know Kimbrel won that year and I think Hellickson did too, but I could be wrong about that.
Almost forgot Fulmer. In 2016?
“Writers” and “RBIs,” in English.
the agony of waiting
Typical.
This feels like a correct, forward-thinking move. Too many teams are unnecessarily promoting guys that aren’t quite ready, which winds up trading service time for development time.
I’m sorry but nothing about his spring performance warrants him a position on a big league roster.
You could say that about several of their projected starters.
That’s false. Wells had two bad outings, Bradish had one. Gibson had one. Irvin had none. Kremer didn’t have a bad outing until today. So, out of the five projected starters, not a single one pitched anywhere as poorly as GrayRod did.
Yes. Makes sense to send him down. But hope he gets back soon. IMO, Orioles are a year or 2 away from relevancy. This is the year to get him and Hall MLB reps. IE less about pitching to win, more about getting confidence with your stuff at show level.
Of course they did. he will be up in a couple weeks when it won’t count as a year of service time.
The objective of a bb team is winning, not to worry about service time.
The objective of a bb team is winning, not to worry about service time.
======================
But does that argue in favor of having him for 6 years, or 6.5 years?
G-Rod could’ve pitched his way onto the roster. He didn’t. Why burn up service time for a guy who didn’t look sharp just yet?
Let him tear up Norfolk a couple times and give him the call. He will be up if he does.
Correct but I really believe it has literally nothing to do with service time. Elias wanted him to make the team. I watched Grod twice this spring in person. He simply did not earn the spot and people need to stop putting top draft picks on pedestals.
Gaming service time helps winning long-term.
He needs some work
They don’t want to start the clock. Manipulation at it’s very best.
Considering he stunk is Spring Training, not sure why you would want him in the MLB rotation to start the season? Maybe you are new to this.
It’s not manipulation. The O’s would have loved GR to pitch great in Spring and be part of the rotation. The guy needs work. I’d rather see him get his confidence back at AAA than get his head bashed in trying to figure it out at the MLB level. Smart move. This one has NOTHING to do with manipulating the clock on his years.
He finished last MiLB season injured and hasn’t looked very good in ST. This is not the Kris Bryant scenario – not even close. Sorry you drafted him too early in fantasy and have no NA spots in your league. Draft better.
By all means, tell us you didn’t watch Rodriguez throughout spring training without actually saying you didn’t see him this spring.
misterb, who are you responding to? smac, harv, or rundmc?
Rodriguez has looked terrible in his last 3 starts in spring training. That last one on the 23rd sealed the deal. 4 IP, 5 ER, a HBP and a 3-run home run to straightaway CF that would still be rolling down the streets of Sarasota if not for the batter’s eye. All 5 runs in a brutal 3rd inning.
Rodriguez needs some consistent good starts in AAA. It may be only 2-3 starts, but most likely he will be called up in mid-June unless there is an injury.
Lol Elias the worst
Yep! The #1 rated farm system in baseball suggests he’s the worst!
Elias now needs to shift focus. He’s invested overwhelmingly in position players and tried to fill out the rotation with surplus value types. The Orioles are currently sorting through a group with underwhelming performances this spring for the 4 and 5 slots. That wasn’t the expectation when they brought 12 potential starters to camp.
dankyank;
The O’s are a developmental organization. Most small market teams have to be. Last year they brought along a number of pitchers at the ML level. I expect they’ll do the same this year.
Smartest GM in baseball. Also new to this whole baseball thing David???
This is not service time manipulation. Rodriguez struggled mightily this spring training to the tune of a 7.04 ERA. The 4 and 5 slots in Baltimore’s rotation are looking dicey and will be piecemealed, at least initially. If no one steps up they will find themselves relying on Wells and even Watkins far more than planned. Surely Baltimore envisioned finding 5 clear starters when they brought 12 into camp so the current strategy of waiting – for Hall and Rodriguez in Triple A, for Means’ post all star break return, has to be a disappointment.
dankyank;
Early every year this happens. Why people read so much into this early each season is silly – unless this is the first season they’ve followed MLB.
MLB is not Rotisserie League. The playing conditions are not ideal every day of the season. With April game postponements the #4 and 5 starting pitchers often get passed over as the rotation resets.
Cleveland, Tampa Bay and a few others do the same thing with young players at different times of the season – send them to AAA to get their pitching or batting reps rather than have them sitting on a ML bench.
Do pastrami and corned beef taste about the same?
Don’t know. I’m vegan.
No, they taste much different.
Thank you for including Rookie potential outcomes.
Rodriguez will be up sooner or later unless he reeks as much in AAA as he did in spring training. The Orioles don’t seem sure that he’s completely healthy, either. Rushing him into the rotation does look a little risky at this point. So it’s a defensible decision to let him try to sort it out in the minors and then call him up if things go well.
It’s going to be a very tough division again this year and MLB teams don’t normally just go out with an all prospect team and hope for the best. Teams try to supplement with known or quasi-known performers. No reason to try and force guys who aren’t proving their absolutely ready.
When the Orioles don’t win 90 games and contend as some expect, this is a major factor why. You can’t be taken seriously as playoff competition long term with a patchwork rotation. “Competition” for rotation spots when spun by the Orioles is having more bodies than slots but not taking into account quality. Losses in April count just as much as losses in September. This is a team comprised of #3-#5 starters that has to depend on bullpen, an offense which is young and was below average overall last year, and luck.
Rodriguez will be up after his service time for an extra year is safe.
THORTON,as a yankees fan myself, i disagree with you. the yanks are are going ito the season with a patchwork rotatation as well.3 of our starters on the il.i watched the orioles a few games this year and the could go toe to toe with any team.i still believe yanks will win the division.i also wouldnt be suprised if baltimore wins 90 + games.they have a ton of depth to win alot of games.
It’s worth remembering that he has only had 14 starts in his AAA career in which he averaged less than five innings per start. It’s not the worst thing to give him a little more seasoning against borderline MLB talent, especially in a year where they are going to need just about everything go right to even contend for a wild card spot.
Rodriguez pitched himself out of a spot. A few starts at AAA and assuming a better outcome, should be up in mid/late April. Tyler Wells probably gets his spot in the meantime
Rsox – I think he only needs 16 days in the minors to push his clock back a year. Certainly if he pitches decently in 1 or 2 starts in AAA through about April 20 he’s coming back up, ready or not.
Thornton Mellon;
This young man hasn’t pitched an inning in the major leagues.
Why are you and others so obsessed about what his status will be in 5 years?
Sam – it is not me, it is the Orioles’ pattern of game playing… looking to save $ 5 years from now. If he actually is what the Orioles say he is (and we’ve heard this “promise” before, from guys like Bell to Cabrera to Matusz to Hunter Harvey) then they get a cheap season of peak performance out of him in 2028.
In this case the Orioles can say he needs to right himself early in the year and point at a couple bad starts in ST to explain their way out of this service time manipulation. But with Matt Wieters, for example…he could have come up after the ASB in 2008, he was ready. Instead, he sat in the minors. He could have broken camp with the team in 2009 but he didn’t. He hit the cover off the ball in Norfolk for weeks. They finally brought him up in mid/late May…after they’d bought the extra year of 2015, and ultimately a cheaper FA deal for 2016. Had they had to go off his torrid start in 2014 before his injury when he hit free agency, 2015 would’ve been more expensive.
I’m more the Atlanta or San Diego mindset, you find your key players and lock them up, and don’t play games.
Sam
It is also low risk for the Orioles for appearances. The only way they will get huge backlash for doing this is:
1. Rodriguez is the real deal and is an ace in the making this year and
2. The Orioles miss the playoffs by a small margin (a couple games)
Otherwise, they may even have a script ready:
1. Rodriguez isn’t ace material right away “see, we were right, he needed more AAA time to get into a groove”
2. Orioles make the playoffs by a comfortable margin “see, we were right, we had the tools to get by in the meantime until he was ready to help.”
3. Orioles miss the playoffs by a comfortable margin “see, we were right, letting him develop in AAA didn’t keep us out of the playoffs and we’ll have a more prepared pitcher.”
Lot of Baltimore players seem to come down with Servicetimeitis.
As I wrote on under the Mets article in which they sent their 3 top prospects back to the minors…..
When a small market team sends a prospect back to the minors for more seasoning, it’s all about service time and it’s a crime. When a large market team does it there are no baseball-challenged cheap-shot-artists in the comment section accusing them of gaming the system and oppressing the player(s).
Sam – the Cubs – a large market – were kind of hammered for the same issue a few years ago with Kris Bryant. That’s just one example. And the fact that there was a compromise of allowing players who were in the running for ROY awards to lose a year of service time lock-in and not an overhaul of service time was strictly because of small market teams like the Orioles crying poverty.
Unlike the Orioles, many other clubs, especially successful clubs like the Yankees will also PAY FOR STARTING PITCHING. If Rodriguez is great when his 5 years are up, do you think the Orioles will compete for him?
The kids has insane stuff, but he pitched himself out of a spot in the rotation by falling apart in 4 bad innings over his last 3 starts.
He will pitch in Baltimore and probably very soon. Once he gets there I think he will stay. That day just isn’t Opening Day.
I am officially eating crow that Rodriguez is not making the club for Opening Day. However, given his shakey last fews starts where he had a crash and burn inning in each… I agree with sending to season and build up his confidence mowing down some AAA batters. I’m disappointed because I think he’ll settle into a solid role esp in ’24 but have typical rookie ups and downs when he finally makes the Bigs later maybe in May. I still think he’s going to get piggybacked in ’23.