Ricardo Rodriguez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #6 prospect in 2003
  Acquired from the Dodgers for Paul Shuey, Rodriguez was the Dodgers' top prospect a year ago. Some scouts even rated Francisco Cruceta, who also was included in the trade, ahead of him. That transaction looks like a heist in Cleveland's favor. Rodriguez has the demeanor and talent to pitch at the front of a rotation. He loves to pitch inside--he drilled eight batters in seven big league games--and challenge hitters. His 92-95 mph fastball has above-average sink, and his slider is a strikeout pitch. Because of his aggressiveness, Rodriguez becomes too fastball-oriented with the game on the line. He got off to a slow start in 2002, which was attributed to too many innings in winter ball. Rodriguez is a strong candidate for the Cleveland rotation in 2003. There are four openings in the rotation, and he's the best righthander among the candidates, which works in his favor.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #1 prospect in 2002
  Rodriguez won a total of five games in three years in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League before making his U.S. debut in 2000. It was a smashing success, as he won the pitching triple crown in the Rookie-level Pioneer League. Tested by skipping two levels to the high Class A Florida State League last year, he responded with another strong performance. Rodriguez topped the FSL in strikeouts and ranked among the leaders in wins, ERA and innings. Both the FSL and the Dodgers named him their pitcher of the year, and he was picked for the Futures Game at midseason. Rodriguez has all the ingredients to be a solid No. 2 or 3 starter in the big leagues. He has a good two-seam fastball that registers consistently in the 91-93 mph range and as high as 95. He mixes his heater well with a plus curveball that has a hard break and acts like a slider. He added a changeup during instructional league in 2000 and used it extensively last year. What made Rodriguez most effective last season was that he was willing to throw all three of his pitches at any time in the count. He has a loose arm and above-average command, moves the ball around in the strike zone and is willing to pitch inside. Rodriguez also impresses with his maturity and the way he battles on the mound. He shows the ability to be an innings-eater at higher levels. The Dodgers say he needs to refine his mechanics. While some observers said he dominated the Pioneer League the year before because of his age, he had no problems jumping all the way to high Class A. If he can prove himself again at Double-A Jacksonville this year, that should erase all doubts. The Dodgers have shown plenty of patience with Rodriguez and hope he'll move more rapidly through Double-A and Triple-A. He's developing into a complete pitcher, and his competitive streak should continue to take him up the ladder. Los Angeles has milked the international market for plenty of starters through the years, and Rodriguez has put himself next in line. He could get his chance in Los Angeles at some point in 2003.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #18 prospect in 2001
  Rodriguez got stronger as the 2000 season progressed. He went 3-1, 1.02 in August, capping a year in which he was Pioneer League pitcher of the week five times and the Dodgers' pitcher of the month twice. He led the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts to earn a berth on Baseball America's short-season all-star team. Rodriguez has above-average arm strength and good command. He throws a hard slider and a fastball that clocks consistently in the 93-94 mph range. Though he was old for the Pioneer League last year at 21, he showed the ability to pitch along with a strong competitive streak. Having pitched three years in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, Rodriguez isn't as far up the organizational ladder as he should be. He can't afford an injury or extended difficulties. The Dodgers would like to start pushing Rodriguez faster now. He'll open the season Wilmington.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Southern League #5 prospect in 2002
  Baseball America rated Rodriguez the Dodgers' best prospect entering 2002, but Los Angeles didn't hesitate to include him in a July trade with Cleveland for Paul Shuey. Rodriguez' status within the organization had slipped some by that point, but his upside is still obvious. He missed April with shoulder tendinitis, then didn't allow an earned run in his first three starts with the Jacksonville. He throws his two-seam fastball in the low 90s and also beats hitters with a hard curveball. Rodriguez also harnessed his control, though it deserted him somewhat after he joined Cleveland's rotation in late August.
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  Ranked Florida State League #5 prospect in 2001
  Rodriguez overmatched the Pioneer League last season and was rated the league's No. 3 prospect. Though it was his first pro experience in the United States, some thought his age gave him an advantage. After jumping two levels to the FSL, Rodriguez responded with another strong performance and led the league in strikeouts. He also was named the league's most valuable pitcher. He throws a two-seam fastball in the 91-93 mph range but isn't considered overpowering. Managers were impressed with his ability to change speeds and utilize his curve and changeup at any point in the count. They also liked his competitive nature. Rodriguez still needs to become more consistent with his mechanics, but he's on the fast track.
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  Ranked Pioneer League #3 prospect in 2000
  Rodriguez finally made his U.S. debut at age 21 after three years in the Dominican Summer League, so he was old for the Pioneer League. But he also was the best pitcher in the league, leading in wins and ERA while striking out 129 in 96 innings. Righthanders had a tough time with his slider, and he also has a 93-mph fastball. "I was just impressed with his arm strength and his competitiveness on the mound," Idaho Falls manager Don Werner said. "He seems to know how to pitch."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #69 prospect in 2002

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Rodriguez finally made his U.S. debut at age 21 after three years in the Dominican Summer League, so he was old for the Pioneer League. But he also was the best pitcher in the league, leading in wins and ERA while striking out 129 in 96 innings. Righthanders had a tough time with his slider, and he also has a 93-mph fastball. "I was just impressed with his arm strength and his competitiveness on the mound," Idaho Falls manager Don Werner said. "He seems to know how to pitch."