Emmanuel Rodriguez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #3 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 55/High
  
  Track Record: The Twins made Rodriguez the cornerstone of their 2019 international signing class, signing him for $2.5 million in a class that also included righthander Yennier Cano. Because of the pandemic, he didn’t make his pro debut until 2021. In 2022, he got off to a fast start for Low-A Fort Myers before a left knee sprain ended his season early. An abdominal strain slowed him early in 2023 as well. Rodriguez was hitting just .155/.318/.214 at the end of May, but he was one of the best hitters in the Midwest League for the rest of the season. In the playoffs, he hit three home runs in six games to lead the Kernels to the league title.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez offers a tantalizing combination of risk and reward. He’s an on-base machine, but part of the reason he draws so many walks is his extreme passivity. Keeping his bat on his shoulder has been effective against wild Class A pitchers, but as he advances it will more often leave him behind in the count. Rodriguez is exceptional at not swinging at pitches out of the strike zone, but he doesn’t have elite bat-to-ball skills. He can be beaten in the zone by a pitcher who can locate, especially if the pitcher mixes his pitches. Rodriguez has plus-plus raw power and has consistently posted some of the best exit velocities in the organization. His body is thickening up, but he remains an above-average runner for now and is an average center fielder. His plus arm would fit in right field.
  
  The Future: The Twins added Rodriguez to the 40-man roster in november to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. If he can more often ambush pitchers early in counts, he could be one of the better hitters in the Double-A Texas League in 2024. His combination of on-base skills and power gives him middle-of-the-lineup potential.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 65 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #3 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/Very High
  
  Track Record: When Rodriguez signed for $2.5 million in 2019 as Minnesota's top signee that year, his combination of power and athleticism was intriguing. Thanks to an excellent work ethic, he has turned into one of the best young hitters in the minor leagues. After struggling to hit breaking balls in his 2021 pro debut, Rodriguez turned a weakness into a strength. He hit .272/.492/.551 in 47 games with Low-A Fort Myers in 2022 before his season ended in early June when he suffered a knee injury that required surgery. Rodriguez's walk rate (28.6%) and on-base percentage (.492) were both best among any full-season minor league hitter with 150 or more plate appearances.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez's combination of power and an elite batting eye gives him a high ceiling as a middle-of-the-order bat. His chase rate ranked among the best in the minors in 2022. At an age when many hitters' approaches are rudimentary, Rodriguez knows the strike zone better than some umpires. He has to learn how to better handle pitchers who can change speeds, which led to some swing-and-miss in the zone in 2022. In addition to having a highly advanced understanding of the strike zone, Rodriguez hits the ball very hard, with average exit velocities above 90 mph. Rodriguez will stay in center field for now, but as an average runner who will likely continue to get bigger, he projects as an above-average defender in a corner outfield spot. He has a plus arm.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez's 2022 season was both revelatory and frustrating. In his two months of action, he showed signs of immense upside that teams dream of developing, but his season ended early and prevented the Twins from testing him at High-A. With a strong 2023 season, Rodriguez could establish himself as one of the top prospects in baseball as an on-base machine with 25-plus home run potential.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #11 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Twins’ top international target in the 2019 class, Rodriguez signed for $2.5 million but his pro debut was delayed by the canceled 2020 season. Instead, he debuted in 2021 in the Florida Complex League, where he posted a 124 wRC+ with 10 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez packs plenty of power into his lefthanded swing, and his top-end exit velocities were among the best in the system despite his age and modest frame. That power translated into games immediately, though it comes with a strikeout rate (36.6%) and a swing that borders on being too steep. Despite the swing-and-miss, Rodriguez does have a good idea of the strike zone, and despite a .214 average he got on base at a solid clip (.346) thanks to a 15% walk rate. Rodriguez is a solid runner now and is playing center field at an adequate level, but his plus arm strength could allow him to move to right field in the future if his speed backs up. He certainly has the power potential to profile there. Rodriguez has dealt with a few injuries over the past few years, including a hand injury and some back issues.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez will try to cut down his whiff rate and could be ready for Low-A Fort Myers.
  
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #23 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez was the Twins' top target in the 2019 international class and signed for $2.5 million. His expected pro debut in 2020 was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and canceled minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez stands out for his low-maintenance swing, direct bat path and plus raw power. He has improved his ability to use the entire field in recent years and the Twins believe he has a chance to become a plus hitter. A hand injury has limited Rodriguez, but he spent time doing throwing drills and long-toss work after struggling with his throwing accuracy and arm stroke during the spring. He has plus arm strength when he's right and is currently a solid-average runner in center field. He projects to slow down as he fills out and may move to right field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez is set to make his pro debut in 2021. He has plenty of tools to dream on but is a long ways away.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #14 prospect in 2024
• Ranked Baseball America's #50 prospect in 2023
• Ranked Baseball America's #46 prospect in 2023

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/Very High
  
  Track Record: When Rodriguez signed for $2.5 million in 2019 as Minnesota's top signee that year, his combination of power and athleticism was intriguing. Thanks to an excellent work ethic, he has turned into one of the best young hitters in the minor leagues. After struggling to hit breaking balls in his 2021 pro debut, Rodriguez turned a weakness into a strength. He hit .272/.492/.551 in 47 games with Low-A Fort Myers in 2022 before his season ended in early June when he suffered a knee injury that required surgery. Rodriguez's walk rate (28.6%) and on-base percentage (.492) were both best among any full-season minor league hitter with 150 or more plate appearances.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez's combination of power and an elite batting eye gives him a high ceiling as a middle-of-the-order bat. His chase rate ranked among the best in the minors in 2022. At an age when many hitters' approaches are rudimentary, Rodriguez knows the strike zone better than some umpires. He has to learn how to better handle pitchers who can change speeds, which led to some swing-and-miss in the zone in 2022. In addition to having a highly advanced understanding of the strike zone, Rodriguez hits the ball very hard, with average exit velocities above 90 mph. Rodriguez will stay in center field for now, but as an average runner who will likely continue to get bigger, he projects as an above-average defender in a corner outfield spot. He has a plus arm.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez's 2022 season was both revelatory and frustrating. In his two months of action, he showed signs of immense upside that teams dream of developing, but his season ended early and prevented the Twins from testing him at High-A. With a strong 2023 season, Rodriguez could establish himself as one of the top prospects in baseball as an on-base machine with 25-plus home run potential.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/Very High
  
  Track Record: When Rodriguez signed for $2.5 million in 2019 as Minnesota's top signee that year, his combination of power and athleticism was intriguing. Thanks to an excellent work ethic, he has turned into one of the best young hitters in the minor leagues. After struggling to hit breaking balls in his 2021 pro debut, Rodriguez turned a weakness into a strength. He hit .272/.492/.551 in 47 games with Low-A Fort Myers in 2022 before his season ended in early June when he suffered a knee injury that required surgery. Rodriguez's walk rate (28.6%) and on-base percentage (.492) were both best among any full-season minor league hitter with 150 or more plate appearances.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez's combination of power and an elite batting eye gives him a high ceiling as a middle-of-the-order bat. His chase rate ranked among the best in the minors in 2022. At an age when many hitters' approaches are rudimentary, Rodriguez knows the strike zone better than some umpires. He has to learn how to better handle pitchers who can change speeds, which led to some swing-and-miss in the zone in 2022. In addition to having a highly advanced understanding of the strike zone, Rodriguez hits the ball very hard, with average exit velocities above 90 mph. Rodriguez will stay in center field for now, but as an average runner who will likely continue to get bigger, he projects as an above-average defender in a corner outfield spot. He has a plus arm.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez's 2022 season was both revelatory and frustrating. In his two months of action, he showed signs of immense upside that teams dream of developing, but his season ended early and prevented the Twins from testing him at High-A. With a strong 2023 season, Rodriguez could establish himself as one of the top prospects in baseball as an on-base machine with 25-plus home run potential.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: The Twins&#39 top international target in the 2019 class, Rodriguez signed for $2.5 million but his pro debut was delayed by the canceled 2020 season. Instead, he debuted in 2021 in the Florida Complex League, where he posted a 124 wRC+ with 10 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez packs plenty of power into his lefthanded swing, and his top-end exit velocities were among the best in the system despite his age and modest frame. That power translated into games immediately, though it comes with a strikeout rate (36.6%) and a swing that borders on being too steep. Despite the swing-and-miss, Rodriguez does have a good idea of the strike zone, and despite a .214 average he got on base at a solid clip (.346) thanks to a 15% walk rate. Rodriguez is a solid runner now and is playing center field at an adequate level, but his plus arm strength could allow him to move to right field in the future if his speed backs up. He certainly has the power potential to profile there. Rodriguez has dealt with a few injuries over the past few years, including a hand injury and some back issues.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez will try to cut down his whiff rate and could be ready for Low-A Fort Myers.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Twins’ top international target in the 2019 class, Rodriguez signed for $2.5 million but his pro debut was delayed by the canceled 2020 season. Instead, he debuted in 2021 in the Florida Complex League, where he posted a 124 wRC+ with 10 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez packs plenty of power into his lefthanded swing, and his top-end exit velocities were among the best in the system despite his age and modest frame. That power translated into games immediately, though it comes with a strikeout rate (36.6%) and a swing that borders on being too steep. Despite the swing-and-miss, Rodriguez does have a good idea of the strike zone, and despite a .214 average he got on base at a solid clip (.346) thanks to a 15% walk rate. Rodriguez is a solid runner now and is playing center field at an adequate level, but his plus arm strength could allow him to move to right field in the future if his speed backs up. He certainly has the power potential to profile there. Rodriguez has dealt with a few injuries over the past few years, including a hand injury and some back issues.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez will try to cut down his whiff rate and could be ready for Low-A Fort Myers.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez was the Twins' top target in the 2019 international class and signed for $2.5 million. His expected pro debut in 2020 was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and canceled minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez stands out for his low-maintenance swing, direct bat path and plus raw power. He has improved his ability to use the entire field in recent years and the Twins believe he has a chance to become a plus hitter. A hand injury has limited Rodriguez, but he spent time doing throwing drills and long-toss work after struggling with his throwing accuracy and arm stroke during the spring. He has plus arm strength when he's right and is currently a solid-average runner in center field. He projects to slow down as he fills out and may move to right field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez is set to make his pro debut in 2021. He has plenty of tools to dream on but is a long ways away.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez was the Twins' top target in the 2019 international class and signed for $2.5 million. His expected pro debut in 2020 was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and canceled minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez stands out for his low-maintenance swing, direct bat path and plus raw power. He has improved his ability to use the entire field in recent years and the Twins believe he has a chance to become a plus hitter. A hand injury has limited Rodriguez, but he spent time doing throwing drills and long-toss work after struggling with his throwing accuracy and arm stroke during the spring. He has plus arm strength when he's right and is currently a solid-average runner in center field. He projects to slow down as he fills out and may move to right field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez is set to make his pro debut in 2021. He has plenty of tools to dream on but is a long ways away.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez was the Twins' top target in the 2019 international class and signed for $2.5 million. His expected pro debut in 2020 was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and canceled minor league season.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez stands out for his low-maintenance swing, direct bat path and plus raw power. He has improved his ability to use the entire field in recent years and the Twins believe he has a chance to become a plus hitter. A hand injury has limited Rodriguez, but he spent time doing throwing drills and long-toss work after struggling with his throwing accuracy and arm stroke during the spring. He has plus arm strength when he's right and is currently a solid-average runner in center field. He projects to slow down as he fills out and may move to right field.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez is set to make his pro debut in 2021. He has plenty of tools to dream on but is a long ways away.