Daily updates on Julio Rodríguez from July

Keeping tabs on the No. 5 overall prospect

July 31st, 2021

July 29: Brushes off collision in second Olympic game with three hits
Julio Rodríguez was part of a scary collision with second baseman Gustavo Nuñez during the third inning of the Dominican Republic's matchup with Mexico on Thursday. The two ran into each other going for a fly ball in shallow right field and both stayed down for a few minutes before returning to their feet. Rodríguez stayed in the game. Nuñez stayed in to finish the inning, but was later lifted for Yefri Perez in the fourth. Rodríguez didn't let the collision faze him, as the Mariners' No. 2 prospect doubled in his at-bat during the bottom of the inning and went 3-for-4 at the plate. He is now 4-for-9 through the Dominican's first two Olympic games. Boxscore »

July 28: Collects first hit of Tokyo Olympics
The last time baseball was played at the Olympics, Julio Rodríguez was just 7 years old. Thirteen years later, Rodríguez notched the first hit of baseball's return in Tokyo with a first-inning single. The Mariners' No. 2 prospect went 1-for-5 in the Dominican Republic's loss to Japan. He also made a nice running catch in right field to keep the D.R. on top to end the seventh inning. The D.R. will face Mexico on Thursday in their second game of group play. More »

July 18: Departs to join DR for Olympics
Julio Rodríguez left Double-A Arkansas on Sunday to join the Dominican Republic as they get ready for the Tokyo Olympics. Prior to his departure, Rodríguez had two home runs in four games against a Northwest Arkansas club that features MLB's No. 7 prospect Bobby Witt Jr. The DR will kick off baseball's return to the Olympics for the first time since 2008 on July 28, taking on Japan in Fukushima.

July 16: Slams homer in showdown with Witt Jr.
Julio Rodríguez and MLB's No. 7 prospect Bobby Witt Jr. gave fans in Northwest Arkansas their money's worth, as both phenoms slammed homers in their matchup Friday. Rodríguez did all he could for Double-A Arkansas, smashing a solo shot and scoring three times in a 2-for-5 performance, but Witt and his three-run dinger had the last laugh as the Naturals took down the Travelers. Rodríguez is now hitting .280 with three home runs and a .850 OPS at the Double-A level, with two of those home runs coming over the past three days. Gameday »

July 15: Reaches twice in win
Julio Rodríguez reached safely for the second straight night, going 1-for-3 with a single and a walk as part of the Travelers' 4-3 win over Northwest Arkansas. Since his promotion June 29, Rodríguez leads all hitters on the Double-A Arkansas roster in walks (9), slugging (.444) and OPS (.855). Gameday »

July 14: Breaks slump with grand slam
Julio Rodríguez broke his 0-for-13 slump in grand fashion Wednesday night, launching a grand slam in Double-A Arkansas' win over Northwest Arkansas. J-Rod's night ended early, though, as he was ejected following a strikeout in the seventh. Rodríguez went 1-for-4 prior to the ejection. He now has eight home runs on the year, two of those coming at the Double-A level. In the same game, MLB's No. 7 prospect Bobby Witt Jr. launched a homer of his own. Gameday »

July 13: Hitless in loss
Julio Rodríguez couldn't get it going Tuesday night, as the Mariners' No. 2 prospect went 0-for-5 in Double-A Arkansas' loss to Northwest Arkansas. He has failed to record a hit in three straight games, going 0-for-12 in that span. It is only the fifth hitless game for Rodríguez since his promotion to Double-A on June 28. Gameday »

July 11: Parents in town for Futures Game
Julio Rodríguez was already excited about the opportunity to play in his first SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. When his parents surprised him by flying to Denver from the Dominican Republic, it took that anticipation to another level.

“It’s the first time they have watched me play [in the U.S.],” Rodríguez said. “I’m trying to enjoy it the best I can.”

Rodríguez, the No. 5 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, went 0-for-2 with a walk in the American League’s 8-3 loss to the National League. But the chance to suit up with some of the game’s brightest young stars -- as well as fellow Mariners prospect Jarred Kelenic -- was more important to him than the final score.

“It’s been good to get together in the field again,” Rodríguez said of Kelenic. “It’s fun.”

July 9: Another rare hitless night
Julio Rodríguez went hitless for the second game in a row, a first for him at the Double-A level. The Mariners' No. 2 prospect went 0-for-3 at the dish and came around to score in Arkansas' win. Rangers' No. 7 prospect Hans Crouse held Arkansas in check through the first five innings, allowing just three hits for Frisco. Crouse did hit Rodríguez with a pitch in the fourth, though, marking the only time J-Rod would reach base in the game. Gameday »

July 8: Records just third hitless game since promotion
Thursday marked a rare quiet night for Julio Rodríguez, as the 20-year-old star struggled and went 0-for-4 at the plate. It was just the second game since his promotion on June 29 that the Dominican outfielder did not record either a hit or a walk. Gameday »

July 7: Reaches base three times again
Julio Rodríguez continues to pummel Double-A Central pitching, reaching base three times for the second straight game and going 2-for-3 with a run scored, a double and a base on balls. He also fired a strike across the diamond to record an out at third base for his first outfield assist since being promoted to Double-A Arkansas. The Mariners No. 2 prospect is now hitting .471 (8-for-17) through six games this month while also adding a league-high eight walks during that span. Gameday »

July 6: Reaches base three times
Double-A Frisco pitchers wanted no part of Julio Rodríguez Tuesday night, walking the No. 5 overall prospect twice in Arkansas' win. They showed some respect to the hard-hitting outfielder in the eighth inning, intentionally walking him to load the bases. J-Rod went 1-for-2 on the night with a run scored. He is hitting .348 since his promotion to Double-A with a 1.038 OPS. Gameday »

July 4: One of two Travelers with hit
Julio Rodríguez only had one hit in Sunday's game, but it was an impressive feat as Dodgers No. 7 prospect Ryan Pepiot twirled a gem for Double-A Tulsa. Pepiot tossed seven perfect frames before walking a batter in the eighth and leaving the game to his bullpen, who then went on to give up two hits to end the contest including a single to Rodríguez in the ninth. Pepiot struck out Rodríguez twice in the three times he faced him and J-Rod ended the night 1-for-4. Gameday »

July 3: Reaches base twice in win
While it wasn't quite the explosive day Julio Rodríguez had on Friday, he still reached base twice in a hitless game Saturday. The 20-year-old outfielder walked twice in his fifth game at the Double-A level, going 0-for-3 with a run scored and two strikeouts. J-Rod's batting average dropped from a blistering .429 to a more modest .353. Gameday »

July 2: Reaches base four times in Game 2 of DH
Julio Rodríguez seems to have no problem with Double-A. The Mariners' No. 2 prospect went 3-for-3 with a walk in the second game of Arkansas' doubleheader against Tulsa. Overall, Rodríguez reached base seven times across both games and went 4-for-5 with a three-run homer, three singles and three walks on the day. Through four Double-A appearances, J-Rod is hitting .429 with a 1.270 OPS. Gameday »

July 2: Smashes go-ahead three-run homer for first in Double-A
Double-A Central pitchers, meet Julio Rodríguez. A postponement on Thursday didn't faze J-Rod, as it only took him three games to launch his first Double-A home run. Baseball's no. 5 overall prospect smashed a three-run shot to break a scoreless tie in the seventh inning of the first game of Arkansas' doubleheader with Tulsa, powering them to a 3-1 win. Rodríguez reached base three times in the first leg, going 1-for-2 with two walks batting out of the two-hole. His tenure with the Travelers is still young, but Rodríguez is hitting .273 with a 1.065 OPS. Gameday »