Rodriguez is 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and a 31:4 K:BB in 18.1 innings through his first four starts at High-A Aberdeen.

EDGE Analysis

After the cancellation of the 2020 minor-league season, Rodriguez has picked up right where he left off in 2019, when he was named the Orioles' Jim Palmer Minor-League Co-Pitcher of the Year along with Michael Baumann. While making the jump from Low-A Delmarva to the High-A level, Rodriguez hasn't been phased by the improved competition. Blessed with a deep repertoire that includes a high-90s four-seamer, curveball, cutter and spinning changeup, the 21-year-old Rodriguez looks like the top pitching prospect in the Baltimore system.

The Orioles added Rodriguez to their 60-man roster pool Wednesday, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rodriguez's inclusion in the pool is likely just a measure for Baltimore to more closely monitor the development of its top pitching prospect following the cancellation of the 2020 minor-league baseball season. The 20-year-old right-hander made his full-season debut in 2020 and proved to be no match for South Atlantic League competition, posting a league-leading 24.7 K-BB% to go with a 2.68 ERA in 94 innings. He'll report to Baltimore's alternate training site in Bowie.

Rodriguez blanked Low-A West Virginia over four innings in his start Monday for Delmarva. He struck out six and scattered three walks, one hit and two hit batsmen.

EDGE Analysis

Rodriguez wasn't especially efficient in the outing -- he needed 93 pitches to record 12 outs -- but his performance was encouraging nonetheless after he was blasted for a season-high seven runs in his previous turn June 4. Even with that rough start factored in, Rodriguez sports a 2.42 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and .177 opponent batting average across 52 innings this season. The 19-year-old has thus far justified the Orioles' decision to select him in the first round of the 2018 first-year player draft.