Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | SEA | OF | 37 | 30 |
Grades Update: Nov 2020
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 30 | 50 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Nov 2020 Report
Evaluator: Alex Jensen
Age: 20 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 180 lbs
Hits/Throws: B/R
Acquired: 2017 IFA, TOR
RuleV: 2021
Physical Description: Compact 5'11 185 pound frame. Frame isn't the most projectable, but his body composition is fairly young and he will likely shift to more muscle over the next few years. Should wind up in the 200 pound range at maturity but is certainly not a physical specimen. Average athlete overall, but packs more strength than you'd guess based off of physical appearance. Strong lower half.
Hit: Simple lower half with a fairly wide base. Lower half movement is muted, which is necessary due to a fairly busy upper half. Unconventional hitting mechanics in the upper half with a notable drawback in his hands as he starts his swing prevents him from taking a steeper angle with his bat path. That said, he does seem to time everything out exceptionally well. Consistent, loud, line-drive oriented contact with quick, strong wrists. Very good eye and plus bat to ball skills. All fields approach and goes with the pitch. Main concern is that his natural contact and timing abilities with his current swing will prevent him from risking a swing change until the upper minors. Overall, a very good feel for contact and feel for the strike zone. Grade: 50
Power: Rodriguez packs more raw punch than you'd expect for his size and the ball jumps off of his bat. Unfortunately, a flat bat path significantly holds back his power ceiling and his current swing mechanics would make adding loft fairly difficult. That said, the loud contact and exit velocities are there for this tool to jump in the future. Raw power currently plays above in game. Upside is there for average or better power in games, but until the bat path changes it won't be unlocked. Grade: 40
Field: Rodriguez, signed as a center fielder, has since shifted to right field. His defense has improved steadily, with just one error in 41 games in 2019. He has decent range with an average arm currently and projects to stick in right field long term. Grade: 50
Arm: Limited sample size to look at, but Rodriguez has a solid arm with average carry for a corner outfielder and solid accuracy. He could tick up a half grade in this area as he continues to put on good weight spending time in the weight room. Grade: 50
Run: Rodriguez is a solid average runner currently. He has good first step instincts that help him with jumps, but he does project to slow down a tick as he matures. That could be counteracted as he shifts his body to good weight however and the Mariners have been among the league's best in this regard. Grade: 50
Overall: There is risk to Rodriguez in that he's a hit tool first prospect that likely will need to alter his swing at some point. The track record of corner outfield prospects who don't hit for power isn't exactly glowing. That being said, you can't teach Rodriguez's natural internal timing skills nor his natural feel for the barrel and as long as he hits, he will continue to factor into the teams long term plans. A fun tidbit is that he is longtime friends with Noelvi Marte, growing up in the same city (Cotui) just a year apart.
OFP: 30
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: High
