Miami Marlins Season Review: Christopher Rodriguez

Throughout the 2018/2019 offseason, Marlin Maniac will devote one article each for every player who appeared in the Miami Marlins system for the 2018 season. Every. Single. Player. This is Part 154 of 286. For the first 100, click here.

Christopher Rodriguez is a 6’2″, 190 lb. right-handed corner-infielder from La Romana, Dominican Republic. 24 players have made it to the majors out of the town, including Edwin Encarnacion, Jumbo Diaz, and former Miami Marlins pitcher Antonio Alfonseca.

Rodriguez was born on December 22nd, 1999, and signed a free agent contract with the Miami Marlins on July 2nd, 2016 while still 16-years-old. The following season, he reported to the rookie-level DSL Marlins, in the Dominican Summer League for his first professional action.

Most players who begin their professional careers in the DSL are between six-and-eight seasons away from major league action, if that’s in the cards.

In 54 games for the DSL Marlins, Rodriguez hit .278/.405/.370 with nine doubles and a pair of home runs. He had 26 RBI, and bolstered his OBP significantly with his 14.9 percent walk rate. Defensively, he spent the lion’s share of the year manning the hot corner. In 328 1/3 innings over 40 games, he made a dozen errors for a .910 fielding percentage.

In 2018, Rodriguez was laterally promoted to the rookie-level, Florida-based GCL Marlins, in the Gulf Coast League. 39 games would see him slash .186/.280/.318, well below the mark he had set at a similar level just one year prior.

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Rodriguez only had five multi-hit games for GCL last season, including one three-hit game. In that one, on July 18th, Rodriguez went deep twice and added a single in an 11-5 victory over the GCL Nationals. On August 23rd, in a 10-9, 11-inning victory against the GCL Mets, he collected a season-high four RBI with a bases-loaded triple and an extra-inning RBI on a balk.

In 2018, Rodriguez’ defense at third base didn’t see any big gains. He registered an .897 fielding percentage in 168 innings. More encouragingly, he held down first base for 140 2/3 innings, putting up a mark of .986.

Rodriguez is likely to spend another season at the GCL level, and if his projection holds form, would eventually rise through the system. He needs work in the field at third base, and would probably do better sticking at first base. With normal progression, Rodriguez would see a chance to join the Miami Marlins in 2024.

Next. Elvin Ozoria's 2018 Season Review. dark

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