New York Mets 2023 Top 30 Prospect Wraps: Luis R. Rodriguez

The New York Mets are hoping they'll get a longer look at a pitching prospect that has promise but is having trouble staying healthy.

InsideTheMets.com will review each of the New York Mets’ Top 30 prospects, as ranked by MLB.com at the end of the 2023 season.

No. 21: LHP Luis R. Rodriguez, St. Lucie Mets (Single-A), Florida Complex League Mets (Rookie)

Statistics for 2023: (six games, five starts) 0-1, 4.22 ERA, 10.2 innings, nine hits allowed, five runs (all earned), one home run, seven walks, 10 strikeouts, 1.50 WHIP.

With FCL Mets (four games, all starts) 0-1, 6.75, 5.1 innings, seven hits allowed, four runs (earned), one home run, two walks, four strikeouts.

With St. Lucie (two games, one start) 0-0, 1.69 ERA, 5.1 innings, two hits allowed, one run (earned), no home runs, five walks, six strikeouts.

Season Transactions: Rodriguez started the season at St. Lucie on the 60-day injured list on April 6. On June 21 he started a rehab assignment with the FCL Mets. On July 21 he was activated by St. Lucie. On Aug. 2 he was moved to St. Lucie’s 7-day injured list and then moved to the St. Lucie 60-day injured list on Aug. 11.

Season Summary: This was another rough season for Rodriguez, who spent the entire 2022 season on the injured list after Tommy John surgery. His recovery delayed his 2023 season, and when he returned he ended up pitching an equal number of innings with the FCL Mets and the St. Lucie Mets before he went on the injured list again, which ended his season. This was likely done out of an abundance of caution and to set Rodriguez up for a full season in 2024.

Path Through the Organization: Rodriguez joined the Mets in 2019 as an international signee and was part of the same class that saw the Mets sign Alex Ramirez. Nothing has really gone according to plan for him. COVID made 2020 a wash for all minor league players and, after splitting time between the FCL Mets and St. Lucie in 2021, the torn UCL ended his 2022 before he even got a chance to pitch.

What’s next: There is a lot of unrealized potential in the 20-year-old, but the good news is there is still time for him to unlock it. Before the injury, MLB.com scouts praised his mid-90s fastball and low-80s slider that had swing-and-miss potential. Aside from staying healthy, the next step for Rodriguez is to develop a third pitch to go along with his two live pitches. If he does that, he could be a potential starter. If not, he could grow into a bullpen option for the Mets as he matures.

2023 New York Mets Top 30 Prospect Wraps:

No. 30: Kade Morris | No. 29 Coleman Crow | No. 28 Nick Morabito | No. 27 Matt Rudick | No. 26: Joel Diaz | No. 25: Raimon Gomez | No. 24: Diego Mosquera | No. 23: Nolan McLean | No. 22: Jeremiah Jackson |