Carlos Rodon has always been seen as a solid MLB starter.
After really strong performances in 2021 and 2022 with the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants, the Yankees decided to bring him on board with a hefty six-year, $162 million contract during free agency.
Unfortunately, Rodon’s time with the Yankees started off on a rough note. Some critics thought his performance over the first two seasons fell short of the expectations that came with such a large deal.
From 2022 to 2023, his ERA and WHIP saw significant increases, and he also experienced a notable drop in strikeouts. Injuries at both the beginning and end of the season didn’t do him any favors either, and he ended up with a disappointing 3-8 record.
In a podcast conversation with Joel Sherman and John Heyman, Rodon opened up about how mentally exhausting the season was for him.
“It was a tough time. I took long drives home, just stuck in my head, trying to figure out what was going wrong and why I couldn’t seem to get better,” Rodon said. “I really hoped things would improve, but they didn’t.”
At that point, I thought, okay, Rodon had to make some changes. One of the adjustments he made was to his pitching style.
For the majority of his career, he relied mainly on his fastball and slider, but he added three new pitches: a curveball, sinker, and changeup.
That’s not an easy transition for many pitchers, especially for someone who has been in the league for a while. But this is where Rodon’s resilience really stands out.
“I’m not one to give up. I don’t believe in that,” Rodon mentioned. “It’s just not in my nature.”
This determination has proven beneficial for him, and it’s reflecting in his performance.
With his revamped pitch mix, Rodon is having a solid season so far. He now holds the title for the fewest hits allowed per nine innings in the American League. His current record is 7-3 with a 2.60 ERA and a WHIP of .94.
Rodon has played a key role in keeping the Yankees competitive in the AL East, and both he and the team are focused on one major goal: returning to the World Series.
Rodon really believes in this team’s potential to get there.
“I honestly think we’re a better team this year,” he said. “Of course, we still have to prove it. There are still games to win.”
