Wilfredo Rodriguez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #13 prospect in 2002
  Two years ago, Rodriguez beat out Lance Berkman, Carlos Hernandez, Wade Miller, Roy Oswalt and Tim Redding for the No. 1 spot on this list. But he hasn't progressed much since then, and his most noteworthy accomplishment has been surrendering Barry Bonds' 70th home run last September. Rodriguez looked good working out of the bullpen in his native Venezuela after the 2000 season, and the Astros thought that role might be a nice fit. But he didn't enjoy pitching middle relief in Double-A and was starting again by the end of 2001. He has a lively 93-95 mph fastball, which is both a positive (it's an out pitch) and a negative (he wants to throw it by everyone). He can buckle hitters with his hard curveball but can't always throw it for strikes. Rodriguez has a better understanding of the importance of throwing his changeup, but the pitch still requires more work. His biggest need is consistent mechanics because his release point varies so much that he doesn't have reliable command. He'll be a Triple-A starter in 2002, which will be a big year for him because he has been passed by several pitchers in the system and several more are poised to do the same.
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #2 prospect in 2001
  The Astros have mined Venezuela better than any organization, signing 12 major leaguers. None has earned a victory for Houston, though Rodriguez should change that soon. After leading the high Class A Florida State League in wins and strikeouts in 1999, he was stymied by shoulder tendinitis and a hamstring pull last year. Rodriguez was at this best in the postseason, winning the opener and clincher in the Texas League finals. He is a rare power lefthander. He throws a 93-95 mph fastball with plenty of life, as well as a hard curveball. At 6-foot-3 and with long arms, he throws his pitches on a nasty downward plane. Rodriguez needs to polish his mechanics. He has an inconsistent release point that costs him command. He'll need to throw his changeup more often and for more strikes as he moves up through the organization. After pitching well in the playoffs and in the Venezuelan League, Rodriguez appears to be back. He'll probably begin 2001 in Double-A and need another year and a half in the minors. The Astros haven't had a lefty in their rotation since trading Mike Hampton, and they're looking to Rodriguez to fill that void.
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #4 prospect in 1999
  Background: Rodriguez is the latest prospect from the Astros acclaimed academy in Venezuela. Scout Andres Reiner, now a special assistant to the general manager, signed him as a 16-year old who was throwing 82-83 mph. Strengths: After a quick maturation into a 91-93 mph power pitcher, Rodriguez bumped his velocity up another notch by hitting 95 mph in instructional league. He has long arms and legs and throws from a deceptive mid-3/4 release point. His ability to throw strikes and dominate Midwest League hitters at 19 is noteworthy. Weaknesses: Rodriguez' curveball can be a plus pitch but is still inconsistent, mostly because of mechanical troubles. His changeup is far behind his other two pitches. The Future: For all the Venezuelans the Astros have signed and brought to the big leagues, none of the pitching prospects have stuck. Rodriguez is still at least two years away from his first major league opportunity, but he shows the potential to be a top-of-the-order starter.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Texas League #18 prospect in 2001
  After two erratic and exasperating seasons Rodriguez has slipped from the Astros' top prospect to becoming one of the organization's most problematic pitchers. But any young lefty with consistent 95-mph heat is going to get additional opportunities to overcome his problems. "He's got dominating stuff, an above-average fastball and an above-average breaking ball," Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker said. "His big problem has been command." Rodriguez runs into trouble when he loses control of his curveball, which invariably leads to him trying to aim subsequent pitches, resulting in home runs. The Astros have experimented with Rodriguez as both a starter and reliever. He's already capable of filling a big league situational lefty role, one he auditioned for with a September callup, but the enormity of his tantalizing talent still holds hope for something bigger.
• 
  Ranked Texas League #13 prospect in 2000
  After a breakthrough 1999 in which he led the Florida State League in victories and strikeouts, Rodriguez never got on track this year. He started the season late because of a series of minor injuries, then was undermined by control problems. But when he threw strikes, such as in a 12-strikeout loss to San Antonio in early August, Rodriguez was impressive. At his best, he throws a 93-95 mph fastball that sinks, plus a nasty curveball and a changeup. "Rodriguez has everything except consistency," Astros scout Scipio Spinks said. "His release point is all over the place but his arm is a very live one. When he finally gets comfortable, he'll be a legitimate dominator."
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #4 prospect in 1999
  No prospect did more in the FSL to improve his status than Rodriguez, who has a fastball in the mid-90s. That alone will get some attention, and then you add a hard breaking ball and decent changeup. It all added up to an impressive season. "Throw 97 mph with a good slider from the left side and you're going to move through an organization very quickly," Meleski said. "He has good size, body and mechanics." "He has a little trouble throwing strikes, but when he's on he's unhittable," said Dorante. "He's got a hard breaking ball that's unhittable for lefthanded batters and his changeup is good. He's got good size and is intimidating to hitters."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #57 prospect in 2001
• Ranked Baseball America's #25 prospect in 2000

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  After a breakthrough 1999 in which he led the Florida State League in victories and strikeouts, Rodriguez never got on track this year. He started the season late because of a series of minor injuries, then was undermined by control problems. But when he threw strikes, such as in a 12-strikeout loss to San Antonio in early August, Rodriguez was impressive. At his best, he throws a 93-95 mph fastball that sinks, plus a nasty curveball and a changeup. "Rodriguez has everything except consistency," Astros scout Scipio Spinks said. "His release point is all over the place but his arm is a very live one. When he finally gets comfortable, he'll be a legitimate dominator."
• December, 1998 Scouting Report
  Background: Rodriguez is the latest prospect from the Astros acclaimed academy in Venezuela. Scout Andres Reiner, now a special assistant to the general manager, signed him as a 16-year old who was throwing 82-83 mph. Strengths: After a quick maturation into a 91-93 mph power pitcher, Rodriguez bumped his velocity up another notch by hitting 95 mph in instructional league. He has long arms and legs and throws from a deceptive mid-3/4 release point. His ability to throw strikes and dominate Midwest League hitters at 19 is noteworthy. Weaknesses: Rodriguez' curveball can be a plus pitch but is still inconsistent, mostly because of mechanical troubles. His changeup is far behind his other two pitches. The Future: For all the Venezuelans the Astros have signed and brought to the big leagues, none of the pitching prospects have stuck. Rodriguez is still at least two years away from his first major league opportunity, but he shows the potential to be a top-of-the-order starter