Rodgers’ career on the rise after improving on slider
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Brady Rodgers has always exhibited pinpoint command. But to succeed at the highest level, pitchers need to be able to make hitters swing and miss.
In the past, when ahead in two-strike counts, Rodgers would typically just elevate a fastball or throw it outside of the strike zone. But a new weapon has emerged for the Astros prospect during his breakout season in Class AAA. His slider, which he revamped in spring training with assistance from Luke Gregerson, has strengthened his repertoire and, in turn, improved his career prospects.
The enhanced breaking ball has allowed Rodgers to better utilize his off-speed pitches off one another. The results are evident, and with a 2.83 ERA in 13 starts, the 2012 third-round draft pick has gone from unclaimed in December’s Rule 5 draft to the likely top choice if the Astros need to pluck a starting pitcher from Fresno.
“He had a decent slider last year. Now he has a put-away slider where he can get a strikeout with it,” Fresno manager Tony DeFrancesco said.
“He knows how to change speeds on it. He knows how to backdoor it. He has a weapon against lefthanded hitters where last year he struggled with some lefthanded hitters.”
Hoping to come home
Rodgers, a Lamar Consolidated High School product, is striking out 8.7 batters per nine innings, a marked improvement from his 6.9 last year in Class AAA. The 25-year-old righthander credits Gregerson and Astros pitching coach Brent Strom with helping him find his slider.
“It’s definitely one of my most confident pitches to throw when I’m looking for a strikeout versus a lefty or a righty,” he said.
The root of the pitch’s improvement dates to sessions over two or three days in Kissimmee, Fla., with Gregerson, who throws one of the best sliders in baseball and is, in Strom’s opinion, “one of the masters at spin.” Gregerson showed Rodgers his grip and explained his approach to the pitch. Rodgers put it into practice in bullpen sessions and spring training outings.
“I think a lot of people when they throw a breaking ball think they have to create some sort of spin with their hand, like where they need to like twist the baseball to make it spin, and you don’t really need to do that,” Gregerson said.
“It’s more just finger pressure and how you’re releasing the baseball that really gives it that good, tight spin. You kind of use the speed of your arm coming through and then the pressure of your fingertips at the end. It’s all got to be synced up right.”
Economical with pitches
Rodgers, whose fastball sits at only 89 to 90 mph, has mixed the slider with his other pitches to better escape jams. He has been the definition of efficient, surpassing 100 pitches only once this season despite averaging 61⁄3 innings. He has issued only 10 walks in 822⁄3 innings, maintaining a clean sheet in seven of his 13 starts.
In addition to four-seam and two-seam fastballs and his slider, Rodgers also throws a cutter, a curveball and a changeup. He says he feels confident in all of his pitches. His success is reliant on location and effectively mixing his repertoire.
And with a new out pitch in his arsenal, Rodgers has propelled himself back onto the radar after a couple of lackluster seasons. He ranks second in the Pacific Coast League in ERA and first in walks plus hits per inning pitched (1.03).
“He’s pitching very well. I’m very happy for him,” Strom said. “By missing the number of bats he has, getting some strikeouts, it’s really boded very well for his future.”