Winter baseball is in full swing and they means virtually all major league teams have at least a couple of players in some of the best leagues.
We have covered Gabriel Arias’ fruitful stint with Tiburones de La Guaira in Venezuela, and there are several members of the Cleveland Guardians showing their talent in the Dominican Republic.
Outfield prospect Johnathan Rodriguez is showcasing his impressive power in Puerto Rico’s winter circuit.
Even though he just debuted recently, he has managed to make his presence felt.
“Cleveland #Guardians OF prospect Johnathan Rodriguez crushes a solo HR in the 2nd inning tonight in the @LBPRC for his club Gigantes de Carolina! For Rodriguez it’s his 3rd HR over his last two games. He’s currently reached base all 4x (3-3 R HR 4RBI BB) through six innings of play tonight. Over his last two games he’s driven in 10 runs!: 6-8 3R 3HR 10RBI 1BB .750 AVG,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Cleveland #Guardians OF prospect Johnathan Rodriguez crushes a solo HR in the 2nd inning tonight in the @LBPRC for his club Gigantes de Carolina!
For Rodriguez it's his 3rd HR over his last two games. He's currently reached base all 4x (3-3 R HR 4RBI BB) through six innings of… pic.twitter.com/m1evbdHwMQ
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) December 3, 2024
No matter the league or the context, 10 RBI over two games is crazy.
Rodriguez had an amazing showing all year in Triple-A with the Guardians, hitting .301 with 29 home runs and 94 RBI.
Those numbers with Columbus gave him the MVP award of the International League.
He did have a short MLB cameo, which was largely unsuccessful (63 wRC+ in 40 games), but he is good enough to warrant another shot in 2025.
He might be one of the players competing for the Guardians everyday job in right field come spring training.
If his still young Winter League showing is any indication, the power that makes him different than his peers is still very much there.
NEXT: Guardians Assistant GM Provides Update On Daniel Espino
