Alberto Rodriguez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #17 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Rodriguez originally signed with the Blue Jays for $500,000 out of the Dominican Republic and was traded to the Mariners in 2020 as the player to be named later for Taijuan Walker. He earned a spot on the Mariners 40-man roster after a productive first season in the organization, but he ballooned out of shape in 2022 and was outrighted after a miserable year. Rodriguez slimmed down and had a bounceback year in 2023. He led the Mariners system with a .300 batting average and 38 doubles, and rose from High-A to Double-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez has long struggled with his weight and is two different players depending on his fitness. When he’s in shape, he has solid bat-to-ball skills from the left side and good direction at the plate that allows him to stay on balls and drive them on a line from gap to gap. He makes loud contact and has improved at elevating the ball to project for 15-20 home run power. Rodriguez is an average runner and average defensive right fielder when he’s in shape, but he’s well below average at both when he’s not. He has above-average arm strength with inconsistent accuracy. Rodriguez gets bored at times and performs best when the stakes are highest. He lacks natural drive and needs coaches to stay on him.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez’s outlook depends solely on if he stays in shape. He has a chance to be a second-division regular in right field if he does.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 40 | Arm: 55
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #27 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Rodriguez signed with the Blue Jays for $500,000 and was acquired by the Mariners in exchange for Taijuan Walker at the 2020 trade deadline. He delivered a breakout season at Low-A Modesto in 2021 and was added to the 40-man roster after the season, but he ballooned out of shape during the lockout and regressed in 2022 at High-A Everett. He ended the year with an underwhelming showing in the Arizona Fall League and was outrighted off the roster.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez has long struggled with his weight and has enormous peaks and valleys depending on his fitness. He has a busy setup but a sound lefthanded swing that makes loud contact to all fields when he connects. He has good direction at the plate when he's in shape, but he has to open up early to get around his large midsection when he isn't and pulls off balls, as was the case in 2022. He starts expanding the zone to compensate and devolves from there. Rodriguez shows the potential to be an above-average hitter with average power when he's in shape, but he's a non-prospect when he isn't. Rodriguez has slowed to a well below-average runner and is a below-average defender in right field who doesn't move well. His above-average arm strength is negated by a long arm stroke.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez has a chance to be a reserve outfielder, but only if he gets back in shape. He'll open at Double-A Arkansas in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 50. Speed: 30. Fielding: 30. Arm: 55.
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #14 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Blue Jays signed Rodriguez for $500,000 during the 2017 international signing period and traded him to the Mariners for Taijuan Walker at the 2020 deadline. After falling out of shape during the coronavirus shutdown, Rodriguez cleaned up his body during spring training and took off in his first year in the Mariners system. He shook off a slow start at Low-A Modesto to hit .289/.379/.470 with 31 doubles, 10 home runs and 15 stolen bases while advancing to High-A Everett.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez has exceptional strike-zone recognition and solid bat-to-ball skills from the left side. He was previously too passive, but he started taking a more aggressive approach last summer and began driving balls to all fields. He lays off close pitches, rarely swings and misses and posts high exit velocities to project as an above-average hitter. Rodriguez mostly drives balls from gap to gap, but he does have latent raw power that could translate into 15-20 home runs as he matures. He is an average runner who covers plenty of ground in right field, although his reads and approach on ground balls could use polish. He has an accurate, above-average arm.
  
  The Future: The Mariners added Rodriguez to the 40-man roster after the season and view him as a potential everyday right fielder. He will begin 2022 at High-A Everett.
  
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #26 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Signed by the Blue Jays for $500,000 in 2017, Rodriguez followed his debut in the Dominican Summer League with a strong showing in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. The Mariners acquired him to complete the deadline trade that sent righthander Taijuan Walker to Toronto, and he finished the summer at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez has whippy bat speed and good hitting instincts, coupled with a natural swing path geared to hit live drives. He uses his hands well and puts plenty of balls in play to project as an above-average hitter with 12-15-home run potential. Rodriguez is an average defender with an above-average arm that should help him in right field. He's added significant weight and strength to his upper half, and his once above-average speed is now below-average. He reported to instructional league and spent his time on conditioning instead of playing in games, and he reportedly lost about 10 pounds of excess weight.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez should be ready for low Class A in 2021. He will need to continue his conditioning work and closely monitor his fitness.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #22 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez was a famous name early on in the scouting process of the 2017 signing class and ended up signing for $500,000 that year. After debuting in the Dominican Summer League in 2018, he took a step forward in 2019 in his first season in the United States.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez is a high-contact hitter from the left side with a swing geared for low line drives. There are some unconventional parts to his swing, but he uses his hands well and puts the ball in play with a loose, quick stroke. Rodriguez has a solid eye for the strike zone for his age and he makes hard contact when he connects, but his swing doesn't have much loft and he doesn't project to be a big power threat, creating more risk for his profile as a right fielder. He improved his defense in right field, with his speed and arm strength both grading out around average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Developing more home run power will be the key for Rodriguez to develop into an everyday player on a corner.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #17 prospect in 2019
  Rodriguez stood out early on as an amateur in the Dominican Republic, then after some up-and-down showings later in the showcase process, he signed for $500,000 in 2017. After making his pro debut last year in the Dominican Summer League, Rodriguez took a step forward this year in the GCL. Rodriguez is a strong, compact frame and a quick, loose swing, using his hands well at the plate even when he's caught off balance. He does a good job of using the whole field and makes a lot of hard contact, piling up doubles that should turn into home runs once he gets stronger. Rodriguez has played right field since signing, and he fields his position well. He's a solid-average runner with good defensive instincts and an above-average arm.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Rodriguez signed with the Blue Jays for $500,000 and was acquired by the Mariners in exchange for Taijuan Walker at the 2020 trade deadline. He delivered a breakout season at Low-A Modesto in 2021 and was added to the 40-man roster after the season, but he ballooned out of shape during the lockout and regressed in 2022 at High-A Everett. He ended the year with an underwhelming showing in the Arizona Fall League and was outrighted off the roster.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez has long struggled with his weight and has enormous peaks and valleys depending on his fitness. He has a busy setup but a sound lefthanded swing that makes loud contact to all fields when he connects. He has good direction at the plate when he's in shape, but he has to open up early to get around his large midsection when he isn't and pulls off balls, as was the case in 2022. He starts expanding the zone to compensate and devolves from there. Rodriguez shows the potential to be an above-average hitter with average power when he's in shape, but he's a non-prospect when he isn't. Rodriguez has slowed to a well below-average runner and is a below-average defender in right field who doesn't move well. His above-average arm strength is negated by a long arm stroke.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez has a chance to be a reserve outfielder, but only if he gets back in shape. He'll open at Double-A Arkansas in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 50. Speed: 30. Fielding: 30. Arm: 55.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Rodriguez signed with the Blue Jays for $500,000 and was acquired by the Mariners in exchange for Taijuan Walker at the 2020 trade deadline. He delivered a breakout season at Low-A Modesto in 2021 and was added to the 40-man roster after the season, but he ballooned out of shape during the lockout and regressed in 2022 at High-A Everett. He ended the year with an underwhelming showing in the Arizona Fall League and was outrighted off the roster.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez has long struggled with his weight and has enormous peaks and valleys depending on his fitness. He has a busy setup but a sound lefthanded swing that makes loud contact to all fields when he connects. He has good direction at the plate when he's in shape, but he has to open up early to get around his large midsection when he isn't and pulls off balls, as was the case in 2022. He starts expanding the zone to compensate and devolves from there. Rodriguez shows the potential to be an above-average hitter with average power when he's in shape, but he's a non-prospect when he isn't. Rodriguez has slowed to a well below-average runner and is a below-average defender in right field who doesn't move well. His above-average arm strength is negated by a long arm stroke.
  
  The Future: Rodriguez has a chance to be a reserve outfielder, but only if he gets back in shape. He'll open at Double-A Arkansas in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 50. Speed: 30. Fielding: 30. Arm: 55.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: The Blue Jays signed Rodriguez for $500,000 during the 2017 international signing period and traded him to the Mariners for Taijuan Walker at the 2020 deadline. After falling out of shape during the coronavirus shutdown, Rodriguez cleaned up his body during spring training and took off in his first year in the Mariners system. He shook off a slow start at Low-A Modesto to hit .289/.379/.470 with 31 doubles, 10 home runs and 15 stolen bases while advancing to High-A Everett.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez has exceptional strike-zone recognition and solid bat-to-ball skills from the left side. He was previously too passive, but he started taking a more aggressive approach last summer and began driving balls to all fields. He lays off close pitches, rarely swings and misses and posts high exit velocities to project as an above-average hitter. Rodriguez mostly drives balls from gap to gap, but he does have latent raw power that could translate into 15-20 home runs as he matures. He is an average runner who covers plenty of ground in right field, although his reads and approach on ground balls could use polish. He has an accurate, above-average arm.
  
  The Future: The Mariners added Rodriguez to the 40-man roster after the season and view him as a potential everyday right fielder. He will begin 2022 at High-A Everett.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Blue Jays signed Rodriguez for $500,000 during the 2017 international signing period and traded him to the Mariners for Taijuan Walker at the 2020 deadline. After falling out of shape during the coronavirus shutdown, Rodriguez cleaned up his body during spring training and took off in his first year in the Mariners system. He shook off a slow start at Low-A Modesto to hit .289/.379/.470 with 31 doubles, 10 home runs and 15 stolen bases while advancing to High-A Everett.
  
  Scouting Report: Rodriguez has exceptional strike-zone recognition and solid bat-to-ball skills from the left side. He was previously too passive, but he started taking a more aggressive approach last summer and began driving balls to all fields. He lays off close pitches, rarely swings and misses and posts high exit velocities to project as an above-average hitter. Rodriguez mostly drives balls from gap to gap, but he does have latent raw power that could translate into 15-20 home runs as he matures. He is an average runner who covers plenty of ground in right field, although his reads and approach on ground balls could use polish. He has an accurate, above-average arm.
  
  The Future: The Mariners added Rodriguez to the 40-man roster after the season and view him as a potential everyday right fielder. He will begin 2022 at High-A Everett.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Signed by the Blue Jays for $500,000 in 2017, Rodriguez followed his debut in the Dominican Summer League with a strong showing in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. The Mariners acquired him to complete the deadline trade that sent righthander Taijuan Walker to Toronto, and he finished the summer at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez has whippy bat speed and good hitting instincts, coupled with a natural swing path geared to hit live drives. He uses his hands well and puts plenty of balls in play to project as an above-average hitter with 12-15-home run potential. Rodriguez is an average defender with an above-average arm that should help him in right field. He's added significant weight and strength to his upper half, and his once above-average speed is now below-average. He reported to instructional league and spent his time on conditioning instead of playing in games, and he reportedly lost about 10 pounds of excess weight.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez should be ready for low Class A in 2021. He will need to continue his conditioning work and closely monitor his fitness.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Signed by the Blue Jays for $500,000 in 2017, Rodriguez followed his debut in the Dominican Summer League with a strong showing in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. The Mariners acquired him to complete the deadline trade that sent righthander Taijuan Walker to Toronto, and he finished the summer at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez has whippy bat speed and good hitting instincts, coupled with a natural swing path geared to hit live drives. He uses his hands well and puts plenty of balls in play to project as an above-average hitter with 12-15-home run potential. Rodriguez is an average defender with an above-average arm that should help him in right field. He's added significant weight and strength to his upper half, and his once above-average speed is now below-average. He reported to instructional league and spent his time on conditioning instead of playing in games, and he reportedly lost about 10 pounds of excess weight.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez should be ready for low Class A in 2021. He will need to continue his conditioning work and closely monitor his fitness.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Signed by the Blue Jays for $500,000 in 2017, Rodriguez followed his debut in the Dominican Summer League with a strong showing in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. The Mariners acquired him to complete the deadline trade that sent righthander Taijuan Walker to Toronto, and he finished the summer at the Mariners' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez has whippy bat speed and good hitting instincts, coupled with a natural swing path geared to hit live drives. He uses his hands well and puts plenty of balls in play to project as an above-average hitter with 12-15-home run potential. Rodriguez is an average defender with an above-average arm that should help him in right field. He's added significant weight and strength to his upper half, and his once above-average speed is now below-average. He reported to instructional league and spent his time on conditioning instead of playing in games, and he reportedly lost about 10 pounds of excess weight.
  
  THE FUTURE: Rodriguez should be ready for low Class A in 2021. He will need to continue his conditioning work and closely monitor his fitness.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez was a famous name early on in the scouting process of the 2017 signing class and ended up signing for $500,000 that year. After debuting in the Dominican Summer League in 2018, he took a step forward in 2019 in his first season in the United States.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez is a high-contact hitter from the left side with a swing geared for low line drives. There are some unconventional parts to his swing, but he uses his hands well and puts the ball in play with a loose, quick stroke. Rodriguez has a solid eye for the strike zone for his age and he makes hard contact when he connects, but his swing doesn’t have much loft and he doesn’t project to be a big power threat, creating more risk for his profile as a right fielder. He improved his defense in right field, with his speed and arm strength both grading out around average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Developing more home run power will be the key for Rodriguez to develop into an everyday player on a corner.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez was a famous name early on in the scouting process of the 2017 signing class and ended up signing for $500,000 that year. After debuting in the Dominican Summer League in 2018, he took a step forward in 2019 in his first season in the United States.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez is a high-contact hitter from the left side with a swing geared for low line drives. There are some unconventional parts to his swing, but he uses his hands well and puts the ball in play with a loose, quick stroke. Rodriguez has a solid eye for the strike zone for his age and he makes hard contact when he connects, but his swing doesn't have much loft and he doesn't project to be a big power threat, creating more risk for his profile as a right fielder. He improved his defense in right field, with his speed and arm strength both grading out around average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Developing more home run power will be the key for Rodriguez to develop into an everyday player on a corner.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Rodriguez stood out early on as an amateur in the Dominican Republic, then after some up-and-down showings later in the showcase process, he signed for $500,000 in 2017. After making his pro debut last year in the Dominican Summer League, Rodriguez took a step forward this year in the GCL. Rodriguez is a strong, compact frame and a quick, loose swing, using his hands well at the plate even when he's caught off balance. He does a good job of using the whole field and makes a lot of hard contact, piling up doubles that should turn into home runs once he gets stronger. Rodriguez has played right field since signing, and he fields his position well. He's a solid-average runner with good defensive instincts and an above-average arm.