Fernando Rodney

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #16 prospect in 2004
  A couple of years ago, the Tigers considered Rodney one of the best young prospects in the organization. Then they discovered that he was born in 1977 rather than 1981, so "young" no longer applied. Rodney remains a prospect, however, because he throws 98 mph consistently and has had success as a closer at the higher levels of the minors. He also throws an above-average changeup and a serviceable slider. In two extensive stints in the major leagues, Rodney has been hit hard because of poor pitch selection and location. Time after time he has gone to his changeup as an out pitch and left it up and over the plate. Though his fastball has plenty of heat, it's straight and arrives on a flat plane. In order to stick as a big leaguer, Rodney must learn to work his fastball around the edges of the strike zone to set up hitters for his changeup. Detroit, which didn't have a pitcher with more than five saves last year, will include Rodney in its closer competition this spring.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #32 prospect in 2003
  Rodney was cuffed around in his first shot at the major leagues last season. His performance and the discovery that he was four years older than previously believed took some of the shine off the strong work he did in the minors, where he held opponents to a .182 average while averaging more than a strikeout per inning. Rodney throws hard, reaching 95 mph consistently and touching 98. However, his fastball is straight and he doesn't hide the ball during his delivery. He's also short, so he doesn't get a good downward angle on his heater. He has a quick arm but somewhat violent motion. The key for Rodney is his slider. When it's working well, he's effective. If he can be more aggressive in spring training than he was during his four stints in the majors last year, he has a legitimate shot at making Detroit's Opening Day roster. Once considered a possible future closer, he'll have to settle for a setup role.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #16 prospect in 2002
  The hardest thrower in the organization, Rodney joined the 40-man roster in November after reaching Double-A during the regular season. Though he made 10 starts last year, the Tigers project him as a closer or setup man down the road. His calling card is his fastball, which sometimes lights up radar guns at 98 mph. There's not much deception to his delivery, though, and his fastball is as straight as an arrow. He's going to have to spot the pitch to be effective as he moves up the ladder. Rodney has a good changeup, though he doesn't throw it often while working in short relief. He has yet to develop a third pitch, struggling mightily to throw his breaking ball over the plate. He also hasn't been especially durable, never pitching more than 83 innings in a pro season. He'll return to Double-A this year.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #19 prospect in 2001
  The good news about Rodney is that he's the hardest thrower in Detroit's system. The bad news is that his fastball is straight as an arrow. Even so, 98 mph is 98 mph. Rodney is difficult to hit, limiting opponents to a .238 average last season. He started 10 games, but that was so he can get innings and develop more pitches. The fear was that his fastball is so good that he would use it to overpower Class A hitters and wouldn't throw his breaking ball and changeup if he was used only an inning at a time. He's viewed as a potential closer because of his fastball, and his presence made it easier for the Tigers to include Francisco Cordero in the ill-fated Juan Gonzalez trade with the Rangers in November 1999. Rodney probably will move up a level to Lakeland in 2001.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Midwest League #19 prospect in 2000
  The Tigers were willing to include Francisco Cordero in the ill-fated Juan Gonzalez trade with the Rangers last offseason partly because they had another flamethrowing Dominican in their system. Rodney has an arm that ranked right with that of Beckett and Cruz, capable of delivering 96-97 mph fastballs. Detroit used Rodney as a starter to get him more innings, though his future probably is in the bullpen. He’s much less refined than Beckett and Cruz, which is why he wasn’t as overpowering. Rodney’s mechanics, command, slider and changeup all need polish. He’s learning that even the quickest of fastballs can get hit when left up in the strike zone.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #5 prospect in 1999
  Only 5-foot-11 but exceptionally strong, Rodney easily had the best velocity in the Northern Division. He occasionally touched 98 mph and mixed in a quality slider, giving him the two power pitches needed to become a closer. He's also got closer makeup to go with his stuff.

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  The Tigers were willing to include Francisco Cordero in the ill-fated Juan Gonzalez trade with the Rangers last offseason partly because they had another flamethrowing Dominican in their system. Rodney has an arm that ranked right with that of Beckett and Cruz, capable of delivering 96-97 mph fastballs. Detroit used Rodney as a starter to get him more innings, though his future probably is in the bullpen. He’s much less refined than Beckett and Cruz, which is why he wasn’t as overpowering. Rodney’s mechanics, command, slider and changeup all need polish. He’s learning that even the quickest of fastballs can get hit when left up in the strike zone.