3/4/2016 4:14:06 PM
Already full of high end athletic outfielders according to Perfect Game, the 2017 class has added another top of the charts prospect as Johnathan Rodriguez (Toa Boja, P.R.), formerly of the 2018 class, has reclassified. Prior to his reclassification Rodriguez was the No. 8 prospect in the class of 2018 but the fact that he’ll now only be roughly 17.7 years old on draft day further adding to the allure. And when you take into account the type of tools he already possesses then you’re looking at a potential monster come June of 2017.
Already physically impressive with a 6-foot-3, 170-pound broad shouldered yet very loose, athletic frame, Rodriguez has the type of tools that make you sit there for a second and ponder what you just saw. My first and only impression to this point came at the Perfect Game Caribbean Underclass Showcase this past November where Rodriguez, who had turned 16 just two weeks prior, ran a sub-7 60 before showing one of the easiest arm actions from the outfield where he showed plus-arm strength and carry with a top throw of 96 mph, leaving his hand clean and effortlessly.
Rodriguez’s bat is just as impressive as his other tools, showing both a high end hit and power tool from either side of the plate. A switch-hitter, the uncommitted Rodriguez shows a bit more comfort from the right side where his swing is long and plenty loose and he’s already more than capable of driving the ball hard and loud to the opposite field courtesy of the big extension he creates out front. And don’t get me wrong the lefthanded swing still shows plenty of fluidity with easy strength and extension which helps create leverage and carry to the pull side. He shows comfort hitting from both sides of the plate and he’s certain to have scouts keeping close tabs with the combination of youth, tools, projection, and overall upside throughout the 2016 summer circuit.
The reclassification of Rodriguez comes roughly a week after fellow top 2018 and University of Florida commit Christian Robinson (then No. 13 nationally) expedited his process as well, jumping to the 2017 class where he, like Rodriguez, will be amongst the top in the class. Robinson and Rodriguez are both born in November of 1999 which means neither will turn 18 for another five full months after the draft concludes which only adds to their overall intrigue and value.