Guardians' Johnathan Rodriguez: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Guardians added Rodriguez to their 40-man roster Friday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Rodriguez slashed .286/.368/.529 with 29 home runs and 88 RBI between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus in 2023. The slugging outfield prospect will likely return to Triple-A to begin next season, but he could ascend to the big leagues quickly if he continues to light up minor-league pitchers.
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Guardians' Johnathan Rodriguez: Mashing in upper levels
Rotowire
Rodriguez is hitting .285 with 10 home runs and a 33.5 percent strikeout rate in 42 games since getting promoted to Triple-A Columbus.
A prospect of note several years ago, Rodriguez has put himself back on the radar this year after underwhelming (79 wRC+) at an age-appropriate level (Double-A) in 2022. Given that Rodriguez is destined for right field, the bar for him to clear against big-league pitching will be high, but he hit 28 homers with a .288 average and a .369 OBP while registering an elite 35.2 percent hard-hit rate across Double-A and Triple-A this year. He will need to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason if the Guardians want to protect him from the Rule 5 draft heading into his age-24 season.
