Josh Rodriguez

Josh Rodriguez: Second-Baseman

Age: 21 Height: 6’0” Weight: 175 Bats: Right Throws: Right

The Indians took Rodriguez with their second of four picks in the second round of the 2006 Draft. In pre-season college draft prospect rankings, Rodriguez was considered the top shortstop available. Like Wes Hodges (more on him later), however, Rodriguez’s draft stock plummeted somewhat when an elbow injury limited him to DH duty at Rice University early in 2006 and he was eventually moved to third-base. Once signed, the Indians assigned him to Mahoning Valley where he hit .268/.337/.465 with 4 HRs and 24 RBIs in 45 games. Rodriguez is a patient hitter with gap power. While Rodriguez lacks speed he does have an excellent throwing arm, and is versatile enough to play third-base, shortstop or second-base. With the need in the lower minors for second-basemen, Rodriguez most likely could end up at that position full-time. He should start the 2007 season at Lake County.

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