Kevin Rhoderick

Rhoderick entered the season as Baseball America's second-team Preseason All-America relief pitcher, as voted on by scouting directors. Rhoderick put up better numbers than last year, with a 2.93 ERA in 22 appearances covering 31 innings, but could not hold down the closer's job, compiling a career-low four saves. Some days he would pitch two or three innings of relief, while on others he would come in and pitch to one batter. Rhoderick sat in the 89-91 mph range most of the year, touching 93, though his fastball sometimes flattened out. His slider is an above-average pitch, and his changeup can get swings and misses even when it bounces three feet in front of the plate because it looks like his fastball coming out of his hand. On talent alone, Rhoderick could be a Top 200 player, but he's stubborn on the mound and has failed to make adjustments. He always tries to rear back and throw as hard as he can, disregarding finesse and attention to the running game.