Photography courtesy Bowie Baysox and Baltimore Orioles
Photography courtesy Bowie Baysox and Baltimore Orioles
If pitcher Grayson Rodriguez makes his professional debut with the Baltimore Orioles this season, it promises to add luster to a struggling franchise. Rodriquez, ranked as minor league baseball’s top pitching prospect last year, has all the makings of an ace.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Rodriguez possesses an impressive four-pitch repertoire—even clocking 100 miles per hour on the radar gun—with solid control and has ascended through the Orioles minor league system rapidly.
The Orioles drafted the right-hander out of Central Heights High in Texas with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 Major League Draft, and he signed for $4.3 million. Rodriguez could make the majors this season along with catcher and close friend Adley Rutschman, another rising star in the organization.
Rodriguez made quite an impression with Double-A Bowie Baysox last season after being promoted from Single-A Aberdeen. He went 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 79 innings while yielding only 47 hits.
We talked with the 22-year-old Rodriguez about potentially playing in Baltimore in 2022, keys to his development, living in a camper in the minors, and his passion for hunting.
When the moment comes, will you be ready to pitch in Camden Yards? Have you played over in your mind being on the mound there? How do you feel?
Absolutely. If you ask me, I feel like I have been ready. Obviously, it’s not up to me. The organization is going to do what’s best for me. Being in the big leagues is something I think about every day. Every time I think about baseball. I try to visualize it, and when the moment comes you are ready for it. It’s hard to not get excited.
You worked with catcher Adley Rutschman, who has been called the future face of the Baltimore franchise. Can you talk about your relationship with him? What did you learn from him?
We hang out a lot together. He is a close friend. We have played together in the minors for a few years. We go to the movies and dinner. During the game, he sets up well behind the plate and is great at giving me feedback.
Can you see the two of you playing in Baltimore for years to come?
Absolutely. We look ahead to the future. I see myself as an Oriole hopefully for the next 20 years. We talk about winning ball games together and a World Series.
You have been named the top pitching prospect in baseball. Is there added pressure because of that and because you are expected to be in Baltimore next season?
Not really. I try not to pay attention to that stuff. I always said those rankings are for the fans and not the players. Nothing changes for me. I just keep doing what I am doing. What matters is how you perform in the big leagues. That’s all that matters and all you have to worry about.
Can you tell me about your pitch mix? What do you consider your best pitch?
The change-up is something I developed after I got into pro ball. I think that’s my best pitch, but it varies from start to start. I am also comfortable with my other pitches: the fastball, slider, and cutter. The highest velocity with my fastball I hit this year was 102.1. That was pretty special. For the majority of the season I averaged 98.5. I was proud of that, and hopefully, I can increase that going into 2022.
I’ve read that going into your senior year of high school, you redid your delivery and pitching mix while working with David Evans, a pitching guru and former Oriole. Do you feel that led to you getting drafted?
I made some mechanical adjustments and it helped me use my lower body half better, and create more speed on pitches. I really got my body in better baseball shape instead of just lifting in the weight room. It put me in a better situation to have more success. Before that, I really didn’t think I had a shot at getting drafted as high as I did. I was looking at going to Texas A&M.
When you debuted for Bowie last year, it was “gas can night” because you are known as a flame thrower? What did you think about that?
It was a lot of fun. People showed up and brought gas cans. We didn’t end the night like I would have. We lost, but I enjoyed it.
You’ve lived in a camper during your time in the minors. What has that been like?
Apartment leases were a big headache. With my 43-foot camper, I could move wherever I wanted. I used it while at Delmarva in 2019 and Aberdeen and Bowie this past year. It’s more than big enough for me. It’s got a bedroom, living room, game room, and five or six flat-screen TVs.
What was the first thing you bought when you got your signing bonus?
The truck I am driving now. It’s a 2019 Ford F250.
You are an avid hunter? What do hunt?
I first went hunting when I was six years old. It’s something I have always liked to do. I love the outdoors. Hunting is very hard and challenging. You have to put in the time and effort, just like baseball. I hunt primarily whitetail deer, doves, ducks, and wild hogs. Hunting is my biggest off-season hobby.
