On Wednesday, it was revealed that the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to terms with Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is seen as one of the top international talents in the world right now, and Toronto just secured his services.
MLB teams had different views on what role he is best suited for in his career.
Most evaluators think he will end up in the bullpen, where he can impact more games but would pitch less.
Some, however, believe he has a future in the rotation.
The Blue Jays were reportedly one of them, and that’s a main reason why he chose to sign with them.
“Key detail on Yariel Rodríguez: The Blue Jays are among the @MLB teams that view him as a starter in the long term. That said, a hybrid starter/long reliever role is possible for Rodríguez in 2024; he has not pitched in game conditions since the ’23 WBC,” MLB insider Jon Morosi tweeted.
Key detail on Yariel Rodríguez:
The Blue Jays are among the @MLB teams that view him as a starter in the long term.
That said, a hybrid starter/long reliever role is possible for Rodríguez in 2024; he has not pitched in game conditions since the ’23 WBC. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 17, 2024
Rodriguez posted a 1.15 ERA in 54.2 innings for the Chunichi Dragons of the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) in Japan.
That was in 2022, though, as a reliever.
He unilaterally decided to leave his contract with the Dragons, so he missed the 2023 campaign.
He played some in the World Baseball Classic in the spring, but it was just 7.1 frames.
There is definitely some rust in Rodriguez’s arm, so if he wants to start, the process to get him acclimated will be slow and steady.
He will be given the chance to be a starter, though.
Whether he will be a successful one or return to the bullpen will depend entirely on him.
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