Chad Girodo
Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 60 | Overall: 45
As a ninth-round senior who signed for $5,000 out of Mississippi State in 2013, Girodo doesn't have the strongest prospect pedigree. However, the left-hander jumped on the fast track to the Major Leagues last season, turning in dominant showings at Class A Advanced Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire before finishing the year with a taste of Triple-A. Between the three levels, the left-hander recorded a 1.34 ERA and 0.96 WHIP across 45 appearances. During the offseason, Girodo was added to the Blue Jays' 40-man roster.
Girodo was over-the-top in college but has since lowered his arm slot considerably, giving his 87-89 mph fastball a lot of sink while enabling him to work down in the zone consistently. He complements it with a short, wipeout slider at 79-80 mph that is lethal against left-handed hitters, evidenced by their collective .096/.143/.123 and 29 strikeouts in 77 plate appearances against him in 2015. However, his below-average changeup limits his success against righties.
Girodo's track record as a situational lefty should get him in the Major League in 2016, although he's likely to open the season back in the Pacific Coast League.
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