Joely Rodriguez Making Strides For IronPigs

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Phillies added a lot of young starting pitching this past offseason, helping to improve the talent level of what was a real organizational weakness.

One of the starting pitchers acquired was left-hander Joely Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has spent all of this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and his overall numbers are not very impressive. He is 2-3 in 9 starts with a 5.18 ERA. In 48.2 innings, he has allowed 61 hits with 23 walks and 24 strikeouts.

However, the native of the Dominican Republic has really turned a corner in the last couple of weeks. In his last 3 starts Rodriguez has gone 2-0 with a 2.28 ERA. In 19.2 innings he has allowed 20 hits and walked just 3 batters with 10 strikeouts.

"In the beginning of the season, it was a little bit of a struggle because my mechanics was a little not in combination," Rodriguez tells KYW Newsradio. "But now I found out how I'm going to throw the ball and everything is in control and my delivery is better than before."

Listen to the entire interview with Joely Rodriguez

The 23-year-old Rodriguez talks about the pitches that are allowing him to have this recent success.

"My best pitch right now is a sinker," Rodriguez says. "I use my change-up, too. I mix it up."

The Phillies acquired Rodriguez from the Pittsburgh organization in the trade that sent left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo packing back on December 10th.

"When I got traded I was in the Dominican," Rodriguez says. "(Playing) winter ball, (getting ready) to throw a bullpen when the general manager for Pittsburgh called me and said to me, 'Hey, you've been traded to the Phillies.' I didn't believe in that moment, but now I know it's true."

And Rodriguez knows he's just a step away from the big leagues, but he also knows he is not there yet.

"Real exciting," Rodriguez says. "But I have to keep on working and you never know. I'm going to be here doing whatever I need to do."

Rodriguez will be on the mound tonight as the IronPigs continue a road series against the Gwinnett Braves.

You can follow  Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.