ADP Crowdsourcing: Wandy Rodriguez

by
November 24, 2010

Today in ADP Crowdsourcing, I go all Harry Potter and talk about Wandy Rodriguez.

Most owners probably don’t realize just how good Wandy Rodriguez was last season after he started slow for the Astros. If you gave up on him during his doldrums last year, I can’t blame you, because I was among the many who did (and regretted it later).

Wandy had a really hard time in May and June, as he couldn’t strike batters out at a high rate and was starting to lose a grip on his walk rate. Sure, his whiff rate was down during those two months, but not astronomically so (puns!). He bounced back in the next two months, striking out over a batter an inning in July and August, with a K/BB rate just below 5.00. August was especially impressive, as he posted an ERA of 1.34 with a 1.86 FIP to boot.

Wandy has been very consistent over the past three seasons, delivering a FIP around 3.55, a strikeout rate around 8.5 per nine, and a swinging strike rate around the 9% mark. And he’s done it all while relying on two pitches. For someone who just came into the spotlight a few years ago, Wandy will already be 32 years of age when next season comes around, but he should still be able to deliver good numbers next season.

Because Wandy’s always seemed to fly under the radar anyway, are owners going to completely overlook him after his slow start last year? It’s your call, and I appreciate the input. Below is a link to the voting form, and please read the wording carefully. This is not where you would draft him, but where you think he’ll be drafted in most leagues. For the voting, we’re assuming a 12-team standard league, using 5×5 scoring. Please note that because of the Thanksgiving holiday, ADP results will not be up until Monday.

To submit your vote, click here.





 

Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.

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William
13 years ago

I think voters see his consistently nice ERAs, reasonably good Ks, and buy into the “wins are random” theory — despite his being on the Astros — and take him after the name guys but before the reaches… something like the 10th round, maybe? (I do auctions, so I’m not sure how worries about a bunch of mid-level pitchers disappearing effects things)

In reality, I’d be a bit more cautious about this continuing, despite his sound 3-year record and advanced RA estimators, since as you say he has only two pitches (that decent changeup last season was very unlikely) which each have their issues: I think we can assume a ceiling on his FB as good but no more than that, and while his curve can be brilliant, more often than that it’s just “meh”. At 32, I would imagine these tools won’t improve, at the very least…

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OremLK
13 years ago
Reply to  William

Left-handed pitchers have a slower aging curve, for whatever reason. The Astros hired Brad Arnsberg, Roy Halladay’s former pitching coach from the Blue Jays, as their pitching instructor last season and that’s why Wandy was using his changeup more, FYI.

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OremLK
13 years ago
Reply to  OremLK

Also, Wandy’s curveball is almost never “meh”. I don’t know where you came up with that, but it’s patently false. He probably has the best left-handed curve in baseball.

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