The Cleveland Guardians faced a tough 8-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, bringing their early season record to 2-2. Ahead of the game, the Guardians made a strategic move to bolster their pitching staff, trading for right-handed pitcher Carter Rustad from the Baltimore Orioles. In exchange, Cleveland sent their 26-year-old outfielder, Johnathan Rodriguez, who was ranked as their No. 13 prospect.
Carter Rustad, a 24-year-old right-hander, may not have been a top-tier prospect, but the Guardians see untapped potential in him. Drafted in the 15th round by the Orioles in 2024 out of Missouri, Rustad has shown promising development.
According to a FanGraphs scouting report, he experienced a velocity increase at the start of 2025, moving from 92-93 mph to 94-96 mph in his early professional outings. This uptick in velocity, along with adjustments to his secondary pitches, caught Cleveland's attention.
On the flip side, the Orioles acquire Johnathan Rodriguez, a player with an intriguing yet unfulfilled potential. Drafted in the third round by Cleveland in 2017 from the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico, Rodriguez has had a slow climb through the ranks.
At 26, he’s just entering his fifth year of full-season professional baseball, having spent significant time in the minors before debuting in the majors in 2024. Despite appearing in 44 MLB games, Rodriguez has struggled to leave his mark, posting a .586 OPS with two home runs.
The Guardians’ decision to trade Rodriguez comes after they designated him for assignment, signaling a shift in their roster strategy. Cleveland's focus now turns to Rustad, hoping their renowned pitching development program can refine his skills, particularly in reducing walks, and potentially secure him a spot in the major league bullpen.
This trade highlights Cleveland's proactive approach to enhancing their pitching depth, while Baltimore gains a player who, with the right development, could find his stride. As both teams look to the future, this exchange may prove pivotal in shaping their respective rosters.