- Full name Cristobal Rodriguez
- Born
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Nicknamed "Chi-Chi" after the former professional golfer, Rodriguez ranked third in the Gulf Coast League in ERA in his U.S. debut in 1997. He has the best arm in the system--not that he has been able to showcase it much. He has pitched a total of just 301⁄3 innings the last two years while battling a shoulder injury. Rodriguez has a prototype pitcher's body with long arms and legs, and a quick arm action. He has a 95-96 mph fastball that explodes out of his hand and has been clocked as high as 101. His heater has late running action up in the zone. His out pitch is a splitter that drops off the table, and he throws a slider that remains inconsistent. He still needs to work on the command of his pitches and improve his delivery by coming straighter toward to the plate. He peels off toward first base, causing his pitches to sit high in the strike zone and placing undue stress on his shoulder. Rodriguez' rehabilitation went well and the Expos expect him to be a 100 percent for spring training.