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Carlos Rodon worthy of No. 1 hype
CARY, N.C. -- My trip to North Carolina to see the U.S. collegiate national team play the Cuban national team for two games was mostly built around one man -- NC State lefty Carlos Rodon, the heavy favorite to be the first overall pick in next year's Rule 4 draft. Rodon threw on Tuesday night and more than lived up to expectations.
He started out at 90-93 mph with his fastball but by the third inning was picking up steam, hitting 95 frequently and eventually topping out at 96 on a strikeout to end the sixth inning.
That was merely the appetizer to Rodon's main course, one of the best sliders I've ever seen from an amateur, 84-88 with power and bite, at both sides of the plate, to right- and left-handed hitters. It's so obscene the FCC might not allow basic cable channels to show it before 11 p.m.
With that pitch, and the fastball to set it up, he could have gone once through a major league lineup on Tuesday night and wouldn't have looked the least bit out of place. His changeup is the one pitch that needs improvement, although he flashed a few grade-55s where he pulled the string on hitters at 81-83 mph. He's willing to double up on it, so it's not a question of confidence in the pitch.
Rodon starts his delivery with a high leg kick, staying over the rubber well, and takes a long stride toward the plate while pronating his arm early enough to be ready to fire when his front leg lands. He's a good athlete -- taking a great BP last summer during the defunct Prospect Classic event -- who repeats his delivery well, with no major red flags.
He relied pretty heavily on the slider during the college season, which is a concern for elbow health and general wear and tear, but otherwise checks every box you might want to see in a potential first overall pick and projected No. 1 starter. Finishing with the majors' worst record this year will bring a nice consolation prize for some lucky team.
CARY, N.C. -- My trip to North Carolina to see the U.S. collegiate national team play the Cuban national team for two games was mostly built around one man -- NC State lefty Carlos Rodon, the heavy favorite to be the first overall pick in next year's Rule 4 draft. Rodon threw on Tuesday night and more than lived up to expectations.
He started out at 90-93 mph with his fastball but by the third inning was picking up steam, hitting 95 frequently and eventually topping out at 96 on a strikeout to end the sixth inning.
That was merely the appetizer to Rodon's main course, one of the best sliders I've ever seen from an amateur, 84-88 with power and bite, at both sides of the plate, to right- and left-handed hitters. It's so obscene the FCC might not allow basic cable channels to show it before 11 p.m.
With that pitch, and the fastball to set it up, he could have gone once through a major league lineup on Tuesday night and wouldn't have looked the least bit out of place. His changeup is the one pitch that needs improvement, although he flashed a few grade-55s where he pulled the string on hitters at 81-83 mph. He's willing to double up on it, so it's not a question of confidence in the pitch.
Rodon starts his delivery with a high leg kick, staying over the rubber well, and takes a long stride toward the plate while pronating his arm early enough to be ready to fire when his front leg lands. He's a good athlete -- taking a great BP last summer during the defunct Prospect Classic event -- who repeats his delivery well, with no major red flags.
He relied pretty heavily on the slider during the college season, which is a concern for elbow health and general wear and tear, but otherwise checks every box you might want to see in a potential first overall pick and projected No. 1 starter. Finishing with the majors' worst record this year will bring a nice consolation prize for some lucky team.
