A's 2019 projections: Fernando Rodney has a lot to prove in 17th season

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Editor's note: Over the next few weeks, NBC Sports California will be analyzing a different A's player each day to project their numbers for next season.

Fernando Rodney is not quite Bartolo Colón, but he's not far off.

Rodney will turn 42 in March and he's still going strong. The right-handed reliever is entering his 17th Major League season.

Last year, Rodney was 4-3 with 26 saves and a 3.36 ERA in 68 appearances between Minnesota and Oakland. He recorded 70 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings. However, his WHIP was through the roof at 1.46.

In 22 games with the A's, Rodney went 1-1 with a 3.92 ERA and 1.60 WHIP, striking out 20 and walking 13 in 20 2/3 innings.

A high WHIP has always been part of the "Fernando Rodney experience." The three-time All-Star is well-known for getting himself into jams only to dig himself out -- last season was no different.

The question is whether Rodney can successfully continue his magic act at the age of 42. Baseball Reference projects Rodney to go 4-4 with a 4.00 ERA and 1.38 WHIP next season. They predict him to strike out 64 batters in 63 innings while walking 29.

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While Rodney's changeup can still be effective, he looked extremely shaky down the stretch last season, allowing nine earned runs in 9 2/3 September innings for an ERA of 8.38.

The A's clearly believe that was a fluke and hope Rodney can be a reliable setup man for Blake Treinen once again. We're not as optimistic.

Projection: 3-5, 4.43 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 54 K, 31 BB, 59 IP

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