Prospect Report: Orioles’ Rodriguez Shines In Spring Debut

Image credit: Grayson Rodriguez (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images)

Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Orioles: Even after losing a chunk of last season to injury, Rodriguez’s path to Baltimore is nearly complete. The righthander made his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday and immediately showed a stellar combination of stuff and efficiency. Rodriguez needed just 21 pitches to cut through Detroit’s lineup over two scoreless innings. His fastball sat in the upper 90s and touched 99 and he got two swinging strikes—one on a four-seam fastball and the other on a changeup. 

Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza, 2B/SS, Yankees: The Yankees’ middle infield prospects were on display in the early portion of their team’s game against Pittsburgh. Volpe, the system’s No. 1 prospect, started at second base while Peraza manned shortstop. Volpe started the game with a bang by homering to left-center field off of starter Mitch Keller. He finished 2-for-3 with a double, a run and a walk. Peraza went 0-for-1 with a walk, two runs and a stolen base. 

Kevin Parada, C, Mets: New York’s top pick from the 2022 draft carded his first spring training hit during the Mets’ game with the Braves. The Georgia Tech alum lofted a fly ball to left field that forced the outfielder into a bad route, which allowed the ball to drop safely for a hit. 

Brett Baty, 3B, Mets: The Mets’ No. 2 prospect continued his torrid early spring by going 2-for-3 with an RBI. He’s now 6-for-12 over a half-dozen Grapefruit League games. Baty’s singles produced exit velocities of 88 and 94 mph. 

Evan Carter, OF, Rangers: The Rangers’ top prospect got into the late innings of his team’s game versus the Royals and made his presence felt. Base hit? Check. Draw a walk? Check. Steal a bag? Check. Carter has a classic table-setter’s skill set and could become even more by adding some thump to his game. 

Osleivis Basabe, SS, Rays: Basabe was one of three players the Rays received in the deal that sent Nate Lowe to the Rangers. As a 21-year-old, Basabe made plenty of contact in 2022, when he hit .324/.385/.462 between High-A and Double-A. He went 1-for-1 on Thursday and is now 5-for-7 with a double and a homer in four spring games. 

Corbin Carroll, OF, D-backs: The No. 2 prospect in the game has the potential to be one of the most dynamic players in baseball. The Washington high school product went 1-for-3 with a triple, a walk and a run. He should be a serious contender for the National League’s Rookie of the Year award.