Left-handed starting pitcher Carlos Rodon is a free agent this MLB offseason.
He’s coming off of a career year in 2021, which couldn’t have come at a better time for him.
As a result of his stellar campaign, he’s going to be a hot commodity this winter.
Time will tell where he lands, but in the meantime, let’s take a look at some of his best seasons so far.
The 28-year-old has seven years of experience at the MLB level, so we have a handful of campaigns to choose from.
Let’s get started.
3. Rodon’s 2016 Season
Rodon’s 2016 season was his second at the MLB level.
Over 28 outings, he posted a 4.04 ERA, 100 ERA+, 4.01 FIP, and 1.39 WHIP.
He finished the year with a bWAR of 1.7.
Now, truthfully, this was a very average season by most measures.
He was definitely a serviceable arm, but his numbers from the 2016 season don’t pop off the page.
If you’re surprised to see such an average season listed as one of Rodon’s best, you should take a look at his track record.
This guy was fantastic in 2021, but that was a first for him.
Prior to the 2021 campaign, he had never really showcased his ability to pitch like an ace at the MLB level.
2. Rodon’s 2015 Season
Same story here.
Rodon’s 2015 season was decent, but nothing more, nothing less.
He made 26 appearances (23 of which were starts) and registered a 3.75 ERA, 104 ERA+, 3.87 FIP, and 1.44 WHIP.
He had a bWAR of 1.6.
To his credit, the 2015 campaign was his rookie season, so it was certainly a solid showing for a first-year player.
But again: For a guy that was a Cy Young candidate in 2021, some folks might be surprised to see that a 3.75 ERA season stands as his second-best year so far.
That’s not said as a diss — it’s meant to illustrate just how big of a surprise he was in 2021.
1. Rodon’s 2021 Season
Here’s the good stuff.
Rodon’s 2021 campaign was outstanding, and it came out of nowhere.
The North Carolina State University product was one of baseball’s best hurlers this past season, and there are plenty of stats to back up that claim.
He put up a 2.37 ERA over 24 starts, which would have been a good enough mark to win the ERA title if he had thrown enough innings to qualify.
He also pitched to a 2.65 FIP, 0.96 WHIP, and 183 ERA+.
Rodon fanned 185 batters in 132.2 innings, giving him a nine-inning strikeout rate of 12.6.
He even threw a no-hitter along the way.
He was named an All-Star, and he finished fifth in the AL Cy Young race.
His bWAR for the year was 5.0, which stands as a career-high.
The southpaw was an ace in 2021.
Wrap-Up
Rodon entered the 2021 season with a career ERA of 4.14.
Given that, not many people saw his Cy Young-caliber campaign coming.
But he successfully put the league on notice in 2021.
The former first-round pick will likely get paid handsomely this offseason.
Even in a free-agent class loaded with top arms, he’s being regarded as one of the best options.
It’s amazing what a strong season can do for your stock, especially in a contract year.
Assuming Rodon’s 2021 season was a sign of things to come for him, it’ll be exciting to watch him in future seasons.
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