Angels: Five prospects to watch on 60-man player pool

60-man player pool top prospects – Chris Rodriguez, Right-Handed Pitcher

The final prospect on our list is one that some Angels fans may have forgotten about, but on they should nonetheless get reacquainted with; right-hander Chris Rodriguez.

A high school pitcher selected in the fourth round during the 2016 MLB Draft, Rodriguez brought with him a heater that grades at 60 and tops out in the upper-90s. He compliments that with a plus two-seamer, and a change-up and slider that both could develop into plus offerings.

So if Rodriguez had this much potential and was drafted our seasons ago, why hasn’t he made more noise on the prospect radar? Well, that all falls on health. He’s missed almost all of the last two seasons due to a stress fracture in his back that ultimately required surgery in 2019. Now, as he is said to be back to full health, the Angels are hoping that Rodriguez can rediscover his potential as the team’s number-seven ranked prospect.

"Joe Maddon: Angels expecting healthy pitching staff to begin season"

By adding him to the 60-man player pool, the team is trying to make up for some lost time, and not allow the right-hander to fall victim to a third season away from the bump. The Angels are undoubtedly intending to use his time to see where he is from a health standpoint while also working with their minor league coordinators to formulate the best path toward moving Rodriguez back on the right track. Any game action, even in simulated situations or versus intrasquad opponents will be a plus after he threw just 9.1 innings over the last two seasons.