Jose Rodriguez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #9 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Rodriguez signed with the White Sox for $50,000 in 2018 and didn't reach full-season ball until 2021. He spent the entire season at Double-A Birmingham in 2022 but was still young for the level at age 21. Rodriguez started slowly, with an OPS under .700 for the first three months, until getting hot during July and August. A hamate injury ended his season a few weeks early. Rodriguez was particularly special in August, when he posted a 1.181 OPS with nine of his 11 home runs. He also showed much better plate discipline, walking nearly as often as he struck out during those last two months.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez has a free-swinging, aggressive approach at the plate. His swing is simple and low maintenance, and he uses quick hands to drive the ball to all fields with gap-to-gap power. He also shows the ability to make adjustments during at-bats. Rodriguez should be able to stay in the middle infield, especially when he's locked in, but at times he's seen as too nonchalant on defense. While he is not a burner, he has a quick first step, a good internal clock and average arm strength and range. That lends optimism to the idea that he can develop into a more reliable defender at shortstop or second base as he matures. Rodriguez has been good for 30 to 40 stolen bases per year, supplementing his average speed with good baserunning instincts.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez's late-season surge could indicate that he is ready to take a step forward in 2023. He projects now as a utility infielder, but continued improvements on both sides of the ball might steer him toward a starting role. He'll be just 22 for most of the 2023 season, so a return to Birmingham could be in the cards before he reaches Triple-A Charlotte.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #5 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Rodriguez signed with the White Sox for $50,000 in 2018 and played his first two seasons exclusively in the Rookie levels. He entered the 2021 season relatively unknown but had the biggest breakout of any player in the White Sox system, vaulting up three levels to Double-A as a 20-year-old and finishing the season with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he became a favorite of rival scouts. He hit .301/.338/.469 overall and tied for eighth in the minors with 141 hits.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez’s tools are average across the board, but he has good instincts and an enthusiastic style of play that helps him play above them. He takes very big swings but has the discipline to make adjustments and shorten his swing with two strikes and put the ball in play. He mostly drives the ball for doubles but has the power to reach double-digit home runs. Rodriguez could become a plus defender at shortstop with more consistency. His good footwork allows him to make throws from various spots, but he sometimes plays out of control. He has a good internal clock and gets rid of the ball quickly. The best compliment about Rodriguez is that he’s a ballplayer, and coaches love to have him on their team.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez profiles best as a utility infielder, but improvement in his consistency and continued development as a hitter could make him a starter at either middle-infield position. He’ll return to Double-A to start the 2022 season.
  
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #28 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Two seasons after signing, Rodriguez has been productive at both of the system's lowest levels. He tied for fourth in the Rookie-level Arizona League in home runs in 2019, with nine, and was one of just 13 players in the league with a slugging percentage better than .500.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez's reports from instructional league were uneven. He plays with aggression that can border on recklessness, but also can play above-average defense when everything goes right. At the plate, he badly needs to reel in his approach. Scouts in Arizona saw an overly free swinger with a loopy swing who stepped in the bucket and had a particular weakness against sliders. When everything clicks in his swing, though, there's surprising power and ability to use the whole field, though the White Sox would like him to work more on going the opposite way. He's a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez has a lot of work to do to refine his game, and he'll resume that quest in low Class A. If everything clicks, he could fill a middle-infield utility role with a bit of pop.
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #28 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez signed out of the Dominican Republic in February 2018 and club officials watched as he put up a solid debut in the Dominican Summer League. He followed it up with a very strong campaign in the Rookie-level Arizona League in which he finished tied for fourth in the league with nine home runs.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez opened eyes with his play in the AZL. He showed evaluators a slightly over-aggressive approach, but his strong wrists and forearms translate into above-average raw power when he connects. He has average range and hands as well as solid footwork to go with a potentially plus arm. His fringe-average footspeed might fit better at second base in the long run if he has to move away from shortstop. He gets to average speed underway.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez might have to move level by level as he develops and is someone who might profile as a bat-first second baseman or utilityman.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Rodriguez signed with the White Sox for $50,000 in 2018 and didn't reach full-season ball until 2021. He spent the entire season at Double-A Birmingham in 2022 but was still young for the level at age 21. Rodriguez started slowly, with an OPS under .700 for the first three months, until getting hot during July and August. A hamate injury ended his season a few weeks early. Rodriguez was particularly special in August, when he posted a 1.181 OPS with nine of his 11 home runs. He also showed much better plate discipline, walking nearly as often as he struck out during those last two months.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez has a free-swinging, aggressive approach at the plate. His swing is simple and low maintenance, and he uses quick hands to drive the ball to all fields with gap-to-gap power. He also shows the ability to make adjustments during at-bats. Rodriguez should be able to stay in the middle infield, especially when he's locked in, but at times he's seen as too nonchalant on defense. While he is not a burner, he has a quick first step, a good internal clock and average arm strength and range. That lends optimism to the idea that he can develop into a more reliable defender at shortstop or second base as he matures. Rodriguez has been good for 30 to 40 stolen bases per year, supplementing his average speed with good baserunning instincts.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez's late-season surge could indicate that he is ready to take a step forward in 2023. He projects now as a utility infielder, but continued improvements on both sides of the ball might steer him toward a starting role. He'll be just 22 for most of the 2023 season, so a return to Birmingham could be in the cards before he reaches Triple-A Charlotte.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Rodriguez signed with the White Sox for $50,000 in 2018 and didn't reach full-season ball until 2021. He spent the entire season at Double-A Birmingham in 2022 but was still young for the level at age 21. Rodriguez started slowly, with an OPS under .700 for the first three months, until getting hot during July and August. A hamate injury ended his season a few weeks early. Rodriguez was particularly special in August, when he posted a 1.181 OPS with nine of his 11 home runs. He also showed much better plate discipline, walking nearly as often as he struck out during those last two months.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez has a free-swinging, aggressive approach at the plate. His swing is simple and low maintenance, and he uses quick hands to drive the ball to all fields with gap-to-gap power. He also shows the ability to make adjustments during at-bats. Rodriguez should be able to stay in the middle infield, especially when he's locked in, but at times he's seen as too nonchalant on defense. While he is not a burner, he has a quick first step, a good internal clock and average arm strength and range. That lends optimism to the idea that he can develop into a more reliable defender at shortstop or second base as he matures. Rodriguez has been good for 30 to 40 stolen bases per year, supplementing his average speed with good baserunning instincts.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez's late-season surge could indicate that he is ready to take a step forward in 2023. He projects now as a utility infielder, but continued improvements on both sides of the ball might steer him toward a starting role. He'll be just 22 for most of the 2023 season, so a return to Birmingham could be in the cards before he reaches Triple-A Charlotte.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record:Track Record: Rodriguez signed with the White Sox for $50,000 in 2018 and played his first two seasons exclusively in the Rookie levels. He entered the 2021 season relatively unknown but had the biggest breakout of any player in the White Sox system, vaulting up three levels to Double-A as a 20-year-old and finishing the season with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he became a favorite of rival scouts. He hit .301/.338/.469 overall and tied for eighth in the minors with 141 hits.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez&#39s tools are average across the board, but he has good instincts and an enthusiastic style of play that helps him play above them. He takes very big swings but has the discipline to make adjustments and shorten his swing with two strikes and put the ball in play. He mostly drives the ball for doubles but has the power to reach double-digit home runs. Rodriguez could become a plus defender at shortstop with more consistency. His good footwork allows him to make throws from various spots, but he sometimes plays out of control. He has a good internal clock and gets rid of the ball quickly. The best compliment about Rodriguez is that he&#39s a ballplayer, and coaches love to have him on their team.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez profiles best as a utility infielder, but improvement in his consistency and continued development as a hitter could make him a starter at either middle-infield position. He&#39ll return to Double-A to start the 2022 season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Rodriguez signed with the White Sox for $50,000 in 2018 and played his first two seasons exclusively in the Rookie levels. He entered the 2021 season relatively unknown but had the biggest breakout of any player in the White Sox system, vaulting up three levels to Double-A as a 20-year-old and finishing the season with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he became a favorite of rival scouts. He hit .301/.338/.469 overall and tied for eighth in the minors with 141 hits.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez’s tools are average across the board, but he has good instincts and an enthusiastic style of play that helps him play above them. He takes very big swings but has the discipline to make adjustments and shorten his swing with two strikes and put the ball in play. He mostly drives the ball for doubles but has the power to reach double-digit home runs. Rodriguez could become a plus defender at shortstop with more consistency. His good footwork allows him to make throws from various spots, but he sometimes plays out of control. He has a good internal clock and gets rid of the ball quickly. The best compliment about Rodriguez is that he’s a ballplayer, and coaches love to have him on their team.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez profiles best as a utility infielder, but improvement in his consistency and continued development as a hitter could make him a starter at either middle-infield position. He’ll return to Double-A to start the 2022 season.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Two seasons after signing, Rodriguez has been productive at both of the system's lowest levels. He tied for fourth in the Rookie-level Arizona League in home runs in 2019, with nine, and was one of just 13 players in the league with a slugging percentage better than .500.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez's reports from instructional league were uneven. He plays with aggression that can border on recklessness, but also can play above-average defense when everything goes right. At the plate, he badly needs to reel in his approach. Scouts in Arizona saw an overly free swinger with a loopy swing who stepped in the bucket and had a particular weakness against sliders. When everything clicks in his swing, though, there's surprising power and ability to use the whole field, though the White Sox would like him to work more on going the opposite way. He's a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez has a lot of work to do to refine his game, and he'll resume that quest in low Class A. If everything clicks, he could fill a middle-infield utility role with a bit of pop.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Two seasons after signing, Rodriguez has been productive at both of the system's lowest levels. He tied for fourth in the Rookie-level Arizona League in home runs in 2019, with nine, and was one of just 13 players in the league with a slugging percentage better than .500.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez's reports from instructional league were uneven. He plays with aggression that can border on recklessness, but also can play above-average defense when everything goes right. At the plate, he badly needs to reel in his approach. Scouts in Arizona saw an overly free swinger with a loopy swing who stepped in the bucket and had a particular weakness against sliders. When everything clicks in his swing, though, there's surprising power and ability to use the whole field, though the White Sox would like him to work more on going the opposite way. He's a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez has a lot of work to do to refine his game, and he'll resume that quest in low Class A. If everything clicks, he could fill a middle-infield utility role with a bit of pop.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Two seasons after signing, Rodriguez has been productive at both of the system's lowest levels. He tied for fourth in the Rookie-level Arizona League in home runs in 2019, with nine, and was one of just 13 players in the league with a slugging percentage better than .500.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez's reports from instructional league were uneven. He plays with aggression that can border on recklessness, but also can play above-average defense when everything goes right. At the plate, he badly needs to reel in his approach. Scouts in Arizona saw an overly free swinger with a loopy swing who stepped in the bucket and had a particular weakness against sliders. When everything clicks in his swing, though, there's surprising power and ability to use the whole field, though the White Sox would like him to work more on going the opposite way. He's a below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez has a lot of work to do to refine his game, and he'll resume that quest in low Class A. If everything clicks, he could fill a middle-infield utility role with a bit of pop.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez signed out of the Dominican Republic in February 2018 and club officials watched as he put up a solid debut in the Dominican Summer League. He followed it up with a very strong campaign in the Rookie-level Arizona League in which he finished tied for fourth in the league with nine home runs.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez opened eyes with his play in the AZL. He showed evaluators a slightly over-aggressive approach, but his strong wrists and forearms translate into above-average raw power when he connects. He has average range and hands as well as solid footwork to go with a potentially plus arm. His fringe-average footspeed might fit better at second base in the long run if he has to move away from shortstop. He gets to average speed underway.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez might have to move level by level as he develops and is someone who might profile as a bat-first second baseman or utilityman.