David
Rodriguez

NorCal Preseason All-State: If you see Rodriguez pitch more than once, you know he’s a true pitcher that understands how to set up and attack hitters with stuff that has continued to progress. The frame looked stronger and his actions on the hill suggest he wasn’t at his peak which could only help the overall profile. Rodriguez commanded the FB (82-84 T85 MPH) to both sides of the plate with strong angle from the 3/4 release while working with good direction and tempo on the hill. The Curveball (69-70 MPH) was spun well with a tight 11/5 shape and small depth occurring just before the zone and the feel for the pitch has improved. The Change (70-73 MPH) was also looking improved with similar armspeed as the FB and consistent bottom off that FB look. The velocity still has space to tick up and once at full stamina will be one for coaches to watch.

BAWS 2019 - Large, physical frame with strong lower half, Rodriguez really swang the bat well during BP and was consistently making plays during games at 3rd and on the Hill. 7.40 60-yd is a better runner underway than out the box, but has the agility and looseness to handle the hot corner and ability to repeat his delivery on the mound. During BP he showed the ability to lift the ball from a tall stance especially to the pullside where there's more pop from late bat speed (83 EV). At 3B he shows loose hips and a loose arm (80 MPH) with the ability to make plays laterally and on the move; that defense was on display during games where he made consistent plays including moving both ways and a great play on a top ball to get a strong runner. On the mound he attacked hitters working quickly striking out half the hitters he faced over two innings. The FB (80-83 T84) worked at it’s higher velocity more consistently in the 1st with ability to spot on both sides of the plate flashing some life up through the zone. The CB (68-70 MPH) was a true weapon being used on both sides of the plate from a tight short 11/5 break with feel. The CHG (73-74 MPH) had arm side fade with good feel also. The numbers aren’t anything that is going to jump off paper, but the consistent ability to go out and compete while producing during games did. Rodriguez could still make a jump as he firms up the frame and matures.

1/27/19 - PBR N CA Preseason All-State - Full, large frame with length and thickness in lower half; lean over feet showing inline stride (7.65 60-yd). Tall and narrow, open stance showing good posture with high hands and high back elow; knee tuck as hands pull down and back with good balance in back hip through load. Swing flashes quickness with short, compact stroke that has high finish through the ball; gap power that flashes more when getting better extension on his swing (85 exit velo). Clean footwork with high hips and glove out front; hips show fluidity and able to open up and move side-to-side with good actions for 3B. Compact, loose arm with plenty of strength and ease on throws showing life and carry (82 MPH). A projectable 2020 who also showed two-way skills on the mound.

1/27/19 - PBR N CA Preseason All-State - Stout and broad at 6-foot-1 195-pounds, gaining size and strength since last viewing, competed as two-way player, on mound has a fairly high ceiling, good delivery and understands how his body works, loose high knee lift, on-time separation, long deep backside with control of arm swing, firm stride leg with good front side stability for leverage, real nice extension to release point, stuff comes out of hand easily, chance to really develop quality stuff and with minimal arm effort, occasionally does rush down slope and lost some umph when in the stretch, fastball (T84) with length through zone, curveball (67-69 mph) feel is good and has late break with two-plane action, certainly has chance to be high quality second pitch, change-up (70-71 mph) could become a plus pitch for him, has feel of it and looks capable of being a swing and miss pitch at times. Quality full three-pitch repertoire and good velocity projectability.

8/25/18 - PBR N CA Underclass Games -  6-foot-0, 175-pounds, sizeable frame with ample room to fill out, lower body has chance to pack on power throughout the hips and upper legs, two-way player we’ve seen a few times, continues to show ability with the bat and glove as well as talent on the mound. High-3/4 slot with good direction toward the plate, has feel of his body movements on the mound, lower body works well though could establish more stability so as not to fall off and lose some of his stuff. Arm works well and clean, showed late life with the fastball as he gets to good extension. Curveball has nice spin and good late action. As he gains more lower body strength his velocity will steadily tick up. Arm works easy and he doesn’t have to work very hard to get to his low-mid-80s. Demeanor on the mound is good and he’s also a good athlete off the mound. Makes sense as he is a good third baseman with an easy and projectable arm. Let’s throws go without max effort and ball still comes out nicely. Ball exits bat well and the longer he stays on the ball and uses the opposite field the better he is. Tends to tip over a bit as he fields ball and then has to regather feet and find the target. Feet do flow well to the ball. Has feel of the bat and power projects to be above average, particularly to the pull side. Strong follow as a talent and as a two-way player.

7/18/18 - Summer tourney - Big, strong, physical body with a frame to grow into, lots of upside for his young frame and physicality.  Pronounced size in quads, backside, and hips. Wide back. Fastball dominant at times, never dipped below 82, sat 82, 83, touched 84 on one occasion; change-up consistent 67, 68. Breaking ball had the latest break of any pitcher throughout the day.  All three pitches release out of the same tube to the plate. Endurance and control in later innings will improve with experience, conditioning, and experience.

6/1/18- 6/3/18 @ BAWS 2018 - Strong present day 6-foot-0 170-pound body with a good frame and potential to develop a powerful body type. Legitimate two-way talent and one of the more intriguing 2020s in the region. Tall, narrow, open stance with high back elbow; compact swing that gets leverage on the ball and ability to drive into outfield. Willing to stay back and control barrel to drive ball other way. Average arm, flashing more with straight carry across field; times where glove hand can get stiff and stab at baseball. Quick first step and fluid athlete down the line; 4.40 down the line. On mound, simple delivery keeping hands mid-chest before a high front shoulder; added deception by pushing glove hand at catcher and having long arm pause behind back before 3/4 release. Fastball 79-81 mph with angle through lower half of the zone; less control of pitch in stretch. Curveball 67-71 mph, 12/6 actions with small break showing depth at plate; feel for pitch. Change-up 68-71 mph arm side run with limited action/feel.