Rougned Odor

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #1 prospect in 2014
  Before becoming eligible to sign on July 2, 2010, Odor had already demonstrated his advanced offensive ability while representing Venezuela at international tournaments. He spent time in Florida training with Miguel Nava, the former Diamondbacks scout who signed Venezuelan outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra when he was with Arizona. While Odor stood out for his sweet swing, game performance and baseball savvy, his small stature, ordinary-at-best speed and the consensus that he would have to move off shortstop turned off some teams. Those who liked him balked at his seven-figure asking price, which kept Odor unsigned months after the international signing period opened. Mike Daly, who at the time was the Rangers' international scouting director, went to Florida in December 2010 to see Odor again. After he showed he had shaved his 60-yard dash time down to 6.7 seconds, the Rangers signed him for $425,000 in January 2011. Odor has rocketed through the system, reaching Double-A Frisco in August 2013 and hitting .306 with six homers in 30 games as a 19-year-old. The nephew of Indians high Class A Carolina hitting coach Rouglas Odor, Rougned has the swing, quiet hitting approach and instincts to develop into an all-star second baseman. His lefty swing is easy, compact and fluid, with quick hands and plenty of bat speed to catch up to premium velocity. He has good hand-eye coordination and can manipulate the bat head, which helps him drive breaking pitches. Odor has surprising power for his size with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He'll likely top out at slightly-above-average power, with the potential for 15 home runs or more per year. Focusing on nutrition and strength helped keep him strong toward the end of the 2013 season despite his youth, helping him to flourish when he got to Double-A. Odor is an average runner who reads pitchers well, which makes him a more prolific basestealer than his raw speed would suggest. He isn't an average defender yet but should become one in time. He's adept at turning the double play, with a quick exchange, average arm strength and a fearless attitude with runners barreling in on him. He's still smoothing out his footwork and learning to cut down on mental lapses--often stemming from pre-pitch preparation--that will make him better at making the routine play. Rangers officials frequently talk about the hard-nosed Odor playing with a chip on his shoulder. With Elvis Andrus cemented at shortstop and Jurickson Profar expected to take over at second base, Odor's path to the majors isn't clear. The offseason trade that sent Ian Kinsler to the Tigers for Prince Fielder helped alleviate some of the congestion, but with two young impact middle infielders ahead of him, Odor's future could be with another organization. He likely will open 2014 back in Frisco, with a chance to move up to Triple-A Round Rock quickly.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #11 prospect in 2013
  The nephew of Indians Double-A hitting coach Rouglas Odor, Rougned signed out of Venezuela for $425,000 in January 2011 and has been the youngest player in the Northwest and South Atlantic leagues in successive seasons. He teamed with catcher Jorge Alfaro and shortstop Luis Sardinas with Hickory last year to form one of the most prospect-centric middle configurations in the minors. Like them, he also spent time on the disabled list, in his case with a separated shoulder. Odor batted .293/.357/.482 in 49 first-half games but tired badly down the stretch and hit just .232/.277/.336 after the all-star break. One of the toughest players in the system and lauded for having plus instincts, he has the classic lefty swing and hand-eye coordination to hit .280 or better in the big leagues. He has the strength to drive the ball despite a smaller frame, and scouts who like him peg him for 12-15 homers annually. The Rangers believe Odor can improve his hitting consistency by toning down a leg kick that can throw off his timing and by implementing the mental discipline to lay off pitches outside his preferred hitting zones. Signed as a shortstop, Odor is a fringy runner who has all the requisites to play a big league second base, including strong range and arm strength, a quick exchange and the fortitude to hang in on double plays. While Jose Altuve is the only Latin second-base regular in the big leagues today who spent his entire minor league career at the keystone, the Rangers believe Odor is another player who breaks the mold.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #9 prospect in 2012
  The nephew of Indians Double-A hitting coach Rouglas Odor, Rougned was a top international target for his sweet swing, but scouts initially were scared away by his smallish stature and speed. After he improved his speed and showed impressive polish in game action, the Rangers signed him for $425,000 in January. Five months later, he made his debut as the youngest player in the Northwest League, where he ranked as No. 7 prospect at age 17. Odor doesn't have elite-level tools, but what he has plays up because of his instincts, intelligence and swagger. He controls the bat head well and his incredibly quick hands allow him to make late adjustments. Though not big, he has gap power and gets good natural backspin on the ball that could lead to more pop. He hangs in against lefthanders and can bunt. Initially signed as a shortstop, Odor handled the switch to second base smoothly and has the arm to play on either side of the bag. He has smooth actions, good range and a nose for the ball. He's a solid runner. Depending on how much his power develops, Odor could develop into a solid regular or more. He has a chance to move quickly and may not be challenged until he reaches the higher minors. He'll spend 2012 in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Texas League #4 prospect in 2013
  Usually, the jump from high Class A to Double-A is the toughest in the minors, but it was a smooth transition when Odor hopped into Frisco?s lineup on Aug. 1. Already having hit .305 in the Carolina League, he proceeded to mirror that mark and showed why the Rangers signed him for $425,000 in January 2011. Odor?s got some pop in his bat for a player his size, as he creates leverage from the left side of the plate. However, he is best hitting from line to line, and the strikeouts aren?t too alarming since he?s learning his strike zone. Odor has some things to work on defensively, such as first-step quickness and reading balls off the bat. Managers raved about his approach to the game. He doesn?t necessarily have a carrying tool, but Odor does enough things well profiles as a starting second baseman. ?He had a bit of an attitude about him, and he has a dislike for the other team,? Frisco manager Steve Buechele said. ?He had a chip on his shoulder, and that?s refreshing.?
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  Ranked Carolina League #3 prospect in 2013
  The most advanced hitter of the three teenage position players in the CL this season, Odor ranked fourth in batting (.305) and sixth in slugging (.454) at the time he moved up to Double-A Frisco in August. He brings a disciplined and patient approach to the plate, working the count to get his pitch and driving it to any part of the ballpark with a sweet lefthanded stroke. Odor makes adjustments and manipulates the barrel with his quick hands, which also allows him to generate plenty of pop. He has more power than he displayed at Myrtle Beach?s pitcher-friendly ballpark. After hitting five homers in 99 Carolina League games, he added six in just 30 games following his promotion to Frisco. Odor has plenty of arm and range for second base, and he hangs in well on double plays. He occasionally loses focus in the field, particularly in his pre-pitch preparation, leading to miscues on routine plays. He gets the most out of his average speed with an aggressive approach on the basepaths and is fearless when breaking up double plays. ?He carries himself with a little bit of swagger,? Myrtle Beach manager Jason Wood said. ?He?s not trying to show anybody up, but he has the chip on his shoulder that he is better than you . . . He was the most enjoyable kid to watch in this league.?
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #20 prospect in 2012
  Hickory had the youngest roster and one of the deepest in terms of prospects. Managers and scouts liked Odor the most among a Crawdads contingent that also included catcher Jorge Alfaro, righthander Luke Jackson and shortstop Luis Sardinas. The youngest regular in the league, Odor displayed impressive maturity and natural strength. "Rougned is a freak because he's a kid who goes 100 percent every single play," Richardson said. "His numbers have been hurt by that a little bit, but the effort he puts forth is amazing. He has a lot of upside, a lot of heart and a great set of tools. He has the whole package." One scout called the undersized Odor a more physical version of Jose Altuve. Odor handles the bat well while offering surprising pop and solid speed. With smooth actions and a strong arm, he's a sound defender at second base and can get the job done at shortstop when needed.
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  Ranked Northwest League #7 prospect in 2011
  Signed out of Venezuela in January for $425,000, Odor was the youngest player in the Northwest League this year and one of the youngest pros in the United States. The nephew of Indians Double-A hitting coach Rouglas Odor, Rougned handles the bat well from and profiles as an above-average hitter with some gap power. He hangs in well against lefthanders and has bunting skills, though he can get too pull-happy at times. Even with his impressive hitting ability, Odor stands out most for his glove. He handled a switch from shortstop to second base smoothly, showing a nose for the ball with above-average arm strength and speed. He also made an impression with his instincts, intelligence and swagger. "He made a double play on a ball up the middle and just flipped it with his glove like a big league guy would do, and you just don't see that type of play," Spokane manager Tim Hulett said. "For one thing, you just don't see guys gutsy enough to try it in the minor leagues, let alone accomplish it. He's got good, quick, soft hands."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #42 prospect in 2014

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: The nephew of Indians Double-A hitting coach Rouglas Odor, Rougned was a top international target for his sweet swing, but scouts initially were scared away by his smallish stature and speed. After he improved his speed and showed impressive polish in game action, the Rangers signed him for $425,000 in January. Five months later, he made his debut as the youngest player in the Northwest League, where he ranked as No. 7 prospect at age 17.Scouting Report: Odor doesn't have elite-level tools, but what he has plays up because of his instincts, intelligence and swagger. He controls the bat head well and his incredibly quick hands allow him to make late adjustments. Though not big, he has gap power and gets good natural backspin on the ball that could lead to more pop. He hangs in against lefthanders and can bunt. Initially signed as a shortstop, Odor handled the switch to second base smoothly and has the arm to play on either side of the bag. He has smooth actions, good range and a nose for the ball. He's a solid runner.The Future: Depending on how much his power develops, Odor could develop into a solid regular or more. He has a chance to move quickly and may not be challenged until he reaches the higher minors. He'll spend 2012 in low Class A.