Prospects 1500 Profile: Chris Rodriguez

Chris Rodriguez, 21, has been enticing the Angels since he was drafted. Unfortunately, his last 2 seasons have been put on hold early on with back injuries. He had surgery last year to alleviate the issue and is expected to be fully healthy.
Rodriguez was a fourth round pick out of Monsignor Edward Pace HS in Miami, FL, in 2016. The righty has 4 electric pitches, a high-powered fastball that hits 97 mph, a changeup that keeps left handers off balance, a swing and miss slider, and a knee buckling curveball. He made quick work of his competition in the Arizona league striking out 17 batters in 11 innings.

While the results in 2017 were not as favorable as the previous year, he made his way through Orem and Burlington without the organization losing any enthusiasm for his future. Rodriguez would finish that year 6.47 ERA striking out 32 batters in 32 innings.
After missing 2018 with a back injury, in 2019 Rodriguez made 3 starts and dazzled scouts and fans alike. After the 3 starts the back injury that sidelined him in 2018 flared up again and he decided to have surgery to hopefully prevent further problems occurring. 
Rodriguez, #13 on the Prospects1500 Top 50 Angels prospects, is healthy and is expected to blaze a trail through the Angels minor league affiliates.