Jefry Rodriguez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #24 prospect in 2018
  Rodriguez has one of the more exciting arms in the Nationals' system, though his 2017 season was cut short by 80 games after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance on May 16. Prior to that, he posted a 3.51 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 11 walks at high Class A Potomac. Rodriguez found success after his suspension, but his strikeout and walk totals were less impressive than the early season. The key to his success is a mid-90s fastball that can touch 97 mph with excellent plane and angle thanks to his 6-foot-5 frame and a lightning-quick arm. He can throw the pitch to both sides of the plate and also has a hammering, power curveball with downer action that flashes plus and has a chance to be an out pitch. Control issues are the big question mark for Rodriguez moving forward, as he's walked more than four batters per nine innings over six seasons and his strikeout rates aren't as impressive as one would assume, given his stuff. The Nationals have been working on shortening his arm action to keep him in the zone more regularly. He has a chance to be an impact reliever.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #19 prospect in 2015
  A former infielder who converted to pitcher after signing with the Nationals, Rodriguez had his 2014 campaign cut short on July 1 when a comebacker hit him in his left (non-throwing) wrist, causing a hairline fracture. He returned to action in the fall and looked good in instructional league. Rodriguez is still growing into his 6-foot-5 frame, and his broad shoulders suggest he'll get stronger. He already shows premium velocity, pitching at 93-95 mph and touching 98. He'll need to learn to control his lower half better to maximize his stuff and his command. He has what the Nats call "area control," but his command has a long way to go. He flashes a bona fide plus curveball with good power, but it remains inconsistent. His changeup is in its early stages of development, but he has some feel for it. Rodriguez has tantalizing upside, and the Nats hope he is on the verge of making a leap forward, as Reynaldo Lopez did in 2014, but he comes with plenty of risk. He should return to low Class A Hagerstown in 2015.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #21 prospect in 2014
  The Nationals converted Rodriguez from infielder to pitcher after signing him in January 2012. He had a solid first year on the mound in the Dominican Summer League, then was even better in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2013. Rodriguez continued to make progress with his command and his changeup in instructional league. Long, lanky and projectable, Rodriguez needs to strengthen his legs to improve his endurance and help him repeat his mechanics more consistently. But he has the foundation of a good delivery, and he has a lightning-fast arm, helping him sit in the 93-95 mph range and touch 97 on occasion. He improved his strike-throwing ability last year but still needs to learn how to command the zone. Rodriguez has the makings of a plus curveball in the low 80s that is a true swing-and-miss pitch when he throws it right. His changeup is still in its nascent stage, but he started to gain some confidence in the pitch in instructs. Rodriguez quickly has put himself on the prospect map, and his stock could soar if he proves himself at low Class A Hagerstown in 2014.

• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  After a successful season at high Class A Potomac last year, Rodriguez has had mixed results in 2018, but he improved enough to receive a big league callup. He has worked as both a starter and reliever. Rodriguez has improved the command of both his fastball and curveball, allowing him to be more consistent from outing to outing, but he’ll get more Triple-A time to continue the improvement he has made in repeating his delivery and syncing up his lower and upper halves.