Tuesday, January 29, 2019

DrB's 2019 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #35 Patrick Ruotolo

Patrick Ruotolo, RHP.  DOB:  1/16/1995.  5'10", 220 lbs.  Drafted 2016 Round 27.

2018 A+:  3-0, 1.47, 18.1 IP, 12.76 K/9, 3.44 BB/9, 6 Saves.
2018 AA:  1-1, 2.42, 26 IP, 12.46 K/9, 3.46 BB/9, 4 Saves.

Patrick Ruotolo is on the Closer fast track to the majors.  So far, he has dominated every level he has pitched at.  Some sites list Ruotolo at 240 lbs.  He is a short, chunky Righty who just rares back and brings it over-the-top.  The FB runs 92-94 MPH but batters have trouble picking it up.  Some of his teammates call it his "invisi-ball".  He backs that up with a 12-6 breaking ball that looks like it is probably a spike or knuckle curve.  He is working on a change up and makes it a point to throw it at least once per outing.  He should start 2019 in either AA Richmond or AAA Sacramento.  Ruotolo has not gotten a lot of attention from people who make prospect lists, but if he continues to dominate the way he has, it wouldn't be shocking to see him in San Francisco by the end of the season.

2 comments:

  1. Hmmm..Guilty! I completly forgot about him..but I really liked him last off season after the year he had in AUgusta and the two times I saw him for Richmond last year he was totally unhittable..the hitters were clueless agasint hiim..both the fastball and curve looked sharp..Just looking at his stats..his walk rate went up a little last year but his K rate has stayed the same (~12.5 per 9) over 3 levels (AUg, SJ, Rich) over the last two years..Not the prototypical body but the kid can pitch and, yeah, I think he has a much bigger chance of making the Bigs than alot of the guys we have discussed before (not a criticism of the list, just rfelcting his "sleeper" status and my own forgetfulness!)..

    SteveVA

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  2. It is interesting, in reading more about Patrick Ruotolo, he modeled his mechanics after Lincecum's when he found they were both of short stature. He is essentially a chunkier version of Lincecum. The mechanics are similar but not quite identical. Regardless, it certainly seems to be working for him. It would great to see him make it to San Francisco.

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