Texas Rangers’ prospect Yerry Rodriguez is the real deal

This minor league right-hander ranks highly in the Rangers’ organization, leading or tying for several pitching metrics among all Texas prospects on the 20-80 grading scale.

Yerry Rodriguez is arguably the most underrated pitcher in the Texas Rangers‘ organization to date.

The Rangers scouted and signed Rodriguez out of the Dominican Republic in 2015.

The 18-year old signed for a miniscule $60,000, but would end up being a steal for the Texas Rangers.

In his first season in the Rangers’ organization, the DSL Rangers got a good one.

Rodriguez went  4-3 over 16 games(six starts), posting a 2.66 ERA and two saves over 50.2 innings. He had a 38/2 K/BB ratio, but was knocked around, allowing an opposing batting average of .270.

He missed most of 2017 after testing positive for a banned PED and receiving a 75-game ban, he rebounded nicely in 2018.

In 2018, Rodriguez spanned two levels of the minor leagues, playing for both the Rookie League Rangers and Spokane.

Rodriguez pitched to a. 3.52 ERA over eight games with the Rookie League Rangers, and posted an Impressive 1.82 ERA over four starts with Spokane.

Overall, Yerry Rodriguez finished the 2018 season with a 2.86 ERA over 63 innings pitched. He racked up 82 punch outs while only walking eight, but allowed a .243 opponents’ batting average and gave up three homers.

The young right-hander broke out with Hickory in 2019, though.

Over 13 games started with the Crawdads, Rodriguez went 7-3 with a stellar 2.08 ERA. Over 73.2 innings, he struck out 85, walked 21 and gave up five long balls, but only allowed an opponent’s batting average of .176 and a WHIP of .90.

In what would end up being a shortened 2019 season for Rodriguez after a sprained elbow, he returned to the fall instructional league and the Texas Rangers added him to the 40-man roster.

Now 23-years old, Rodriguez is as highly rated as they come in the Texas Rangers’ system.

With the game of baseball shifting to a more analytical mindset, Rodriguez is arguably ranked as one of the greatest in the farm system in generating spin rate.

He also has three plus pitches that he features, an hard fastball, Bugs Bunny changeup and a filthy curveball.

Rodriguez will typically sit around 92-96 mph with his fastball, but has touched 98 before. He can manipulate his heater to have more ride like a two-seamer or sink at the knees.

Yerry Rodriguez has as much upside as any pitcher in the Texas Rangers’ minor league system

His changeup has also been viewed as more of a splitter, based on its action and movement, and has been considered his best pitch.

Rodriguez can also manipulate his curveball, speeding it up and slowing it down, much like Yu Darvish does. It has good downward depth, but can also be manipulated to have slider break and velocity.

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Across the Texas Rangers’ minor league system, Rodriguez also rates as the best changeup and control pitcher around the farm system.

His changeup is rated as a 55 out of 80, and his control rates out the same.

Assuming Yerry Rodriguez can stay healthy, his pure athleticism and repeatable, deceptive delivery ought to help him climb the prospect ranks rather quickly.

He currently ranks as the Rangers’ 21st best prospect, but should make a considerable leap after a full, healthy season at Frisco.

Rodriguez has a chance to see the big leagues this season if injuries continue to pile up, but is more likely to get an opportunity during the 2022 season.

His pure stuff was enough to force the Rangers to add him to the 40-man roster, and he could force his way onto the big league roster.

Get excited Ranger fans, as quality, controllable pitching is closer than it seems.