Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 70 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 60

Eloy Jiménez was the No. 1 international prospect in 2013, a right-handed slugger with prodigious power from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In many regards, Rodriguez is a near carbon copy of Jiménez, hailing from the same city with a similarly offensive-minded profile and extra large frame at a young age that has evaluators dreaming on what he can become if he taps into his All-Star-caliber upside. Rodriguez, who trains with Pedro Pichardo in the D.R., is already up to 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds by the age of 16, making him the top-ranked power bat in his class.

Rodriguez generates leverage by utilizing a front foot stride from the right-handed batter's box that allows him to tap into his immense raw pop. He has done damage during every step of his amateur career, consistently generating extra-base hits, which becomes all the more impressive when factoring in that opponents are well aware of the hype that surrounds his potency. The downside to such a robust power profile for Rodriguez is that there are swing-and-miss concerns he’ll have to iron out as he sees an increased amount of top-notch breaking stuff in the pro ranks, but scouts point to his pitch recognition skills as a way of counteracting unease.

Equipped with a frame that all but assuredly will push him to right field as he matures, Rodriguez has gotten run in center as an amateur. He covers ground with his long strides, but does tend to rely on his plus throwing arm to keep runners from taking an extra base. Nimble and quick for his size, an organization isn’t likely to put a cap on Rodriguez as he enters pro ball due to his all-around impact potential.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50

The Tigers had never signed a top five prospect on the international amateur market since MLB Pipeline began ranking international prospects in 2012. Then came Rodriguez, a physically gifted, imposing outfielder from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic who ranked No. 4 overall and had the best power in the 2025 class. The Tigers spent years building a relationship before signing him in January for a franchise record $3,197,500 bonus.

Rodriguez has earned comparisons to Eloy Jiménez and Aaron Judge for his ability to generate power from his right-handed swing. He generates leverage by utilizing a front foot stride from the box, combining pop with outstanding bat speed. That approach carries some risk for swing-and-miss vulnerability once he sees more breaking balls in the pro rankings, but scouts counter that he has advanced pitch recognition for his age that should further develop as he matures. Though Rodriguez played quite a bit of center field growing up and could do so early in the pro ranks, his size is expected to eventually push him into right, where his arm could have more impact.

The Tigers have tried to build their farm system around waves of prospects since Scott Harris took over as president of baseball operations in 2022. Rodriguez represents the first face in a new wave. He’s a long-term play for Detroit, and the struggles of Jiménez are a reminder that nothing is guaranteed on the international market, something the Tigers have seen with other recent signings. But if Rodriguez hits, he could be the best international prospect to come through the Tigers system since at least Willy Adames, who was traded to the Rays while still in the low Minors. Rodriguez will spend this year in the Dominican Summer League before advancing to the States.

Awards

DSL Mid-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2025

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	07/20/2025	OF Cris Rodriguez assigned to DSL AL All-Stars.
	06/01/2025	OF Cris Rodriguez assigned to DSL Tigers 2 from DSL Tigers 1.
	02/28/2025	OF Cris Rodriguez assigned to DSL Tigers 1.
	01/15/2025	Detroit Tigers signed free agent OF Cris Rodriguez to a minor league contract.