Rocchio does a little of everything for Triple-A Clippers

May 25th, 2023

Call it a triple-double for , and then some.

The No. 61 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, racked up three doubles and four RBIs in Triple-A Columbus' 12-9 loss to visiting Indianapolis. Rocchio also walked twice to reach base in all five of his plate appearances and made a highlight-reel play at shortstop.

The sixth-ranked Guardians prospect displayed his patience in the first inning with a four-pitch walk, then picked up his first hit and RBI of the night in the second. Rocchio lined his 14th double of the season to the warning track in left-center field off left-hander Kent Emanuel to drive in Raynel Delgado. 

With the bases loaded in the fourth, the 22-year-old switch-hitter touched up the Pirates farmhand for another double that careened off the wall in center, plating Marcos Gonzalez and Delgado.

After drawing another walk and scoring in the sixth, Rocchio roped his third double of the night into the right-field corner off righty Eli Villalobos in the seventh. Delgado crossed the plate, but the Venezuela native was  tagged out at third on the play.

The outing marked Rocchio’s seventh three-hit game of the season for the Clippers, but the first with as many extra-base hits.

Consistency has been key for him all season. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder leads all Columbus hitters with at least 10 at-bats with a .346 average, good for seventh overall in the International League. He also stands fourth on the circuit with 56 hits and second with 16 doubles.

For all his offensive prowess, Rocchio's top weapon might be his fielding -- he sports a 60-grade for defense, according to MLB Pipeline. In his latest dazzling display on that front, he shaded over the bag beyond second to make a diving catch and throw out Mark Mathias in the second.

Rocchio has started 32 games for Columbus at short, racking up 74 assists and keying 16 double plays while making seven errors. He's also manned second base for eight games, notching 17 assists without an error.