The Dodgers love long tall and talented pitching prospects that create a lot of “swing and miss”, and Jose Rodriguez, a 23-year-old pitching prospect, took a step toward the front of that line in the system last season. Rodriguez is 6’6′, he features 7 feet of extension in his delivery, and he has a bag full of pitches that make hitters swing and miss.
A lot!
As a matter of fact, the rate that his pitches got past barrels in 2024 did more than grab attention, it led the Dodgers system in many ways, and was amongst the best of any pitcher in all of baseball.
In fact, while Edgardo Henriquez and Reynaldo Yean were hitting 104, which is other wordly impressive, Rodriguez was actually the one that was registering more swinging strikes per pitches thrown than anyone in the organization.
Background
Rodriguez was born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico and lived a childhood full of baseball memories most kids could only dream of. His dad was a professional player, then a GM of a professional team in Mexico, so as a kid, he got to take road trips with the clubs, hang out in the clubhouse, be in the dugout and experience what Pro baseball is all about at an early age.Â
Here’s what he had to say about how cool his baseball experiences were as a child.
My dad played professionally dating back to the ’70s, and I wasn’t ever able to see him play because he retired in 1994, but after he retired he became the GM of the Guerreros here Oaxaca. So, ever since I was born I grew up around it and going to the stadium and practicing with the team. That’s where I grew my love for baseball and it’s helped me a lot learning about this sport and preparing for what comes next.Â
What’s next is a promotion to AA where, as we’ve seen with multiple pitchers, the rise to the MLB can go very fast. Especially for pitchers with the type of size, experience, and arm talent that Rodriguez has.Â
Becoming a Pro
Rodriguez had a breakout year in 2024 splitting time between Single A Rancho and High A Great Lakes. He posted an ERA of 3.38, a WHIP of 1.16, and a swinging strike per pitch that was one of the best in all of baseball.
He said he didn’t necessarily anticipate having this type of year, but it was really cool.
I never imagined having a year like this, but it was awesome because I’ve always been a reliever and they moved into a starters role. Not all my outings were starts, but they were bulk innings, like a “piggy back” and I loved that role, it was great opportunity.Â
On just how effective he was
I think I’ve always had a good strike percentage and strikeout to walk ratio. We’ve worked a lot on my mentality and focus on execution, but what sticks out the most is the deception in my mechanics and my extension. Since last year I’ve added some pitches because I used to have just a fastball and slider, but now I’ve added a changeup and curveball, cutter and a sinker, so that helps.Â
Pitch Mix and Approach
Rodriguez is 6’6, and his extension is 7 feet, so he’s basically handing the ball off to the catcher, and when combined with a bag full of good secondaries that he can throw for strikes and a very deceptive motion, it’s no wonder he’s so hard to hit.Â
Role: Rodriguez has been a high-leverage reliever in the past, but was transitioned into a “bulk inning” pitcher this past season. He really enjoyed that role whether it was getting a start, or being the “piggyback” to the starter, and he described that role as being “Awesome” and a great opportunity for him.Â
SWSTR%: Rodriguez had one of the highest Swinging Strike percentages of any pitcher in the game last season. Meaning, per pitch thrown, he registered as many “swings and misses” as just about any other pitcher in professional baseball. Rodriguez has great stuff, no question, but it goes much further than that. His counter rotation in his delivery provides him with a lot of deception because it gives off the impression to the hitter that he cross-fires when he actually doesn’t. At least not much if any. Also, he has focused very heavy on his sequencing and execution, and they have all played a part is his rapid and explosive progression.
Velo and Extension: Rodriguez can touch 97, and could probably top that in a “max out’ relief role, but sits 92-95, which is very good for a “bulk inning” pitcher with 7 foot of extension, which he has. His spin rates sit around 2300, which is good, but it’s also in the range that suggests a pitcher should have both a 4 Seam and a 2 Seam, both of which he has. Rodriguez is trying to add velo this off-season and is pleased with the way it’s going.Â
Slider: Rodriguez has a very good set of fastballs, but maybe his best pitch in terms of being very good and also in the zone is his slider. This pitch is a good “bridge” between the big breakers/tumblers and his fastballs. And, it’s the bridge or compromise between big movements, but also being able to be aggressive because it can be relied upon to be a strike.
Change Up and Curveball: The Change-Up of Jose Rodriguez might be his best pitch and probably is when it’s consistently in the zone. He also has a big curveball that he gathered a lot of swing-and-miss with. His curveball tunnels very well off of his fastball, but then drops off the table.
Cutter: Rodriguez has both a “bullet-gyro” type slider and a cutter. In this video, he explains the difference between the two and how he uses both of them.
Continuing the Momentum:
Rodriguez has been pitching in the system since 2021 but is still just 23 years old, so he has plenty of time left to keep developing. This next year, 2025, will be a big one for him though, because he should make it to AA, and, as we’ve seen many times, once you make it to that level things can move fast.Â
He’s 6’6, has 7 feet of extension, good fastballs, a full bag of pitches, and baseball bloodlines. He grew up around the game, so he doesn’t just love baseball, it’s in his DNA. All of these factors, when combined with his great work ethic, willingness to learn and great attitude will allow him to continue to progress. Put him in your Rolodex.Â
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