Red Sox trade Andrew Miller for Eduardo Rodriguez

The Red Sox have reportedly traded left-handed reliever Andrew Miller to the Orioles as first reported by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. WEEI.com's Alex Speier reports that in exchange the Red Sox will receive left-handed pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez (pictured, right), who is ranked as the #3 prospect in the Orioles system according to MLB.com.

Rodriguez, 21, was signed out of Venezuela as in 2010 and has risen through the system and pitched in Double-A Bowie this season. He throws his fastball in the low 90s with good movement, and also has two above-average secondary pitches in his slider and changeup. Over 16 starts on the year, Rodriguez has a 4.79 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 69 strikeouts and 29 walks. Scouts have generally been more impressed with him than the numbers indicate, and part of that is the fact he is almost four years younger than the average Eastern League pitcher.

Miller (pictured, left) was selected by Detroit with the sixth overall pick out of the University of North Carolina. In 2007, he was traded by Detroit to the Florida Marlins as one of the main pieces in the deal that netted them Miguel Cabrera. The Red Sox were able to get Miller at a substantially lower cost in November of 2010 after he struggled as a starter for Florida, sending only left-handed pitching prospect Dustin Richardson to complete the deal.

After starting for the 2011 season, Miller was switched to the bullpen in 2012, a role that he has excelled in ever since. In 2014 Miller has been one of the best relievers in baseball. Over 42 1/3 innings he has a 2.34 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 14.67 K/9, and 2.76 BB/9, all of which are career bests.

Overall, a young pitcher with three above average pitches is a very strong return for a half season of a relief pitcher. Rodriguez will likely report to Double-A Portland.

Photo Credit: Eduardo Rodriguez by MiLB.com and Andrew Miller by Kelly O'Connor

Will Woodward is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @SPWill.

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