<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Yep. Future Astro. <a href="https://twitter.com/sleepinggiantZZ">@sleepinggiantZZ</a>: Lets talk Rodon… top 10? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mlbpipeline&src=hash">#mlbpipeline</a></p>— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcallisMLB/statuses/426559958013194240">January 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
A few other Rodon tweets: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT Where would CRodon, TToussaint and JGatewood rank? <a href="https://twitter.com/jakgreenberg31">@jakgreenberg31</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcallisMLB">@jimcallisMLB</a> Rodon top 5; Toussaint and Gatewood not yet <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mlbpipeline&src=hash">#mlbpipeline</a></p>— Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayoB3) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonathanMayoB3/statuses/426556972708528128">January 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Somewhere from 4 to 7. <a href="https://twitter.com/gonzaljm">@gonzaljm</a>: If Carlos Rodon were eligible, where would he slot in on your Top 100 Prospects list? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mlbdraft&src=hash">#mlbdraft</a></p>— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcallisMLB/statuses/426069490716381184">January 22, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Late 2015. <a href="https://twitter.com/asmith_4031">@asmith_4031</a>: what's a realistic timetable for Rodon assuming the <a href="https://twitter.com/astros">@Astros</a> make him the first pick? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mlbpipeline&src=hash">#mlbpipeline</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mlbdraft&src=hash">#mlbdraft</a></p>— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcallisMLB/statuses/426564303454752768">January 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Harold Reynolds thinks Carlos Rodon will be the Astros' 2014 Opening Day starter</p>— Astros County (@AstrosCounty) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstrosCounty/statuses/426564972819537920">January 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I don't know much about the Astros pitching prospects or the expectations for Rodon. Is Rodon viewed as a better prospect than Appel? Would he 'theoretically' be slated as the staff ace followed by Appel? Any potential comparison to a MLBer or past player that Rodon compares most favorably too? Is he in the same league as Stephen Strasburg was, a level below...or? Curious to hear what us casual fans can expect from him--understanding of course that no propsect is ever a sure thing. thnx
Rodon would definitely be viewed as a better prospect than Appel. So Rodon would be the ace (hopefully) of the staff. I'd say he's a step below from what Strasburg was when he got drafted.
Yes, he would rank above Appel right away. Strasburg was in a higher league, hype-wise, coming out... but there isn't anything to say that Rodon can't have similar MLB success (and he projects to be able to rise through the system at a very rapid pace... could be starting here in 2015). Also, him being a lefty gives him as good a chance as any to succeed right away. Best comparison is David Price... both are hard throwing lefties, and both picked #1.
Strasburg was seen as a 'once in a generation' talent. He's lived up to the billing pretty well too. Rodon doesn't have that kind of hype but he's considered a strong #1 overall pick in a strong draft. Nick compared him to David Price and I think thats a good comparison pedigree-wise. Both are leftys who had dominant college careers in top baseball conferences. Baseball Prospectus said this about comparing Strasburg and Rodon: A lefty with three potential 60+ pitches is total money. For the comparison to Appel, his scouting numbers are 70FB/65SL/55CH. Appel doesn't throw a curve. (*Players are graded on a 20-80 scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average.)
Kind of amazing to think with the selection of Rodon in the 2014 draft, the Stros will probably have 4 top 50 pitchers in the minors going into the 2015 season. With Cossart already here we have a chance to have a dominant rotation come 2016. Even after the top guys we still will have Velasquez and Wojo coming on too. Pretty amazing to think about it!
I don't trust anyone who thinks Hoffman is on a similar level to Rodon. Strasburg was indeed on another level though. 16.1 K/9 to only 1.57 BB/9. That is just sick. Granted we haven't seen Rodon's jr year yet, but hard to imagine him getting there. David Price comparison as a prospect is pretty good, IMO.
BP's not the only one. After seeing him on the cape this summer, both McDaniels with scout.com and Frankie Piliere with Perfect Game had Hoffman as the number 1 draft prospect.
After seeing Rice play against both, I'd agree, although Rodon wasn't invincible at all. Rice hit him hard, and Rice didn't have a great offense last year. Hoffman wasn't even C-USA's best.
That was months ago and they were dead wrong. They quickly got caught up in the FB and Cape Cod League. Then Carlos Rodon suited up for Team USA and re-established himself as the #1 prospect. Not likely. He's more similar to Sean Manea, who dominated in the CCL, but couldn't do it in a small conference. At ECU, he only has posted K-rates of 6.72 & 6.89. I find those 184IP a lot more valuable than the 24IP in the CCL last season. Tyler Beede and Jeff Hoffman need to take huge jumps forward to show they can harness their talent into excellence.
