Former Central Heights Hurler Dominates in MLB Double-A Debut

Less than 5 years ago, Grayson Rodriguez was on the mound overpowering high school hitters.  Things haven't changed much as he continues his climb through the Major League Baseball Farm System.

According to a story from Major League Baseball, Rodriguez was recently promoted from playing with the High-A Aberdeen Ironbirds.  Over the course of 5 starts in 2021, the Central Heights native was almost untouchable.  The 21-year-old posted a 1.54 ERA with 40 strikeouts and only five walks in 23 1/3 innings.

That earned Rodriguez the call up to the Double-A Bowie Baysox. In his debut, the former Blue Devil struck out eight and allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks over five innings as the Baysox defeated Hartford, 2-1. Rodriguez's fast ball was consistently clocked between 97-99 mph, while reaching triple digits on a few occasions as well.

Fresh out of high school, the 6-foot-5 right-hander was the number one draft choice for the Baltimore Orioles in 2018.  Rodriguez has consistently been impressive in his stops in the Rookie and Single-A leagues, and now into the Double-A ranks.  The 2020 MLB Minor League season was basically a wash thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.  With little or no game situations for a year, Rodriguez has shown no rust whatsoever, in face, quite the opposite