Ronny Rodriguez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #30 prospect in 2015
  Rodriguez's career has had its share of odd twists and turns. Born in the Dominican Republic, he came to the U.S. at age 12 and attended high school in the States before returning to the island. After Major League Baseball decided he wouldn't have to go through the draft, he signed with the Indians for $375,000 in 2010. He looked like one of the organization's top middle-infield prospects for a time, but other players have surpassed him while he had to repeat Double-A Akron in 2014. He saw action at all four infield positions at Akron, though he played primarily second and third base. His pure athleticism is his best asset. He ranges well along with having sure hands and a strong-enough arm to play on the left side of the infield. Whether he'll be able to hit enough to be more than a utility player is the big question. He has some wiry strength, but he can fall in love trying to drive balls and take too many big swings. He's at his best as a contact hitter, and the Indians want to see him improve his pitch selection. He could yet make a run at a big league bench job, but first he must conquer Double-A.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #7 prospect in 2014
  Growing up, Rodriguez spent several years living in the U.S., and he even attended high school in the States. He eventually relocated back to his native Dominican Republic and signed with the Indians for $375,000 in 2010. Rodriguez came straight to the U.S. for his pro debut in 2011, and he's been young for his league at each stop in the system. He has as much or more pure athleticism as any Indians middle-infield prospect, including Francisco Lindor, but he lacks polish. He has quick-twitch ability and generates plenty of bat speed. His home run output dropped markedly from 2012, though Cleveland chalks this up at least partly to Double-A Akron's stingy Canal Park. Rodriguez is wiry strong and leverages balls well, and he should be capable of solid-average power. His inexperience shows up in his overly aggressive plate approach. He has the bat-to-ball skills to make consistent contact to all fields, but he's tough to walk and doesn't show much ability to adjust with two strikes. Rodriguez played shortstop until moving over to second base upon Lindor's arrival in Akron. He has the pure tools for shortstop, with plus range, quick hands and a strong-enough arm. While he's unlikely to beat out Lindor for the shortstop's job, Rodriguez has the athleticism to shift to several other positions. His ultimate defensive home remains in question as he heads to Triple-A Columbus in 2014.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #8 prospect in 2013
  Born in the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez moved to Lawrence, Mass., when he was 12 and attended high school in the United States before moving back to the island. He signed for $375,000 in 2010, making him the Indians' top international signing that year. His odd path is evident in his game, as Rodriguez stands out more for his tools than his refinement. He has plus raw power that has led to 30 homers in two years in Class A, but his free-swinging approach restricts his on-base ability. He has a tendency to step in the bucket and doesn't recognize breaking pitches well. Rodriguez also has plus speed, though his baserunning still needs work. He's a good athlete with a well above-average arm and the range to play shortstop, but he still makes way too many mistakes at the position, including 28 errors in 80 games in 2012. His footwork reduces the accuracy of his throws. Rodriguez will stay on the fast track, jumping to Double-A at age 21 in 2013. He has much to clean up, but he ultimately could profile along the lines of Clint Barmes or Khalil Greene as a shortstop with defensive promise who won't get on base much but flashes impressive power for the position.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #13 prospect in 2012
  Rodriguez was Cleveland's top international acquisition in 2010, though he wasn't a typical Latin American amateur signing. Born in the Dominican Republic, he moved to Lawrence, Mass,. when he was 12 and attended high school in the United States. Before he graduated he moved back to the Dominican Republic, and he waited a year for Major League Baseball to determine whether he was subject to the draft or able to sign as a free agent. MLB decided on the latter, and he signed October 2010 for $375,000 as an 18- year-old. He's a good athlete with above-average speed, good range and a 70 arm on the 20-80 scouting scale. Despite those tools, he's still mistake-prone and committed 38 errors in 97 games at shortstop last season, when he made his pro debut as a teenager in low Class A. His throws often sail because he has a tendency to rush his footwork. Rodriguez isn't very physical, but he has a quick bat and surprising raw power for his size. He had 46 extra-base hits in 2011, though Midwest League scouts aren't sure how his pop will play at higher levels. His approach needs a lot of work, as he's a hyper-aggressive hitter who struggles to recognize pitches and get on base. He gets caught out on his front foot too often, causing him to slash at the ball with an uppercut stroke. While Rodriguez's offensive development would benefit from a return to low Class A, the Indians also have Francisco Lindor and Tony Wolters ready to play in the middle infield there.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Carolina League #19 prospect in 2012
  Rodriguez shared shortstop and second base with Tony Wolters at Carolina, and he has the ability to play either position at higher levels. He has a legitimate 70 arm on the 20-80 scouting scale and plus range. He sometimes forces plays he shouldn't, which led to 28 errors in 80 games at short. Rodriguez has surprising raw power for his size, and it should translate into more homers as he becomes more disciplined at the plate. For now, he's a free swinger who can get fooled by breaking pitches. He has above-average speed but has yet to grasp the art of basestealing.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Rodriguez took an atypical path to pro ball. Born in the Dominican Republic, he moved to Lawrence, Mass., when he was 12 and attended high school in the United States before moving back to the island. He signed for $375,000 in 2010, making him the Indians' top international signing that year. Scouting Report: His odd path is evident in his game, as Rodriguez stands out more for his tools than his refinement. He has plus raw power that has led to 30 homers in two years in Class A, but his free-swinging approach restricts his on-base ability. He has a tendency to step in the bucket at the plate and doesn't recognize breaking pitches well. Rodriguez also has plus speed, though his baserunning still needs work. He's a good athlete with a well above-average arm and the range to play shortstop, but he still makes way too many mistakes at the position, including 28 errors in 80 games in 2012. His footwork is lacking and reduces the accuracy of his throws. The Future: Rodriguez will stay on the fast track, jumping to Double-A at age 21 in 2013. He has much to clean up, but he ultimately could profile along the lines of Clint Barmes or Khalil Greene as a shortstop with defensive promise who won't get on base much but flashes impressive power for the position.