Emmanuel Rodriguez

Known heading into 2023 as one of the most alluring sluggers in the lower minors, Rodriguez essentially treaded water at High-A. His 16 home runs, .223 ISO and 36.5 Hard% were at or maybe slightly below expectations over 99 games, and his 29.5 percent strikeout rate did nothing to lessen long-term hit tool concerns. He hit .287 with a 26.5 percent strikeout rate in 42 games after the All-Star break while maintaining an elite 21.4 percent walk rate, so there were signs of improvements down the stretch. Until further notice, Rodriguez projects as a three-true-outcomes slugger who will be better in OBP leagues than batting average leagues and could run into a wall against upper-level pitchers who can locate and throw multiple offerings for strikes. Unlike most corner-outfield sluggers, Rodriguez has enough speed to steal double-digit bases early in his career. He can handle center field in a pinch and has a plus arm that would fit well in right field. Rodriguez is already on the 40-man roster, but he probably won't be big-league ready until sometime in 2025. Read Past Outlooks