Yariel Rodríguez was notified last Tuesday that he would start the 2024 season at the Triple A with the Buffalo Bisons. It was a quite logical decision on the part of the organization, after discomfort in his back he was only able to make two starts in Spring Training. At the AAA-level he’s going to get the opportunity to get his timing down with two or three outings in which he can accumulate several innings of labor to work out any kinks.
Yesterday he made his debut against the Worcester Red Sox, a Boston farm team, and he looked sharp. In four innings of work he did not allow a hit, walked one and struck out a total of six. During the contest he threw a total of 55 pitches, 34 of them going for strikes. He threw 28 fastballs (51%), 17 sliders (31%), four splitters (7%), three sinkers (5%) and three curves (5%). With his fastballs he had a 71% strike percentage, throwing 20 of the 28 pitches for strikes.
Yariel Rodriguez in his Triple-A debut:
— 4.0 IP
— 0 H
— 0 R
— 1 BB, 6 SO
— 55 Pitches (34 Strikes)Pitch Arsenal:
4-Seam Fastball (28) —
— 92.4 AVG Velo (94.5 max)
— 2379 AVG RPMSlider (17) —
— 82.9 AVG Velo (84.6 max)
— 2728 AVG RPMSplitter (4) —
— 87.5 AVG Velo (89.4… pic.twitter.com/Yh04ZxMjLP— BlueJays Muse (@BlueJays_Muse) April 2, 2024
A total of 10 of the 17 sliders he threw were strikes (59%). His fastball averaged topped out at 94.5 MPH and averaged 92.4 MPH. With the curve he reached 75.7 MPH, with the slider 84.6 MPH, 90.3 mph with his sinker and 89.4 MPH with his splitter. The Cuban left them game after the fourth and the game was scorless, Buffalo eventually won the contest 2-0 in extra-innings.
Rodríguez was solid and borderlining spectacular in his starts during the World Classic in 2023. During that tournament Rodríguez tossed 7⅓ allowing two earned runs and striking out 10 batters. Although he did not factor in any decision he posted a 2.45 earned run average, but did walk an alarming six batters during his two starts in the tournament.
In 54.2 innings of work during the 2022 season in the NPB Rodriguez gave up only seven earned runs. The right-hander had a 1.15 earned run average and fanned 60, while only walking 18. During that campaign he did not allow a long ball and was named the reliever of the year in the land of the rising sun. The righty also tallied 39 holds and notched six victories.