The Guardians put another big right-handed hitter on the Orioles today, getting right-handed reliever Carter Rustad for Johnathan Rodriguez.
Rusted is 24 years old, about to turn 25, and spent his last season on Double-A for the Orioles, putting up a 3.23 ERA and 3.25 FIP with a 9.51/3.91 K/BB/9 in 53 innings.
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Erik Longenhagen wrote him up for FanGraphs here, pointing out he is sitting 94-96 with his fastball, with a high graded sinker, a low 80’s slider and a changeup that looks like a split. He swapped to a reliever role last season, so it seems like there is still some developing to do there. Gaining some additional control would go a long way.
Rustad has above average extension as seen in this metric posted by cdlenthusiast on Twitter from TJStats
Follow Thomas Nestico @TJStats on Twitter for more excellent insights.
Rustad is a solid return for a player who had no position and was blocked by several more promising prospects. Now, to see if the Guardians pitching factory can sprinkle some magic dust on him and get him to take a further step toward fewer walks and a spot in a major league pen.
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Rodriguez, we barely knew ye. But, I will always remember you as the worst major league outfielder I have ever encountered. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him be a decent DH for a while at some point, however, and I wish him the best.