Cody Carroll
Age: 26
2018 Level: AAA/MLB
2018 Stats
Current/Future/Ceiling Grades: 40/40/45
What we know:
Carroll came over from the Yankees in the Zach Britton trade. Carroll is a guy who jumped onto the radar in the 2017 AFL where he was in the upper 90s with a plus slider. Carroll is a relief only right-hander who hides the ball well which helps his mostly straight fastball play. He got a cup of coffee with the Orioles late in the season and did not show well. He looked like he got caught in the lights and was gripping the ball too tight. His command was poor and his slider flattened out. He was also throwing his split change much more than he did in the minors, with poor effect. It’s his worst pitch by a significant margin, I’m not sure if that was coming from the Orioles or a decision Carroll made.
What we don’t know:
The big question is can he handle the bigs? If he can bring the stuff and command he showed in the minors this year, he should carve himself a spot in the Orioles bullpen. How will his pitch mix look going forward? The split-change needs to improve or be limited to a show-me pitch.
What we think:
We think Carroll will get over his debut nerves and be a solid cost-controlled contributor to the Oriole bullpen during their rebuild. He’ll probably catch too many barrels to be a late-inning reliever, but he should be able to fill a middle relief and perhaps a 7th inning type role if the command improves.
By: Luke Siler
