Orlando Rodriguez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #25 prospect in 2004
  The Dodgers boast a deep crop of power lefthanders lefthanders, including Greg Miller, Steve Colyer, Chuck Tiffany, Jonathan Figueroa, Mike Megrew, Rodriguez and Chad Bailey. Though he has battled injuries in each of the last two seasons, Rodriguez was a steal as a throw-in to the Antonio Osuna deal with the White Sox in 2001. Elbow tendinitis sidelined him for half of the 2002 season, but he didn't allow a run in 27 outings in Class A. Another bout with tendinitis in 2003 prevented him from pitching until August. He was impressive enough to earn a spot on the Dodgers' 40-man roster after the season, as his lively 91-93 mph fastball and downer curveball surely would have attracted interest in the major league Rule 5 draft. Rodriguez shows a changeup but mainly leans on his two plus pitches. His arm works well out of his compact delivery, and he generates good sink on his fastball. He must improve his control and, more important, he desperately needs to stay healthy for a full season. If he does, he could jump to the majors in 2004 if Tom Martin or Steve Colyer needs backup.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #21 prospect in 2003
  As in the cases of Andrew Brown, Derek Thompson and Ruddy Lugo, the Dodgers' pro scouting staff did a fine job identifying Rodriguez to get him thrown in as part of the Antonio Osuna trade with the White Sox in 2001. After he spent the first year in their organization as a starter, the Dodgers decided his two-pitch repertoire was better suited for the bullpen. He went 1-1, 1.13 in eight relief innings for the Dominican national team in the 2001 World Cup in Taiwan. Then Rodriguez didn't allow a run in 27 outings covering 35 innings last year, though his breakthrough season was interrupted by a bout with elbow tendinitis. He has a sneaky fastball that he can add and subtract velocity from. He can throw it by hitters at 95 mph. He sets up his fastball with a second plus pitch, a tight spinning curveball. Rodriguez was healthy by instructional league. Los Angeles pitching instructors think he could move fast if he didn't rely so heavily on his fastball. He should reach Double-A for the first time in 2003.