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Last thing Itch said on him, “Emmanuel Rodriguez made his Triple-A debut this week at age 21, and while he hasn’t been my favorite bet to thrive at the highest level, there’s no denying what he’s put on film to this point. In 37 Double-A games, he slashed .298/.479/.621 with eight home runs and nine steals. That was good for a 202 wRC+ even while he was striking out 27.5 percent of the time. If he can make enough contact in Triple-A, he’ll be an option for the major league club early next season, a much quicker timeline than I was forecasting. Also in the forecast is pain for Grey.” I’m sorry, what? That was in September, and a few days later Rodriguez sprained his thumb, because, after all, he is a Twins prospect. Did you know the Twins scout almost exclusively from a list of patients who are being investigated for insurance fraud because they’ve made too many claims? Speaking of twins and hospitals, don’t you think they could’ve used the full name Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in this headline:

Any hoo! Assuming Emmanuel Rodriguez doesn’t come from the same stock of all other Twins prospects (fat chance!) and can stay on the field, well, then we’re in for some gloriousness. He was top 20 overall in the Itch’s last top 50 fantasy baseball prospects and that has a few guys in front of him who aren’t due up this year. Out of redraft prospects, he’s the 14th best prospect on that list, and two guys (Jasson Dominguez and Jordan Lawlar) are due up in 2023. Wait, what year is it? I tease, ETAs are when a guy is due or first appeared. So, what can we expect from Emmanuel Rodriguez for 2025 fantasy baseball?

Last year, Emmanuel Rodriguez stopped incredibly briefly in four spots in the minors, ending the year with a 9/9 year, which was almost exclusively in Double-A (he went 8/9 there), where he hit .298 with 25.1 BB%, and I just cackled like a hyena on nitrous. A 25+ walk rate?! Hey, quick question, has Emmanuel Rodriguez ever swung his bat? Let’s see if we can find clips of that:

And prolly my favorite clip I’ve shown this entire rookie series because it shows a guy’s power and speed:

A guy that walks 20+ percent of the time and can steal 30 bags is interesting on his own. Throw in the 30+ homer power, and, woo boy, we need to coronate my man. He could be as dynamic as they come if he swings and makes contact. I’m sure I’ve seen this profile before, but I’m trying to remember, oh, I know, Elly De La Cruz! Emmanuel Rodriguez had a 29.5 K% in High-A. That is amazing. In Complex League in 2021, he had a 36.6 K%. It actually tells me two things: One) He can’t make contact and doesn’t swing. Two) He must be so athletically dynamic to even get drafted because ya know those scouts didn’t actually see him swing and make contact. It’s so rare! He’s not a three-true-outcome player. He’s Neo, because he’s The One Outcome player. That outcome: A walk. Granted, things have become a little better as he’s aged, and *only* had a 27.5 K% in Double-A last year.

Emmanuel Rodriguez might be a fantasy stud if he can make contact and stay healthy. About that latter point, he missed roughly three months with his thumb when he slid head-first into second base. Last year was a lost year. He conserved energy, I conserved keystrokes. Before that, he was mostly healthy in 2023. Will he stay on the field in 2025? Eff if I know. I’m waiting on Royce Lewis for two years; waited on Buxton for, like, ten years; I waited for Alex Kirilloff for so long that he retired. Twins seemingly have a spot for Emmanuel Rodriguez in their lineup, so if he doesn’t hit .170 in Spring Training and stays on the field? He should be good to go! I sound facetious, but this is about as high upside and low upside as you get with rookies. He could be a top 50 player overall or a less-than-50-at-bat nothingburger. For 2025 fantasy baseball, I’ll give Emmanuel Rodriguez projections of 41/11/38/.231/16 in 324 ABs with a chance for much more or much less.

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J.R.
J.R.
20 days ago

What do you think of the big Rockies move? …Kyle Farmer for $4 million HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Poor Rockies fans. I always had a soft spot for that team but man do they play to their stereotype in that front office.

Amazed Doyle and Tovar made it before debuting at age 27.

J.R.
J.R.
Reply to  Grey
20 days ago

Amador when he is back in majors at 29:

“Yes, yes I do.”

J.R.
J.R.
21 days ago

Singer for India. Pretty decent trade early in offseason.

Not to be outdone, I hear the Angels are targeting Rizzo, Baez, Bryant, and Scherzer in the belief of “synergy” or “bankruptcy to a bailout” is the path to victory.

toolshed
21 days ago

One thing that ER has against him is that he is left handed. He is not allowed to face a left-handed handed pitcher.

Kiriloff retired at 27? Damn, I guess I missed the news. His career vanishing like that is very similar to how he was on my fantasy teams. He produced nothing and seemed to disappear on the IL or in the minors. He had so many wrist issues including multiple surgeries where they even shaved down the bone. I gave him so many chances and finally gave up.

Last edited 21 days ago by toolshed
J.R.
J.R.
Reply to  toolshed
21 days ago

He was one of my guys. Same with me liking Vaughn more than Tork….and that isnt really much to brag about.

Maybe Hinds will do something lol.

toolshed
Reply to  J.R.
21 days ago

Yeah had him in a dynasty league and luckily traded him in a package deal a couple of years ago.

I also remember seeing him in Grey’s buy column as a regular. I added him on redraft more times than I care to admit

J.R.
J.R.
22 days ago

Took a look at a map and not surprised about CHOP. Sandwiched between Buy Buy Baby the store, and Bye Bye Baby the abortion clinic. Across the street there is a That Was Easy Pawn, with the slogan, “mistakes happen, we can make them disappear” across the street.

The Twins seem addicted to players who cant stay healthy and then sort of brag about having depth. It is the guy with three cars but they are all beaters and dont work half the time and if he just got, you know, one good car, he would be fine. He just likes bragging he owns three cars.

Sidenote: I had a guy in college I played sports with. Dude would talk/brag about his car and emphatically mention LEXUS blah blah blah. I am not a car guy, I enjoy them, I enjoy fast ones, but I am the guy who knows how to drive, change oil, and go to Autozone for their diagnostic. Anyway, I remember my car was broken down and he offered a ride. One of the most disappointing cars Ive sat in vs hype. Was 10-15 years old and well maintained was a sedan and not a high end model. Felt like a Buick. Cool dude just led me on with hype lol.

J.R.
J.R.
Reply to  Grey
22 days ago

MIN – Loud tools! We have them! They work, trust us!

*All purchases final. No testing of tools before purchase.

Man, I was in love with Kirilloff too when in minors. Whoops!

Last edited 22 days ago by J.R.
uncle ernie
uncle ernie
22 days ago

Can’t wait till your 2025 ranking come out. I have Trea as a $24 keeper in 10 team league. but looking to swap him out for cheaper part. Either Tovar at $5 or Lane Thomas at $4. Would you keep Trea at that price considering the talent at ss right now. I could use either Thomas or Tovar and there both cheap. Thanks Grey

uncle ernie
uncle ernie
Reply to  Grey
22 days ago

I have a good team with some higher salaries. Ohtani. JRam. Machado. Merrill. K Tucker Betts Lindor Valdez and Rooker. I need to choose from those other 3 as my final keeper.

uncle ernie
uncle ernie
Reply to  Grey
21 days ago

Might be able to trade Trea for Profar. Better than Tovar

AntiScioscia
AntiScioscia
Reply to  Grey
21 days ago

People fade Tovar because of the strikeouts/OBP – but he’s crazy young and he was among the league leaders in total bases last year. He had 26 HR and a massive 45 Doubles – for reference, Jarren Duran had 21 & 48. He also had more RBI than JD. I am NOT comparing them – he isn’t a complete player like JD. But he’s better than Profar

LenFuego
LenFuego
Reply to  uncle ernie
20 days ago

Feels like Trea can no longer be counted on as a premium SB source. I mean, back in 2021 he had 32, and it was like “awesome, only 2 players had more!” and then last year with the new rules that affected SBs (base size increase, second base location change, limits on throwing to first, pitch timer) he had 19 and it was like “ummmm, 50 guys had more than that … yawwwwwwn”. 19 is … fine … but you don’t pay up for Trea for merely fine in SBs.

He’s still a good player, but the days of expecting him to be a top 30 player are over, forget about top 10.

Stl Squat Cobblers
Stl Squat Cobblers
22 days ago

Not sure why but this one seems to tingle me nethers more than the previous

Methinks you’ve sold me on the 30/30 potential of The E-ManRod! (No? Okay.)

Also, how old is too old to say ‘methinks’?

Art Vandelay
Art Vandelay
22 days ago

Eddie Rosario 2.0

J.R.
J.R.
Reply to  Art Vandelay
22 days ago

Id rather have Rosario Dawson 2.0

Chuckie Miller
Chuckie Miller
22 days ago

Love the idea of Emmanuel but the Twins have been and are the most frustrating team for fantasy players to reside. Weird platoons. Crazy line-up cards. Random/too many days off. Edouard Julien! I’ve almost resorted to avoiding Twins whenever I can. Am I crazy?

J.R.
J.R.
Reply to  Chuckie Miller
22 days ago

TB of the North. I agree with you.