Catcher Endy Rodriguez
Endy Rodriguez is the hottest prospect in the Pirate farm system right now. He has 85 PAs in 19 games played since being promoted to Double-A, and has hit for a .361/.459/.806 slash line to go with a 232 wRC+ and 16 extra base hits. He’s also already thrown out seven attempted base stealers.
Since the end of the All-Star Break, so dating back to July 22nd, Rodriguez has 143 PAs between Double-A and High-A. In these 143 PAs Rodriguez has hit for a .398/.497/.864 slash line, posting a 15.4% walk rate, just an 11.9% walk rate and a 252 wRC+.
The Pittsburgh Pirates should reward Rodriguez’s tremendous play with a promotion to the majors. The current catching situation for the Pirates being a mess should be a factor in the equation as well.
A catcher by trait, Rodriguez is a plus athlete who can also play the corner outfield positions, second base, and first base. With Henry Davis also in Altoona, Rodriguez’s future in the majors could be as a super utility man who has the ability to catch once or twice a week as well. Most of his prospect value comes from his bat, regardless of position, and the Pirates should look to get his bat a chance against MLB pitching this month.