Javier Rodriguez Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Javier J. Rodriguez
Born 04/04/1990 in Dorado, Puerto Rico
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 165 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Drafted in the 2nd round (68th overall) by the New York Mets in 2008 (signed for $585,000).

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Considered one of the better prospects in Puerto Rico heading into the Excellence Tournament that annually draws scouts to see the island's best talent each May, Rodriguez elevated his status after his strong showing there. He is the best pure hitter from Puerto Rico and has good bat speed. With a lean, athletic body, Rodriguez should have the ability to add muscle to his long frame. He shows above-average raw power to the pull side, though there is some length to his swing. Rodriguez is an average to above-average runner, clocking in at 6.7 seconds in the 60-yard dash. Reviews of his fielding are mixed, though his arm is above-average for both the length and carry he gets on the ball and for its accuracy.

Top Rankings

Drafted in the second round by the Mets last June out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and signed for $585,000, Rodriguez is a raw player who struggled to make adjustments in the Gulf Coast League. Club officials view Rodriguez as a potential four- or five-tool player, despite his poor debut, and were encouraged by his showing in the instructional league in the Dominican Republic. Rodriguez's best tools are his bat speed and strong arm. He's also an above-average runner, covering 60 yards in 6.7 seconds at a pre-draft workout. Just 18, he's very slim physically but should hit for decent power as he fills out. He has a tendency for a long swing and gets into trouble when he loses his direction with his stride foot and steps in the bucket. He showed major improvement in correcting those flaws in the instructional league, allowing him to stay on pitches longer and use the entire field. Rodriguez needs to improve on his strike-zone discipline. He encouraged club officials by taking charge pre-pitch in instructional league and being a leader among young outfielders. With a strong spring-training performance, Rodriguez could open 2009 in low Class A. If he's still not ready, he'll remain in extended spring training and head to Kingsport.