51 RF Johnathan Rodriguez (23.3yo, ranked 50th in 2022)
Johnathan Rodriguez was drafted as a very young 17yo in round 3 in 2017, so his path through the system was slow, as 2022 was only his second year in full season minors.
Starting in A+, Rodriguez enjoyed a power breakout that was long anticipated. He was one of the best power bats at the level with an ISO just under 300, hammering 21 HR and 39 XBH in just 321 trips to the plate. That sort of dominance earned him a call up to AA in early August. He struggled that month, going only 6 for 49, but he finished mighty strong in September with a 276/311/690 slash, 16 for 58, but 12 of those hits were XBH (5 HR).
On the downside, Rodriguez batted ball data got worse, probably the price for his aggressiveness swinging for power, but his 292 BA in A+ shows that it's not either/or. He's always been a good hitter and still is one.
If you look at Rodriguez' overall wRc+ by level (117, 123, 121, 133), that's a damn fine, consistent hitter. Here's what I wrote one year ago:
"So the slow burn of Rodriguez’ development has continued and he remains a prospect worth following, because he’s steadily beating the levels, but without truly breaking out. He’s above average, average or slightly below in most categories, a little better adjusted for age. He’s a steady, but unspectacular prospect with a chance of a balanced, very average toolset across the board. Good LD% and SwStr% indicate there’s potential for more, especially power in that 6’3 body. Rodriguez also has a plus arm and is a true RF fit. He’s given up switch hitting (mixed reports if he ever really did as a pro) and is now a RHB. He’s entering the physical maturation years and will open 2022 on the A+ roster at a level appropriate age, but with a bit more pressure for the bat to perform."
Hmm, does that remind you of another late blooming Guardians RF with power that was considered a fringe prospect?
There are certainly similarities between Rodriguez and O. Gonzalez. Sponge Bob had lower K rates, but also lower walk rates, so the BB/K are comparable even at its worst for Rodriguez in 2022. The September power surge gives hope that Rodriguez can crush AA too and if he does and makes it to AAA, the Guardians will have a decision to make as Rodriguez will be a minors FA after this season, so they need to roster him on their 40. Rodriguez' 2023 performance will dictate his future in this org or he could become a trade chip at the deadline, but outside of Noel, Johnathan is the only upper level RH power bat in the system, so there's a real chance Rodriguez powers his way all the way to Cleveland.