Luigi Rodriguez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #13 prospect in 2014
  After three stints in low Class A, Rodriguez made it to high Class A Carolina at the end of April 2013, but his stay lasted just 34 games. A left (non-throwing) shoulder problem nagged him, and the Indians shut him down in the second half. When he's going well, he shows a smooth, compact swing with a nice bat path. Home runs won't be his forte, but he does have surprising pop for his size and lashes balls into both gaps. Plate discipline has been an issue, however, and the switch-hitter battles a tendency to get out on his front foot, particularly in his lefthanded swing. Rodriguez played center field at low Class A Lake County but shifted to left with Carolina due to Tyler Naquin's presence. Despite the move, Rodriguez can be a quality center fielder in his own right. His routes need some improvement but his plus speed allows him to make up for mistakes. He has a strong arm as well. Rodriguez was able to get back on the field in instructional league and should be good to go in 2014, which he'll open back in Carolina.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #7 prospect in 2013
  Rodriguez began his pro career as a second baseman. The infield never came naturally to him, however, so he moved to center field a month into his first season. He has held his own as a teenager in low Class A. Rodriguez is a plus-plus runner with good bat speed from both sides of the plate. Strikeouts weren't an issue early in his career, though his swing can get big and leads to too many strikeouts. He has surprising strength, though he'll probably never have more than average power. He does have a decent idea of the strike zone and is patient enough to take his walks. While his speed and athleticism give him the chance to make plays in center field, he's still learning how to take the right routes. His average arm is fine for center. Some scouts see Rodriguez as an everyday player in the big leagues, while others see him as more of a good fourth outfielder. After reaching low Class A at the end of the 2011 season as an 18-year-old, he was still one of the youngest players in the Midwest League last season, and he's ready to advance to high Class A at age 20.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #5 prospect in 2012
  The Indians used to be one of the leaders in developing Latin American talent, with players such as Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, Fausto Carmona and Rafael Perez coming through the system. That pipeline hasn't been as fruitful in recent years, with Rodriguez one of the few highlights. In his U.S. debut last year, he reached low Class A at age 18. A switch-hitter, Rodriguez tore up the Rookie-level Arizona League last summer, showing the ability to barrel the ball with some gap power. Considering his age, he's understandably raw at the plate, but he has some patience and uses his plus-plus speed to help him leg out hits. He's so fast that he often can outrun his mistakes on the bases and in center field. Signed as a second baseman, Rodriguez didn't have great infield instincts and moved to the outfield one month into his career. He's still improving his reads and routes but should have above-average range in time. He has an average arm. Rodriguez must get strong so he can handle more advanced pitching. He wasn't completely in over his head in the Midwest League, and he'll still be one of the youngest players in the circuit this year.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #25 prospect in 2011
  The Indians scaled back their high-scale spending in Latin America since 2008, when they gave $715,000 to Venezuelan catcher Alex Monsalve and $575,000 to Dominican shortstop Jose Ozoria. Monsalve hasn't hit as hoped and Ozoria turned out to be named Wuali Bryan and three years old than expected. Cleveland released Bryan after the 2010 season. Rodriguez wasn't a big-ticket signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2009, and he may deliver a much better return. He offers a promising package of tools and performance. Though he lacks projectable size, he's a good athlete with plus-plus speed. Rodriguez has nice feel for hitting with an advanced idea of the strike zone for his age. His swing path is short and direct to the ball, and his quick, contact-oriented stroke helps him stay inside the ball. Though he doesn't have much power, his approach helps him get on base at a high clip. Signed as a second baseman, Rodriguez spent his first month in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League at the position before moving to center field, where his speed makes him a better fit. He went to instructional league after the season and should make his U.S. debut in 2011, likely in the Arizona League.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #5 prospect in 2011
  Making his U.S. debut at age 18, Rodriguez spent just 25 games in the AZL before earning a late-July promotion to low Class A. He made the most of his time in Arizona, batting .379/.408/.579 while demonstrating plus-plus speed and surprising power. Rodriguez has a natural ability to square up the baseball. He's more of a gap-to-gap hitter but has enough pop to drive the ball over the fence. He's showing signs of developing good plate discipline, which will help him better utilize his quickness on the bases. Converted from second base to center field a year ago, Rodriguez still is learning the intricacies of defense. Once he improves his reads and jumps, he should have plus range, and his arm is average. He's a smart player who wasn't overwhelmed by the jump to the Midwest League.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The Indians signed Rodriguez as an infielder out of the Dominican Republic in 2009 and had him begin his pro career as a second baseman in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. The infield never came naturally to him, however, so he moved to center field a month into his first season. He has held his own as a teenager in low Class A . Scouting Report: Rodriguez is a plus-plus runner with good bat speed from both sides of the plate. Strikeouts weren't an issue early in his career, though his swing can get big and leads to too many strikeouts for someone his size. He has surprising strength, though he'll probably never have more than average power. He does have a decent idea of the strike zone and is patient enough to take his walks, but he'll need a better two-strike approach. While his speed and athleticism give him the chance to make plays in center field, he's still learning how to take the right routes. His average arm is fine for center. The Future: Some scouts see Rodriguez as an everyday player in the big leagues, while others see him as more of a good fourth outfielder. After reaching low Class A at the end of the 2011 season as an 18-year-old, he was still one of the youngest players in the Midwest League last season, and he's ready to advance to high Class A at age 20.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: The Indians used to be one of the leaders in developing Latin American talent, with players such as Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, Fausto Carmona and Rafael Perez coming through the system. That pipeline hasn't been as fruitful in recent years, with Rodriguez one of the few highlights. In his U.S. debut last year, he reached low Class A at age 18. Scouting Report: A switch-hitter, Rodriguez tore up the Rookie-level Arizona League last summer, showing the ability to barrel the ball with some gap power. Considering his age, he's understandably raw at the plate, but he has some patience and uses his plus-plus speed to help him leg out hits. He's so fast that he often can outrun his mistakes on the bases and in center field. Signed as a second baseman, Rodriguez didn't have great infield instincts and moved to the outfield one month into his career. He's still improving his reads and routes but should have above-average range in time. He has an average arm. The Future: Rodriguez must get strong so he can handle more advanced pitching. He wasn't completely in over his head in the Midwest League, and he'll still be one of the youngest players in the circuit this year.