Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Prospect Nation 2012: #8 RHP Julio Rodriguez

Posted by Jay Floyd, Thu, February 23, 2012 08:00 AM | Comments: 1
2012 Top 25 Prospects, Analysis, Blog, Minor Leagues, News, Opinion, Posts, Prospecting, Threshers

Right-handed pitcher Julio Rodriguez has quietly become one of the Phillies’ most promising prospects in recent years. Without the hype and buzz that has surrounded other well-regarded youngsters within the Philadelphia organization, the Puerto Rican born hurler has proven himself worthy of being held in considerable regard by the Phils, their fans and talent evaluators alike.

Drafted in the 8th round of the 2008 amateur draft as a 17-year-old, Rodriguez made his professional debut that same year, throwing in 7 games with the Gulf Coast League Phillies. However, the 6-foot-4-inch 200-pounder struggled, as he sported a 12.19 ERA and a .383 batting average against.

The following season, back in the GCL, Rodriguez added some strength and made some serious improvements in the GCL, posting a 1-2 record with a 3.08 ERA and a .197 batting average against in 11 games (8 starts).

In 2010, as a 19-year-old, Rodriguez began the season in extended spring training, but joined the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws in May. He spent time with the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters as well that year, and finished with an overall record of 7-3 with a 1.89 ERA and a .175 batting average against in 20 outings (12 starts). J-Rod was a key contributor that helped Lakewood lock down their second straight South Atlantic League championship that year.

Last season with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, Rodriguez was named an end-of-season Florida State League All-Star as he had a stellar campaign. In 27 starts, Rodriguez finished with a league leading 16 wins, a 2.76 ERA that stood as second best in the FSL and a .186 batting average against.

Despite lacking blazing speed with a fastball the resides in the low-90′s, Rodriguez has steadily recorded impressive strikeout totals. Averaging 10.71 strikeouts per 9 innings over the past two seasons, it is his excellent secondary pitches and his ability to keep batters guessing that help Rodriguez mow down the competition. Among his repertoire are a strong curveball that dives away from righty batters and a solid change up that has shown improvement at each level.

The 21-year-old is versatile, proven by his ability to handle the competition in any role, although sources within the organization have stated the Phillies think Rodriguez’s future is as a starter.

This off-season, Rodriguez appeared in 6 games with the Gigantes de Carolina in the Puerto Rican Winter League. In those outings, all relief, he tallied no decisions and a 3.52 ERA.

In my four years covering the minors on a regular basis, I have not come across a Philadelphia pitching prospect that is more enjoyable to watch than Julio Rodriguez. He is cerebral, aggressive, tough and dominant on the mound. Reading area fans will definitely get a treat this year, every five days, when Rodriguez takes the mound for their Double A level Phillies.
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Our 2012 prospect countdown index can be found by clicking HERE.

Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider.  You can read more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

1 Comments  View Comments: Newest FirstOldest First Expand AllExpand Newest  

Posts: 0 loon

stuff isn’t that electric, so I’m still shocked how he’s performing so well.

 Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 02:06 PM on February 23, 2012

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Utley: Knee Feels Significantly BetterReport: Roy Oswalt to Sit Until MidseasonWolever Takes Assistant GM Post with Phillies Howard Swings in Cages; Feels "40 Percent Healthy" Prospect Nation 2012: #9 RHP Jonathan PettibonePierre, Pineiro Were Top-3 Minor League SigningsClearwater Notes: Halladay & Snakes, Qualls in Camp

Pat Gallen wrote a new blog post: Utley: Knee Feels Significantly Better   39 minutes ago · View

Chase Utley began Spring Training in the same fashion as Cole Hamels , Roy Halladay , and Ryan Howard ; with a press conference set up to appease the media and shed some light on offseason questions. Utley, coy as ever, did his best to deflect attention and answer questions as straightforward as possible. In the few words he spoke, Utley gave [...]

Lefty commented on the blog post Report: Roy Oswalt to Sit Until Midseason   1 hour, 14 minutes ago · View

RaJa Clemens is in Gauges box! Ah my goodness gracious!

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Manny commented on the blog post Report: Roy Oswalt to Sit Until Midseason   1 hour, 56 minutes ago · View

This would be great for him, and good for the Phillies by default. If Blanton is having a good year and we can trade him, or if *knock on wood* one our top 3 gets significantly injured, we can always make him an offer and I’m sure he’d consider it. Though I seriously doubt that [...]

J from Leonardtown commented on the blog post Report: Roy Oswalt to Sit Until Midseason   2 hours, 17 minutes ago · View

So, if Blanton is healthy and can be moved, does Oswalt do a 2009 Pedro, and come back to Philly?

Subscribe and Share Minor League NewsProspect Nation 2012: #9 RHP Jonathan PettiboneDe Fratus Diaries: J-Bone Zone Goes to ClearwaterProspect Nation 2012: #10 OF Jiwan JamesPhillies Prospects Biddle & Schwimer Ready for SpringProspect Nation 2012: #11 OF Tyson Gillies Recent CommentsDave P: Come on, Little Roy. We already gave you $2 million in the buyout. Join us for a second half pushLefty: RaJa Clemens is in Gauges box! Ah my goodness gracious!Manny: This would be great for him, and good for the Phillies by default. If Blanton is having a good yearJay from Leonardtown: So, if Blanton is healthy and can be moved, does Oswalt do a 2009 Pedro, and come back to Philly?loon: stuff isn't that electric, so I'm still shocked how he's performing so well.Sean: definitely didnt mess up his back cleaning up Weir. He used his Backhoe that he was promised by an ownerJay Floyd: Good move for Oswalt. He'll get his pick of contending teams, that might be acting stingy now, come JuneLefty: "My question is, would it be inappropriate to be angry with Raul for screwing up the payroll obligations for thisschmenkman: Agreed -- it would be perfectly appropriate to be angry at Raul, since he would be intentionally reneging on theLefty: It's a blast form the past! Where the heck have you been?Yes it did help Schmidt, and yes it wasRSS

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2012 Phillies Salaries 

Charlie Manuel

$3 million

 

Cliff Lee

$21.5 million

 

Ryan Howard

$20 million

 

Roy Halladay

$20 million

 

Chase Utley

$15 million

 

Jonathan Papelbon

$11 million

 

Jimmy Rollins

$11 million

 

Cole Hamels

$9.5 million

 

Shane Victorino

$9.5 million

 

Joe Blanton

$8.5 million

 

Hunter Pence

$6.9 million

 

Placido Polanco

$6.25 million

 

Ty Wigginton

$4 million

 

Carlos Ruiz

$3.7 million

 

Jose Contreras

$2.5 million

 

Kyle Kendrick

$2.45 million

 

Jim Thome

$1.25 million

 

Laynce Nix

$1.15 million

 

Dontrelle Willis

$850,000

 

Brian Schneider

$800,000

 

John Mayberry

$414,000

 

Vance Worley

$405,000

 

Antonio Bastardo

$405,000

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