Atlanta Braves: Top 10 Players To Call Up For September
By Justin Perez
May 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Paco Rodriguez (75) pitches the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
University of Florida. Paco Rodriguez. 5. player. 17. . RP
Paco Rodriguez came to the Atlanta Braves in the controversial Alex Wood-Hector Olivera swap at the end of July. In fact, Rodriguez was the only player that came to the Braves with any MLB experience. While he is currently injured (who isn’t these days) he could join fellow former-Dodger, Chris Withrow, in being a big part of the Braves bullpen solution in 2016.
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He’s a left-handed sinker baller that depends on some goofy arm action to make up for a noted lack of velocity. According to FanGraphs Pitch F/x data, Rodriguez did not break 90 MPH in any of his 18 appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While he has not been used exclusively in LOOGY situations in his career, Rodriguez definitely had the most success with the platoon advantage. Against LHB in his career, Rodriguez has struck out 66 of 167 men faced and only allowed a .174 batting average against.
With the loss of Luis Avilan in the very same trade (no tears coming from this particular Braves fan), Paco Rodriguez will very likely take over Avilan’s role as left-handed specialist out of the bullpen next year. Over the next few weeks, Rodriguez will likely go on a rehab assignment and make his audition for the Braves at some point during September.
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