One of the top talents on the international amateur free agent market in the 2017-18 signing period, Rodriguez joined the Mariners with a $1.75 million bonus. He immediately started living up to expectations with a strong pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2018 and the only thing that slowed him during his United States debut in 2019 was a fastball to the left hand in April. Once he recovered from the hairline fracture, he tore up the South Atlantic League and was extremely impressive in the California League before more than holding his own as an 18-year-old in the Arizona Fall League.
Rodriguez has about as much offensive upside as any hitter in the Mariners’ organization, and perhaps all of the Minors. He should continue to be able to hit for both average and power and his already advanced approach will allow him to continue to get to his prodigious raw power consistently, giving him every chance to hit in the middle of a big league lineup. Strong and physically imposing, Rodriguez will never be a burner and speed isn’t a huge part of is game, but he moves very well for his size.
The teenager has played both center and right field, including during his stint in the AFL. While he’s capable up the middle, right field seems to be the best fit for him long-term, where his cannon of an arm will play very well. Rodriguez has matured, both physically and mentally, much more quickly than anyone could have anticipated. A leader on and off the field, Rodriguez has the tools, and the personality, to be a superstar once he reaches the big leagues.
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
An older international prospect whom the Cardinals signed at age 19 in January 2016, Rodriguez was originally viewed as an organizational roster filler based on his defensive merits. But the Dominican catcher proved a more complete player than initially thought during his pro debut, showing feel to hit and power potential in the Dominican Summer League, and has continued to make strides offensively while incrementally climbing through the Cardinals' system. After a solid first full season at Class A Peoria, Rodriguez moved up to Class A Advanced Palm Beach and garnered midseason Florida State League All-Star honors in 2019.
Rodriguez's abilities behind the plate are obvious. He does a good job controlling the running game with his plus, accurate arm, and has been praised by evaluators for his catch-and-throw skills, with many noting his consistent footwork and quick release. He moves well in spite of his stocky frame, and is regarded as a good receiver and framer who also knows how to handle a pitching staff. Offensively, Rodriguez employs an aggressive approach from the right side of the plate, with a knack for making consistent contact to all field fields to go along with some pull-side raw power.
Rodriguez appears ticketed for backup role at the highest level if he can continue to make strides on both sides of the ball, and there's a non-zero chance that he'll achieve such a role based simply on his defensive chops.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
With his big and athletic body, along with his projectable frame and tools, it's easy to see why Rodriguez ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 9 prospect for the 2017-18 international signing period. The Mariners certainly agreed with that assessment, as they inked the 16-year-old outfielder for $1.75 million on July 2 and then began to acclimate him to the professional ranks with an assignment to the Dominican instructional league in the fall.
Rodriguez has a chance to be a special hitter, one who projects to hit for average and already shows robust raw power during batting practice. Rodriguez does have a pre-pitch waggle in the batter's box that can get his timing out of sync at times and results in some swing-and-miss, but his advanced approach at the plate and his overall bat speed helps solve some of the issues caused by his developing batting mechanics. Overall, he has the ability to drive the ball to all fields and he consistently makes hard contact.
On the other side of the ball, Rodriguez shows the makings of an everyday right fielder because of his solid defensive skills and above-average arm strength. His offensive profile is a clean fit at the position, and scouts believe Rodriguez has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order type of run producer once fully developed.
With his big and athletic body, along with his projectable frame and tools, it's easy to see why Rodriguez ranked as MLBPipeline.com's No. 9 prospect for the 2017-18 international signing period. The Mariners certainly agreed with that assessment, as they inked the 16-year-old Dominican outfielder for $1.75 million on July 2.
Rodriguez has a chance to be a special hitter, one who projects to hit for average and already shows big raw power during batting practice. Rodriguez does have a pre-pitch waggle in the batter's box that can get his timing out of sync at times and results in some swing-and-miss, but his advanced approach at the plate and his overall bat speed helps solve some of the issues caused by his developing batting mechanics. Overall, he has the ability to drive the ball to all fields and he consistently makes hard contact.
On defense, Rodriguez profiles as an everyday right fielder because of his solid defensive skills and strong arm. His offensive profile is a clean fit at the position, and scouts believe Rodriguez has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order type of run producer at maturity.
