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Orioles Prospect Grayson Rodriguez to Make His Return to Norfolk

By Jason Belschner

Jun 12, 2018; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first round draft pick Grayson Rodriguez (18) waves to the crowd after being introduced during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2018; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first round draft pick Grayson Rodriguez (18) waves to the crowd after being introduced during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Orioles top prospect Grayson Rodriguez makes his return to Triple-A Norfolk.

Orioles pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez finally makes his return to the Norfolk Tides after a right lat strain kept him sidelined for over three months. Rodriguez made his last start in Norfolk on June 1 against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. During the sixth inning, he was removed from the game. Hopes were high for the highly rated prospect of the Baltimore Orioles, and they still are.

His rehab stint has included a game for the Aberdeen IronBirds and two with the Bowie Baysox. While he wasn’t at the same form from earlier in the year, Grayson Rodriguez looked ready to return to Triple-A. He struck out seven of the 12 batters that he faced on September 11 for the Baysox.

“At the beginning, there was a question of whether or not I would get to pitch again this year,” Rodriguez said. “That was kind of tough, having that hanging over your head. Being

SARASOTA, FLORIDA – MARCH 17: Grayson Rodriguez #85 of the Baltimore Orioles poses for a portrait during Photo Day at Ed Smith Stadium on March 17, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FLORIDA – MARCH 17: Grayson Rodriguez #85 of the Baltimore Orioles poses for a portrait during Photo Day at Ed Smith Stadium on March 17, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

back and knowing I’m probably going to get the last month, it’s huge.”

It was hoped that Rodriguez would make it to Baltimore this season. His numbers before the injury were stellar with a 2.09 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched. The 2018 first round pick has pitched great throughout the minors. If nothing else, he will be a great addition to the starting rotation next season.

Future Star Grayson Rodriguez Finishes His Rehab

Rodriguez still holds out hope for making it to the majors this season. “Where we are now, the goal hasn’t changed. Camden is pretty close,” he said.

And he is right. The injury clearly cost him time in the majors this season. Grayson still has time to make it up to the majors; however, we’re in the last month of the regular season. Also, the starting pitchers for the Baltimore Orioles have looked pretty good. Pushing it off to next season might be best for the young pitcher.

Grayson Rodriguez sits as the top ranked pitcher according to MLB Pipeline and fourth overall. It looks like he will get the start this Friday when the Norfolk Tides take on the Charlotte Knights.

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