Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports is credited.
Considering that Yovanny Rodriguez is only 17 years old, Amazin’ fans should be extremely thrilled about the prospect from the New York Mets, who is starting to generate some serious noise in the MLB.
Over the past 20 years, the overseas market has grown equally important to finding future stars, even though most fans are aware of the impact the annual MLB Draft will have on their favourite clubs’ futures. Teams need to make prudent financial decisions because of the new restrictions on the amount of money they may spend on overseas prospects.
And Yovanny Rodriguez, a teenage player from Venezuela, appears to be a real treasure that the Mets may have discovered. The prospect was the organization’s main objective during the recruiting process, and last month, they signed him to a minor league contract for $2.85 million.
Joe DeMayo of SNY stated on Wednesday that “the Mets formed a relationship with Rodriguez and his family during the process, and he was able to speak to [catcher] Francisco Alvarez on a few occasions, obtaining advise on the route he is about to walk.” Alvarez, a fellow Venezuelan born catcher, advanced quickly through the system farm and, at the age of 21, started playing in the major leagues.
It is a coup for the Mets to sign Rodriguez, who was ranked sixth overall by MLB Pipeline and as the best catching prospect in this year’s international class by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. He was rated by MLB Pipeline as having the potential to be the top player among these prospects.
According to scouts who spoke with SNY, Rodriguez keeps improving each time they get a close-up look at him. In addition, as his abilities increase, he gets physically bigger and stronger. From the most crucial defensive position on the field, the outlet also disclosed an intriguing tidbit of information regarding his elite-level defence.
“He possesses a 70-grade arm on a 20-80 scale, according to a Mets scout, and during workouts, he would have pop times throwing down to second base that are comparable to JT Realmuto, one of the greatest in the major leagues at getting out runners on base.”
The fact that Yovanny Rodriguez’s bat control is apparently highly regarded by New York Mets personnel is another important report that highlights his enormous potential.
