Mariners’ top prospect Julio Rodríguez on opening day roster

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Seattle Mariners’ high prospect Julio Rodríguez might be on the opening day roster, supervisor Scott Servais introduced Monday.

“It’s time for Julio Rodríguez to play within the massive leagues,” Servais mentioned.

After a torrid spring coaching, the choice to start out the 21-year-old within the majors was simple for the Mariners, together with the rising push from followers able to see Rodríguez taking part in in Seattle. The Mariners are scheduled to open the common season on Thursday at Minnesota.

“As I’ve been saying in each single interview like this might be a dream turn into actuality proper now,” Rodríguez mentioned. “As you guys can see, you’re employed your complete life to mainly get up to now proper now, it’s superb actually.”

Coming into Monday’s spring coaching recreation, Rodríguez was hitting .419 with three dwelling runs, eight RBIs and a 1.310 OPS. He’s additionally proven the potential of dealing with duties in heart area, which can enable Seattle the flexibleness to make use of a number of outfield lineups consisting of Rodríguez, Jarred Kelenic, Mitch Haniger and Jesse Winker.

“Large upside, potential in his capability on the sector. I feel what excites everyone is simply his pleasure and fervour for taking part in baseball,” Servais mentioned. “He loves baseball. He actually does. He loves being part of what we’re doing right here. And the way in which it seems, he’s going to have an enormous a part of this going ahead.”

Rodríguez has been rated among the many high 10 prospects in baseball by a number of publications and whereas his potential was famous for a number of years it was final season the place he actually had a breakout. Rodríguez hit .347 with 13 homers and 47 RBIs at two stops within the minors. He additionally was a serious contributor for the Dominican Republic staff that received bronze on the Tokyo Olympics.

Servais mentioned it was noticeable the primary couple of days after gamers reported that Rodríguez had frolicked within the offseason making ready for the chance to make the foremost league roster. Rodríguez’s energy inside his 6-foot-3, 228-pound body has been noticeable for a number of years, however the enchancment in his pace is making him an even bigger risk on the bases and permits the Mariners to play him in heart area.

“I don’t assume I might be right here proper now making the most of this chance if I wasn’t making ready myself for the previous two years,” Rodríguez mentioned. “That performed the largest half in my growth was that alternative me and my complete group made and simply to go after it one of the best ways that I might presumably do.”

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