American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, This Week in the Association and the Minor League Sports Report name Milwaukee Milkmen right-hander Sebastian Rodriguez as the American Association Pitcher of the Month for the month of August.

Milkmen RHP Sebastian Rodriguez Named August Pitcher of the Month

On Sunday, This Week in the Association and the Minor League Sports Report named Milwaukee Milkmen right-hander Sebastian Rodriguez as the American Association Pitcher of the Month for August. Rodriguez had an amazing month, going 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA in five starts.

Rodriguez rolled in his first start of the month, tossing seven shutout innings against the Kane County Cougars. The right-hander gave up a leadoff single to start the game, then gave up just one more hit over the next five innings. He gave up a single in the sixth and more in the seventh. His only trouble came in the seventh, with the Milkmen righty gave up a walk and a single to start the frame. He then struck out Claudio Finol before induing a double-play to end the threat. The strikeout was his 11^th of the game, as Rodriguez struck out two in the second and fourth innings and struck out the side in the fifth.

In his next outings, Rodriguez tossed a complete game shutout against the Sioux Falls Canaries. The right-hander allowed just one hit through the first five innings, a leadoff double in the third. As was in the previous outing, the seventh proved to be the only frame where he had any trouble, giving up two singles, but he struck out Hunter Clanin to end the threat. He retired the final seven batters of the contest, allowing three hits and two walks, while striking out nine.

His third start of the month earned Rodriguez his third victory in August, as he allowed two earned runs in six innings, giving up six hits and a walk, while striking out six. He gave up a run in the bottom of the first, seeing his 21-inning scoreless streak come to an end.

His fourth start was an incredible pitchers’ duel with Peyton Long of the Gary SouthShore RailCats, as this game was scoreless through seven. Rodriguez gave up five hits and two walks, striking out seven before leaving after seven. The righty found himself in trouble in the third when he gave up a single and a double to start the frame, but used a ground out and two shallow fly ball outs to end the threat. Milwaukee scored two in the bottom of the eighth to earn the 2-0 victory, with Rodriguez earning a no-decision.

His last start came on Friday against the Lake Country Dockhounds, an 8-3 victory. The right-hander gave up three earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five.

Rodriguez led the league with a 1.29 ERA in August. He gave up 25 hits and eight walks while striking out 38 in 35.0 innings pitched. He posted a 0.94 WHIP and opponents hit .203 against him.

Sebastian Rodriguez is in his first professional season. He played winter ball in Puerto Rico before this season where he was 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 12 games. This season he signed with Milwaukee and has been great, going 11-4 with a 3.71 ERA in 17 starts and four relief appearances.

2024 American Association Pitchers of the Month

May – Ty Culbreth, Sioux Falls Canaries
June – Joey Matulovich, Winnipeg Goldeyes
July – Greg Mahle, Kane County Cougars

By Robert Pannier