Drafted in the 8th round of the 2008 amateur draft as a 17-year-old, Rodriguez made his professional debut that same year, throwing in 7 games with the Gulf Coast League Phillies. However, the 6-foot-4-inch 200-pounder struggled, as he sported a 12.19 ERA and a .383 batting average against.
The following season, back in the GCL, Rodriguez added some strength and made some serious improvements in the GCL, posting a 1-2 record with a 3.08 ERA and a .197 batting average against in 11 games (8 starts).
In 2010, as a 19-year-old, Rodriguez began the season in extended spring training, but joined the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws in May. He spent time with the short-season Williamsport Crosscutters as well that year, and finished with an overall record of 7-3 with a 1.89 ERA and a .175 batting average against in 20 outings (12 starts). J-Rod was a key contributor that helped Lakewood lock down their second straight South Atlantic League championship that year.
Last season with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, Rodriguez was named an end-of-season Florida State League All-Star as he had a stellar campaign. In 27 starts, Rodriguez finished with a league leading 16 wins, a 2.76 ERA that stood as second best in the FSL and a .186 batting average against.
Despite lacking blazing speed with a fastball the resides in the low-90’s, Rodriguez has steadily recorded impressive strikeout totals. Averaging 10.71 strikeouts per 9 innings over the past two seasons, it is his excellent secondary pitches and his ability to keep batters guessing that help Rodriguez mow down the competition. Among his repertoire are a strong curveball that dives away from righty batters and a solid change up that has shown improvement at each level.
The 21-year-old is versatile, proven by his ability to handle the competition in any role, although sources within the organization have stated the Phillies think Rodriguez’s future is as a starter.
This off-season, Rodriguez appeared in 6 games with the Gigantes de Carolina in the Puerto Rican Winter League. In those outings, all relief, he tallied no decisions and a 3.52 ERA.
In my four years covering the minors on a regular basis, I have not come across a Philadelphia pitching prospect that is more enjoyable to watch than Julio Rodriguez. He is cerebral, aggressive, tough and dominant on the mound. Reading area fans will definitely get a treat this year, every five days, when Rodriguez takes the mound for their Double A level Phillies.
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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider. You can read more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.