Bradgley Rodriguez is Finally on the Fast Track

PEORIA — The headliners of the Padres’ 2021 international free agent class included shortstop Victor Acosta and outfielder Samuel Zavala, widely considered to be two of the top position players available. Both had big showings in the DSL that summer as Acosta played his way into the Padres’ top 20 prospects heading into 2022, while Zavala got several down-ballot votes on our individual lists.

Acosta was traded away that summer, straight up for Brandon Drury. And by last spring, Zavala was out the door to the White Sox as part of the Dylan Cease trade. Both have subsequently seen their stars fade significantly.

Three days after Zavala’s departure, a much less heralded member of the signing class who had not yet appeared in a game domestically announced himself.

Bradgley Rodriguez, who had been getting plenty of buzz on the backfields in Peoria, appeared in the Spring Breakout game against Seattle. The righty dialed up his fastball to 100 mph as he worked a clean inning and struck out top prospect Harry Ford.

Rodriguez wasn’t a complete unknown when he signed. As a 17-year-old, he landed a six-figure bonus out of Venezuela after the 2020 international period was postponed. But – like many pitchers – he struggled with command and consistency in the DSL that summer as he tried to harness his new physicality. Then, heading into 2022, he blew out his elbow and had to undergo Tommy John surgery.

The righty, who weighed a slight 160 pounds when he signed, added significant bulk as he rehabbed. While he remained at the Padres’ DSL complex throughout the 2023 season, he never got back into action that season. Nonetheless, he took advantage of the time off the mound to prepare.

“I think it was just maintaining a positive attitude,” said Rodriguez through translator Danny Sanchez.  “I was able to get stronger and recuperate.”

Feeling good about where he was physically and mentally, the Padres agreed to have him return to Venezuela to pitch in the winter league that winter. As a 20-year-old, he more than held his own, striking out 21 in 20 innings even as he struggled with command.

“It helped to get to play in Venezuela, so that by the time I was here, I was ready to go and in a good mindset.”

And ready he was.

While he was clearly one of the highlights on the Storm’s pitching staff going into the year, he quickly jumped to Fort Wayne after he struck out nine of the 19 batters he faced in four outings. For all the attention his high-octane fastball garnered, it was his changeup that outclassed hitters.

“The change has always been one of my fundamental go-to pitches,” Rodriguez told us. “It’s always been a pitch I’ve been able to control and have a good feel for. Obviously, I have a strong fastball too, but the changeup is what’s really allowed me to have some success and bring balance to my fastball.”

The more advanced hitters barely represented more of a challenge for Rodriguez. Across 41.2 innings, Midwest League hitters managed just a .196 average, encouraging the Padres to promote him again. Though his ERA “soared” to 3.14 for the Missions, he punched out 35% of the batters he faced, dropped his walk rate, and drew consistently weak contact.

So it was that, less than a year after he arrived in the U.S. for the first time, he was invited to spring training by the Padres this year.

“I’m grateful to the team for giving me this opportunity to be here around so many stars,” said Rodriguez. “I’ve worked hard for this. Since I signed, this was always the goal.”

Rodriguez showed enough in big league camp that, while other non-roster players got sent out, he remained in action. Working with Ruben Niebla and the big league staff, he unleashed a new weapon: a slider.

“I didn’t use it much last year, but I’m really trying to focus on it this year. It’s allowed me to succeed in big league camp.”

In four outings, he punched out four without issuing a walk. But that wasn’t his main priority.

“I don’t try to focus on that kind of stuff. I focus on going out there and getting out of innings as quickly as possible.”

While he may have been off the radar coming into 2024, he’s squarely in the spotlight this year. Rodriguez will open the year as the closer in San Antonio, joining a pitching staff that includes multiple potential big league contributors.

If he can continue to show the ability to work in the zone with a three-pitch mix, the run to the big leagues that began slowly will turn into a sprint by the summer.

What lesson does the hurler take from the progress made last year?

“Just keep fighting and battling. Never give up and work each day to get better.”