Padres’ Bradgley Rodriguez Could Be Bullpen Option In 2025
For two years, righthander Bradgley Rodriguez’s elbow barked in some shape or form.
He stepped back between the lines in 2024 after a steady dose of rest and rehab, cruised through three levels and appears to be knocking on the door to San Diego after turning heads in big league camp this spring.
“He’s got a really plus heater,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “The slider’s really nasty. I love his demeanor. I love his presence on the mound, like the body language, the aggressiveness of which he pitches.
“He’s in attack mode, which is what we like to see out of our athletes.”
The 21-year-old struck out three batters over three perfect innings in Cactus League play before an illness sidelined him for a stretch. Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits in one inning in his return to action on March 10 and allowed another run on two hits in the ninth inning of the Padres’ Spring Breakout game, though he did also strike out two in showcasing the plus stuff.
Signed for $370,000 out of Venezuela in 2021, Rodriguez’s fastball sits in the high 90s and can touch 101 mph with life up in the zone. He pairs that pitch with a hard slider and a plus changeup that has improved dramatically as a pro.
After a two-year hiatus, Rodriguez struck out 75 batters in 61.1 innings to go with a 2.64 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in rising from Low-A Lake Elsinore to High-A Fort Wayne to Double-A San Antonio.
A stint in the Venezuelan League preceded last year’s meteoric rise.
“I think to be able to see the caliber of hitters in that (winter) league really gave me a lot of confidence when I got here,” Rodriguez said through a team interpreter. “I think that’s what really helped me in my trajectory getting to Double-A . . .
“I have the confidence in myself that it really doesn’t matter who I’m facing. I know that I trust my stuff. I know that I have what it takes to be successful. So no disrespect to any batters out there, but I’m confident in my stuff.”
FATHER FIGURES
— Lefthander Boston Bateman, the Padres’ second-rounder last year, allowed two runs on a walk and two hits in an inning of relief in the Spring Breakout game. Lefty Kash Mayfield, the Padres’ first-rounder last year, had the flu and did not participate. Bateman and Mayfield are expected to start their careers at low Low-A Lake Elsinore.
— Righthander Humberto Cruz is still building back after shoulder discomfort cropped up at instructional league in the fall. The 18-year-old is expected to start the year in extended spring training.
