Julio Rodríguez Explained

Julio Rodríguez
Team:Seattle Mariners
Number:44
Position:Center fielder
Birth Date:29 December 2000
Birth Place:Loma de Cabrera, Dominican Republic
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:April 8
Debutyear:2022
Debutteam:Seattle Mariners
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:August 14, 2024
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.275
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:71
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:216
Teams:
Awards:
Stat5value:80
Stat5label:Stolen bases

Julio Yarnel Rodríguez Jr. (born December 29, 2000), nicknamed "J-Rod", is a Dominican professional baseball center fielder for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He signed with the Mariners as an international free agent in 2017 and made his MLB debut in 2022. In his rookie season, he was named an All-Star along with winning the Silver Slugger Award and American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Early life

Rodriguez was born in Loma de Cabrera,[1] a town of roughly 20,000 people, in the Dominican Republic.[2] He was raised in Loma de Cabrera with his three siblings. His father was an agricultural engineer and his mother was a dentist.[3] At ten years old, he began competing in a local baseball league with children three to four years older than himself.[4] His father began coaching him at twelve years old, training him to play catcher because of his build. When he had a growth spurt the following year, he moved to the outfield.[5] He first caught the attention of scouts when, at only twelve years old, he hit a ball to the wall against a hard-throwing seventeen-year-old pitcher in a local tournament.

Professional career

Minor leagues

Rodríguez signed with the Seattle Mariners at 16 years of age as an international free agent in July 2017 for a bonus of $1.75 million.[6] [7] [8] He made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Mariners in 2018,[9] [10] playing primarily right field and batting .315/.404/.525 (7th in the league) with 50 runs, nine triples (tied for the league lead), five home runs, 36 RBI, and 10 stolen bases without being caught in 219 at-bats over 59 games.[11] He was over three years younger than the average player in both leagues.[12] He was named both a DSL mid-season All-Star and a Baseball America DSL All-Star.[11]

Rodríguez started 2019 with the Class A West Virginia Power in the South Atlantic League.[13] He missed part of the season with a fractured left hand.[14] [15] He was promoted to the Class A-Advanced Modesto Nuts in the California League in August, becoming one of only three 18-year-olds in all of minor league baseball to play High-A ball in 2019.[6] Over 328 at-bats in 84 games between the two teams playing right field and center field, he slashed .326/.390/.540 with 63 runs, 26 doubles, 12 home runs and 69 RBI, and was 10th in the South Atlantic League with a .490 slugging percentage.[16] [11] [17] He was named a California League Player of the Week on September 2, and an MiLB Organization All Star.[11] In September 2019, he was the Mariners' No. 2 prospect, and the No. 25 prospect in baseball.[8] [15]

Rodríguez played in the Arizona Fall League for the Peoria Javelinas following the regular season, at 18 the youngest player in the AFL, and batted .288/.397/.365 in 52 at-bats.[18] [19] [15] He was named an AFL Rising Star.[11]

In May 2021, Rodriguez started to play with the Everett AquaSox. After a few months, he was promoted to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. Rodríguez was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game.[20] In August 2021, he was ranked No. 1 on the Mariners prospect list and No. 2 on the MLB top 100 prospect list.[21] The Mariners added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft after the 2021 season.[22]

Seattle Mariners

2022 season: AL Rookie of the Year

Rodríguez made his major league debut on Opening Day, April 8, 2022,[23] as the starting center fielder versus the Minnesota Twins.[24] After starting the season 1-for-21 with 12 strikeouts, Rodríguez took off. On May 1, Rodríguez hit his first career home run, a three-run shot off Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara.[25] He was named American League (AL) Rookie of the Month consecutively for May and June 2022. In June, he played 29 games, scored 22 runs, and hit .280/.361/.542 with seven home runs, 16 RBI, and five stolen bases.[26] Rodríguez kept up his great performance in July, during a stretch in which the Mariners won 14 consecutive games and jumped into playoff discussions. On July 15, he hit his first career grand slam to put a game against the Texas Rangers out of reach. In July, he played 19 games, scored 12 runs, and hit .267/.337/.547 with five home runs, 18 RBI, and two stolen bases. He however did not win Rookie of the Month in July with the award going to Jose Miranda who put up superior numbers.[27]

Rodríguez was selected to the 2022 MLB All-Star Game roster, making him the sixth Mariners rookie to do so.[28] Rodríguez also participated in the Home Run Derby, where he hit 81 home runs across three rounds, and placed second behind Juan Soto.[29] During a game on August 23 against the Washington Nationals, Rodríguez hit his 20th home run of the 2022 season, making him the sixth player in Seattle Mariners history to join the 20–20 club, and the fourth player in MLB history to do so in their first MLB season.[30] On September 14, he became the first player to join the 25–25 club in his debut season.[31] On August 26, Rodríguez signed a 14-year contract extension worth up to $400 million with the Mariners.[32]

In 2022, Rodríguez batted .284/.345/.509 (8th in the AL) with 84 runs, 28 home runs, 75 RBI, 25 steals (fifth), and 140 strikeouts in 511 at-bats, with a 26.4 power-speed number (second), while leading the AL outfielders in both range factor/9 innings (2.88) and errors (6).[33] At 21 years of age, he was the youngest qualified batter in major league baseball.[34] Rodríguez won the Silver Slugger Award[35] and the AL Rookie of the Year Award.[36]

2023 season

On April 7, 2023, Rodríguez hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians. With this home run, Rodríguez became the fastest player in Mariners history to 30 home runs, doing so in 140 games.[37] On July 10, Rodríguez hit 41 homers in the first round of the Home Run Derby against Pete Alonso, breaking the Derby record for most home runs in a single round.

In August, Rodríguez went on a tear at the plate that equaled or surpassed marks not achieved since the early 20th century. From August 16 to 19, Rodríguez broke the MLB record for most hits in a four-game span with 17, the most since at least 1901. During those four games, Rodríguez went 17-for-22, hit 2 home runs, recorded 8 runs-batted-in, and stole 5 bags. He had 28 hits in 10 games, a number not reached since Kenny Lofton in 1997, and during that stretch had 5 four-hit games, not recorded as having happened since 1900. Further, he had a total of 5 four-hit games during the month; only Ty Cobb, with 6 in 1921, had more.[38]

In early September, he became the first player in MLB history to record 25 home runs and 25 steals in his first two seasons.[39] On September 11, 2023, Rodríguez hit his 30th home run of the season, making him the 44th player to join MLB's 30–30 club.[40]

In 2023, Rodríguez batted .275/.333/.485 with 32 home runs and 37 stolen bases and led the AL in infield hits (29).[41] He won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award[42] while also being a finalist for the AL Gold Glove Award in center field.[43] He finished fourth place in the AL Most Valuable Player voting.[44]

Personal life

Rodríguez claims to be motivated by anime. In his childhood, he would run home from school to watch Naruto. As a rookie, Rodríguez wore a chain featuring title character Naruto Uzumaki on the reverse as a reminder to "always see the bright side of things" and "never give up."

Rodríguez began dating Canadian professional soccer player Jordyn Huitema in November 2022.[45]

In January 2023, Rodríguez donated an ambulance to his hometown's civil defense headquarters. Prior to his donation, the town did not have an ambulance for emergencies. He also gifted baseball equipment and toys to the children in his hometown.[46]

Awards and accolades

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Julio Rodriguez Player Card . The Baseball Cube . December 29, 2000 . January 11, 2020 . August 2, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210802180204/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=211830 . live .
  2. Web site: Trupin . John . Julio Rodriguez says he's not done learning . Lookout Landing . January 30, 2019 . January 11, 2020 . July 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220716092544/https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2019/1/30/18202352/julio-rodriguez-mariners-top-prospect-outfielder-says-hes-not-done-learning . live .
  3. Web site: Jerry Crasnick . Crasnick . Jerry . Julio Rodriguez . MLBPA Players . . April 1, 2024 . en.
  4. News: Torres . Maria . Brock . Corey . How Mariners’ rookie Julio Rodríguez became the new king of Seattle . April 1, 2024 . . October 4, 2022 . en.
  5. News: Gonzalez . Alden . 'Bet on me': How rookie Julio Rodriguez became the Mariners' $470 million man . April 1, 2024 . . . November 14, 2022 . September 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902015522/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34481270/how-rookie-julio-rodriguez-became-seattle-mariners-470-million-man . en.
  6. Web site: Julio Rodríguez is one of the game's best prospects—and it's clear why . Marinersblog.mlblogs.com . December 10, 2019 . January 11, 2020 . June 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220609052049/https://marinersblog.mlblogs.com/julio-rodr%C3%ADguez-is-one-of-the-games-best-prospects-and-it-s-clear-why-81c1aa816a4e?gi=75e1a694736 . live .
  7. Web site: Julio Rodriguez wants to 'break baseball' . Kate . Preusser . . June 27, 2019 . November 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221115221102/https://theathletic.com/650209/2018/11/28/julio-rodriguez-wants-to-break-baseball/ . live .
  8. Web site: Glaser . Kyle . 'He's A Monster': Julio Rodriguez Has The Attention Of Scouts, Fellow Players . Baseballamerica.com . September 4, 2019 . January 11, 2020 . July 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220714171002/https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/notes-from-the-coast-julio-rodriguez-becomes-a-monster/ . live .
  9. Web site: Julio Rodriguez Has That 'It' Factor . T. J. . Cotterill . www.baseballamerica.com . March 25, 2019 . June 27, 2019 . March 26, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190326001543/https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/julio-rodriguez-has-that-it-factor/ . live .
  10. Web site: Rodriguez, 17, impresses Mariners on, off field. MLB.com. June 27, 2019. July 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722040249/https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-julio-rodriguez-excels-in-pro-debut-c294070572. live.
  11. Web site: Julio Rodriguez Stats, Highlights, Bio MiLB.com Stats The Official Site of Minor League Baseball . Milb.com . January 11, 2020 . February 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210205184152/http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=677594#/career/R/hitting/2019/ALL . live .
  12. Web site: R.J. Anderson . Seattle Mariners top prospect list 2020: Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez give the M's a pair of stud outfielders . CBSSports.com . September 27, 2019 . January 11, 2020 . January 11, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200111031859/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/seattle-mariners-top-prospect-list-2020-jarred-kelenic-and-julio-rodriguez-give-the-ms-a-pair-of-stud-outfielders/ . live .
  13. Web site: West Virginia Power outfielder Julio Rodriguez happy to be back on the diamond. Derek. Redd. Charleston Gazette-Mail. June 11, 2019. June 27, 2019. August 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210802180132/https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/west_virginia_power/west-virginia-power-outfielder-julio-rodriguez-happy-to-be-back/article_e6292082-8858-56d3-a962-06e9d519983a.html. live.
  14. Web site: Prized M's prospect Rodriguez out with fractured hand. April 19, 2019. HeraldNet.com. June 27, 2019. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717133225/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/prized-ms-prospect-rodriguez-out-with-fractured-hand/. live.
  15. Web site: Johns . Greg . Mariners shut down prospect Julio Rodriguez . MLB.com . October 19, 2019 . January 11, 2020 . July 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220716151859/https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-shut-down-prospect-julio-rodriguez . live .
  16. Web site: Larry Stone Column: Prospect Julio Rodriguez's talent, charisma can make a believer out of even cynical Mariner fans. Larry. Stone. Yakima Herald-Republic. October 16, 2019. November 23, 2019. November 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221115221051/https://www.yakimaherald.com/sports/professional_sports/mariners/larry-stone-column-prospect-julio-rodriguez-s-talent-charisma-can/article_7193c227-2f47-504c-87bd-e20a29b5454d.html. live.
  17. Web site: 2019 South Atlantic League Batting Leaders . Baseball-Reference.com . January 1, 1970 . January 11, 2020 . September 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220923030630/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?id=4edb2b67&type=bat . live .
  18. Web site: Arizona Fall League rosters revealed. MLB.com. November 23, 2019. June 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220623035606/https://www.mlb.com/news/2019-arizona-fall-league-rosters. live.
  19. Web site: Julio Rodriguez Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History . Baseball-Reference.com . January 11, 2020 . October 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221027154008/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig013jul . live .
  20. Web site: Futures Game rosters are STACKED. MLB.com. July 1, 2021. March 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220326102602/https://www.mlb.com/news/2021-futures-game-rosters. live.
  21. Web site: Top 100 Prospects list . MLB.com . August 19, 2021 . October 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221028070615/https://www.mlb.com/news/top-100-prospects-updated-midseason-rankings . live .
  22. Web site: Mariners shield J-Rod with 40-man roster call. MLB.com. November 19, 2021. November 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221115221109/https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-rodriguez-joins-mariners-40-man-roster. live.
  23. Web site: Julio Rodríguez stats . . July 4, 2022 . July 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220702123947/https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodriju01.shtml . live .
  24. Web site: Seattle Mariners at Minnesota Twins box score . Baseball-Reference.com . April 8, 2022 . July 4, 2022 . June 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220629053646/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN202204080.shtml . live .
  25. Web site: 'Let's go': J-Rod's 450-foot HR powers Mariners. January 14, 2023. mlb.com. en. January 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230114233822/https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-rodriguez-hits-first-career-homer. live.
  26. News: Harrigan . Thomas . J-Rod, Harris recognized as June's Rookies of the Month . . July 2, 2022 . July 4, 2022 . July 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703155204/https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-rodriguez-michael-harris-ii-june-rookies-of-the-month . live .
  27. Web site: July top rookie honors go to Miranda, Strider . August 18, 2022 . MLB.com . en . August 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220818084200/https://www.mlb.com/news/july-2022-rookie-of-the-month-winners . live .
  28. Web site: Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez named to AL All-Star team at 21 years old . July 10, 2022 . July 19, 2022 . July 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220719015147/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-rookie-julio-rodriguez-named-to-al-all-star-team-at-21-years-old/ . live .
  29. Web site: Mariners rookie sensation Julio Rodríguez to participate in Home Run Derby . July 13, 2022 . July 19, 2022 . July 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220719015142/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mariners-rookie-sensation-julio-rodriguez-to-participate-in-home-run-derby/ . live .
  30. Web site: Julio mashes way to Seattle's 10th 20-20 season . September 4, 2022 . MLB.com . en . September 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220904035650/https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-rodriguez-becomes-6th-mariner-with-20-20-season . live .
  31. Web site: J-Rod is 1st with 25 HRs, 25 steals in debut season . September 15, 2022 . MLB.com . en . September 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220915002603/https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-rodriguez-joins-25-homer-25-steal-club-as-rookie . live .
  32. Web site: August 26, 2022 . Sources: M's, J-Rod extension could top $400M . August 26, 2022 . ESPN.com . en . August 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826183944/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34464088/seattle-mariners-finalizing-long-term-extension-breakout-rookie-julio-rodriguez-sources-say . live .
  33. Web site: Julio Rodriguez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More. Baseball-Reference.com. July 4, 2022. July 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220702123947/https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodriju01.shtml. live.
  34. Web site: Major League Leaderboards » 2022 » Batters » Statcast FanGraphs Baseball. www.fangraphs.com. October 25, 2022. October 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221025050148/https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=24&season=2022&month=0&season1=2022&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2022-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31. live.
  35. Web site: Mariners star Rodriguez becomes fourth rookie outfielder to win Silver Slugger. November 11, 2022. November 14, 2022. November 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221114083705/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/seattle-mariners-star-julio-rodriguez-022503739.html. live.
  36. Web site: J-Rod tops debut season with AL ROY Award. MLB.com. November 15, 2022. November 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221115005503/https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-rodriguez-american-league-rookie-of-the-year-2022. live.
  37. Web site: J-Rod makes Mariners history with decisive homer . April 8, 2023 . MLB.com . en . April 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408153753/https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-rodriguez-in-elite-company-with-homer-vs-guardians . live .
  38. News: Julio Rodríguez keeps up torrid pace with another 4 hits, HR . December 5, 2023 . ESPN News Services . August 29, 2023.
  39. News: Jude . Adam . Julio Rodriguez hits 25th homer to reach another MLB milestone . November 27, 2023 . The Seattle Times . September 4, 2023.
  40. Web site: Julio Rodríguez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More . September 12, 2023 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  41. Web site: Major League Leaderboards - 2023 - Batting. FanGraphs Baseball.
  42. Web site: Rodríguez wins Silver Slugger September 11, 2023 . November 14, 2023 . MLB.com . en.
  43. Web site: Here are the Gold Glove finalists. mlb.com..
  44. Web site: November 16, 2023 . Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez finishes 4th in AL MVP; Ohtani wins unanimously . January 2, 2024 . The Seattle Times . en-US.
  45. News: Bob Nightengale . Nightengale . Bob . Julio Rodriguez, Dansby Swanson share their love of soccer through their significant others . April 1, 2024 . . February 28, 2023.
  46. Web site: J-Rod gifts toys, baseball items, ambulance(!) to hometown . January 9, 2023 . MLB.com . en . January 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230109041518/https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-rodriguez-donates-ambulance-to-hometown . live .