Toronto Blue Jays Rule V Options: Infielders

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Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Ronny Rodriguez

Rodriguez is an interesting candidate because he’s a member of the Cleveland Indians organization, the same organization the Blue Jays new club president recently moved on from. He’s also interesting because his stock fell due to a poor 2014 and being passed by guys like Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, and Giovanny Urshela.

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Rodriguez ranked as the Indians 30th prospect at the end of 2014 by Baseball America. In 2012, BA considered Ronny to have the best infield arm in the Indians system and in the Carolina League. He split time between 2nd and 1st in 2015, but has spent most of his career at SS (261GP) and 2nd (159GP). As solid defender, Rodriguez has posted fielding percent of .930 at SS and .972 at 2nd. He has enough arm to fill in at a 3rd playing 40 games at the hot corner in 2014.

His splits in Double-A were good, hitting .286 against both LHP and RHP. Ronny power numbers rebounded in 2015 with .204 ISO, after generating just a .097 ISO in 2014. Like T.J. Rivera, Ronny’s power is to the pull side, as illustrated by all 11 home runs and the majority of his 14 doubles being hit down the LF line.

Mandatory Credit: MLBfarm.com

Strike outs (21.1K%) and lack of walks (3.5 BB%) will hurt his chances, but his wOBA of .361 he posted in 72 GP in Double-A will definitely garner some interest at the draft.

Ronny has all the tools to become a solid utility infielder, but could push for an everyday role if/when he makes adjustments and learns to control the strike zone.

It is also possible that the Blue Jays don’t use the Rule V draft to acquire middle infield help, but choose the Free Agent route or internal options. Some internal options the Jays could look at are Andy Burns (3rd/2nd/1st), Jon Berti (SS/LF), and long shot Jorge Flores (SS/2B).

Ronny Rodriguez in 2010

Ronny in 2012

Completely Spanish interview…how’s your spanish?