Andrew Krodel’s Journey From California HS To Collegiate Bullpen

High School Standout in Villa Park

Villa Park, California native Andrew James Krodel starred for the Spartans, earning three varsity letters. He posted a .288/.356/.352 batting line over 80 games and tossed a 3.70 ERA in 98.1 innings, allowing 91 hits while walking 29 and striking out 90. His fastball hovered around 90 MPH, but the numbers failed to draw attention in a baseball‑rich state, leaving him undrafted in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Following high school, Krodel enrolled at the University of California, Santa Barbara, hoping to continue his development. The Gauchos gave him a chance as a freshman, though his early college stint was rocky. He appeared in three games, surrendering four earned runs in just 3.2 innings for a 9.82 ERA.

College Beginnings at UC Santa Barbara

When he returned for his sophomore campaign, head coach Checketts gave him slightly more innings, but the results remained below expectations. In 11 outings, he compiled a 6.18 ERA over 27.2 innings, yielding 23 hits, 17 walks and fanning 37 batters. The summer after that season proved pivotal for his growth.

Krodel joined the Cowlitz Black Bears of the West Coast League and recorded a 2.25 ERA across 24 innings in seven games. He allowed 17 hits, walked 13 and struck out 16, signaling a step forward in hisProgression.

Summer Leagues and Teammates

For the following summer, he stayed close to home with the Santa Barbara Foresters of the California Collegiate League. In seven starts, he posted a 1.74 ERA over 31 innings, surrendering 22 hits, walking nine and racking up 44 strikeouts. He shared the mound with future 2026 draftee Aidan Keenan and 2025 Mets 13th‑round pick Frank Camarillo.

Returning to Santa Barbara for his junior year, the Gauchos kept him primarily in the bullpen. Over 25 relief appearances, he logged a 5.66 ERA in 35 innings, permitting 42 hits, 17 walks and 42 strikeouts. The move underscored his developing role as a middle‑relief option.

Pitching Mechanics and Arsenal

Physically, Krodel stands 6′4″ and weighs 200 lb, delivering a high‑three‑quarter arm slot with a long, fluid arm swing and above‑average extension from the mound. He relies on a four‑pitch mix despite his bullpen designation, centering his repertoire around a two‑seam fastball.

The two‑seam sits in the low‑90s with below‑average velocity, yet it generates above‑average vertical break and seam‑shifted wake effects that make it appear to resist gravity while diving arm‑side late. His circle changeup, sitting in the low‑to‑mid‑80s, fades sharply to the arm side and has yielded swings and misses against both left‑ and right‑handed hitters. The curve sits in the mid‑to‑high‑70s and the slider ranges from the high‑70s into the low‑80s, both still raw but showing promise through solid movement.

Statistical Profile and Future Outlook

Across three college seasons, Krodel has combined for a 27.1 % strikeout rate, but his command remains a concern. His walk rate sits at 12.1 %, roughly five percent higher than the typical MLB average, and he often misses spots, forcing him to rely on finesse. Batters have hit .263/.366/.435 against him with a .351 BABIP, while his groundball rate sits at 36.7 %, line drives at 15.3 % and flyballs at 48 %, leading to a 14.9 % home‑run‑to‑flyball ratio.

The blend of movement on his pitches and a solid strikeout bite suggests he could carve out a niche as a relief pitcher, provided he improves his control and reduces the walk rate. Scouts will be watching how his four‑pitch repertoire develops, especially the changeup’s effectiveness and the potential for his low‑90 fastball to play up with better command. If he can tighten his command, the tools he already displays may translate to a role in the big leagues.