Wandy Rodriguez: A Coming of Age Story?

May 15, 2009

Never a blue-chip prospect (he was signed as a nondrafted free-agent in ‘99), and once dubbed no more than a number three or four starter, the 5′11, diminutive Rodriguez has grabbed hold of fantasy GM’s attention with a dazzling performance to open 2009.  With little more than Roy Oswalt in their starting rotation, the ‘Stros need Wandy to have the sort of year he’s been having just to stay competitive in the NL’s tough central division.  Here are some intriguing facts with an analysis INSIDE the numbers to follow:

  • His shortest start of 2009 was 5 innings against Atlanta at Turner Field.
  • Wandy has had two 10+ K outings so far this season out of eight starts.
  • Opponents are hitting a meager .207 against him, thus far.
  • Wandy’s home ERA and WHIP are a mere 0.67 and 0.85, respectively
  • Rodriguez has surrendered no home runs so far in 52 IP.
  • Wandy has 48 K’s in 52 IP in 2009, maintaining his rate from 2008 of nearly one whiff per IP.

But is this all real? Is Wandy Rodriguez capable of sustaining this strong start over the course of a long season? Let’s examine Rodriguez from his early years as a minor leaguer and work our way forward to the present:

  • Except for a brief period during 2005-6, Rodriguez has always been a legitimate strikeout pitcher, usually averaging just under 1K/IP
  • Rodriguez had some rough patches in the minors and has taken his lumps (see 2002, 2004, etc.) but was NEVER a standout, a league leader, or ace
  • Scouts liken Rodriguez to Andy Pettitte in both pitching style and arsenal 
  • WRod is 30 years of age, widely considered to be a pitcher’s prime
  • In 2009, Wandy Rodriguez is playing in a one year contract, which may well serve as partial inspiration to the sort of coming of age story we have collectively seen so far

So what does all of this mean to the astute fantasy GM? Bet on a break-through season from Wandy.  He will not end the year with the superhuman sub-2.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP he brandishes today (after yet another stellar performance yesterday against the Rockies at Coors Field). But, Rodriguez may end the season with a low 3.00 ERA to go with a sub 1.30 WHIP and 160+ K’s, if he can stay healthy.  Durability is the major limiting factor with Wandy Rodriguez (he has never notched over 182.2 IP in the Bigs.  If you own him, hold him or sell-high on this still-budding number two fantasy starter, but don’t expect to see his name on your waiver wire for long, if at all!

Written by Russell Sandman · Filed Under American League Only, Articles | 4 Comments