When the Pittsburgh Pirates signed right-handed relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez to a minor league contract in the offseason hardly anyone batted an eye. This was understandable as prior to this season Rodriguez owned just 5 2/3 Major League innings.
After spending eight years in the minor league systems of the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles, Rodriguez made his MLB debut with the O’s last season. He struggled allowing nine runs on 12 hits, three walks, and four home runs in his limited time with Baltimore. This made the demand for Rodriguez this past offseason low.
This season, Rodriguez has looked like a completely different pitcher.