Could this pitcher be the answer to the Blue Jays hitting woes?
If the Blue Jays are looking to add a power bat to their lineup, they might want to look no further than their own pitching rotation. Yes, you read that correctly.
Jose Berrios recently hosted a charity softball game in his native Puerto Rico, featuring some of baseball's biggest stars. Among those in attendance was his Blue Jays teammate, Yariel Rodr�guez.
While Rodr�guez's exact role with the team remains uncertain heading into 2025, perhaps manager John Schneider should consider using him as a pinch-hitter.
Blue Jays fans, this guy can absolutely rake.
Rodr�guez went 3-for-3 during the charity game, and he launched a home run that was an absolute bomb. If he keeps this up, could the Blue Jays have their own version of Shohei Ohtani?
The fact that Rodr�guez can swing the bat isn't all that surprising. Many major league pitchers were known for their hitting prowess during their college days, with some even carrying that skill into the big leagues. (Anyone remember Carlos Zambrano?)
While Rodr�guez 's career batting stats from Cuba and Japan show a sub-.200 average, it's important to note that he's had only 35 career at-bats.
The likelihood of Rodr�guez stepping into the batter's box in 2025 remains slim, but the possibility still exists. Maybe fans will get to see him go yard in spring training or during batting practice.
As things stand, Rodr�guez will likely begin the year as the Blue Jays' fifth starter, or potentially as a hybrid arm out of the bullpen. There have even been whispers that the team may experiment with him as a closer-something he did frequently in Cuba-at least during the spring.
Whatever happens with Rodr�guez in the future, there may be a chance for the Blue Jays to have their own Bartolo moment
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16 | 126 ANSWERS Could this pitcher be the answer to the Blue Jays hitting woes? Should the Blue Jays make Yariel Rodriguez as DH? | ||
| Yes | 35 | 27.8 % |
| No | 36 | 28.6 % |
| Bro, who are you kdding? | 55 | 43.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
