We have an infielder next on our list.
Name: Jeremy Rodriguez
Position: INF
Born: 7/04/2006
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Bats/Throws: L/R
Acquired: Trade (August 01, 2023: Traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks to the New York Mets for Tommy Pham)
2023 Stats: 51 G, 167 AB, .293/.411/.467, 49 H, 10 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 33 BB, 31 K, 19/25 SB, .343 BABIP (F-Rookie)
On July 4, 2006, Jeremy Rodriguez was born in Esperanza, a Dominican Republic city that is also home to a number of major league players, including David Ortiz, Jose Leclerc, Seranthony Dominguez, Hector Noesi, Jhoan Duran, and Jasson Dominguez.
Regarded as one of the best foreign rookie prospects available in the 2023 international signing window, the Arizona Diamondbacks made him their top target when they signed him to a one-year contract worth $1.2 million on January 15, the first day of signing eligibility.
Later that year, the 16-year-old made his Dominican Summer League debut, playing in 38 games as a batsman for the DSL Arizona Black.256/.371/.393, with two triples, two home runs, twelve stolen bases in seventeen tries, and twenty-six strikeouts to twenty-one walks.
Rodriguez was returned to the Mets on August 1st in exchange for outfielder Tommy Pham, who was traded to the Diamondbacks. He played in 13 games for the DSL Mets Orange, where he hit.422/.536/.711, drew 11 walks against 4 strikeouts, and had 4 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, and 7 stolen bases in 8 tries.
All in all, with both teams combined, Rodriguez hit .293/.411/.467 in his age 16 debut season, with 10 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs, 19 stolen bases in 25 attempts, and 33 walks to 31 strikeouts.
Although it is difficult to predict where Rodriguez will ultimately play because of the glove, the majority of scouts and analysts think he can stick at shortstop in the long run. He has above-average to plus arm strength, soft hands, a smooth glove, good instincts, and quick reaction times.