Florida Gators right-handed reliever Christian Rodriguez capped off his All-Star summer with the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League with the Al Graeber Outstanding Pitcher Award.
Named after the team’s beloved PA announcer from 1971–1993, the Graeber Award recognizes the Mariners’ top pitcher each season.
“The Mariners’ de facto closer, C-Rod, was lights out from the bullpen,” a press release announcing the team awards reads. “His 26 strikeouts led the team and (ranked) third in the league among pitchers with zero starts. He ended the summer with a 0.93 ERA in 19.1 innings, rising to the occasion whenever the team needed him most. He also led the team with three saves.”
“My time here with Harwich has been unbelievable,” Rodriguez told Gators Wire. “I’ve met so many great players and coaches and have played against a lot of talented guys. It has been one of the best summers in my life, and I’m super grateful and honored to play in this league.”
Rodriguez is an early candidate to replace Jake Clemente as Florida’s closer. He emerged as one of the more reliable bullpen arms in Gainesville this season, throwing 23 2/3 innings over 22 appearances. A 5.32 ERA and 6.29 FIP leave something to be desired, but Rodriguez was coming back from Tommy John surgery as a true freshman.
Now completely healthy and more than a year removed from the injury, Rodriguez is looking like the pitcher Florida signed out of high school.
Rodriguez was the heart of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas 2023 state championship team, following in the footsteps of Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony and former Florida Gators Chris Arroyo and Jake Clemente. He hit .359/.474/.692 with six home runs as a senior. On the mound, Rodriguez was among the nation’s best with a 0.69 ERA and 0.50 WHIP over 70 2/3 innings. He struck out 117 while walking just 12 batters for a 9.75 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Rodriguez ran his fastball up to 97 mph out of high school, but his changeup has always been the kind of secondary pitch that elite closers utilize. Often referred to as a “Bugs Bunny” changeup because of its pull-the-string movement down in the zone and 15 mph difference from the fastball, Rodriguez has already shown flashes of dominance against SEC bats with it.
His 50% flyball rate feels a bit high for a pitcher who relies on a changeup so often, but a 28.7% strikeout rate is strong.
Rodriguez enters the fall as one of the veterans of Florida’s pitching staff. Luke McNeillie and Billy Barlow have more innings under their belt, and Caden McDonald is in a similar position. Expect to hear those four names out of the bullpen quite often.
“What I’m looking forward to the most about going back to Florida is just getting there and grinding again,” he said. “I think we have a great team with some new guys coming that I’m extremely excited for, and hopefully we make a run this year.”
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida RHP Christian Rodriguez ends strong summer as Harwich Mariners top pitcher
Reporting by David Rosenberg, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
