As the first player from the 2012 MLB Draft to make the big leagues, Paco Rodriguez appeared to have a long and bright future ahead of him in Los Angeles.
With a funky delivery from the left side, Rodriguez posted a 1.35 ERA in 11 appearances as a rookie (just months after being drafted).
Then a 2.32 ERA in 76 appearances in 2013 (including a 3.08 FIP and 2.92 xFIP). Unfortunately for Rodriguez, it was all downhill from there.
In just 19 appearances in 2014, his ERA rose to 3.86 (despite posting the best FIP and xFIP of his career) at the Major League level. He also struggled with Triple-A Albuquerque that season, posting a 4.40 ERA over 32 mediocre appearances.
Rodriguez began the 2015 season on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. Beating out a slew of other lefties, including Adam Liberatore. Rodriguez appeared in 18 games, collecting eight strikeouts to three walks, and posting a 2.61 ERA.
He battled some issues in his left elbow and was eventually included in the blockbuster, three-team trade with the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins that netted the Dodgers Bronson Arroyo, Luis Avilan, Jim Johnson, Michael Morse, Mat Latos, Jose Peraza and Alex Wood.
Rodriguez was shipped to the Braves, but never appeared in a game over the remainder of the season. In October, the Braves announced Rodriguez underwent Tommy John surgery.
2015 Highlight
From April 13 to May 12, Rodriguez made 10 appearances and allowed just one hit and no runs.
2016 Outlook
At the time of the trade, Rodriguez had undergone surgery on his elbow to remove “loose bodies” and was set to miss eight-to-10 weeks. Having then undergone Tommy John surgery, Rodriguez is expected to miss all of the 2016 season.
