David Rodriguez Stats & Scouting Report

Top Rankings

Rodriguez trained with Carlos Guillen as an amateur before signing with the Rays for $600,000 in 2012. He's had the Rays excited ever since. In his professional debut, Rodriguez swatted 12 home runs in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2013. He made his full-season league debut in 2016, reaching low Class A Bowling Green. There, Rodriguez endeared himself to evaluators with his excellent defensive tools. He is an athletic, quick-twitch receiver who blocks well and has excellent hands to go with plus arm strength. He threw out 56 percent of basestealers in 2016, and he also receives positive marks for his rapport with pitchers. Rodriguez is less advanced offensively but shows plus raw power. His swing can get long though and he is prone to swinging and missing. His defensive upside alone gives him a chance to develop into a major leaguer, with a backup role in sight even if his pure hitting ability doesn't improve. If Rodriguez is able to improve his contact ability and enable his power to play, he could develop into an everyday player. He is likely to advance to high Class A Charlotte in 2017.

Quality up-the-middle defense carries great value at the highest levels, and Rodriguez has the tools to develop into a quality defender. He's an athletic, well-coordinated receiver who sets a low target, and he is an above-average thrower, with quick releases and sound arm strength. His footwork can cost him accuracy at times, however. Rodriguez's makeup and understanding of the game are beyond his years, and pitchers enjoy working with him. Offensively, Rodriguez shows an outstanding approach at the plate, with the ability to foul off junk pitches and wait for something he can drive. He covers the plate well and has power to the gaps, with the ability to drive the ball over the fence at times. He has the potential to develop into a solid hitter for average with on-base ability, though he will have to prove himself against quality competition as he climbs the ladder. If he doesn't reach his ceiling, then Rodriguez's maturity and defensive ability give him a high floor as a potential backup catcher.