Carlos Rodón’s Home Run Troubles: A Deep Dive
Carlos Rodón’s performance on the mound has become a topic of conversation among Yankees fans, especially after he surrendered three home runs in a recent outing. For those who have been following Rodón’s career, this isn’t exactly surprising. His struggles with the long ball have been well-documented, and this latest game only adds to the narrative of a pitcher grappling with consistency and command.
A Season of Long Balls
In the regular season, Rodón gave up a staggering 31 home runs, which tied him for the second-most in Major League Baseball. He found himself in the company of Toronto Blue Jays’ José Berríos, while only Boston Red Sox’s Kutter Crawford, who allowed 34, had a worse record in this department. This alarming trend raises questions about Rodón’s ability to keep the ball in the park, a critical skill for any pitcher aiming to succeed at the highest level.
Historical Context: A Year of Struggles
To understand the depth of Rodón’s issues, it’s essential to look back at last season. In 2022, he faced even greater challenges, allowing an average of 2.1 home runs per nine innings. While he managed to reduce that figure to 1.6 HR/9 this year, the number still remains troubling. For a pitcher with aspirations of being a frontline starter, these statistics are a glaring red flag.
The Fastball Dilemma
At the heart of Rodón’s struggles lies a common issue among pitchers: location. When he’s on his game, Rodón possesses one of the better fastballs in baseball. However, the problem arises when he leaves that fastball over the plate. Major League hitters are adept at capitalizing on mistakes, and when Rodón’s fastball is not precisely located, it often ends up in the stands. In the recent game where he gave up three home runs, all of them came off his fastball, underscoring the importance of command in his pitching arsenal.
A Shift in Strategy
Throughout the season, Rodón has experimented with his pitching repertoire. He has occasionally mixed in changeups, curveballs, and cutters alongside his primary fastball-slider combination. This strategy is designed to keep hitters off balance and prevent them from sitting on his fastball. However, in his latest outing, he seemed to revert to a more traditional approach, throwing fastballs a whopping 60 percent of the time. His slider, which is typically a key component of his game plan, was used only 22 percent of the time. This heavy reliance on the fastball may have contributed to his susceptibility to the long ball.
The Road Ahead
For Rodón, the path forward involves a careful reassessment of his pitching strategy. He must find a way to improve his fastball command while also effectively incorporating his secondary pitches to keep hitters guessing. The ability to mix pitches and maintain precise location will be crucial as he looks to turn around his season and regain the trust of Yankees fans.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Rodón to see if he can make the necessary adjustments to mitigate his home run issues. The stakes are high, and the pressure is palpable, but for a pitcher of his caliber, the potential for redemption remains.