Image credit score:Julio Rodriguez (left) and Jarred Kelenic (Photo through Bill Mitchell)
Since returning from a hand harm last month, Julio Rodriguez has been an arrow up prospect in the Mariners gadget, just lately jumping just about Forty spots in our Top 100 prospects list. Rodriguez is hitting .288/.363/.463 with six homers in 46 games for the West Virginia Power in the South Atlantic League.
He sat down with Baseball America’s Justin Coleman for a up to date interview.
Justin Coleman: When did you start playing baseball, and at what point in time did you assume you should make it a career?
Julio Rodriguez: So I began taking part in baseball since I was like Three or four years previous with my dad, it was once a very long time in the past … after I discovered that I could have a excellent occupation in this sport used to be when I was like 15 years previous … like, I was pondering at that point, damn, I have some critical skill … I believe I could make it. Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Justin Coleman: So you signed in July of 2017. What was once that day like for you and your circle of relatives?
Julio Rodriguez: So that day, as soon as the clock grew to become to twelve in the morning .. .I was unsleeping! I was speaking in a gaggle chat with all of my pals and we were going to sign in combination that day. So I used to be so excited, my family was so excited; I couldn’t even sleep in any respect that day. I swear to God I couldn’t sleep at all. I was waiting for my Dad to get to Santiago so we will be able to go together to Boca Chica to the academy … I couldn’t sleep at all, I used to be so happy.
Justin Coleman: I do know you were speaking to a couple of teams at a exhibit, and your agent then asked you which crew you liked. You stated Seattle, and he instantly replied that they might provide you with a freelance. What was that like?
Julio Rodriguez: Yeah, that was once a actually great experience for me. Because I was interested by that staff like, rattling, this is a actually just right workforce for me. I think like I will be able to have a in reality excellent future with this staff and when my agent instructed me that I was in shock. I used to be like no, that may’t be. I used to be so excited!
Justin Coleman: So you spent a while in the Dominican Summer League and then came immediately over into full-season pro ball here. What’s that been like?
Julio Rodriguez: Its an adjustment, , different language … other other people here. I believe I will be able to deal with it beautiful neatly to be fair, most commonly on account of my English. I discuss really good English. I don’t understand how to give an explanation for it … its nothing that I will be able to’t conquer.
Justin Coleman: I do know you broke your hand a couple of months in the past. Was that your first severe harm? Also, what did you be told from that experience?
Julio Rodriguez: From that damage I realized so much. In Arizona, a couple of months ago, I realized that a lot of these scenarios are going to occur, however you want to stay targeted and do whatever you'll do to stick in shape so whilst you get back in the game you don’t miss any time. That’s the biggest phase.
Justin Coleman: I do know you had touched in this early, however what are some of the bigger differences between the United States and the Dominican Republic?
Julio Rodriguez: I might say the language clearly. But , in the Dominican, its kind of loopy (guffawing) … fun however crazy. Yeah, it’s crazy over there. I think there are a lot more laws and such here, that’s probably the biggest difference.
Justin Coleman: Who has been your largest influence and what have they taught you?
Julio Rodriguez: I feel my greatest affect has been my father. As I discussed previous, I began enjoying with him when I used to be much younger, so, I believe it was my father. He taught me everything. He helped me to be who I'm today… like in baseball, my persona, the entirety.
Justin Coleman: What do you recall to mind Seattle as a company and what have they taught you?
Julio Rodriguez: They taught me that during baseball, it's a must to be a in point of fact good … hmm … Its not just baseball. There are numerous folks out there which can be having a look as much as you, almost like a superstar, it's important to be a professional. They taught me how you can be a excellent teammate, the way to play hard, the highest method to play the recreation … they are a truly excellent organization to be truthful. I’m truly satisfied to be right here.
Justin Coleman: Is there any participant you type your recreation after?
Julio Rodriguez: You know A-Rod? That’s a big guy proper there. One of the highest in the sport—I love how he is in baseball each on and off the field. I love the manner he is, I believe that participant used to be my position fashion. I really like Trout too, he is nice. In basketball, I love Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is my favorite participant because of the way he plays … like … I attempt to take that from him in basketball and do the similar in baseball. He is all the time hustling, playing onerous, taking part in the sport … you'll be able to be told from anywhere to be fair.
Justin Coleman: What are some targets you've got for the rest of the season?
Julio Rodriguez: (Laughing) Hmm… that’s a secret! I got some secrets and techniques! After the season, I can let you know that I reached my objectives. Stay healthy, that’s the major thing.
Justin Coleman: What’s the largest challenge you’ve faced so far and the way did you conquer it?
Julio Rodriguez: My biggest challenge has been my harm up to now to be truthful. And thank God I may conquer it. Now my hand is 100%. I will be able to play 100%. It used to be my largest challenge.
Justin Coleman: Did it require numerous endurance?
Julio Rodriguez: Yeah because at that time in the season, at the beginning, I was doing lovely well… so I got harm, at that point, I was like damn, why me? My mom instructed me that the whole thing occurs for a reason why. So I think that was once my greatest challenge.
Justin Coleman: So you are known as a good, happy-go-lucky guy. What has helped you to be like that?
Julio Rodriguez: Yeah I was all the time like that. I’m pretty pleased, always guffawing, having fun. That’s what its all about! You have to enjoy everything you do.
Justin Coleman: Looking again at your time in baseball, what's the maximum important lesson that the sport has taught you?
Julio Rodriguez: Oh my, that’s a in reality onerous one. Hmm … That you must be humble. In this sport, it's important to be humble. If you're too cocky and you believe you might be the perfect and you suppose like you'll be able to do it all on your own, I believe that’s now not going to determine. You at all times want to embrace the ones around you … the second, all that. If you aren't humble on this sport, it's going to humble you.
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