It’s been quite a while since anyone doubted Grayson Rodriguez, long considered a foundational piece of the Orioles’ rebuild and now regarded by many — himself included — as the top pitching prospect in the minors.
Still, years later, he remembers the questions about whether the 11th overall pick was too high for the Orioles to take him in the 2018 draft, or whether someone else might have been better at that spot, or if he would ever be nearly as good as he’s been so far.
He’s answered them all — and then some. And even the years-old doubt, long ago buried by an almost faultless minor league career, have fueled an ascent that puts Rodriguez at quite a high station as he builds toward his major league debut.