DrB's 2020 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #13 Tyler Rogers

Tyler Rogers RHP.  DOB:  12/17/1990.  6'5", 187 lbs.

AAA:  4-2, 4.21, 62.0 IP(49 G), 7.98 K/9, 4.06 BB/9, GB/FB= 2.60, 5 Saves,
MLB:  2-0, 1.02, 17.2 IP, 8.15 K/9, 1.53 BB/9, GB/FB= 4.86.

Normally you would not see a 29 year old submaweenie(that's a Kruk term) pitcher anywhere near this high on a best prospects list, but Tyler Rogers is a guy who we've followed up the Giants organizational ladder and thought maybe he should have gotten a MLB shot before this.  Now he has actual MLB experience and guess what?  He crushed it!  Not only does he get the groundballs that submarine slingers usually get, but he gets a lot more of them plus he gets his share of K's along with it.  I generally consider a GB/FB of 2 or more to be a dominant groundball tendency.  Rogers has never been lower than 2.42 in his entire pro career!

His release point is so low, it literally looks like his knuckles are getting skinned on the dirt.  This produces the initial rise then extreme sink on the straight ball or sinker which he throws almost exactly 2/3 of the time, but the slider is a riser that runs up and away from RH batter and up and in to LH batters.  Thats how he gets the K's.  I've always advocated for giving opposing batters different looks so I believe every bullpen needs at least one of submaweenie in it.  Rogers is so good at it, the Giants could go in several directions with him.  The classic role is 7'th/8'th inning setup.  I think he could be in the running for closer, although I think his incredible groundball tendency makes him a perfect choice for high-leverage situations with men on base.  The submarine deliver is a more natural motion than overhand, especially for the shoulder, so I think Rogers could be used relatively frequently in multi-inning roles and would be an interesting choice for Opener if the Giants start using more of those, which I am almost certain they will.