Red Sox: E-Rod still has the right “stuff”

Red Sox Phenom Eduardo Rodriguez was overpowering on Wednesday night; however, subtle alterations are required if he is to realize his limitless potential.

Yesterday, I composed an article in which, through research driven analysis, I forecasted that Eduardo Rodriguez would right the ship. I provided an overabundance of rational justifications for the Red Sox Phenom’s dreadful pitching performances, while also establishing tangible indications for practical optimism.

Yesterday was Rodriguez’s most impressive start of the season and it is not even debatable. For the first time all season, he was overpowering; producing strikeouts, swings-and-misses, and pervasive tardy offerings from the Chicago lineup throughout the contest. It was the first time in a month that the local precincts were instructed to ignore all Missing Persons Reports in which Rodriguez was named as the person of interest!

To illuminate upon Rodriguez’s welcome and far-reaching improvement, a comparison of his first four starts with yesterday’s start is required.

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Through his first four starts, Rodriguez recorded an average fastball velocity of 92.7 mph, a 7.02 FIP, a 12.9% Strikeout Rate and a 9.7% Walk Rate.

During yesterday’s start, Rodriguez recorded an average fastball velocity of 94.6 mph, a 3.93 FIP, a 28.0% Strikeout Rate, and an 8.0% Walk Rate.

While his increased velocity was the most conspicuous, and an exceptionally welcome sight to behold, said velocity enabled Rodriguez to remain in the game, despite the usage of only two dissimilar pitches. Unlike starting pitchers, relievers only progress through the opposing team’s lineup once, and can succeed with only two pitches; however, I do not believe I have ever witnessed a starting pitcher make multiple passes through a lineup, using just two pitches.

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As impressive and overpowering a performance that Rodriguez executed last night, consistent usage of a tertiary pitch is an unconditional requirement for Rodriguez to maintain the integrity of opposing batters, and a prerequisite for development into the ace that many have projected.

Rodriguez does possess three pitches in his repertoire, fastball, slider, and change. However, for whatever reason, the breakdown of his 102 pitches thrown last night was as follows: 77 fastballs, 22 changes, and only 3 sliders, all three of which were thrown in the first inning, never to be seen again for the night’s entirety.

The future is very optimistic for our young lefty; however, this is not Little League, where the overpowering youngster can dominate by throwing an unhittable fastball. This is the Major Leagues and regardless of how hard one throws, big league hitters will make the requisite adjustments and hit a pitch of any speed if they experience it up close and personal during every plate appearance for an entire game. Therefore, it is then not a question of “if,” but rather one of “when,” opposing hitters will begin to square up said pitch.

Next: Red Sox: Chris Young exits with hamstring injury

Rodriguez’s ability to author a quality start, despite the usage of only two pitches while making multiple passes through a Major League lineup was an impressive exhibition of overpowering “stuff.” Nevertheless, a third pitch is required, if only to plant a seed of doubt inside the hitters’ minds, if he intends to make the progression from a “good” pitcher to an “elite” pitcher.

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