when they showed him in the AFL a couple of years ago, his stuff was absolutely filthy. It really is only a matter of health. People project the best pitchers drafted and developing in our system as relievers (Henry, Rutledge, Cavalli). This is the guy who would be untouchable as a reliever.
Lets keep him as a starter. He finally put together a full seaaon. I really want to see his progression after a full, healthy offseason.
We're not in a playoff hunt where we NEED a reliever. Get him at least half a season in Double A and see what happens. Thats where he'll start really needing command of a second pitch and the ability to throw a decent third pitch.
Theres a perfect world where Rutledge figures his stuff out in August and gets to pitch a few MLB innings in September. Then he gets go roll into the offseason with a legit chance of making the 2024 rotation
