Dodgers: Re-Creating a More Realistic Reliever Wish List

Hector Rondon

* Editors note, Hector Rondon signed a 2-year deal $8.5M with the Astros *

If you like Pedro Baez you’ll like Hector Rondon. Similarly, if you are not a Baez fan, Rondon probably won’t make your nice list.

Hector Rondon is essentially the second coming of Pedro Baez. His ability to strike out batters with intense velocity is there. He struck out 69 in just 57.1 innings last year. But, just like Baez, Rondon’s 69 punch outs were accompanied by an absurd amount of walks (20).

Rondon last year was inconsistent. He was elite at times while he was awful in others. On the season, he finished with an unsightly 4.24 ERA. But, some stats may prove a lot of Rondon’s ugly ERA was bad luck.

First is his WHIP which was just 1.221 at the end of the year. 1.221 is not the best ever but it certainly does not go with a 4.24 ERA. Similarly to his WHIP, Rondon’s ERA+ of 104 is usually not seen anywhere near a pitcher with an ERA well into the fours.

But, to the Dodgers advantage, Rondon’s season was generally not considered a good one. He lost his closer job, got released by the Cubs, and put up some pretty gross numbers. 

Add all those up and the result is a really cheap contract. The Dodgers have Baez on the roster and whether you will admit it or not they have made him work. So, why not have both of baseball’s least favorite successful pitchers.