Aneury Rodriguez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #11 prospect in 2011
  Looking for competition for their No. 5 starter spot, the Astros double-dipped in the major league Rule 5 draft pool, starting with Rodriguez (and followed by Yankees farmhand Lance Pendleton in the second round). He's a good fit for the back of the rotation with a track record for durability. Originally signed by the Rockies, Rodriguez went to the Rays in the spring of 2009 in a trade for Jason Hammel. Rodriguez was once considered a projection righthander but has never filled out physically or added significant velocity. He tends to cut off his delivery and doesn't get enough extension out front. He has become a reliable starter, with four pitches that peak at average and often are fringy. His fastball sat at 88-92 mph last season, but he threw harder in the winter Dominican League, working at 90-91 and touching 93. He throws both a slurvy curveball in the upper 70s, and a mid-80s cutter-type slider. When it's on, the slider stands out as his best secondary pitch, with late tilt. His changeup remains fringy, and he's a flyball pitcher. Rodriguez will compete with Jordan Lyles, almost three years his junior, and veteran Nelson Figueroa for the fifth starter spot. If he doesn't win it, he'll likely be placed on waivers and offered back to the Rays rather than shifted to the bullpen.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #27 prospect in 2010
  Acquired from the Rockies for righthander Jason Hammel at the end of spring training last year, Rodriguez struggled with his mechanics shortly after joining the Rays but gradually made adjustments. In addition to cleaning up his delivery, he developed his changeup, dramatically improving the fade on the pitch. He also tightened the spin on his curveball, which allowed him to throw both of his offspeed offerings for strikes. Montgomery pitching coach Neil Allen worked with Rodriguez to create a hesitation in his delivery, allowing him to stay over the rubber better and generate more downhill plane with his pitches. The lingering concern with Rodriguez centers on the velocity of his fastball. Clocked at 92-94 mph with the Rockies, he sat at 89-91 mph with his fastball and didn't miss as many bats last year. He tends to overthrow when he gets in jams but has made progress in going from a thrower to a pitcher. Rodriguez should reach Triple-A at some point in 2010.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #16 prospect in 2009
  Rodriguez just turned 21 in December, but he's already moving up to Double-A. Having come to the United States at the age of 17, Rodriguez has a feel for pitching beyond his years, but when he gets into a jam he will overthrow and add to his problems. He has walked only 144 batters in 446 professional innings. He has a fastball that is a solid 91-92 mph with late movement, and his curveball is a good complementary offering, with out-pitch potential. He already has a feel for a changeup and is quite pitch-efficient for his age. He led the Cal League with two complete-game shutouts. The Rockies are still looking for him grow into his body, feeling not only that he could bulk up but he could still add an inch or two of height given the size of his hands. Even with a second-half stumble at Modesto last year, Rodriguez remains on the fast track and will take on the challenge of the hitter-friendly Texas League.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #28 prospect in 2008
  Rodriguez has been on the fast track since signing, coming to the United States as a 17-year-old and taking a regular turn in the low Class A rotation last year at age 19. His 160-48 K-BB ratio was a more telling statistic than his 5.15 ERA. Rodriguez has good stuff, with a fastball that already ranges from 88-94 mph and should pick up more velocity as he continues to grow and fill out. With his bone structure and the size of his hands, the Rockies think he could wind up as tall as 6-foot-6. His curveball has a chance to become a power breaking ball, and his changeup is advanced for his age. Rodriguez just needs to get stronger and more consistent with his delivery. He's still in the beginning stages of his education as a pitcher and can't always fight his way out of jams. He's doing well in English classes and Colorado praises his work habits. Because he's still so young and the California League is hard on pitchers, Rodriguez could return to Asheville to start 2008. Once he matures physically, he could become a dominant pitcher.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #21 prospect in 2007
  As a 17-year-old in 2005 Rodriguez went directly to Casper, skipping the Dominican Summer League altogether, and held his own. He was able to build off that in the collegeoriented Northwest League in 2006. He'll likely advance to low Class A this year, and is poised for a breakout season. He's still growing into his body, which creates the expectation that he's only going to get stronger and throw harder. His huge hands are another indication of his potential size. He already has a fastball that sits in the low-90s, at times touching 93. He throws both a changeup and a curveball with some true power potential, and has been surprisingly adept with his changeup considering his youth. The Rockies have worked to get Rodriguez throwing more downhill to take advantage of his height. At times, he overstrides and leaves his stuff up in the strike zone. He shows all the makings of being a starting pitcher. More than anything, he hasn't been intimidated by his surrounding, playing against older players in a foreign country. The Rockies expect his projection will start paying off with production sooner than later.