No. 12: Jeremy Rodriguez, IF
B/T: L/R Age: 18 (7/4/2006)
Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 170
Acquired: Trade with Arizona for Tommy Pham in 2023
ETA: 2028
2024 Stats: Florida Complex League: .282/.355/.400/.755, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 17 SB, 21 BB, 37K, 217 PA
Overview
In 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks signed Jeremy Rodriguez for $1,250,000 as the top international free agent. Rodriguez played 38 games for Arizona’s Dominican Summer League team, slashing .246/.363/.377 coupled with two home runs, 12 stolen bases and a 22/27 BB/K. The Mets acquired the 18-year-old in August 2023 in exchange for outfielder Tommy Pham.
Immediately after being acquired by the Mets, Rodriguez’s numbers improved significantly, batting .422/.536/.711 along with one home run, and seven stolen bases across 13 games.
In 2024, the 18-year-old spent the season in the Florida Complex League, playing in 50 games. He slashed .282/.355/.400, with three home runs and 17 stolen bases. With a 17.1% strikeout rate, he was one of only two players 17 years old or younger to strike out less than 18 percent of the time in stateside complex ball during the 2024 season.
Jeremy Rodriguez. Photo by Ed Delany of Metmerized
Defensively, Rodriguez played 37 games at shortstop, 10 at second base, and three at third base, while committing 17 total errors, which is not out of the ordinary for a very young infielder.
Overall, at 18 years old, Rodriguez has time to mature and grow as a player. The infielder has a high ceiling and possesses above-average arm strength, which he showcases at shortstop while still earning opportunities at second and third base. With a 6’0 170 pound athletic frame, Rodriguez has plenty of room to add more muscle over the next few seasons. The left-handed batter profiles as a contact hitter, but the ball travels a long way when he makes solid contact.
Rodriguez is lauded for his elite eye discipline, speed and extremely high baseball IQ. In 2023, he logged an impressive 33 walks while only striking out 31 times across 51 games. As Rodriguez continues to climb the ranks in the Mets farm system, elite plate discipline is certainly a trait that will significantly benefit him. The 18-year-old continuously has showcased his speed and high baseball IQ on the base paths as he stole 19 bases in 2023 while only being caught six times and in 2024, he stole 17 bases while only being caught eight times.
2025 Outlook
After spending the 2023 season in the DSL and the 2024 season in the FCL, I expect Rodriguez to begin the 2025 season at Low-A St. Lucie. While he still has a long road ahead before earning a call-up to Flushing, he has shown flashes of potential that he aims to put on display this season.
