Pack in the MLB: Trea Turner with 2 bombs and Carlos Rodon strikes out 9

Carlos Rodon is BACK, baby!

Once regarded as an upcoming potential ace for the White Sox, former NC State SP Carlos Rodon has kind of fallen off people’s radars this year. Coming back from yet another shoulder problem, Rodon has looked like a brand new pitcher in 2021.

Carlos Rodon had 16 Ks over 13 2/3 innings in spring training. Had nine in five scoreless innings tonight. Touched 98 mph. pic.twitter.com/kNuHppuTlj

— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) April 6, 2021

His career 4.15 ERA isn’t awful, but a lefty with big-time velocity and a knee-buckling curveball should be a lot more dominant than that. And maybe this year he’s finally healthy and putting it all together.

Rodon went 5 innings in his 2021 debut and struck out 9. Yeah, that’s right. Almost 2 out of every 3 guys he faced couldn’t even put the ball in play. When this kid is on, he’s a star. Just look at this stuff…

Carlos was amped. 😤 pic.twitter.com/8sD9vQAZ4H

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 6, 2021

We’ll be keeping tabs on Rodon all season long, but if he’s healthy we are expecting huge things from the 28-year-old southpaw.

Trea Turner out of the gate hot!

Due to COVID, the Nats had to push back their opener a few days, and last night they finally got to take the field and Trea made the most of it.

Turner, hitting 2nd in the lineup, took a 3rd inning pitch 402 feet for a 2-run homer.

This afternoon they played game 1 of a double header and Turner was at it again, launching another bomb. One of his 2 hits in the game.

Former NC State shortstop Trea Turner hit this blast for his second home run of the season (and second in the last two days) today #PackPros pic.twitter.com/PhELjYGBYk

— Andrew Schnittker (@aschnitt53) April 7, 2021

An absolute bomb by Trea Turner here. What a special player he is. No way we can let him walk. pic.twitter.com/xFUBETf36x

— Talkin Nats (@TalkinNats) April 6, 2021

Turner is in talks to sign an extension with the Nats that will likely end up making him one of the top-paid SS in Major League Baseball. And while the Nationals aren’t known for keeping their homegrown talent, Trea Turner will likely be the exception.