O's promote No. 2 prospect to Double-A
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The Orioles are set to promote top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez (MLB’s No. 21 overall prospect) to Double-A Bowie, where he’ll join up with catcher Adley Rutschman (O’s No. 1, MLB’s No. 2 prospect) in what could be a preview of Baltimore’s Opening Day battery of the future.
Orioles general manager Mike Elias announced Friday that Rodriguez will join Bowie for his next start. The 21-year-old right-hander began this season by going 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA, 40 strikeouts and five walks in 23 1/3 innings for Aberdeen, the club’s High-A affiliate.
Rutschman began the season with Bowie and has recorded a .905 OPS with four homers in 20 games.
Left-hander DL Hall, the O’s No. 4 prospect and the No. 56 prospect overall, also started the season with Bowie, and the addition of Rodriguez will give the Baysox one of the most loaded rosters in the Minors.
The No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Central Heights High School in Nacogdoches, Texas, Rodriguez can dial it up to 99 mph with his fastball and possesses multiple plus secondary pitches.
In three Minor League seasons, the righty has posted a 2.30 ERA with a 12.4 K/9 rate in 136 2/3 innings.