Rodon Strikes out 9 in Loss to Rays

Former NC State All-American pitcher Carlos Rodon picked up his second loss of the season on Monday in a duel against reigning Cy Young winner Blake Snell of the Rays.

Rodon’s 111 pitches only got him through 4.2 innings, surrendering 4 earned runs. While walks haven’t been a problem through the first two games, they have been in the past, and they were on Monday, walking 5.

It wasn’t all bad for Rodon, striking out 9 (back-to-back). Fifty-five of his pitches went for strikes, including 20 for swinging strikes. Control was the thorn in Rodon’s side.

“Today we probably threw more sliders, but that’s what was working, and we had to go to it,” Rodon said. “In the future, in the near future, it’s going to be more fastballs and mix in some changeups in the repertoire.

Later in the game, it seems like there was a lot of swing-and-miss, but I’d like to have that fastball going in the strike zone more often. Just falling behind hitters, not establishing the strike zone, that’s how you get yourself hurt. I put the damage on myself out there walking five today.”

Carlos Rodon

Earlier today, Rodon said that he needs to throw more change-ups into his repertoire. Last year he threw the change-up at a 14% clip, which was a career high, but he’s down to 5.1% through three starts this year.

“The changeup is a good pitch when I’m behind, a pitch that gets early contact, ground balls, something that I think I’ll be featuring more. It will help command-wise, it will help fastball command. It’s a plus changeup. I just need to use it more. Right now, I’m 50-50 [with fastball/slider]. As a hitter, think about it? Flip a coin. The odds are easier for them. Mix in a changeup now and then and a lot of things change.“

Carlos Rodon

Rodon is now 1-2 on the year, with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts in 16 innings through 3 starts. His next start is scheduled to be against the Yankees on Sunday.