Grayson Rodriguez Has Another Stellar Outing for Baltimore, But..

Grayson Rodriguez Flashback

Six years ago, in the Spring of 2017, Nacogdoches Central Heights won the Texas State Championship in Class 3A high school baseball. The Blue Devils defeated Whitesboro 7-0 in the semifinal matchup and then run-ruled Wall in the championship game 10-0.

A junior by the name of Grayson Rodriguez was the winning pitcher for Central Heights in the semifinal game. He pitched all 7 innings and allowed only 2 hits while striking out 14.

A Weird Stat

Even as a junior, Rodriguez was one of the most dominating high school pitchers in the Lone Star State. As you might expect, he was named on the All-State Tournament Team--but, not as a pitcher.

Grayson made the All-State Tournament Team as the shortstop. Ryan Gully, the ace on the staff for the Wall Hawks got the nod over Grayson for the pitcher's spot. In Wall's state semifinal win, Gully pitched 7 innings, gave up 1 run, and struck out 15.

Both players were very deserving to be named All-Tourney pitcher, but there was only room for one, and Gully got the nod.

I just find it funny and ironic that the young man who would eventually become one of the top prospects in all of Major League Baseball, couldn't make his way onto the All-State Tournament Team as the pitcher.

From Top Prospect to One of the Best in the Majors

Since being recalled to the Orioles after July's All-Star Break, Grayson Rodriguez continues to shine. His ERA since that time has been an amazing 2.67.

He has also come up with some clutch performances over the past two weeks. He shut down the 2nd place Tampa Bay Rays when it appeared that they had the momentum over the Orioles.

Grayson Rodriguez Delivers His Best Against Tampa Bay

Then, last night (9/27), Rodriguez got the win in Baltimore's 5-1 victory over Washington. The former Blue Devil pitched 5 2/3 innings while striking out 7. This win brings the Oriole's magic number to one for clinching the American League East title.

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

If the Orioles do claim the title and the number-one seed in the American League, Grayson would get a lot of time to rest. He wouldn't be scheduled to pitch again until at least October 7. That would take place in the American League Divisional Series.

Not bad for a guy who didn't make the high school All-State Tournament Team as a pitcher.

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