Showalter on Rodriguez: "He's a guy that's really graduated"

The three non-roster players who arrived yesterday at Camden Yards received the bulk of the attention. Each brought his own equipment bag and storylines.

Pedro Álvarez had to spend most of the summer at Triple-A Norfolk before finally making it back to the majors, his power bat and track record unable to entice another team into take advantage of the opt-out clause in his contract. Manager Buck Showalter wanted Álvarez, but understood the challenges of carrying a player who projected as a platoon designated hitter.

Catcher Chance Sisco got the call at 22, the consensus top prospect in the organization receiving his first taste of the majors. Practically writes itself.

Richard Rodriguez, an overnight sensation at 27, wasn't referenced in reports Thursday night on the anticipated call-ups. The Orioles decided later to include him, setting up Rodriguez for his major league debut. It turns out that his sub-.300 ERA really did get noticed.

Players sent to Norfolk on injury rehab assignments would come back to Camden Yards and offer endorsements on Rodriguez. Shortstop J.J. Hardy was the latest to do it. Showalter asked if anyone stood out to him and Hardy began to talk about Rodriguez, acquired from the Astros two years ago for cash considerations.

No one could hit him. The breaking ball was nasty.

Rodriguez was 5-0 with a 2.57 ERA in 23 appearances at Triple-A Fresno and 15-5 with a 3.60 ERA in six minor league seasons, with 49 walks and 204 strikeouts in 202 1/3 innings, when the Astros dealt him. Opponents batted .204 against him at Fresno. He had a full slate of minor league options.

A curious decision, but one that has benefited the Orioles.

"We were going to have to protect him anyway at the end of the year and he's a guy that's really graduated," Showalter said. "He's always had great stuff and his fastball plays up, a plus breaking ball. He's a two-pitch guy, but he's got that breaking ball that has more downward angle that really creates some plane changes for left-handed hitters. But we'll see."

For Rodriguez to gain the Orioles' trust, he had to prove that he wasn't effective only with a comfortable margin.

"In years past, he's had a little problem with the closer games," Showalter said, "but he graduated from that this year and he's going to get a chance to pitch in some meaningful situations."

The Orioles optioned outfielder Joey Rickard on Aug. 16 because they needed a roster spot for Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander and didn't want to risk losing Craig Gentry on a waiver claim. A teammate spotted Rickard in the clubhouse yesterday and joked about the bad hand he had been dealt.

Rickard accumulated 47 at-bats with Norfolk, which the Orioles hoped would benefit him upon his return.

"Yeah, definitely. You always look at the positives and that was one of them," he said. "I was playing every day and got to work on things and just tried to make the best of everything. And I'm just happy to be back here."

He's also thrilled that the Orioles crafted a seven-game winning streak in his absence and climbed the wild card ladder.

"We've been on that edge, around .500 for a while now," he said. "I've been watching the games and we've been pulling out some wins and hopefully we can keep it going."

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