Miami Marlins Prospect Watch: Spotlight on Christopher Rodriguez

From the Miami Marlins through their seven minor league affiliates, the organization posted a 3-7 record on Thursday. One of the winners was the GCL Marlins, who feature Christopher Rodriguez.

If you haven’t heard of Rodriguez, then you are not alone. Still just 18-years-old, the 6’2″, 190 lb. third baseman is a La Romana, DR native. The Miami Marlins signed him through International free agency back in 2016.

A lot of players make their debut with the Dominican Summer League, play a season, and are never heard from again. Success at getting even a lateral promotion, to the Gulf Coast League is remarkable. Around 20 percent end up making the cut, and about two percent overall taste the major league. Jose Urena and Jarlin Garcia are two.

Rodriguez made the grade after slashing .278/.405/.370 in 51 games last year for the DSL Marlins. His batting average was high-average for the league, but his OBP was nearly off the charts. He achieved this through a more advanced approach to hitting, and being able to lay off stuff outside the zone. He drew 30 walks in 192 plate appearances, while striking out 36 times. He also collected 26 RBI.

Joining the GCL Marlins this year, Rodriguez has slashed .190/.288/.325. In yesterday morning’s 10-9 win over the GCL Mets, C-Rod led the way with four RBI, going two-for-five with a triple, a walk, and a run.

Rodriguez has a long way to go if he plans to make a career out of baseball. I’d place odds on next seasons’ destination for him at 40 percent GCL, 30 percent Batavia Muckdogs, and 30 percent out of baseball. If he does end up getting retained, his timetable for progression to the Miami Marlins is 2023 or 2024.

Other Top Performances from Thursday

Cody Poteet (JAX)

Poteet started the second game of Jacksonville’s doubleheader against the Birmingham Barons, and earned no decision. That’s too bad, because he spun a gem, striking out 12 in eight innings while walking zero and giving up one run on two hits. Poteet also hit a batter, facing three more than the minimum and posting an 87 GameScore by getting 81-of-114 in the strike zone.

Dustin Beggs (JAX)

Before the train came off the rails in game one of the Jumbo Shrimp doubleheader, Dustin Beggs turned in six innings of shutout ball. He struck out seven and gave up four hits and one walk. Beggs put 60-of-91 over the plate and earned a 73 GameScore. The Shrimp eventually lost, 6-0 to the Barons.

Tyler Cloyd (NO)

Cloyd started and earned a 62 GameScore for the New Orleans Baby Cakes. He turned in a Quality Start and suffered the loss, after allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits and no walks. Cloyd struck out five and got 68-of-92 in the strikezone.

Jorge Guzman (JUP)

Guzman earned no-decision in five innings of work for the Jupiter Hammerheads, in their eventual 9-8 win against the Florida Fire Frogs. Guzman allowed four runs on five hits and four walks, but also struck out 10 batters to finish with a 47 GameScore. He placed 59-of-99 in the strike zone.

Jameson McGrane (BAT)

McGrane earned his third win against zero losses while with the Batavia Muckdogs this season. He came in for three innings of relief, with the game still scoreless to start the fourth inning. McGrane did allow three baserunners, on a walk and two hits, but he also struck out five Williamsport Crosscutters in Batavia’s 1-0 victory. McGrane has pitched 23 2/3 innings through four levels of the Miami Marlins minor leagues this season, and has walked 19 while striking out 36. Ironing out that control is going to be key to him moving forward.

Dakota Bennett (GCL)

Dakota Bennett started for the GCL Marlins in their eventual 10-9 win over the GCL Mets. He earned no-decision, but kept the Mets scoreless through five innings, whiffing five and surrendering only two hits. He finished with a 71 GameScore.

Isael Soto (GSO)

The Greensboro Grasshoppers were limited to just three hits in their 5-2 loss to the Delmarva Shorebirds on Thursday. Soto collected two of them, including a two-run homer which accounted for all of Greensboro’s runs.

Humberto Mejia (BAT)

Mejia started the first game of Batavia’s doubleheader, and kept the Crosscutters hitless through four innings. He faced the minimum, retiring all 12 batters he faced, and four of them on strikeouts. The Muckdogs eventually lost that one, 3-2 after Tyler Kolek allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Riley Mahan (JUP)

Mahan batted second for the Hammerheads against the Fire Frogs, and was two-for-five with two runs, an RBI, and a stolen base, his seventh of the season.

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