Ricardo Rodriguez

Rodriguez worked in a handful of starts between an appendectomy and a fractured elbow. He's expected to throw in some winter ball action in late December and will compete for a rotation spot in the spring. Has some upside.

Groin and hip woes basically wiped out Rodriguez's season, but he's expected to be healthy enough to get in some innings in winter ball during the offseason. Rodriguez was traded for Ryan Ludwick midseason; It was a pretty good swap for Texas, as Ryan Ludwick-types are floating around the organization and it landed them a pretty decent, albeit older, prospect in Rodriguez. The usual caveats of pitching prospects and Texas apply.

Rodriguez projects as a #3 starter and may, for better or worse, move into that role in 2003. He was named the Florida State League and Dodgers' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2001. He throws a low to mid-90's fastball with a good curveball and a newly found changeup to his repertoire. He has good command (43 BBs in 140+ IP in 2002), moves the ball well, and shows aggressiveness on the mound. He's the third best pitcher (after Sabathia and Baez) to own on Cleveland this year.