HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 30: Julio Rodriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners injures himself on a strike three swinging in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 30, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Seattle Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez is on fire this season. He’s accomplishing things even Mike Trout couldn’t accomplish.
Seattle Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez is quickly proving he deserves to be in the majors. According to Alex Mayer, Rodriguez has passed some of Mike Trout’s accomplishments. Mayer wrote, “Julio Rodríguez is the fastest player (107 career G) in American League HISTORY to reach 20+ home runs & 20+ stolen bases, surpassing Mike Trout (112 G).”
Rodriguez is living up to his expected potential. This season, he’s hitting .271/.328/.475 for an OPS of .803. His potential showed early in the minors, which helped him move quickly up the farm system. He started in the rookie league in 2018, then played Single-A and High-A in 2019. In 2021, he played High-A and Double-A. He made his majors debut this season.
He’s already hit 20 home runs in the majors, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez will likely only get better with time
Rodriguez, nicknamed “J-Rod,” easily stood out above most prospects. According to MLB.com, he was MLB Pipeline’s No. 3 Prospect at one point.
If he’s anything like Mike Trout, which he seems to be so far, he’s yet to hit his peak. Trout hit .220/.281/.390 for an OPS of .671 in his first season. By his second season, he hit .326/.399/.564 for an OPS of .963. He’s currently in his 12th season and he’s yet to slow down.
J-Rod has just as much potential. If he continues on the path he’s on, he’s likely to become one of the bests in MLB.