Joely Rodriguez began his season with the Phillies Double-A affiliate in poor fashion. In six appearances with the Reading Fightin’ Phils, Rodriguez walked more batters than he struck out. He carried a 1.78 WHIP and allowed opposing hitters a .313 batting average.
Without the leniency afforded to prestigious prospects, the Phillies demoted Rodriguez back to High-A Clearwater. As Matt Winkleman of Phillies Minor Thoughts put it, “it seemed like the beginning of a slide to no longer being in the organization.”
The demotion must have lit a fire under Rodriguez, as he completely turned his season around in High-A ball.