- Full name Rafael Orlando Rodriguez
- Born 07/13/1992 in Puebo Abajo, Bani, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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No wonder the Giants got scared off spending big bucks on international free agents. Rodriguez has been a major disappointment in two years since receiving a $2.55 million bonus, the largest in club history for an international amateur. That exceeded the $2.1 million they gave Angel Villalona, whose career was derailed when he was charged in the fatal shooting of a bar patron in the Dominican Republic. At least there is still a glimmer of hope for Rodriguez, who once was compared to a teenage Dave Winfield but hit just one home run and slugged .297 in low Class A last year. He uses his long arms to cover the zone well and finds a way to put the ball in play with two strikes, but he chases bad pitches early in the count. Still just a teenager growing into his body, he gets frustrated with his at-bats. San Francisco coaches have worked with him to get his bat started a little earlier and to better control the barrel. Thought to have the tools of a prototypical right fielder, Rodriguez has to find a way to tap into his power. He's erratic in the outfield, though he does have a strong arm and deceptive speed. He'll almost assuredly repeat low Class A in 2012. -
Club officials felt Rodriguez could compete as a 17-year-old in the short-season Northwest League, but he struggled with a bad back and was overmatched by recent college draftees while hitting just .163 in 12 games. So the gifted teenager returned to Arizona, and he regained some confidence while finishing out the season in Rookie ball. It will be a challenge for Rodriguez to cover his huge strike zone against pro pitching, but if he reaches his potential, he could be a physical force and plus outfielder in the Dave Winfield mold. His $2.55 million bonus remains a club record for an international player. Rodriguez gained strength in his first full year in the United States and began to trust his ability, but he got caught in between pitches often. He made the biggest improvement in the outfield, where he learned to position himself better and improved on his throwing accuracy. He has a strong arm suitable for right field. He is a long strider who times out faster than he looks, especially when he gets moving on an extra-base hit. He's expected to make his full-season debut in low Class A this year. -
Rodriguez's frame and athleticism draw comparisons to a young Vladimir Guerrero or Dave Winfield. Suitably impressed, the Giants spent $2.55 million--a franchise record for an international player--to sign him out of the Dominican Republic in 2008. Some evaluators weren't sure he'd be able to cover his huge strike zone against pro pitchers, but he had an encouraging pro debut, hitting .299 with a .392 on-base percentage in the Rookie-level Arizona League. San Francisco tried to reduce the pressure on Rodriguez by mostly batting him in the lower half. He maintained a controlled approach and made plenty of line-drive contact. Though he didn't homer in the AZL, he has considerable raw power that he'll begin to tap into as he gets stronger, develops better balances and chases fewer pitches out of the zone. Rodriguez runs a tick above-average, though he figures to slow down as he fills out and still has a lot of learning to do on the basepaths. He has plenty of arm to play right field, but mostly patrolled left in the Arizona heat. He'll deal with more sweltering conditions in 2010, this time in Augusta. He may be the youngest player in the South Atlantic League, opening the season at age 17. -
The Giants sent their entire fleet of top talent evaluators to look at Rodriguez before signing him last July for $2.55 million, a franchise record for an international player. Special assistant Felipe Alou likened Rodriguez's combination of size, strength and speed to a young Vladimir Guerrero. He signed on his 16 birthday, reportedly turning down a higher offer from the Cardinals. Rodriguez has all the tools to be a superstar. Farm director Fred Stanley said Rodriguez reminds him of a young Dave Winfield with a bigger wingspan. Rodriguez profiles perfectly as a right fielder with big-time power potential--" He hits golf balls in B.P.," Alou said--plus speed and a cannon arm. Giants coaches liked his enthusiasm in instructional league and believe he'll take instruction well. Rodriguez hasn't faced quality pitching and other international scouts weren't as sold on his hitting ability. He has a huge strike zone that could prove difficult to cover, and breaking balls figure to be an adventure for a while. Rodriguez will receive daily instruction at the Giants' Dominican complex before he participates in the Rookie-level summer league there. He's not nearly as advanced as fellow Dominican Angel Villalona was at the same stage, and he isn't expected to play for a U.S. affiliate before 2010.
Minor League Top Prospects
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As with Portillo, Rodriguez received a huge bonus in 2008 ($2.55 million) and was challenged by coming to the United States for his pro debut. He didn't turn 17 until after the start of the AZL season, and while he's still very raw, he shows some intriguing skills. Presently 6-foot-5 and 198 pounds, Rodriguez projects to add another 2-3 inches and several pounds. He didn't homer in 127 AZL at-bats, but should develop considerable power as he gets stronger, makes better use of his lower half and develops better balance at the plate. Though he often swings wildly and chases pitches, his excellent hand-eye coordination helped him control the strike zone and make consistent contact. Rodriguez improved defensively as the season progressed, particularly in his ability to charge balls. He played mostly left field, though he has average speed and plenty of arm for right field. "He just needs to understand how to play the game," Giants hitting coach Victor Torres said. "He's learning. Mentally, he has a lot to learn and assimilate."
