There were a lot of questions heading into Spring Training, but where Endy Rodriguez was going to begin the 2023 season wasn’t one of them.
Despite his breakout season last year that saw him go from High-A Greensboro all the way to Triple-A, it was made known during the offseason that their prized catching prospect would head back to Indianapolis to begin the season.
On a team that has really struggled offensively, it ended up being not too much a surprise that Rodriguez has been one of the more consistent producers in the lineup whenever he has gotten the opportunity.
A look at Endy Rodriguez's double from today. He's so good. Ideally he takes that changeup the other way, but not going to argue with the results. #Pirates pic.twitter.com/3n0lk5bbUg
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) March 10, 2023
Rodriguez reaches down and flips a changeup that’s trailing away from him down the first base line for a double. The Pirates broadcast team have obviously marveled at his performance so far this spring, especially for his hitting ability.
Through eight games played, Rodriguez has gone 5-for-14 with four runs scored and three doubles. He hasn’t drawn any walks, but has also struck out just twice (14.2 K%).
When comparing that to the ones that are competing for a spot on the major league club, and it isn’t a contest.
Even factoring in Austin Hedges‘ pair, the rest of the catchers (not including Henry Davis) have only picked up one more hit (six) than Endy has right now. Collectively they’ve gone 6-for-35 (.171) with a home run (Jason Delay), five runs scored, and a pair of doubles.
Hedges has also struck out seven times in 13 plate appearances. While he was brought in for his defense, and to be a mentor towards Rodriguez and Davis, that’s still not ideal of the guy who is going to be behind the plate the majority of the time to start the season.
The Pirates did set proper expectations heading into camp by saying Rodriguez would head back to Indianapolis to get more work in, but that doesn’t make it any easier to see him perform so well without seeing anyone else really step up to claim the backup job.
In reality, it may not matter too much who is the back if Hedges is playing the majority of the time, but at the same time, for a team that will be looking to start taking the next step, putting to rest even the chance of one of their best offensive players making the roster has to be a little bit of a blow.
Regardless, Rodriguez is putting together the kind of plate appearances that is proving last year was nowhere near any type of fluke.
Whenever he gets his opportunity, as we’ve seen in the games, Rodriguez is going to make the best of any chance he gets.
Pirates Prospects Daily
By John Dreker
It was a busy day yesterday. Here’s a look at everything that went on.
**Pirates Prospects Daily: Mark Mathias Provides Some Power, But Where’s The Fit? In case you missed it from yesterday.
**Pirates Reassign Quinn Priester to Minor League Camp Pirates are slowly getting down to their Opening Day roster with three weeks left in the spring.
**Pirates Roundtable: Which Player Has Stood Out to You Early in Spring Training? Everyone joins in the fun here, looking at players who have performed above expectations this spring
**Spring Training Recap: Tigers 10, Pirates 7
**Pirates Re-Sign RHP Travis MacGregor to a Minor League Deal Pirates bring back a high draft pick
**Pirates DVR: Tsung-Che Cheng WBC, Cody Bolton, Mike Burrows
**World Baseball Classic Recap: Strong Outing from Roansy Contreras Roansy Contreras did well in an exhibition game ahead of the WBC
Song of the Day
Today’s Lineup
Road game against the Philadelphia Phillies today. 1:05 PM start
The fellas battling the Phils.
