Grayson Rodriguez Impresses In MLB Debut

Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Orioles: Despite a rough spring training and a less-than-impressive AAA start, Rodriguez got the call to replace injured starter Kyle Bradish, and he responded with an impressive MLB debut. Rodriguez relied heavily on his 94-97 mph fastball, throwing it roughly 50 percent of the time. That and his low-80s slider kept Rangers hitters off balance after a rocky first inning. Rodriguez gave up a walk and two hits in a two-run first. After that, he allowed only a pair of singles in his next four innings of work, which meant he left after five innings having matched Jacob deGrom in a 2-2 game. Rodriguez mixed in his changeup effectively at times and showed enough to make the case that he should remain in Baltimore’s rotation at least until Bradish comes off the injured list, and maybe for much longer.

Francisco Alvarez, C, Mets and Ronny Mauricio, SS, Mets: Both Alvarez and Mauricio hit their second home runs of the young Triple-A season. Alvarez hit a 406-foot home run with a 106.2 mph exit velocity, while Mauricio hit his first (410 feet, 104.2 mph) and second (392 feet, 105.3 mph) home runs of the season. After the game, Alvarez was sent to New York as insurance in case catcher Omar Navarez is sidelined. Navarez is battling a calf injury.

Garrett Mitchell, OF, Brewers: Mitchell hit his third home run in just 22 plate appearances with the Brewers. This one was a walk-off that finished the Brewers’ three-game sweep of the Mets in a series where Milwaukee outscored New York 26-6. We’ve been writing since high school that if Mitchell ever figured out how to tap into this raw power, he could be an extremely valuable all-around player as a speedy center fielder with exceptional athleticism. Through his college and pro career, he’s never topped eight home runs in any season, and he’s averaged just over four a season going back to the start of his college career in 2018. He’s on pace to blow past that this year, if he can continue to stick with this improved fly ball rate.

Hunter Gaddis, RHP, Guardians: Here we go again. Gaddis is the latest in the long-line of Guardians pitching prospects who just keep getting better and better. In his second start of the MLB season, he allowed one hit and no runs in six innings. Opponents are now hitting .171 against him this year, and he’s looking like a solid member of the Guardians’ starting rotation.